Underwater fishing and hunting: a must in Polynesia!
Whatever your favourite type of fishing, the South Pacific is up to the task! Lagoon fishing with rods or harpoons, reef casting, trolling or spearfishing, the choice is yours, depending on the time of day and the location. Our advice on where to go and how to choose your boat.
The best places to go fishing in French Polynesia
The Tuamotus
The Tuamotus are atolls, coral rings in the middle of the Pacific. On the outside, the seabed is several thousand metres deep, while on the inside it is no more than 30 metres, with countless sandbanks and coral gardens. The underwater fauna swimming amongst the multicoloured coral is absolutely incredible. This is the realm of snorkelling and underwater hunting. The passes that connect the interior of the lagoons to the ocean are home to large predators such as tuna, king mackerel and giant trevally. The locals practice all forms of fishing in order to feed themselves, and the utmost respect for resources is essential. Beware of ciguatera: it’s best to check with the locals to find out where to fish and which species to fish for.
The Society Islands
The more developed islands of the Society Archipelago are a little less rich in fish, but rest assured: the fauna is still far more abundant than in most of the world’s seas. The Society Islands are high islands surrounded by a lagoon that is itself surrounded by the coral reef, while the depth between the islands is over 3,000 metres. So you can enjoy all types of fishing, as well as snorkelling and scuba diving.
The Marquesas and Austral islands
Completely isolated from mass tourism, the Marquesas and Austral Islands have preserved a wilderness that is unique in the world. The islands are home to some very large predatory fish. These are popular destinations for the best fishermen, but they are so remote that sailing boats are practically the only way to get there. Here again, the locals are masters in the art of fishing. For them it is both an ancestral art and one of their main sources of food. So before you can match the Maoris’ fishing skills, you’ll need a few years’ training.
Fish species in Polynesia
The underwater fauna of Polynesia is one of the richest in the world because it is still protected. Industrial fishing and fishing with nets at sea are banned throughout the economic zone, which covers an area the size of Europe. Within the lagoons there are marine protected areas and “rahui” zones, which are the ancestral equivalent. The Polynesian population is careful to preserve the resource for future generations.
In the open sea and between the islands, trolling is the best way to catch large fish: tuna, king mackerel, barracuda, mahi-mahi (dolphinfish), marlin, swordfish, bonito, etc.
In the lagoons, there are many interesting species to fish for: loaches, red mullet, parrotfish, duckbill, trevally, etc.
Spearfishing
in the fish-filled waters of the Tuamotus and the Society Archipelago, underwater hunting is very common. Young people start even before they reach adolescence, and it’s not uncommon to see young boys and girls descending to depths of more than 10 metres without any equipment. For beginners, a multi-purpose rifle, between 70 and 90 cm, a pair of simple fins, a mask and a few lead weights will do the trick. The secret is concentration and calm. If you get hooked, you can upgrade to a more powerful rifle for hunting outside the reefs, in the deep blue. Of course, by then you’ll need to be a good swimmer to manage depth and currents.
Different types of fishing in Polynesia
Castfishing
Practised in the lagoons and along the banks of the passes, it requires precise knowledge of the underwater fauna and its habits, in order to adapt the lure and the moment of fishing. Fishing for “ature” (horse mackerel) at the edge of the passes is an occasion for gatherings of local fishermen.
Trolling
Easier for the uninitiated, it works well on a sailboat as well as a motorboat. Make sure you have sufficiently strong line (minimum 50 kg), a very large reel (you don’t need a rod, you can attach the reel directly to the rear balcony of the boat) and octopus-type lures. White for tuna, blue and pink for marlin.
Saltwater fly fishing
This elitist sport is an insider’s secret in Polynesia. It is practised in some of the Tuamotus atolls, such as Ahe, in search of the famous Bonefish. It requires state-of-the-art equipment and great expertise.
The best boats for fishing in Polynesia
Motorboats for fishing
Being able to get to spots, anchorages or FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices) quickly is the major advantage of powerboats. Their manoeuvrability also makes them much more effective for trolling. The large swells between the islands mean that hulls need to be designed to cut through the waves and protect against spray, with comfortable seats and reassuring freeboards, complemented by accommodation doors. The Wellcraft range is without doubt the best in the world. If you’re looking for an economical, highly versatile boat that’s just as good for fishing as it is for family cruising, then Beneteau’s Flyer range is the way to go!
The poti marara
Polynesian fishermen have developed boats that are specifically adapted to professional and small-scale fishing in Polynesian waters: bonitiers for multiple anglers in search of schools of bonito, and poti marara for harpooning mahi mahi. The poti marara are perfect for solo or double-handed fishing, with their unique transmission system and hull designed to provide incredible grip when turning, whatever the sea state.
Sailboat fishing
Sailboats, monohulls or catamarans allow you to discover the whole of Polynesia on your own and reach the most beautiful anchorages for spearfishing or spearfishing. When crossing between islands, troll fishing is very popular. With a little patience, it’s easy to catch bonito, tuna or mahi mahi. Catamarans are more stable and offer more space, making fishing more comfortable. However, you need a boat that is manoeuvrable, easy to handle and fast. For this, the Excess range or the Neel trimarans are perfectly suited. For a sabbatical year, we offer a fine selection of second-hand multihulls and monohulls. For those who live in Polynesia and want to spend holidays and weekends on a beautiful yacht while keeping their budget under control, modern cruisers such as the Oceanis 37.1 are a must.
Where to get your gear ?
Tahiti is the best place to buy your fishing equipment. Spearfishing is so popular here that you’ll find a specialist shop on every street corner, particularly around the Papeete market and in the Fare Ute district. There are also specialist fishing shops and a recently opened Decathlon.
Let’s talk about your boating project !
