Big-game fishing is all about the thrill and adrenaline rush of fishing from boats to catch large open-water species known for their sporting qualities, such as tuna and marlin.
The best game fishing locations for your holiday would be somewhere where the sea is blue and calm, where the fish are easy to catch and where there are plenty of great fishing charter vessels to make it easy for you.
We recommend the following locations as the best fishing holiday spots in the South:
Port Vila is home to various species of bill fish; broadbill sword fish, sailfish, striped, black and blue marlin. In season, blue marlin congregate along the edge of a canyon known locally as “The Marlin Highway”, and it is quite common to release 4-5 fish per day here. Yellow fin tuna are also common, ranging in size up to 80kg. Massive schools of Wahoo are citizens of the local reefs, and Mahi mahi are often found in abundance.
There are seamounts that rise from depths of 1000m to within 5m of the surface, and you can be in over 1000m of water within 1km of the shore. Which means the fishing boats don’t have far to travel to the game fishing grounds: although, being fast and very seaworthy, they are capable of getting out to more distant spots quickly and comfortably.
Port Vila is also a great place on non fishing days, or for non fishing partners. There are plenty of superb restaurants, excellent shopping, a casino, and a variety of sights other than the one off the back of a boat!
Fish species: Yellowfin tuna, sailfish, striped, black and blue marlin, Wahoo and Mahi mahi
Troll Vava’u’s crystal clear waters for Blue, Black or Striped Marlin, Sailfish, Mahimahi, big Yellow Fin Tuna and Wahoo. Spear fish or cast jigs or poppers for predators like Blue Fin and Giant Trevally.
The game fishing grounds are only 30 – 40 minutes by boat from the township of Vava’u and most fishing boatsdepart in the early morning, returning by evening. Most Marlin, Mahimahi, Sailfish and Tuna are caught fishing the 100 fathom drop-offs, which are located within a mile of the shore.
Fish species: Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Sail Fish, Sharks, Mahi Mahi, G.T, Dog Tooth Tuna
Every winter, the waters boil with huge bait balls and feeding tuna. Skipjack, mackerel and big eye tuna make superb light tackle sport and great bait for the marlin that start showing in September.
For the keen bill fish angler or those wishing to experience big game fishing for the first time, the boat can be on the 1000 metre Pacific drop off within 15 minutes trolling for black marlin, blue marlin, striped marlin and Pacific sailfish.
Fish species: Black marlin, Blue marlin, Striped marlin, Pacific sailfish, Shark
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