If its Marlin you want, Kadavu island sees black, blue and stripes however the predominent species caught all year round is the blue marlin.
Ranging in size from 150lbs to 1,000lbs Marlin can be caught trolling lures, tuna skip-baits or livebaiting.
We run four bent butt 80 wide Penn Internationals when trolling lures but drop to two rods and teasers when trolling skipbaits, livebaiting small tuna or fishing bait & switch techniques.
Deep trenches run up either side of Kadavu island and the 1,000 fathom line is just 15 minutes cruise from the lodge. If the weather turns on us, we simply fish whichever trench is on the lee side of the island.
Alternatives are the 1,000 fathom line around Solo, a coral Attol that spikes up from 4,000ft to break the surface or the Kadavu seamount, an underwater mountain that rises from depths of 9,000ft to just 400ft.
Along with theblue marlin come yellowfin tuna to 150lbs, mahi mahi to 50lbs and wahoo to 100lbs as a common by-catch.
At some times of the year when the smaller blue marlin are prevelant (June – Dec) we use Penn International and custom made Eyre rod 50lb class stand-up gear.
January – March is when we target the monsters.
Bite Me has boated blues to 500lbs but fought and lost blues to 800lbs and possibly more.
We carry a sizeable range of 12″-18″ marlin lures including Marlin Magic, Moldcraft, Joe Yee, Black Bart, Pakula, John Lau and Hollowpoint. Guests are however welcome to bring their own favourite and we will advise as to whether or not it is likely to be effective in our waters.
