Sport Fishing in the Pristine Waters of Papua New Guinea

By Chin Liang Teh
GoNOMAD Senior Writer

It is another glorious sunny day off the coast of Papua New Guinea.

The noon sun, a blinding orb in the sky, imbues the water with a pristine turquoise sheen.

Under the mirror-like surface, a sprawling mosaic of coral reefs spans as far as the eye can see.

A small boat floats on the turquoise expanse, with a lengthy fishing rod jutting out from its edge, the tip dipping low towards the water.

A sudden lurch in the rod yanks the line with a surge of force. Snapped to attention, the angler lunges for the reel, adrenaline coursing through him.

A giant trevally breaks through the water and puts up a fierce fight with the angler, charging across the surface and stirring a wave of ripples glinting with shards of sunlight.

The Last Fishing Frontier

This intense fish wrestling scene is a heart-stopping sight to behold at Long Reef, located off the eastern coast of Papua New Guinea. Long Reef is also known as the ‘Napoleon Wrasse Capital of Papua New Guinea’ for its abundance of Napoleon Wrasse found in its surrounding waters.

“Not many people know that Papua New Guinea is a paradise for game fishing,” says Hecsterson Mangalindan, General Manager of Sport Fishing PNG. “To me, it is the last frontier for fishing enthusiasts. Most of its landmass and territorial waters are still pristine, rarely visited, and seldom fished.”

Papua New Guinea is home to some of the world’s most secluded and untouched game fishing grounds. Most prime fishing locations are off the grid and can only be accessed by special boats, putting them well off the beaten path.

Unlike other fishing spots where destructive fishing practices have decimated marine life, local fishermen in Papua New Guinea continue to use sustainable methods like hooks, baits, and lures to preserve the marine environment.

Offshore and River Game Fishing

You can catch and release game fish in both the ocean and rivers. Offshore game fishing, commonly known as Bluewater Expedition, takes anglers to Long Reef, Eastern Fields, Portlock Reef, Vakuta, Pocklington Reef, Lyra Reef, Egum Atoll, and the Papuan Coast. River fishing, also known as Wild River Expeditions, mainly takes place in Fly River, Aramia River, and along the Papuan Coast.

These are the fishing hotspots that Sport Fishing PNG visits with their clients. Each location has its own unique characters.

You can’t go wrong with Long Reef when it comes to fishing, from battling Dogtooth Tuna near dramatic drop-offs to reeling in Giant Trevallies and Napoleon Wrasse in shallow reefs.

Eastern Fields is a jewel-like isolated atoll cut off from the outside world. Its extreme remoteness, away from heavy fishing pressure, makes a perfect sanctuary for monster Dogtooth Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, and Giant Trevallies, and Giant Wahoo.

If you are on a budget and short on time, the Papuan Coast, only 30 to 40 minutes from Port Moresby, is the most accessible spot for catching your trophy fish. Although not as remote, you still stand a good chance of catching fish like Giant Trevallies, Spanish Mackerel, and Yellowfin Tuna.

For a wild river expedition, the Fly River is hands down the best place to catch Black Bass. This second-longest river in Papua New Guinea is surrounded by swamps and creeks where you can catch Black Bass and Barramundi.

Diverse Game Fishing Methods

“For offshore fishing, we use popping, jigging, trolling, fly fishing, and surf casting if the clients request it. When we fish in the rivers, we use casting lures, trolling, and a bit of fly fishing too,” Hecsterson explains.

“We usually spend 6 full days fishing on our trips, plus an additional two days for travel to and from Port Moresby,” he adds.

According to Hecsterson, when it comes to offshore fishing, the most sought-after catch for his clients is Giant Trevallies, followed by Dogtooth Tuna, and then the Napoleon Wrasse. In river fishing, the Papuan Black Bass is the top target. Barramundi comes in second.

Giant Trevallies are the Top Catch

Giant Trevallies are among the most popular fish to catch. They are abundant and notoriously aggressive when fighting on rod and reel.

