Popping... doggies !!
We just ended a fantastic eight fishing days trip with Murielle, Xavier and Gabriel...
That was a GREAT session for our fisherwoman & men coming from France!!
Both Xavier and Gabriel came with secret fishing dreams in their luggage... Xavier hoped to get a Humphead Wrasse on lure and Gabriel dreamt about a proper Dogtooth Tuna on popper !! On her side, Murielle wanted to have a decent shark on popper...
From the very first fishing spot, GT's welcame our fishermen with wild attacks on their lures, and terrible fights on their heavy popping gear!!
"Wow, healthy fishes there!!" said Xav'...
... and Gabi to note "spots are not easy, that makes fishing challenging and very interesting with such fishes!! Not an easy trophies fishing destination with much water beneath the keel!!" Indeed many nice 30/35 kgs class GT's went to the boat and a nice 40 kgs class GT for Gabi on popper in very shallow water.
On third day, on the very first spot, Xav' uses a sinking Orion stickbait and undergoes a first attack... strong fish, unusual fight and colours... unbelievable!! His dream came true : Humphead Wrasse!!! Xavier is wild with joy and kisses everyone onboard!!
...a wonderful fish!! Released with great care.
IMPORTANT NOTE :
HUMPHEAD WRASSE IS A HIGHLY PROTECTED FISH IN NEW CALEDONIA.
ITS CAPTURE IS FORTUITOUS AND NO SPECIFIC RESEARCH IS MADE TO CATCH THIS SPECY.
THIS FISH WAS HANDLED WITH MUCH CARE, PERMANENTLY UNDER WATER PUMP AID, AND QUICKLY RELEASED IN THE BEST CONDITIONS.
THIS CAPTURE CANNOT CONSTITUTE ANY COMMERCIAL CLAIM
A few minutes later, Gabriel casts an Orion popper and makes deep sounding pops along the reef... suddenly, his lure gets swallowed up in a huge swirl!! After a terrific rush, fight begins and there is no doubt an axceptionnal opponent is hooked!! Seconds look like minutes and another dream comes true this morning : Dogtooth Tuna!! It's Gabi's turn to exult!! "Yesssss, Doggy on popper!! And not a baby one!! Wow, thanks guys!!" (Smith Tokara Rod & 130lbs braided line).
...monster fish!!
Off course, Murielle's dream became true too! She could enjoy so many shark attacks on lures!!
During this trip, everyone could fight GT's, doggies, snappers, groupers, king mackerels, barracudas, sharks... in dream landscapes!
Though exciting, a comprehensive story of this session would be too long, so now let's enjoy pictures...!!
Lutjan Bohar for Gabriel
Gymnosarda Unicolor (Doggy!) on stickbait for Murielle
Epinephelus Polyphekadion (grouper!) for Xavier
Many thanks to Murielle, Xavier and Gabriel for fishing with us, it would be a great pleasure to welcome you again onboard!!
Many other pictures added to Lure Fishing album... enjoy!