Hey,

My wife and I are heading to the Cook Islands (Rorotonga and Aitutaki)next week and I am trying to get some last minute fishing info. Since it seems that these Islands are closer and more frequented by Kiwis compared to Yanks I figured I would querry this group for some info. Anyone out there kayaked or fished in the Cooks or other Islands in the south pacific?
I hope to fly fish for Bonefish and Giant Trevaly and perhaps some blue water fish like Dorado or Tuna. Anyone have any fishing technique or fly pattern advice for these coral atols? My plan is to wade fish in the lagoons and look for deeper channels or breaks in the reef. I am unsure about the possibility of kayak fishing outside the reefs. Is this feasable or are the waves typicaly too big to safely kayak out side the reefs?

Thanks,

Tomfish

Hi Tomfish... hope I'm not too late with this belated reply. Here are some excerpts from a thread on the www.fishing.net.nz forums regarding fishing in the Cook Islands.

"A good idea is to go and pay a visit to the cook Island Game Fishing Club they have a nice club rooms and Bar on the beach past Avarua(main town where" trader jacks" is. "That is if you are going anticlockwise round the Island". Ask the guys at the club you, will find one or two commercial operators,and some locals and expats,The locals and expats will tell you who and what is catching fish. The commercial guys will to, but don't forget that they would like your money and you as a charterer. Last time I was there they had a very slow time only the odd Wahoo, but time before we did well YFT, Dolphin fish, and a Marlin plus Travs(like freight trains).

"there is fantastic SWF on Aitutaki for bonefish and trevally. wade the flats looking for bones, its superb. There is a local called Jubilee who guides for around $200 per day, supply your own gear. no sunday work though. there is a FAD near Aitutaki too for some trolling."

"Whizz. Have fished Rarotonga and Aitutaki a couple of times and unfortunately the fishery does seem to be taking a hammering. When you pay only $12 a kilo for marlin and broadbill steaks in the supermarkets and see longliners outside the reef, then that says it all. There are still fish to be had like mahimahi, wahoo and yellowfin (and the odd munchie if you take too long bringing them in) so all is not lost its just quieter than it was.
Some prices...Jason on aitutaki charges about $150 pp and Wayne Barklay about $110pp on rarotonga and trips are only about 6 hours. It might pay to take your own rigs as gear is not the greatest or serviced too frequently to say the least...you are in trouble if anything too big grabs it especially in aitutaki. Hope you enjoy the cooks, awesome place and people....cheers."

Hope that is of help and enjoy your holiday.

DogFish

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DogFish,

Thanks for the info DogFish. The site you referenced is awsome, makes me want to move to NZ.

Thomas