Tongan National Record - Black Marlin - 328.8 kg, 31/12/2005

What a difference a day makes. After a full day charter that saw very little activity and no fish I decided to go for it for one more full day. My previous skipper was booked next day and the only available was Hakula so I booked myself in for a sole full day charter. After an early breakfast I was picked up at 7.30 and we were on our way.

I must say it was nice to be greeted by a cup of tea from our super deckie Ki'i, a good way to start the day. Then Ki'i steered while Jeff gave me full instructions on the gear and the routine we would follow when we had a fish on. As we headed out wide I was amazed by the enthusiasm and confidence of Jeff and Ki'i as they went on about the great water colour, sea conditions, and anything else that was going to ensure a great day.

We were all on the flybridge and all looking out the back when we saw the monster periscope of a tail break the surface behind a close in lure. It clearly was very large but after 3 runs at the lure it did not strike. Then it disappeared for a few seconds and I thought it was all over until it came back like a supercharged torpedo. As the elastic band pinged off the outrigger it was action stations and trying to remember my instructions. Ki'i has the lines in before you can blink and then I'm in the chair and watching 130 lb line peel like I could not believe. This man is a great deckie and a lovely guy, and with the cool calm Jeff at the helm we settled in for the fight. With these guys looking after me I must say I felt strangely calm, focussed and relaxed. This was the first live marlin I had ever seen, much less ever been connected to.

The first jump was about 700 metres away and I said "Look Jeff there's another one". "A common first fish reaction' says Jeff. "That's your fish mate, nearly a kilometre away, so settle down, be patient and get ready for some hard work" Being on the International Dateline as we are, I thought this fish may well be in another time zone by now. Jeff calls it the three S's The Strike, Survive. And then the Struggle After the first hour I was beginning to understand. Always I had Ki'i steering the chair and reassuring me; "Don't worry, strong fish, take your time".

Some time later we saw two incredible airborne jumps near the boat, images that are indelibly imprinted on our minds. I could tell it was big but I did not know how big, although there was much banter going on between Jeff and Ki'i. Two hours and 15 minutes later it was at the boat and it was clear that we would not be tagging this fish. Then what could best be described as organised mayhem ensued as Jeff and Ki'i subdued and gaffed the monster. I cried as the fish died, but was consoled knowing that this would feed many people in Neiafu for some time. It took three of us to rope the fish and pull it on board, still with part of it hanging out the back. Jeff confirmed it was a black marlin, and that it was the biggest fish ever on his boat.

The only available scales were at the resort on Hunga Island so we headed in to finally satisfy our guesses. At 328.8 kg or 725 lb, it is a new Tongan National all tackle and 130 lb line class record for black marlin, beating the previous record by about 70 kg.

A remarkable way to start NYE celebrations, and after all the marlin they had seen and caught Jeff and Ki'i were just as excited as I was. I now understand the importance of teamwork in catching fish like this, and Jeff and Ki'i are a truly professional combination. To help a game fishing novice like me fish with such calmness and confidence is a real tribute to the skills of these two men. I can't wait to go back and be part of this team again next year.

Best regards,

Christopher Miley

As a complete novice, I didn't really expect to catch anything more than a dose of sea sickness. However, MV Hakula and it's crew were all geared up for a smooth ride and catching fish. After an hour and half fight, I managed to reel in a 137kg Blue Marlin. Skipper Jeff knew the grounds like the back of his hand whilst the eagle eyes and strength of deckie Ki'i ensured that the Blue was caught and landed.

Thanks for a great day out one I'll long remember.

Keith

I wrote an article for a German magazine -It is called 'The Blue Wonder' - which refers to the magnificent blue seas that I loved so much in Vava'u. In German for someone to experience a blue wonder also means that he was struck by something unexpected and overwhelming - so the article starts saying that I 'experienced my blue wonder ("blaues Wunder") trolling in Vava'u Tonga.

Many thanks to Jeff & Ki'i who helped me find my "blaues wunder". All the best, tight lines, and I hope we have not caught our last fish together yet!