“They are the best pound-for-pound sportfish you can catch on a lure!” Hecsterson exclaims.

Dogtooth Tuna is one of the most targeted fish for jigging. They are relentless fighters and only give up when they are completely exhausted.

“These tanks can quickly use up your 80 lbs, 500-meter line reel and even cause it to overheat!” Hecsterson says. “The best part about Dogtooth Tuna is that they strike “topwater” lures, making them a fish you’ll want to tick off your bucket list!”

Sharks Get in the Way

Dogtooth tuna are the most challenging catch, commonly found at depths of 50 to 150 meters or more. Jigging a lure at this depth is exhausting and hooking and fighting a fish is even more demanding. Plus, you won’t always hook a tuna—often, it’s sharks that take the lure!

“Even if you hook a dogtooth tuna, the biggest challenge is not just reeling it in but also getting it past the sharks.”

“You need to land the fish quickly, or you’ll often end up with just the head.”

Napoleon Wrasse – The Ultimate Catch

The rarest catch of all is the Napoleon Wrasse, a holy grail for many anglers. You could spend a week fishing without landing one.

“We don’t usually target the wrasse since it is an endangered species, but if we are lucky enough to catch one, we make sure to release it quickly to make sure it survives,” Hecsterson says.

The most sought-after catch in river expeditions is the Black Bass, which is also Hecsterson’s favorite. Black bass hide among underwater snags—such as rocks, logs, or debris—making it difficult to reel them in once they are hooked.

Anglers also stand a chance at landing an IGFA All-Tackle Weight/Line Class and All-Tackle Length Record.

“The current standing IGFA all-tackle weight record was caught by one of our clients on our Papuan Coast Expedition,” Hecsterson says.

A Year-Round Sport

Game fishing is great year-round. There’s no bad time for it.

During the rainy season (December to April), the strong southeastern winds weaken, and better wind conditions set in. Despite occasional rain, this is the best time to hit the sea.

In summer, with southeast winds blowing, it is better to head to rivers, where the water is low and clear due to reduced rainfall.

A Fishing Experience Unlike Any Other

Fishing in Papua New Guinea requires more careful planning than in other places.

“Most of the spots we visit are either 12 hours by boat from the city or accessible only by chartered flight. It’s important to be well-equipped with all necessary items, and backups for gear, tools, and engines. Always have contingency plans in place in case Plan A doesn’t work out.”

Also, it is not always the fish that come to your lure. Wildlife encounters are common. Crocodiles, deer, wild boars, and wallabies are among the animals you may cross paths with.

An Uncharted Gem 

While in Papua New Guinea, the eastern half of New Guinea, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the local culture and traditions. Sport Fishing PNG partners with the local tourism board to take visitors on tours around Port Moresby, where they can enjoy local cuisine and visit museums and galleries.

Mumu is a traditional Papua New Guinea dish made with chicken or pork, sweet potatoes, taro, and leafy greens, all cooked in an earth oven. Another is Saksak, a dumpling made from sago and cooked in coconut milk. Generally, people in Papua love their barbecued lamb chops along with grilled pumpkin or sweet potatoes.

“During our tours, we meet with villagers who welcome us with a special tribal ‘sing-sing’ performance. They also invite us to join the dance,” Hecsterson says. “Guests are encouraged to chew betel nuts, and this often results in mixed reactions.”

Papua New Guinea is an underrated destination full of stunning natural wonders. Trekking the Kokoda Trail is a highlight, famous for its World War II history with Australian Allied forces fighting the Japanese. This challenging but rewarding trail draws hikers from around the world.

“I wouldn’t say Papua New Guinea is 100% safe, but much of what you read online is exaggerated. The country has so much to offer in tourism, and you will appreciate it once you experience it,” Hecsterson concludes.

Beyond the dense tropical jungle, home to over 800 tribes and ethnic groups, the surrounding waters often erupt with a dorsal fin breaking through the surface, like a phantom rising from the deep.

When the rod jiggles, it’s your cue to tussle with the sea giant.