One of the biggest untapped potential in Milne Bay (and PNG in general) is sport fishing. The waters around Milne Bay are littered with tiny islands and attolls which stretch out for miles. The strong currents between these islands and attolls boast some of the most desirable bluewater sportfish avaliable to a keen angler. With a limited amount of fishing charter operators, there may be more sportfish available for those keen anglers wanting to explore Milne Bay.
Deep-water reef fishing.
The deep water reef fishing is one that relies heaviliy on local knowledge as many fisherman don't use GPS technology to keep marks for their fishing spots. Reef fishing offers all of the best table fish species including: coral trout, red snapper, tuskfish and jobfish. These fish pull like a freight train and require heavy lines and leaders.
Pelagics
Milne Bay is full of high-speed pelagic species that are usually targetted by trolling around popular spots or spotting schools of fish offshore. Schools of mackeral and tuna will often enter the bay, sometimes within casting distance from the shore of some villages. Depending on the time of the year, the bay will host schools yellowfin and longtail tuna, wahoo, spanish (or king) mackeral, dogtooths, sailfish and a littany of different trevally species, including some monster giant trevally! These species are often caught trolling skirted or bibbed lures and require strong lines with many locals using wire traces for species likes wahoo and mackeral.
Getting to the right spot
The key to finding these spots is to get a good boat operator who has a keen understanding of the waters as well as a connections to the owners of some of the islands. A good operator can offer unfeterred access to spots that only locals know about as well as the experience to avoid dangerous boating situations such as changes in weather. Speak to your accommodation provider for help finding a fishing boat operator to take you out.
What gear to bring
Most (if not all) local fisherman use handlines with heavy lines and will pull a fish into the boat without the use of any rod or reel. For anyone not familiar to this, be prepared to get line burn if you dont have gloves! Fishing gear suited to bluewater such as heavy spin and trolling rods and reels as well as strong terminal tackle are important. A selection of trolling lures such as skirted lures and bibbed minnows as well as casting lures such sticks and poppers are worth bringing along. Deep-water jigging lures are also worth a try for reef bottom-bashing. Always come with some additional tackle that you are willing to donate as many fisherman appreciate tackle that they may not have access to in their local shops.
Make sure you are sun smart with appropriate shirts, hats, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen as well as plenty of drinking water. It is also advisable to make sure that you have safety gear such as a vest available when going fishing.
Getting to Milne Bay
There are daily flights from Port Moresby to Alotau (Gurney Airport). Kwame Guesthouse and Activities offers budget accommodation with all the local hospitality and can help you connect with your next angling adventure.
Comentarios