Back in history | Game fishing days in Fiji

On August 1, 1996, The Fiji Times reported overseas anglers praising Fiji’s fishing waters as among the best in the world.

The report stated the anglers had finished the last day of competition in the Pacific Harbour International Game Fish and Wahoo tournament the day prior and that the event was won by the local crew of Bill Fever.

It said that Australian Peter Edwards, from Gladstone Park in Melbourne, had been involved in the annual tournament since its inception.

“I’m always coming back looking for the big one, for the fun, social gatherings and meeting new friends,” Mr Edwards was quoted as saying.

“Back home the water is cooler; the wahoo is great in Fiji and the blue marlin is always a challenge while to land a sailfish is a bonus.”

The article stated retired fireman Dick Ziemer, of Tehachapi in California, was in Fiji for his third tournament.

The American caught the only marlin of the tournament and said he felt there were more bigger ones still lurking in the deep seas. Ziemer was on board Bill Fever, captained and owned by Bill Williams, a former hunting partner from the Colorado mountains where they met 20 years before.

The Fiji Times report stated after the heavy rain and rough seas, the two mates had more stories to tell.

But the last day, which was spoiled by rain and very rough seas according to the fishermen, resulted in only seven fish being landed. The prized catches of the final day belonged to local anglers.

Dentist Intiaz Sahu Khan, on Bill Fever, caught the biggest wahoo, a 39.1 kg specimen caught with a 20kg tackle off Vatulele Island.

Good catches on days one and two assured Bill Fever a lead they maintained.

Sahu Khan said it was the fourth year in a row that they had won the annual event and faced a lot of competition in the process from seasoned overseas anglers.

Viliame Leqa caught a 33.9kh sailfish, the second by his team, on Mr Magoc II.

Dan Willams caught the first fish of the day, 31.1kg wahoo on a 10kg tackle.

The national record for that category was 31.4kg. The final day produced five wahoo, one sailfish and a yellowfin tuna, The Fiji Times report added.