INFORMATION
A lot of the time, your preparation long before you pull the trigger will be the biggest deciding factor on whether you land a big fish in the open ocean. Opportunities aren't guaranteed and it is important to make sure that once you let the metal fly, you have as many things in your favor as possible.
Here are some tips on gear and other preparation that in my experience can make the difference between a great fish or a sad story.
Upon arrival on Rarotonga, you should take the time to jump in the lagoon and take some test shots with your bluewater gun at a stationary target. Unless you're using this gun regularly, a few practice shots could easily be the difference between landing a huge fish and watching your spear fall away. It also doesn't hurt to practise the reloading process a couple of times - its hard to think clearly when you're trying to load your gun with a huge fish swimming around you.
The water here isn't cold, but even at 24 degrees (75F) you will start to feel that way after a few hours. A 3mm top is usually enough, some prefer to have tops and bottoms. Some kind of hood, neoprene or lycra is great for keeping the sun off your head and neck. A hat and sunnies are a must for the boat in between dives. Camo wetsuit or a clown suit, it doesn't seem to make much of a difference at the FADs as you can't ambush in open water.
Big guns really DO help, range and penetration make a massive difference on big fish in very clear water.
Although it is possible to have a big fish come close enough to nail with a small gun, you want to give yourself the best chance of landing that dream fish hanging out at the limits of your gun's range - don't be undergunned.
The less points of failure in your rig the better. Shark clips do rust and weaken. Mono will usually let go before dyneema.
If using dyneema though , make sure it is semi stiff, otherwise muzzle wraps are very likely.
We strongly recommend you get new rubbers on your gun to make sure you have the extra punch and range you need out in the blue water. Check your floats before you leave for leaks and remember to bring a spare rigged shaft and mask.
We are than happy to give you some tips when we're out there. Almost everything I have learnt about hunting Wahoo over the years has been from making mistakes... There's many things you can do to make sure you give yourself the best chance of hitting that dream fish!
FAQS
Not including the driver, 4 is the max for spearfishing charters, however 3 is definitely better in terms of access to gear but also for hunting. With more divers in the water, fish are usually more timid. Float lines tangling is also another issue, especially when fish run. Even with 3 divers, it is usually best to have 2 on guns and one working the flasher and burley.
We can depart from either Avatiu Harbour or Avana Harbour depending on weather and what you would like to do on your trip.
Normally there are 6 deep water FADs and 7 shallow water FADs, however a few of the shallow ones are still awaiting replacement as they have snapped off in big swells. We hope this work is done quickly (June 2023).
If the weather is looking poor, you will have a choice between reschedualing for another day, cancelling the trip completely or seeing if there is still a small area you are happy to dive on.
No, you will need to have a buddy in the water with you. You can either have Johnny in there with you (extra cost for boat driver) or Johnny can see if there are any local spearos that might be keen to jump on with you. Diving alone is not safe, no matter your experience.
Out at the FADs, if it bleeds, it feeds. So anything you see with more than a few mouthfuls is fair game. There are wahoo, mahi, yellowfin tuna, blue marlin and rainbow runner as the most common. Their numbers and average size varies with the seasons.
On the reef, many species have Ciguatera and are avoided, however there are still a few species that are safe and regularly eaten by local spearos. If you would like to target these, we can make sure you are shooting anything that would be wasted. Giant Trevally are NOT an option for spearfishing around Rarotonga due to Ciguatera.
Fish is shared with the divers of the charter so everyone gets a good feed. Extra is sold to local restaurants and shared with family.
It is rare to see sharks out in the bluewater around Rarotonga. If you do, it is usually a small Hammerhead or Dusky Whaler. In our waters we do also have Oceanic whitetips, Tiger sharks, Blue sharks, Silky sharks and Whale sharks.
On the reef we have Whitetip reef sharks and Grey reef sharks, the latter definitely being more aggressive when fish are speared.
You can get away without a bungee but I would strongly recommend you use one. They give you a significantly higher chance of landing your fish, especially if your shot wasn't perfect.
One float can be enough but I have seen big floats go down and not come back more than once. There are big powerful fish out here and you never know when you will see one. I always run 2 floats now after losing gear (and monsters) to the deep. It's good to add a pressure float and a few metres of line to the end of your rig as insurance.
Both have their pros and cons. I personally prefer sliptips at the FADs because we have so few sharks. Double floppers do work really well too but you will want to make sure you bring a spare shaft as they are more prone to bending on big fish.
Of course it has the potential to be! But we can reduce the risks by having a buddy, a good boat and being careful. Please sign your waiver though!
Even our winter sun will burn to make sure you cover up or bring sunscreen. The winter water temp can get as low as 24C, that might seem warm to what you're used to but floating around waiting for fish to show doesnt generate as much heat as active hunting on the reef. A 3mm wetsuit top with a hood is a good idea, bottoms or shorts is up to you.
Bringing some spare equipment, even if shared between divers is a must. You don't want your day ruined because a mask strap or a fin blade snapped.
