CHRISTMAS ISLAND H
alfway between Hawaii and New Zealand in the middle of the South Pacific sits Kiribati Island— the world’s largest atoll that is better known to anglers as Christmas Island. It takes a bit of time to get here, but once you arrive you’ll find a saltwater wilderness area that is absolutely massive; a fishery that is home to staggering numbers of bonefish and populations of milkfish, triggerfish, giant trevally, golden trevally and numerous other species. The interior and exterior flats of Christmas Island are a mix of hard white sand, coral and turtle grass, creating the ideal setting for wade fishing and shallowwater enthusiasts. Bonefish are the main target species on Christmas Island and are found all throughout the shallow waters of the atoll. This is an excellent destination for beginner saltwater fly anglers due to the sheer numbers of small-to-medium-sized bonefish that are readily available on a year-round basis. Aside from very dependable bonefishing, one of the things we really love about fishing Christmas Island is the overall diversity of species that can be targeted with a fly rod. The triggerfish are numerous and large, and the atoll is home to three different and unique species of triggers. These waters also offer several species of trevally, including bluefin, golden and giant trevally. Milkfish are usually found in the deeper channels, feeding in the blue waters that surround the island. These large schools of “milkies” are typically fished from the boat as they surf the swells in deeper water. The offshore bluewater fishing that surrounds Christmas Island can also be productive, with strong numbers of barracuda, giant trevally, wahoo, Mahi Mahi, sharks and the occasional marlin.
44
CHRISTMAS ISLAND phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060