French Polynesia vs Coco Keeling Islands

ifsteve

ifsteve

Steelhead
Posted this on another forum but thought maybe try here too.

I am thinking about a trip to one of these two areas in 2027. Travel easier to French Polynesia for sure but I also really like the idea of having flats skiffs at Coco Keeling. And Coco Keeling seems a bit nicer accommodations and meal wise (although thats not a big deal).

Guessing some of you guys have been to one or the other or even better both. Love to hear your thoughts and feel free to DM me.

Here's what I am interested in.
1. Good sized bonefish but also decent numbers. I'd lean toward a bit more action and slightly smaller fish than giants but maybe not even catch one in a day. For contrast I am not interested in Belize again where you could catch numbers but mostly all small gus 2-3#.
2. GTs especially on the flats versus the surf. Surf is GREAT as long as its not wading around coral heads and trying to stand up on them during a tide swell. Balance isn't what it used to be.
3. Bumpies would be high on the list. Got humiliated by them in the Seychelles and ready to get some more....lol

TIA!
 
An interesting group trip write up for Cocos.

flyfishin.asia

Cocos Islands with Members from the Brisbane Fly Fishing Club - Fly Fishing Asia

Had the pleasure of fishing with a few members from the Brisbane Fly Fishing Club recently in Cocos Islands.
flyfishin.asia flyfishin.asia

I've fished one atoll in French Polynesia during a single week trip, but there are so many atolls scattered out there. Bonefish, parrotfish, trevally, etc are eaten by the locals, so the flats are not as abundant as more protected destinations. Even so, I hooked big bonefish, bluefin trevally, triggerfish, a huge GT, and a nice Napoleon Wrasse. There were tons of good sized blacktip shark and some big lemon sharks that taxed hooked fish. Targeting shark is a good idea in areas where they are amped up and the bonefish have fled.
 
After a lot of investigation and late night thinking, yes a few beers were involved, we decided to head to French Polynesia next March. At the end of the day the bottom line was that the excruciating flight to Cocos just overshadowed any small advantage it had for the actual fishing.

We did also look, again, into Christmas Island but just decided that was the wrong fishery for us. Now the year long wait begins. LOL

 
ifsteve said:
After a lot of investigation and late night thinking, yes a few beers were involved, we decided to head to French Polynesia next March. At the end of the day the bottom line was that the excruciating flight to Cocos just overshadowed any small advantage it had for the actual fishing.

We did also look, again, into Christmas Island but just decided that was the wrong fishery for us. Now the year long wait begins. LOL

Click to expand...
what do you see as the 'difference' between french poly and xmas island ? and are you using an outfitter?
 
goinoregon said:
what do you see as the 'difference' between french poly and xmas island ? and are you using an outfitter?
Click to expand...
I am going to be just totally honest here. What I am sharing is just my opinion. Feel free to take it our toss it out with the garbage.

XMAS Pros:
Cheapest decent saltwater fly trip around.
Lots of bonefish.

XMAS Cons:
Average size bonefish are small. Your post (not picking on you) showed what you said was maybe your biggest bonefish of the week. That's a less than average fish at Anna.
Food is spartan at best.
Too many fisherman. I think there are 4 lodges now not counting DIY guys.

Anna Atoll Pros:
Great average size bonefish with decent numbers.
Not much more cost wise than XMAS since the flight from Tahiti to Anna is included.
Better other species fishing (especially triggers, bluefin trevally, and bohar snapper).
Good food and private room.
Only one outfitter (Fly Odyssey) and DIY is not really an option so fishing pressure is well managed.

Anna Cons:
If you want a pure numbers of bonefish XMAS is probably better.
Need to be in reasonably decent shape to take best advantage of the outer reef fishery.
 
A couple observations from my time fishing "Anna":
  • The most memorable and enjoyable part of the trip was the people. Very warm friendly Polynesian hospitality. Speaking some French is very helpful.
  • The residents eat trevally, bonefish, parrotfish, and many other species. You will see fish traps in the lagoon periodically as you wade fish. At dinner they will serve gamefish you wish you could have caught on the fly. Fish life inside the lagoon is often sparse because of local harvest.
  • Centipedes. They bite and it hurts bad for a day or so.
  • Daily bonefish encounters are usually limited (6-15 shots on clear sunny days), but they are high quality fish (average of 5-6 pounds). The biggest I hooked were 8-10 pounds, unverified because the big ones take you straight into the coral or get sharked toward the end of the fight.
  • There are few yellowmargin and titan triggerfish, but lots of Picassos.
  • Bluefin trevally (1-10 pounds) are frequently encountered inside the lagoon, but very few GT.
  • The outer reef has much more fish life, but it can only be wade fished safely during certain tides and it is treacherous. I still have coral scars from wading the turbulent blue water edge. Slippery and jagged! Bring a 12 weight, extra fly lines, and a 80+ foot double haul.
  • Big GT >1 meter prowl the outer reef drop, some are real beasts. Trouble is they fight you into the coral immediately and break off.
  • Napoleon wrasse and Bohar snapper are very catchable on the outer reef. Bigger bluefin trevally are out there too in packs.
  • The sharks are prolific and good sized inside and outside the lagoon. Blacktips 2-4 feet are all over the inner lagoon. Bigger lemon and nurse sharks will be encountered too. Bring a shark rod and wire to target them, often they are the best option.
  • Try to fish the bluewater edge from a boat by trolling flies or casting into the reef edge. Big dogtooth tuna and pelagics are out there. It is much easier to land a trophy GT from the boat than standing on the edge of the coral reef.
 
