Andaman Islands 2007 report

[Lillo]

At the beginning of February we moved to the Andaman Islands for our first 2007 Special Safari. Sea conditions were quite choppy and our crossing from Phuket was quite uncomfortable to say the list. Nevertheless we managed to raise a Black on a jet on the right flat line plus several Wahoo, Dorado and Barracuda were caught.

Being the sea conditions unchanged we decided then to fish the still unexplored west coast of the Andamans; places like South Sentinel and Little Andaman barely saw a yacht around there before us. However during the first 5 days of trolling we managed to raise 4 marlin, to hook up 2 and to catch other 2 (estimated of around 300 lb). We also got a double Sailfish strike with both fishes released unarmed after the ritual photo plus several Wahoo, Barracuda, Rainbow Runners and GT.

We then had full 7 days in a raw on Barren Island, Invisible Banks and Brothers&Sisters Islands with a group of popping&jigging enthusiasts from Spain and this is the final score: 33 Dogtooth (averaging between 15 and 20 kg; of many more we got only the head after Shark attack!), 85 GT (the biggest was 26 kg), 2 Dorado, 11 Barracuda, 5 Whitetip Shark, 15 Jobfish, 1 Wahoo, 6 Black Trevally, 3 Rooster Fish, 7 Grouper, 16 Red Snapper, 1 Macharel, 1 Longtom and 2 Coral Trout.
On top of that during the first and only day of trolling despite our guests “aversionâ€� towards this discipline we managed to get a 603 lb Black on the left outrigger which unfortunately died after 1 ½ hour strenuous fight.

Finally during our last 6 days trip in February we were again at Barren Islands and the the Invisible Banks for more trolling action. Fishing was a little bit slow this time; we managed to hook up only one Black which after few jumps decided that it was not the time yet! Nevertheless we had a memorable afternoon with 11 Yellowfin caught in only 2 hours (averaging around 15 kg with the biggest of 19 kg), two half days of great light trolling with 41 Barracuda caught (+ various other fish) with two of them over 25 kg and few nights of non-stop bottom fishing action with countless Red Snapper and other bottom dwellers caught and released.
On the morning of the 28th we then started the crossing back to Phuket and just after a while we caught another nice Black on the central flat line of around 550 lb which again couldn’t make it despite all our efforts; after that we all agree to not waste more time and we stopped fishing.

Back in the Andaman Islands on March for our second expedition of 2007.

Sea conditions again were quite rough at the beginning which made our crossing from Phuket quite unpleasant.

We were out there for 8 days in a row firstly at Barren then at Narcondam Island. Sea conditions still choppy with strong wind from N-NE made the trolling quite difficult (we managed anyway to hook-up a Black of around 200 pounds) so we focused on popping&jigging next to the Islands with some bottom fishing at night.

Fishing was quite slow so a part from a 1 ½ hour fight with a huge Manta caught on a soft jig and a crazy session with White Tip Sharks there is not much to report.

We then moved around the Ritchie’s Archipelago for some popping around the surrounding numerous fringing reefs. Over here the fishing was definitely better and we had some nice GTs (biggest about 27 Kg), Groupers (10-15 kg on average) and even an estimated 25 kg White Tip caught on popper.

A 5 days trolling/bottom fishing session then followed. On one hand during the first 2 ½ days we had some brilliant time on light tackle with 42 Barracuda, 45 Snapper, 2 Yellowfin, 1 Sailfish, 1 Wahoo, 1 Grouper of around 30 Kg and a 1 ½ hour fight with something caught on a Rapala which at the very end cut the line. On the other hand we found some bad fishing conditions around the Sisters as well as Havelock Island.

In general this year for the period we were there the Andamans showed some ups and downs; during the same period few earthquakes were also reported along the chain that goes from Sumatra till the Gulf of Bengal which might explain these conditions.

I guess anyway that fishing wouldn’t be the sport we all love if always so predictable and the Andamans still have a huge potentiality as the ultimate fishing destination.

We are going to be back again next year to renew our challenge in these remote waters and we are already receiving requests for the 2008 Andaman Islands Expedition.

So hurry up if you want to be part of it and contact us on +66 (0) 8783 45293 – 8988 56233 or visit our website www.thebigblues.com

[jaidam]

Hi Lillo,

Nice detailed report there, thanks.

Just wondering about the roosterfish. I was under the impression that their range was the pacific coast of America, from southern California to Peru. He must have been very lost! Don't suppose you have a photo of the fish handy by any chance? Perhaps it was an african pompano, the juveniles have a comb on their dorsal fin that looks quite similar?

I wish they had roosterfish here in the gulf of Thailand.

Off topic but do you know anything about this Bertram 35 for sale in Phuket?
http://www.leemarine.com/boatdetail....r&boatcode=748

[Lillo]

Yes my friend you are right indeed but the explanation is much easier I just made a mistake going back through my trip notes! They were in fact Rusty Jobfish..

As far as the second issue is concerned I do know the vessel but please PM me.

[Alessandro]

Thinking of going back to Andamans in july, was there august 2004, didn´t catch anything only missed some fishes on popper. Not so wellprepared then.
My goal is to do some shore fishing around Neil and Havelock Islands,
anyone else going?

[Lillo]

Although you will be fishing nearby the islands watch out for the weather and sea conditions during that period...they might be quite rough.

In fact we go there usually from February the very beginning of April each year because during the remaining part of the year we cannot make a safe transfer from Phuket to the Andamans.

[Alessandro]

OK, I keep that in mind, my plan is to fly to Port Blair and take the ferry from there, did it in august 2004. Plan to fish with local boats or
the shore or jetty.