A fun filled family holiday of one week passed so quickly. Contrary to our concern prior to the trip, even 5yr old could enjoy it all in full.

The total cost we spent locally, for the accommodations and all activities including GT fishing turned out at $2,200 for us three. No sunset cocktails on a water bungalow, but it was a perfect vacation in our book.

On this trip I could not get a chance to cast a fly to GT - the ultimate SWFF game. But with 1,200 islands spreading all over, there must be possibilities for that somewhere. And some time, rather soon.

- Back

Good captain who understands the game always slides the boat into the casting position, with sea breeze on the back, and if possible on the face where the prevailing current pushes against. Vaku and his crew certainly knew their business, and did their job with contagious enthusiasm.

The most important thing in GT game is keep casting. That said, there won't be much gain bombing one place a dozen times. There are such tactics like teasing up fish with a popper first before giving a stickbait to be gulped, but generally speaking it is far more productive to keep drifting, covering fresh field keep casting.

Juvenile GTs around 10kgs, but I had a good number of action that day - 6 GTs and 2 Dog tooth tuna made me a happy man. A very happy man.

I politely apologized for my rude request of discount, and paid $450 his full asking price in the end.

I went rather doubtful what kind of captain he was, but did not take long to realize he indeed was a competent guide, a serious one in fact!

He did know the field very well, but what satisfied me most was his control of the boat. Not too close not too far, keeping a distance from the reef edges he made sure the boat continued to drift at a controlled speed. He did not waste time hanging around in one place long either, checking one place after another with only a few casts at a place. Yes, that's exactly what I wanted from a professional GT captain!!

At my wit's end, I gave a ring to a local fishing guide whose name I heard on the beach.

Captain Vaku sounded like an easy going guy, saying he would be happy to take me out the next day. He said he would charge $450 - a normal price for a GT boat, but not knowing how capable he was, I suggested $300 which he simply accepted. Oh yeah? Seriously!?

GTs often hang around in the drop off ambushing for a prey. You may cast a lure directly to the reef edge that's one way to go.

But more productive method is to imitate a bait fish fleeing chased by others. When those hapless baitfish dash out of the safety of shallow reef, GT torpedo up from the bottom, to smash the prey in one gulp. For that we have to cast not just to the edge but some 20meters into the reef, full speed retrieve back to the edge, abrupt stop, followed by slow chugging actions.

The shade underneath the big trees in front of the lodge was a heavenly place with constant sea breeze.

There I pondered on my action plan for the next day. If I somehow manage to wade out to the reef edge some 500meters away I would have a good chance casting to trevallies, but with the tide movement as I had then, it could mean a good swimming than good fishing.

Indeed fish were abundant, with great variety of rockfish. But again, they were all small. A few times I did spot a pair of bluefins speeding by, but unfortunately the tide was rising up fast, I could not have a good sight unless climbing on top of the pricky coral bommies. In the end I was forced to swim back. No, not that easy to go on your own.

The beach right in front of the lodge looked promising - with a good mixture of coral bommies and sandy patches.