DimeBrite said:
A couple observations from my time fishing "Anna":
  • The most memorable and enjoyable part of the trip was the people. Very warm friendly Polynesian hospitality. Speaking some French is very helpful.
  • The residents eat trevally, bonefish, parrotfish, and many other species. You will see fish traps in the lagoon periodically as you wade fish. At dinner they will serve gamefish you wish you could have caught on the fly. Fish life inside the lagoon is often sparse because of local harvest.
  • Centipedes. They bite and it hurts bad for a day or so.
  • Daily bonefish encounters are usually limited (6-15 shots on clear sunny days), but they are high quality fish (average of 5-6 pounds). The biggest I hooked were 8-10 pounds, unverified because the big ones take you straight into the coral or get sharked toward the end of the fight.
  • There are few yellowmargin and titan triggerfish, but lots of Picassos.
  • Bluefin trevally (1-10 pounds) are frequently encountered inside the lagoon, but very few GT.
  • The outer reef has much more fish life, but it can only be wade fished safely during certain tides and it is treacherous. I still have coral scars from wading the turbulent blue water edge. Slippery and jagged! Bring a 12 weight, extra fly lines, and a 80+ foot double haul.
  • Big GT >1 meter prowl the outer reef drop, some are real beasts. Trouble is they fight you into the coral immediately and break off.
  • Napoleon wrasse and Bohar snapper are very catchable on the outer reef. Bigger bluefin trevally are out there too in packs.
  • The sharks are prolific and good sized inside and outside the lagoon. Blacktips 2-4 feet are all over the inner lagoon. Bigger lemon and nurse sharks will be encountered too. Bring a shark rod and wire to target them, often they are the best option.
  • Try to fish the bluewater edge from a boat by trolling flies or casting into the reef edge. Big dogtooth tuna and pelagics are out there. It is much easier to land a trophy GT from the boat than standing on the edge of the coral reef.
Click to expand...
Dogtooths…I've caught them on gear, (Eniwetok & Bikini atolls) they would be a beast on a fly rod. I wish I was 10 years younger…
 
ifsteve said:
I am going to be just totally honest here. What I am sharing is just my opinion. Feel free to take it our toss it out with the garbage.

XMAS Pros:
Cheapest decent saltwater fly trip around.
Lots of bonefish.

XMAS Cons:
Average size bonefish are small. Your post (not picking on you) showed what you said was maybe your biggest bonefish of the week. That's a less than average fish at Anna.
Food is spartan at best.
Too many fisherman. I think there are 4 lodges now not counting DIY guys.

Anna Atoll Pros:
Great average size bonefish with decent numbers.
Not much more cost wise than XMAS since the flight from Tahiti to Anna is included.
Better other species fishing (especially triggers, bluefin trevally, and bohar snapper).
Good food and private room.
Only one outfitter (Fly Odyssey) and DIY is not really an option so fishing pressure is well managed.

Anna Cons:
If you want a pure numbers of bonefish XMAS is probably better.
Need to be in reasonably decent shape to take best advantage of the outer reef fishery.
Click to expand...
thx steve. i am all about getting info. i dont do it enough, or have enough history to give opinions - only experiences.
i forget when your trip is - hope it goes well.

go
 
Brute said:
Dogtooths…I've caught them on gear, (Eniwetok & Bikini atolls) they would be a beast on a fly rod. I wish I was 10 years younger…
Click to expand...
The first time I went to the Seychelles one of my targets was to get the record IGFA dogtooth. Was blind casting deep around a pod of baitfish and got a ripping hit. After a minute the line was cut through and the South African I was fishing with that afternoon thought it was a big barracuda. So not thinking I just tied on a wire trace and a new fly without measuring to ensure my bite tippet wasn't too long. Of course, 10 minutes later I hooked a big doogie. Finally landed it after almost an hour and it was big. Took it back to the mothership and weighed it on our certified scale. Almost 50# and the current record then was like 35#. The captain started screaming 'world record doggie, world record doggie" but I then checked my bite tippet and it was 2 inches too long. The captain said " that didn't affect you catching that fish, I'll certify the application." But I KNEW it wasn't legit so I said no. Ate some damn good tuna the next several days but sad I didn't pay attention in the heat of battle or I would have had the record. Of course, that's been smashed since then anyway,
 
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