Cook Islands

…More Information Coming…

Bonefish and Smaller Species
Bonefish can be caught on a 6-8 weight. Most commonly used an 8 weight because most people have one, many prefer a 6 weight because its more fun to use little tackle in general. Again as long as wind is not an issue this is certainly ok. Use a floating line with at least 200 yards of backing on your reel. Leaders should be 9-15 feet long with at least a 10 lb tippet. The reel should have a sealed drag and made for saltwater fishing. We use the term ‘bomb-proof” which means a tested & proven reel with the following features: 1. Very few or no moving parts 2. Smooth drag with smooth start-up 3. Sealed drag which will not corrode 4. It will not fail under any circumstance

Small shrimp & crab patterns work well

Permit

Fishing for permit requires a 9-10 weight rod. We almost always use a 10 weight, mainly because it is very rare that there is no wind. You don’t want to miss a fish because you couldn’t punch your fly through the wind. Why take a chance. The extra lifting power of a 10 weight will also give you an advantage when trying to keep a hooked fish from getting into coral or diving into a deep channel. Anglers need a floating line and at least 300 yards of backing on your reel. Leader should be 9-15 feet with at least 12 lb tippet (we use 16-20 lb). The reel should have a sealed drag and made for saltwater fishing. We use the term ‘bomb-proof” which simply means a tested & proven reel with the following features: 1. Very few or no moving parts 2. Smooth drag with smooth start-up 3. Sealed drag which will not corrode 4. It will not fail under any circumstance

Small crabs with lots of movement

Giant Trevally (GT) & larger inshore species
Giant Trevally require a 12 weight. A 12 weight for the added lifting power & greater control increasing chances of landing the fish. It will also eliminate wind as a factor as even a novice caster has little difficulty punching a 12 line through the wind. You MUST have a sealed drag and made for saltwater fishing. We use the term ‘bomb-proof” which means means tested & proven. It is vital to successful GT fishing. Your GT reel should have the following features: 1. Very few or no moving parts 2. Smooth drag with smooth start-up 3. Sealed drag which will not corrode 4. It will not fail under any circumstance Use a specialty floating line which has a braided 50 lb core. We also recommend 400 yards of 60 lb backing, you’ll need it. Leaders should be 6-9 feet with at least a 60 lb shock tippet. Our most popular is a 6 foot (2meter) piece of 60 lb. fluorocarbon with no taper. Just tie the fly right on.

Popular flies:
GT Poppers – all white GT Baitfish & Streamers

Milkfish
Milkfish (& Queenfish) require a 10 -12 weight, use a 12 weight for the milkfish & a 10 for the queenfish. Queenfish put up a great fight but are usually acrobatic giving the angler a chance to gain line easily. A saltwater reel with a sealed drag made for saltwater fishing. Which is ‘bomb-proof” which to us means simply a tested & proven reel with the following features: 1. Very few or no moving parts 2. Smooth drag with smooth start-up 3. Sealed drag which will not corrode 4. It will not fail under any circumstance Clear floating lines are best and an intermediate sinking line is very useful to have if there is significant current or the fish are deeper in the water column feeding. Leaders should be 9 – 12 feet with anywhere from 15-20 lb tippet. Fluorocarbon is highly recommended when fishing for milkfish in crystal clear Christmas Island waters.

Popular flies:
Milkfish Algae flies Milkfish Small crustaceans

Pelagic Species/Offshore
Offshore fishing for billfish, mahi-mahi & tuna usually involves a 12 -15 weight. We prefer a 7 foot – 14 weight and there are some which even have a butt suitable for gimbel use. Again because we are all about control of the fish and landing the fish quickly which decreases mortality and injury after release. The reel should have a sealed drag and made for saltwater fishing. A ‘bomb-proof” proven reel with the following features: 1. Very few or no moving parts 2. Smooth drag with smooth start-up 3. Sealed drag which will not corrode 4. It will not fail under any circumstance

Popular flies:
small minnow patterns like surf candy & eat me Marlin/sailfish: Poppers, Baitfish-mackerel & sardine patterns.

OTHER GEAR THATS NICE TO HAVE
Sun block (SPF30 minimum)
Copper or amber colored polarized sunglasses
Sun protection clothing: long sleeve shirt long quick dry pants breathable buff style headgear, hat or visor (with black brim on underside if possible) Wading boots with gravel guards.
Waterproof camera
fanny pack for wading
camelback or cool sac
flats gloves