Baia Sport Fishing

From Australia there is a 3 hour plane ride to Port Moresby, the capital of PNG. A connection flight from POM is a one hour journey to Kimbe (Hoskins Airport). Upon arrival at Hoskins Airport in Kimbe in West New Britain, you will be met and transferred to the beautiful Liamo Reef Resort in Kimbe. After an overnights rest, we leave early the next morning aboard “Break Free”, a Steber 35 foot, fully equipped fly bridge Game boat. There is also the possibility of traveling half way by road and half by boat. Either way, the journey to Baia Lodge will take around 4.5 hours.

Our first day’s fishing will take us to the outer Reef systems in Kimbe Bay fishing for Yellow Fin, Marlin, Sailfish, Dogtooth Tuna, Wahoo and many other pelagic species as we work our way toward Baia Lodge. Alternatively we may head direct to Baia Lodge and begin bass fishing that afternoon.

The next four or more days you will be based at Baia Lodge and we will fish the several river systems that are within 15min to an hour from the Lodge for Black and Spot Tail Bass, Mangrove Jack and other estuarine species. Access to these areas is via our purpose built sport fishing boats.

On the final day, with the return transfer in “Break Free” there is more blue water angling as we head back toward Kimbe. Our arrival in the afternoon brings us back to Liamo Resort to relax with a few cold drinks and prepare for the journey back home the next morning.

Inshore Blue Water fishing can be done off the lodge at any time from Lodge’s sport fishing boats however to target the bigger off shore species, our Steber 34 Game Boat “Break Free”, is available at a separate and additional charter cost.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
Sport fishing in both fresh and salt water is the key activity at the Lodge. There is fishing equipment available, and all tackle and lures are on a replacement basis should they be damaged or lost.

The Baia Village people are a friendly and welcoming they are more than happy to show off their traditional lifestyle and provide a tour through their village. Excursions for Bush Walking and Bird Watching enthusiast can also be arranged with Village guides.

Pristine coral reefs surround the Bay for snorkeling and there are picturesque cool freshwater springs not far from the Lodge for those who simply want to relax and enjoy a swim and a day’s picnic.

Equipment for Bass Fishing: Minimum 15 kg line on a solid bait caster reel like the Abu 6500 and 7000. Shimano also have great reels such as the Calcutta 300 and 400 and their TE series. Braided or Mono line is a personal preference. 10kg to 15 kg Rods around 6 feet need to be strong but not too stiff as to make casting difficult.

Popular lures with the Bass are the Rapala skitter pops in all colours. Minnow type lures such as the Halco 125mm and the storm mid thunder in similar sizes are also good. We find the mullet colours are effective. For the inshore palagic's, deep divers around the reefs work well and large poppers for the GT's. Wire trace is recommended for the razor gang species. Smaller skirted lures from 3” to 6” are good fore tuna and sailfish.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:
Because Baia Lodge is in an isolated part of West New Britain Island, the logistics and costs to visit the Lodge requires a minimum of 4 guests for each excursion. The maximum we can accommodate is 12 guests. Less than 4 guests may do the trip but at a slightly higher price. The duration required at the Lodge will also need to be a minimum of four nights to make your trip worthwhile and to enjoy what the area has to offer.

For us to make your visit a unique experience and to preserve the pristine fishing environment, we will only be offering a maximum of 15 groups per season.

Prices are all part of the package and include Airfares, Accommodation, transfers to the Lodge by boat, Food, Laundry, Fishing Gear, Boats and Guides. Beverages are the only extra costs at the Lodge and the cost of any damaged or lost Tackle that you may hire.

Meals are both Western and Chinese style cuisine and of course fresh seafood is always part of the menu. Any special requests on types of drinks or wines need to be notified well in advance so that special arrangements can be made for your trip.

Rooms are large and very comfortable as twin share, however it is likely that each person may have their own room when possible. All rooms have ceiling fans and 240 outlets throughout the building. 12 volt alternative power is also connected when the Generator is off. Flushable toilets, hot water, and all the comforts of home make Baia Lodge a fantastic place to escape and experience a unique piece of paradise and spectacular tropical angling.