Ansgar Vogt
Germany

It's a long way and very different surroundings from Forbes in the centre of NSW to Hakula Lodge but well worth the trip.

The fishing far outweighed our expectations, 8 Marlin for the week definitely wasn't expected. The warm hospitality offered was backed up by A1 accommodation, boat ,gear and crew.

A first class operation enjoyed by the boys from the bush who hope to return again.

Thanks again Jeff, Janine and Ki'i for a great time.

Allan & The Boys from the Bush

FISH TONGA - From the Southern Southland Rivers of New Zealand, and netting whitebait to the beautiful, warm tropics of Vava'u TONGA, to try our luck at the opposite size of fish, came two keen fisherpeople!

In 2002 we arrived for the TIGFA tournament and booked in at HAKULA LODGE and fished from "MARIS KING'.

Although we were unsuccessful with Marlin and Tuna we did catch some very nice MahiMahi.

This made us extremely keen to try again and in 2004 we visited Vava'u TONGA for the FISHING NEWS INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT, which Angus took the honours of "Top Angler" with a Sailfish (released) and a Blue marlin of 120kg.

After the tournament I landed a 25kg Wahoo from HAKULA. I didn't need Ki'i to help me pull it in, but I did need him to hold it up for the photo.

JEFF AND JANINE are the most hospitable hosts and we recommend them to future Anglers.

Elaine and Angus Petrie

August 2005 found me once more on Hakalau with Jeff and Ki'i and once again in search of a Big Blue and this year the luxury of a 3 day charter.

Days One and two were not great, the wind was all wrong with uncomfortable swells, the sort of day when I go the colour of snow, Stare at the horizon, have one cigarette, no beers, two potato Crisps and a few sips of water.

Day three however dawned with a welcome wind shift and it was decided a small detour was required to pick up a "Doggie" or two.

Result was a small Spanish Mackerel and a nice Coral Trout about 10 kgs, both a first for me.

"Doggie" Time over, out went the big lures and in short time a good strike, reel screaming and a Good Blue pulling string over the horizon.

Thirty odd minutes later the Marlin was brought alongside and estimated at 120kg.

Out went the lures again and in short order, maybe a little to short for me another hook up, and a larger Blue pulling 600 metres of string, dancing on its tail a leaving large holes in the water.

Progress was steady for 50 minutes or so but suddenly the fish became a heavy dead weight and it took a further hour to bring the fish in, the reason being a some stage the fish had become tail wrapped and drowned, plus due to be tail wrapped I had to bring it in sideways.

So my best yet at 170 kgs and made more memorable by the physical challenge of being a sideways capture.

After two Marlin in quick succession my old body was giving out and in a way I was relieved to have no more hook ups as we motored back. end to another sucsesfull charter on board Hakula.

I'll be back.

Tim Haynes

Just a short note to express my thanks for a fantastic holiday. You were both wonderful hosts and we all appreciated the extra effort you put in to ensure we had a great time.

I will send better photos once they are organised a bit.

Hope to catch up with you Janine when you are down under next month.

Say Hi to Ki'i

Jeff Beere

You took myself and my girlfriend Aquestra out for a session back in Late August. Here are some of the pictures of the fish we caught. It was good day out and I’d like to come back for a few days and head out to the remote volcano you mentioned. What is the optimum time to come out? The DVD you gave me looked awesome (the 2 kiwi guys) – what time of year was this? I’m especially interested in Jigging for Dogtooth, Poppers for GTs and light line trolling for Wahoo, Dolphinfish and Wahoo. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to next come out, but you said I should book well in advance. I’d also like to come out at the height of the season for the target species we want to chase.

Those Dogtooth we caught were awesome - I really want to get back and have a crack at a big fella.

Sorry for the delay in making contact – it’s been hectic at work since we got back. Managed to nail a few yellow fin at the weekend off Sydney on my 5.3 meter Quintrex Bow Rider.

