Captain’s Log: Heavy Hitters at Poivre — Marlin, Fly-Rod Sails, and a 50kg GT

Trip Details

  • Trip Type: Amirantes Blue-Water & Reef Expedition (Amirantes Marlin Sailfish 50kg GT)

  • Region: Amirantes Group (St. Joseph to Poivre Atoll)

  • Date Range: 8–15 December 2025

  • Duration: 8-Day Liveaboard (Vessel: Hinatea)

Marlin leaping clear of the water during an offshore fight

Environmental Conditions We are now fully into the Northwest Monsoon. As is typical for December, we experienced high humidity (85%+) and the arrival of short, intense tropical squalls that cleared the air for glassy afternoon sessions. The Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) shifting south has moderated the sea surface temperatures to a steady 29°C. The thermocline is currently shallow, which kept the pelagic predators—especially the Billfish—actively feeding in the top 20 meters of the water column.

Catch & Activity

  • Marlin (Black & Blue): 2 raised, 1 Black Marlin (est. 140kg) landed on the troll near the Poivre drop-off.

  • Sailfish: 3 raised, 1 landed on fly. The tease-and-switch was electric this week.

  • Giant Trevally (GT): 9 landed. The standout was a truly monstrous 50kg GT taken on a popper at the edge of the St. Joseph channel.

  • Reef Variety: Over 30 fish landed across 12 species, including Trophy Bohar Snapper, Green Jobfish, and heavy-set Potato Bass (released).

Marlin landed boatside next to an offshore fishing vessel

The Mission: Highlights from the Water We spent the middle of the trip focused on the Poivre Atoll sector. The Marlin activity has intensified as they follow the schools of Skipjack and Bonito onto the plateau. We hooked the Black Marlin on a large purple/black skirted lure trolled along the 1,000m contour of the Amirantes Trench. After a 45-minute technical battle, we had the fish boat-side for a clean release.

The highlight for our fly-specialists occurred on Day 5. We deployed the teasers to raise Sailfish into the spread. Seeing a lit-up Sail blast the teaser and then switching it to a 12wt fly rod in crystal-clear blue water is the pinnacle of sportfishing. Both fish were landed, photographed in-water, and revived successfully.

The “beast of the week” came from the surf-line at St. Joseph. Casting into a massive pressure edge during the incoming tide, the water literally imploded as a 50kg Giant Trevally inhaled a 200mm cup-face popper. This fish tested every bit of the PE10 braid and the 20kg drag setting on the Stella 18000.

Fisherman holding a giant trevally caught offshore

Tackle & Techniques

  • Billfish Trolling: We ran a mixed spread of teasers and pitch-baits. For the Marlin, heavy-gauge circle hooks on rigged Bonito were the difference-maker.

  • Sailfish on Fly: 12wt outfits with large, high-contrast streamers. The key was the speed of the switch once the fish was inside the 10-meter mark.

  • GT Popping: With the glassy December conditions, we found that “slower” pops with longer pauses triggered the bigger residents in deeper water.

  • Leaders: 250lb shock leaders were mandatory for the St. Joseph reefs. We had two break-offs earlier in the week on 150lb mono that proved the local residents are simply too powerful for light gear.

 

Fisherman posing with a sailfish beside the boat offshore

Captain’s Insight The December bite is aggressive. While the rainfall is higher this month, the lulls between showers provide some of the best fly-fishing visibility we’ve seen all season. The Billfish are here in numbers, and the GTs are holding deep on the points, waiting for the tidal flushes.

Conservation Note: Every Billfish and GT encountered this trip was tagged and released (Amirantes Marlin Sailfish 50kg GT). We strictly followed our “minimal air exposure” protocol to ensure these apex predators returned to the reef in peak condition.

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