| Know Before You Go | | | | directing you to move back. |
| First, do your research. What you want to catch | | | | You will get your chance to take close up pictures |
| dictates were you want to go and fish. Once you | | | | when the fish is tagged and under control. |
| decide where you want to go, find out what | | | | When a fish comes aboard, stand well back and |
| charter boats are in the area. Read magazines, | | | | listen to the deckie's instructions. They are for his |
| get on line and put some time in to find out all | | | | safety as well as yours. Most lures used have 2 |
| you can about your options. When you have a | | | | or more hooks. One may be in the fish's mouth, |
| couple of possibilities, call them up, drop them an | | | | the other may be swinging free - just waiting to |
| email, ask them questions, not just "how much is | | | | catch you. |
| it?" but "what is the best time to come? What | | | | A colleague of mine got a 10/0 Stainless Steel |
| fish are in season? What type of tackle do you | | | | hook embedded in his calf when a mahi mahi got |
| have on board and in what classes? Can the | | | | loose on the deck. Very painful and that was the |
| weather stop you going out? Do you fish under | | | | end of the days fishing. |
| IGFA Rules? Is the skipper an IGFA Certified | | | | A good charter boat will do everything it can to |
| Captain? What about beginners? Can you put me | | | | ensure you have an action packed, fun filled day |
| in touch with a couple of previous clients? What | | | | of fishing. It is, after all, in their best interests that |
| types of fishing can you offer? | | | | you go home and tell all your friends how good |
| Try to find out if they are a serious charter boat | | | | the fishing was and what fun you had. If you are |
| with good equipment, a good crew and they | | | | out there flogging a dead horse (its rare but it |
| know what they are doing! | | | | does happen)….don't blame the |
| If you can, talk to the skipper before you go out. | | | | crew….they will be even more frustrated |
| Tell him/her what you would like to catch, your | | | | than you are! |
| level of experience and if you would prefer | | | | Some Do's and Don'ts |
| calmer waters or are happy to corkscrew all day | | | | Do: |
| if the fish are there. | | | | * Take a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. You will |
| You are out there to have fun, not sit in a corner | | | | get a lot of glare reflected off the sea, even on |
| looking green and feeling miserable. If you start to | | | | cloudy days. |
| feel unwell, tell the crew ! Here in Kadavu, we can | | | | * Take a camera. |
| always move to calmer waters. | | | | * Wear non marking soft soled shoes. |
| A good charter boat will take your wishes into | | | | * Ask if you are fishing under IGFA Rules - You |
| consideration when deciding how and where to | | | | just might catch a World Record! |
| fish. | | | | * Ask, if you want to come up and see the |
| When You Step Aboard | | | | bridge. |
| Listen to the safety briefing. It's not just done to | | | | * Eat your catch - you won't ever eat a fresher |
| fulfil Maritime Safety regulations, it will also give | | | | tastier fish than one that you just landed. |
| you information about that particular boat, where | | | | * Respect the boat. Don't trash it. Rubbish makes |
| emergency items are stored, where you can sit | | | | its way to the bilge and can block bilge pumps. |
| and where you should not go or sit during cruising | | | | * Enjoy the whole day's experience, not just the |
| for safety reasons. | | | | fishing! |
| Be prepared. Talk to the skipper or deckie. Ask | | | | Don't: |
| questions like "what do I do when a rod goes off? | | | | * Brag before you go about how many fish you |
| And how do I do it?" We always establish the | | | | are going to catch. It's bound to blank your day. |
| experience of our guests and we tell you what to | | | | * Step on board wearing high heels or shoes that |
| do and show you how to do it. The last thing the | | | | may damage or mark the deck. |
| deckie or the skipper wants is to lose a fish | | | | * Play with fishing equipment settings. (Even if you |
| because of simple confusion on the deck. | | | | do know what you are doing) |
| I once watched 3 anglers begin, and continue with, | | | | * Put a rod butt down on a teak deck - It will |
| a lengthy discussion on who should pick up a | | | | damage the teak. All rods go in rod holders. |
| screaming rod whilst a nice sailfish of about 100lbs | | | | * Crowd round the deckie with a camera when |
| tail walked away from the boat. Despite us | | | | he is tracing or gaffing a fish. STAY WELL BACK. |
| backing down, the sail took over 700 yards of | | | | * Bring a hand held GPS. If the skipper sees it, |
| 30lb mono and spooled the angler just as he | | | | you won't be going to any of his secret hot |
| finally reached for the rod. | | | | spots. |
| Don't fiddle with the equipment, even if you are | | | | * Access the foredeck or engine room. They are |
| experienced and understand its operation. Lever | | | | out of bounds unless the skipper specifically tells |
| Drag Gamefishing reels have their drag settings | | | | you otherwise. |
| carefully tested and set to a drag setting | | | | * Litter. Never throw any type of rubbish |
| appropriate to the type of fishing you are doing | | | | (including cigarette butts) overboard. Turtles eat |
| and the fish you expect to catch. If you | | | | butts and die. |
| accidentally bump a reel setting - tell the crew. | | | | * March up to the bridge, plonk yourself down in |
| The crew should be more than happy to explain | | | | the deckie's seat and put your feet up on the |
| the use of any piece of equipment and why it is | | | | console. Unless you want a swim. |
| set as it is. | | | | Crew Talk Jargon Explained: |
| On a Game boat, everything has a place. The | | | | "Fiddler & Tweaker": Somebody who can't resist |
| crew may need to get something quickly so be | | | | playing with reel drag settings or ratchets. |
| careful not to move things around. Don't | | | | "Nibbler": Somebody who stares at the outrigger |
| rummage through tackle drawers or pull out | | | | tip when you are trolling 16" marlin lures on bent |
| equipment and toss it back in a mess. At best, | | | | butt 80s and shouts "I think we just got a nibble!" |
| you will annoy the crew (who will have to sort it | | | | "Plonker": Somebody who asks if they can |
| all out again and at worst, you may get a hook | | | | bottom fish when you are 7 miles out on the |
| through your hand. | | | | Kadavu Trench in 1,000 fathoms of water. |
| When the deckie takes a leader or gaff in hand, | | | | (6,000ft) |
| stay well back. Only the angler and the deckie | | | | (I once had a guy stand up on the transom with |
| should be at the back of the boat. It you are | | | | the boat cruising at 22kts, wave at one of our |
| there too, you are in the way. If you are marlin | | | | resort dive boats following in our wake and decide |
| fishing, this is positively dangerous. Crowding the | | | | to dive in. (My deckie Joe managed to grab him |
| deckie not only blocks the skipper's view, it | | | | before he killed himself) Game boats and large |
| endangers the life of both you and the deckie. | | | | quantities of beer do not mix. If you get drunk |
| You and he could be pulled overboard if a hand or | | | | aboard one of my vessels, I will consider you a |
| foot gets tangled in the leader. If the deckie is | | | | danger to the crew who will have to rescue you |
| tracing a big marlin and you get in the way - it's a | | | | when you fall overboard. I will tie you to the |
| tense and potentially dangerous moment. Don't be | | | | game chair and drive home. Just so you know. |
| offended by the stream of loud four letter words | | | | |