Hope you are well and the reels are screaming.

James Hone

I have been a keen angler for over 45 years. Jeff and the crew on Hakula gave me my best day ever. Wahoo, Blue Marlin and a large Yellowfin Tuna all on the same day! Plus other good days as well.

Good Boat, great crew and the most comfortable accommodation I have found in 9 years of visits to Tonga. In all a thoroughly memorable and enjoyable experience. I'll be back!

Tim Haynes

I thoroughly enjoy my fishing with Jeff aboard Hakula. Apart from being good company, his local knowledge has made for a number of successful trips. Jeff is a keen sport fisher himself and this is reflected in his approach to a number of species he targets using a variety of techniques.

As well as trolling for marlin Jeff is keen to put clients onto other species such as dogtooth tuna and giant trevally using jigs and downrigged dead baits.

Grant Dixon, Editor, NZ Fishing News

I had the pleasure of going for a days charter with Jeff and his Boat Technician Ki'i onboard Hakula after the Fishing News Tongatapu Big Game Tournament in October of this year. The Tongatapu Tournament was my first experience of Game Fishing and was a great experience, over the 4 days of the tournament I caught 1 Mahimahi (not a prize winner). However the day after the tournament 5 of us decided to charter Hakula and try again.

Our day was highly successful,we caught Mahimahi up to 14.6kgs Yellowfin and Dogtooth Tuna and to top the day off I caught my first really big fish, a 154.8kg Blue Marlin which took 40 minutes to boat. Catching that fish is an experience that I will never forget.

Hakula is a very comfortable sea boat and is very well equipped, all of the gear is of such a high standard and is so well maintained that it is a pleasure to be onboard. Jeff and Ki'i really do know the business of fishing very well and show a high degree of skill when it comes to handling the situation especially when there is a big fish involved, especially when there is a novice such as myself on the end of a rod.

I would really recommend Hakula to anyone who is contemplating fishing around the Tonga area, whether experienced or a novice they will have a really great time with Jeff and Ki'i onboard Hakula. Jeff even took the Bill from my Marlin and had it carved for me and sent out to N.Z. when it was finished (it looks great on my wall!).

We really did have a great time with Jeff and Ki'i.

Robert Crawford

We could write a thesis describing the brilliant time we had with Jeff and Janine at Hakula but hope the following will suffice:

Finding Hakula Lodge was like finding paradise. Everything was perfect: the fishing, the accommodation and the company! It was so good that we extended our holiday and stayed on with Jeff and Janine in Vava`u for an extra week.

Jane Fraser and Philip Griffiths, Wales

Jane Fraser and Phillip

"Tonga has some mind boggling fishing. This place have definately been under sold so far! It's Marlin Paradise, Tuna Mecca and Shark Galore. A Kingdom for the Angler!!!"

Glen "Iron man" Chee-Singapore

In June 2000 Glenn McCarthy from Angling Adventures and Neville Daniel a freelance fishing writer, were invited to "Hakula Lodge" situated on the island of Vava`u in the north of Tonga. Glenn and Neville were invited to Hakula Lodge by owners Jeff and Janine Le Strange to sample first hand what the waters of Vava`u had to offer Angling Adventures clients.

Angling Adventures is the largest Whole Sale Fishing Travel Agency in the Southern Hemisphere, and they don`t send any clients to new locations unless they have looked and fished the location with the perspective operator themselves first.

Hakula Lodge has 2 fully self-contained units to accommodate clients, and from the balcony outside, picture post card views of Refuge Bay make for a tranquil setting. The 34` Gameboat "Hakula" is moored at the lodge`s private jetty lying just beneath the units, making for easy access for those early morning starts.

To say we were impressed with fishing in Tonga would be an absolute understatement! In the few days we fished with Jeff on Hakula we experienced some sensational blue water fishing. A 150 kilo Blue Marlin, 35 kilo reel screaming Wahoo, numerous Yellowfin Tuna and Mahi Mahi on the first day set the scene for the week. Many other species were caught during the 5 days spent fishing, including Stripey Tuna to 11 kilos, Sailfish, monster Coral Trout and many back breaking Dogtooth Tuna. The biggest landed a monster fish of 45 kilos.

