Fishing Frenzy

Christmas Island, AKA Kiritimati is in the Republic of Kiribati in the Pacific Ocean not very far from the equator. It is about 3000 klm north east of Fiji and 1200 klm south of Hawaii. With the primary island in the group being 3000 klm to the east, Christmas Island truly is one of the most isolated places on earth.





Map of Yuletide Island (Kiritimati)



There are just over 90 000 Kiribas inhabitants living on over 30 coral atolls spread across 5 million square kilometers of ocean along the equator. The majority are poor as the islands are mostly sand coral and grow crops poorly. Work opportunities are limited with government administration service, fishing and tourism being the major industries both in the country and also on Christmas Island.

Most of the estimated 5000 inhabitants on the island have no or limited opportunity.





Fishing

Fishing tourism on Christmas Island is a major industry with a few thousand fishermen from across the world travelling to Christmas Island each year to indulge their fly fishing passion in bonefishing. The island has a large and shallow lagoon of about 400 square klm and it is home to healthy populations of large Bluefin, Golden and Giant Trevally with Wahoo, Sailfish, Marlin and Mahi Mahi found on the outer reefs and in blue water.





Bonefish Giant Trevally



As Christmas Island is almost right on the equator the weather does'nt change much year round. Average daily temperatures year round are near 30 with night times around 23. The area is a little rainfall year round with slightly more rain from october through to december.



It is naturally the wonderful Bonefishing that draws fishing travellers to Kiritimati with miles of shallow, warm lagoon to wade around often less than 2 ft deep and huge and hungry bonefish grazing in the top parts of the tide. Best conditions are found in light winds, with clear skies, incoming tide days after or before a new or full moon. Fly fishing is the most preferred strategy but Bonefish will also be caught with spin fishing outfits. Bonefish cruise through waters eating on the bottom and can spook very quickly so that the plop of a lure or slice can spook them off. Fishermen need to be well placed to cast exactingly to 40 foot and delicately lay down a fly next to the fish. Most Bonefish landed are less than 5 lb but large ones of twice that size are often landed.



Guides

It is really desirable to take a local guide as their knowledge and experience will secure you a lot more fish and when I was there I saw only 30% of the fish the guides saw. At approximately $50 a day it is definitely worth it and they want the money that visitors bring to the economy. Most accommodation properties will organize packages including a guides and flats boat but you should bring all of your own equipment as little is available for hire or sale.





Beach front lodge Lagoon ship



Accommodation

Accommodation on Christmas Island is usually clean and adequate but basic. Food will be good though not fancy and there are very few shopping facilities available. The Aussie dollar is the currency of use, power is 240v, water should only be drunk from sealed containersand there aren't any exotic diseases known.



Travel To The Island

Air Pacific, The airline of Fiji is the one airline to fly to Christmas Islandand they do this only once a week from Nadi and Honolulu. All travel is on wednesdays only