Dogtooth Tuna, Vanuatu
Vanuatu boasts hundreds of kilometres of tropical waterways brimming with big pelagics. And I'm hoping to track down a few today with the crew from Kahuna.
Now like all fishing - if you find the food source, you'll find the fish - so we're using a steel plate or Paravane to catch the baitfish.
What we're trying to do is send jigs through baitfish in 30m of water. That's pretty - deep so we're using the paravane to plane through the school. We'll use any live bait we get on a 90 wide rig, with a couple of hooks, and send him over the side looking for big ones.
And these are the big ones we're after - Dogtooth tuna. I first caught them way back in 1991 on a fishing adventure in Papua New Guinea - when a mullet was more than just a fish. Check out my hair!
These dogtooth were close to 80 kilo - and let me tell you, they are real terriers - tough tackle-busting opponents. Unlike most tuna, these guys don't roam the oceans - they stay around reefy drop-offs near coastline or offshore islands. In fact, they're the tuna that aren't really tuna.
Dogtooth tuna shouldn't be called tuna because they're actually bonitos. They have 2 differences to other tuna - large teeth.. and their white flesh, shows they don't move around much, They're a burst predator that ambushes its prey and grabs quickly.
Dogtooth tuna love to swim and hunt with schools of sharks.
Unfortunately this fellow got a little too close to the pack. Excuse the pun but I think I'll quit while I'm ahead.
Time to suss out safer waters back at the resort.
You can't come to Vanuatu without dipping into the watersports.
The Meridien lagoon is very safe for swimming - just the spot for sailing or kayaking with the kids. Most of the activities here are free, so pack in as much as you can without keeling over.
I even take on my tennis star daughter Tiarne… but she's too good for the old man… Hopefully Cliff isn't quite as competitive…
When you're worn out from all the action, there's plenty of culture to consume…
James shows us the local way to shout a round of drinks.
And every kid wants the same souvenir - a bundle of braids to showoff to your mates back home…
Next day, I'm back aboard Kahuna chasing dogtooth tuna.
In Australia, dogtooth are found from Moreton Island north to the reef systems of the Coral Sea. They're also up in Papua New Guinea, and through the Pacific, including Fiji - and here in Vanuatu.
These doggies love to take your line for a walk.. diving deep to try to break you off on the coral ledges. The sooner I get him outta there, the better..
Dogtooth are fierce predators and that big bulging eye means they often feed at night. Unlike other tuna, they have no stripes or spots, but a distinctive wavy lateral line… and about 40 pointed teeth.
Dogtooth Tuna are one of toughest fighting fish in the ocean. These guys grow up to 100 kg. I've caught them before around 70kg, and even at that size they put up a hell of a fight.
Well not quite dinnertime - so we've decided to spend the afternoon mixing it with the natives. Though these fellows don't look too friendly! All the girls have run off !
This is Iarofa Cultural Village, where you step into the woods, to step back hundreds of years to life in an ancient Melanesian village.
The villagers put every product of mother nature to good use. From cooking … To cleaning your pearly whites. I even discover a great new chicken bone hook for jigging on the reefs. And this creepy spider is actually hard at work making a webbed net to catch baitfish.
Trapping the bigger animals needed something a little more drastic… and pig wasn't the only thing on the menu. Johnson tells us his ancestors were actually cannibals.
Thankfully, we're offered something a little sweeter.
Our farewell to this friendly nation is a fullblown seafood feast.. complete with beach party, Vanuatu-style.
If you'd like to target dogtooth tuna or any other sportfish in Vanuatu, contact Doug Bailey at Life Pacific Style to charter the Kahuna. Packages include soft drinks, food and all your fishing gear. A half day charter starts at 84, 500 Vatu or just over 1000 Australian dollars.
We stayed at Le Meridien resort, 5 minutes from Port Vila. You can choose from rooms with balconies, or the exclusive Lagoon Bungalows built on their own private island. The resort has beautiful facilities - including great food at La Verandah restaurant, and even an International Casino.
A top spot to eat nearby is the Waterfront Bar & Grill - right on the harbour, with a clever cat and magic tricks all part of the entertainment. To experience Vanuatu's traditional culture.. head for Iarofa Cultural Village. It's definitely a tour with a difference! You'll pay from 3400 Vatu or 45 Australian dollars for adults and 1300 Vatu for kids. That includes transfers and snacks.
Air Vanuatu flies daily from Sydney to Port Vila. Log onto the Air Vanuatu website for details of their fantastic deals.
We flew with Virgin Blue into Sydney to depart for Vanuatu. Check out all their fares at virginblue.com.au or call 13 67 89.
And for all
your dogtooth tuna tackle - head to Big W. Big W stores have
a fantastic range of fishing gear and tackle.
