Fishing at Matangi Island
One of the unexpected pleasures of Matangi Island is its exceptional fishing conditions and almost guaranteed year-round fishing whatever the weather. Surrounded by an intricate pattern of fringing and open-water reefs, including the 25-mile Laucala Qamea perimeter Reefs, all with nutrient rich sea currents, we are able to fish all year-round for large game like Tuna, Mahimahi and Spanish Mackeral, with Sailfish appearing in the summer months only. Smaller reef fish including year-round Coral Trout, Giant Trevally, Large Long Toms, Barracuda and Reef Snapper are always biting in and around the lagoons. All provide exceptional sport for the light tackle or fly angler.

Fishing is offered from our fast outboard powered 25-foot open craft, of robust design, which can be hired for a resonable hourly charge. Big game are best caught by casting into the fringing reefs adn reeling in using poppers. In certain weather conditions, tides and seasons, we troll the open-water offshore from Matangi for larger fish. A variety of light tackle is used including spinning wheels for casting for reef fish and 30-pound test trolling gear. With the boat comes a fun-loving Fijian captain whose knowledge of the reef and fish is inherited from youth and fine-tuned with experience. Rods, lures and tackle for trolling and bottom fishing are all available at Matangi but it is recommended that the serious sports angler brings his own equipment of his choice. A suitable selection of gear would include 15kg trolling rod and reel, and casting reel with suitable rod (this should be of robust construction with good capacity as many of these fish, including Giant Trevally are fierce fighters and of impressive size). A light spinning rod and reel could be included as many small pieces are caught from the beach in front of your bure including Blue Fin Trevally, a great fighter on light tackle. Fly fishing enthusiasts will find the beach close to their bure is suitable for fly-casting with plenty of room to back-cast and sufficient depth of water on the high tide. There is no fly-fishing gear available on the island so please bring your own. A weight 6 is the lightest gear suitable for beach fishing but a weight 9 to 12 is required when fishing the offshore reefs. Floating or intermediate lines are mainly used as the coral can play havoc with sinking lines.