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION:
Baia Lodge is situated in an isolated area of the West New Britain coast, and in extreme emergencies the quickest way out is by Helicopter. It is compulsory to acquire some kind of travel insurance which may save a lot of inconvenience and expense should an unfortunate situation occur.

Protective clothing from the sun and sunscreen is essential. Insect repellant is also important in certain fishing areas. The area in and around the Lodge is fortunate not to have many mosquito’s or sand flies.

BLUEWATER SPORTFISHING
Papua New Guinea has an incredible array of light tackle Sportsfishing options, with almost every species of Pacific gamefish inhabiting the plankton and baitfish rich waters adjacent to the reef and continental shelf.

Imagine trolling rigged baits or deep diving minnow lures for the likes of wahoo, spanish mackerel, yellowfin tuna, dolphin fish (Mahi Mahi), various trevally, sailfish & marlin. These tropical speedsters offer exceptional Sportsfishing opportunities.

Much has been written about the variety of fish species abundant in the warm tropical waters off the coast from Papua New Guinea. Not knowing exactly what fish is going to crash your trolled offering is half the fun, hooking up to a leaping, gyrating, lit up sportfish is the other.

The food chain here is complete, with the mass of coral providing shelter and food as predator eats predator. This abundance of life provides the perfect opportunity for the visiting angler to capture some truly magnificent fish.

Giant Trevally (GT) Popper Casting
The Mighty Giant Trevally (G.T.) certainly are a very tough customer. These Robust Predator really take Angler, Tackle & Crew to their very limits and sometimes beyond! These Kings of the Reef patrol along the Reef edge schooling up baitfish

Popper casting for G.T. is predominantly 'Sight Fishing'. It’s incredibly exciting to watch as the huge head and shoulders of a massive G.T. breaks the surface as it devours a well placed cast popper!

Although G.T.s are the prime targeted species for popper casting other fish are also sometimes caught. Among these are Blue spot, Golden, Silver, & Tea leaf Trevally. As well as Spanish & Dolphin Fish, Red Bass, Coral Trout just to name a few.

Jigging
Yet another great way to test out your skill & strength. Jigging can be done year round.Using a variety of Lead heads, slice type and soft plastics, it is absolutely incredible what you can catch on a jig. Every imaginable bottom fish from coral trout to red emperor and everything in between as well as a bunch of different toothy pelagic’s.

Bass
Papuan Black Bass (Lutjanus goldiei) also called ‘Papuan black snapper’ or Niugini bass. Black bass inhabit brackish and fresh waters, they are opportunistic and omnivorous in their diet. They consume crabs, fish (including catfish, smaller bass, small crocodiles and mammals. In common with many large, riverine fish, Black Bass are territorial. In areas where there is little tidal influence they remain in the one general area, but where there are large tides they move with the tides and changing river flows and water levels.

Spot-tail Bass (Lutjanus fuscescens) also known “Freshwater snapper” generally inhabit the more upper reaches of the river systems. Spot-tail bass are also opportunistic and omnivorous in their diet and territorial like their relatives the Black Bass.Black Bass are caught in conjunction with mangrove jack & Spot-tail Bass (in New Britain) and are the prime target of recreational (sports) fishers. In sportfishing circles it is generally considered that ‘pound for pound’ they are the strongest fish swimming in either fresh or salt water.

TACKLE
Equipment for Bass Fishing: Minimum 15 kg line on a solid bait caster reel like the Abu 6500 and 7000. Shimano also have great reels such as the Calcutta 300 and 400 and their TE series. Braided or Mono line is a personal preference. 10kg to 15 kg Rods around 6 feet need to be strong but not too stiff as to make casting difficult.

Popular lures with the Bass are the Rapala skitter pops in all colours. Minnow type lures such as the Halco 125mm and the storm mid thunder in similar sizes are also good. We find the mullet colours are effective. For the inshore palagic's, deep divers around the reefs work well and large poppers for the GT's. Wire trace is recommended for the razor gang species. Smaller skirted lures from 3” to 6” are good fore tuna and sailfish.