The Kingdom of Tonga
Facilities for Fishermen in Tonga.
Tonga has a small but growing fleet of large game boats for charter based both in Tongatapu and Vava'u. These can be booked through your travel agent and tour wholesaler or arrangements can be made through the resort you choose to stay at. These boats are fully outfitted with tackle of a high standard and can meet all your needs for a day's fishing.
Most resorts also have available small open outboard powered boats which can be hired for fishing in the sheltered lagoon waters and reef passes adjacent most of the resorts. Often the rental will include a Tongan boatman to guide you through the shallow coral areas and take you to the likely fishing sports.
Other than on the game boats there is no tackle for hire in Tonga, and so, you will need to take your own. Either way make sure you have plenty of lures. The coral will account for some and so will the fish. Of most importance are the poppers and jigs. There is only one tackle shop in each of Nuku'alofa and Neiafu so it is advisable to prepare well if not fishing with a charter boat. Consider carrying spare line and a variety of lures and spare tips for your rods.
Fun fishing for the Family
Anyone can catch fish in Tongan waters which makes it a great place to spend a tropical holiday with your family and enjoy the fishing as well. Much of the mid range and light tackle fishing takes place in sheltered waters and the catch may not be just small fish. Because Tonga is an island nation the rich blue ocean waters lap on to it's shores bringing the ocean pelagics close in at times inside the sheltered lagoon areas. In areas where deep water runs close to shore, big fish are easily targeted by land based anglers.
The two best ways to extract the most fun from fishing with family groups is to either charter a boat and fish the close areas for mid range fish like the mahi-mahi and small yellowfin and skipjack tuna or to toss lures and baits to the fish in the lagoons while wading. Both will provide enough action to keep everyone interested and there is also the chance to sunbathe or collect shells etc.
Fishing Clubs
For the serious angler wishing to pursue record fish in Tongan waters there are two IGFA affiliated clubs. The Tongan International Gamefish Association with weigh stations at Pangaimotu Island in the south and Vava'u in the north and the Royal Sunset Island Resort on Atata Island just out of Nuku'alofa.
[ref: Tonga Visitors Bureau]
[ref: http://www.tongatapu.net.to]
© Tonga on the 'NET
[For a piece of the Kingdom, and Your Own Domain Name,
http://www.tonic.to easily the Tonic.to Domain Name headaches.]