Vava`u, The Kingdom of Tonga is an absolute tropical fishing paradise, with a relaxed holiday atmosphere. A real must for the blue water enthusiast! And from our experience, certainly some of the best blue water fishing action in the world!

Glenn McCarthy, Angling Adventures

Neville Daniel and Kii with Nev's first dog tooth tuna which he took back to oz

Fishing on the Hakula in the wonderfully clear waters of Vavau in the kingdom of Tonga must be hard to beat as one of the "must do's " of any trip to the South Pacific. Skipper Jeff Lestrange and his deckie Ki'i are the wonderful team on the MV Hakula that make both the novice angler and the experienced fisherman equally at home.

I have fished with Jeff for over fifteen years both in International Billfish tournaments, and as a casual day charterer and have caught a great many fish, from small Tuna through to Sailfish and Marlin on his boat. The one thing in common however, through out all that time has been that regardless of what we caught. was the certainty that we would always have a great day's fishing.

Whether you are after "the big one" or a leisurely day's fishing , Jeff's long experience in Tongan waters and his deckies skill and keen eyes, coupled with the warm hospitality of the Vavu fishing lodge add up make your stay in the Fisherman's Kingdom an unforgettable experience.

Paul Ahmad

Tonga is a spread of more than 170 islands, atolls and coral cays, most them fringing onto blue water. By Australian standards, the fishing in Tonga is untouched. I was staying at Hakula Lodge, run by expatriate Australians Jeff and Janine Le Strange.

Jeff and Janine are based at Port of Refuge on the island of Vava'u in Northern Tonga. At the entrance to the bay the water is 75 metres deep; one kilometre offshore and its 800 metres. It's not unusual to hook marlin inside this harbour, and during a week-long stay here there were at least three marlin hook-ups inside Port of Refuge.

Jeff runs the charter boat Hakula, a 34-foot vessel he resurrected. His set up is ideal for visitors. Hakula Lodge is a new home with flats below built on the waterfront. To go fishing with Jeff meant walking down some steps, out onto his private wharf, complete with weighing station, and hopping onto his boat.

But Janine has a problem with Jeff's fishing. 'From a business point of view Jeff loves his fishing too much,' she says.

Well, he is the only game boat skipper I've ever run across who is willing to leave port at 4 a.m. to hit a rock (Fatumanga or Turtle Island) at daylight because 'the action will be hot'. And it was: aptly named bruisers like dogtooth tuna and oceanic rockets including wahoo and Spanish mackerel. So thick were the schools of these tough, fast fighting fish that at times they blotted out the screen on the sounder.

Or, to be willing to leave at 1 a.m. and travel 30 nautical miles out to an uninhabited island to arrive at dawn because the fishing 'will be super hot!' And it was - even bigger dogtooth, dolphinfish, Spanish mackerel and wahoo.

And while Jeff does this, he doesn't simply come in after an eight-hour stint on the water. This guy comes in at dark, regardless of the time he has gone out because, well, he loves his fishing.

About five miles offshore there are three Fish Attracting Devices or FADs set up. This is where a lot of the action takes place as schools of dolphinfish (mahi mahi), yellowfin tuna and baitfish congregate around them. And where there are small fish there are bigger ones, like marlin - striped, blue and black, which is why 37kg is standard trolling tackle in Tonga.

But while the offshore action is great some friends of mine worked over the inshore reefs while I was there and reported action on a level they had rarely experienced.

Tonga has a lot to offer, not least of which are reasonable rates. Accommodation at Hakula Lodge is $129 a night for a single. Rates for game fishing are comparable or less than similar operations in Australia, the major difference being that there are a lot more fish to go round.

Further information about the fishing and Tonga can be found on the website.

Steve Cooper

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