Kiritimati (Christmas) Island Fishing
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 February 2013 22:17
Kiritimati (Christmas) Island is a fisherman’s paradise. Situated 1,200km South of Honolulu in the Central Pacific, just north of equator, Kiritimati is the largest coral atoll on the planet where the sea and sky naturally decorate a 250 square miles of white sand, iridescent aqua lagoons, coconut palms and endless flats.
If you still want more, you can always try your hand at either Blue fin, Golden or Giant Trevally! Giant Trevally is the strongest and powerful species on flats where most fishermen love to challenge its natural power on a 12 weight fly and spinning rod. Many fly and spin fishermen from all over the World come to Kiritimati Island just to wrestle with this powerful fish. The Trevally normally cruise everywhere on flats, inside natural channels, in deep waters inside the lagoon, and offshore along the coastal reefs - they can weight from 10lbs up to more than 100lbs.
Other species such as Sailfish, Wahoo, Barracuda, Sharks, Tuna and Bill fish are always out there in the blue ocean as a fishing bonus.
Fishing Gear to Bring
The best choice for Trevally fishing is 10–12 weights. Sizes of floating lines recommended are the 10-12 weight. Sizes of Monofilament leaders from 80lbs-100 lbs perfectly work in Christmas Island, and leader materials are from 30 down to 12lbs tippets. Trevally flies, popping bugs with kamagazu hooks, streamers, lefty deceivers, rat cliffs are right stuffs for your fishing and do not forget to bring along as well one spinning rod reaches the speed of 5.0 ratio and surface lures to attract big Trevally. We recommend 9-9 ½ foot 7, 8, or 9 weight graphite rods for bonefish and heavier 10-12 weight rods for Trevally. Sage’s 890 RPLXi-3 is ideal. Eight weights may be better for beginners but no matter what you experience, bring at least two rods in case you break one. You will also need a reliable saltwater reel like Abel’s large arbor Super 8. A bullet proof reel with a smooth friction drag is essential.
More than Fishing
If you have companions and family that don’t like fishing as much as you, or you want a break from the fishing, there is always meeting the locals and learning the culture, bird watching, lagoon sightseeing and snorkeling , going to London, Paris and Poland all in one day…are all part of the one week holiday package if you do not fish. These activities are available at lodges and should be a participation of 2-5 people per group.
Travelers are given the opportunity here to explore the beauty of Kiritimati Island and its people and their culture to learn and see for themselves how these people survive and what the island provides for them to live on every day. Activities available include SCUBA diving, wildlife lagoon and snorkel at Paris Point, surfing, bird watching, snorkeling and swimming at Cook Islet Bay, and cultural tours.
