Vanuatu Fishing Tackle Guide: What To Use at Ocean Blue
At Ocean Blue Fishing Adventures, we fish in one of the world’s most diverse and abundant marine environments—Vanuatu. Whether we’re casting for giant trevally (GTs), dogtooth tuna, or yellowfin, having the right gear makes all the difference. Over the years, we’ve fine-tuned our setups to ensure the best possible experience for our anglers, and prepared the ultimate Vanuatu fishing tackle guide to assist in planning for your next Vanuatu fishing adventure.
Does Ocean Blue supply gear for you to use?
If you’re heading to Vanuatu with Ocean Blue for a tropical escape and want to reel in some epic catches without the hassle of organising your own gear, we’ve got you sorted. Our 32 ft boats are fully equipped with top-notch fishing gear from PENN, a brand trusted for over 60 years for its durability, reliability, and affordability. This means you can fish worry-free, knowing you’re using equipment built to handle every challenge. While we do have a policy that guests cover the cost of any lost or damaged gear, rest assured that breakages are rare. And if they do happen, replacements are affordable—still far cheaper than bringing your own collection. So, relax and enjoy the adventure; we’ve got your fishing needs covered!
Each boat at Ocean Blue offers:
- 2 x heavy popping combos (PE 5-8 rod, 8500 reel)
- 2 x medium jigging combos (PE 5-8, 6500 reel)
- 2 x light jigging combos (PE 3-5, 6500 reel)
- 2 x light casting combos (8-15kg, 5000 reel)
- 1 x 30lb Game Outfit
- 2 x 50lb Game Outfit
- 1 x 70lb Game Outfit
- 1 x Heavy Deep drop Combo (PE 8-10, 12 000 Reel)
The gear we provide is carefully selected to suit anglers of all fitness levels, experience, and expertise. We understand that heavy setups can be challenging for those not accustomed to the physical demands of targeting extreme sport fish. However, if you’re used to fishing with ultra-heavy gear and have a favourite combo, feel free to bring it along. We’ve outlined more details about this below to help you prepare for your adventure.
Can I bring my own gear if I wish to?
You betcha! If you are someone who takes their fishing seriously, and wants to test your skills in the heartland of GT’s, Dogtooth Tuna and Yellow Tuna, then by all means bring your favourite fishing rods and reels. But don’t be fooled, we see a lot of anglers come to Vanuatu under-estimating the size of the fish, and how hard they pull. To ensure you are ready to go, we have listed the gear we recommend using below!
Here’s an inside look at the rods, reels, lures, and tackle we use to chase the biggest and most powerful fish in these waters.
Our Go-To Rod and Reel Setups
Fishing in Vanuatu requires a versatile arsenal of rods and reels to tackle different species and fishing conditions. Below is a breakdown of the key setups we use:
Heavy Popping Setup (PE10)
- Rod: A PE10-rated popping rod
- Reel: 10 000+ Heavy-duty spinning reel
- Line: 100lb braid
- Leader: 200 lb monofilament leader
note: different fishing tackle brands will have different size reels. We recommend the largest available spinning reel in each respective brand.
Why We Use It: This is the go-to setup when we need maximum stopping power. Perfect for casting large poppers for GTs and dogtooth tuna, this rod gives us the ability to pull fish away from dangerous reef structures, or nearby sharks who are looking for an easy meal.
Things to note: If you are new to fishing, or haven’t yet cast big heavy fishing rods, this setup could be difficult for you to use all day. The right technique is required to ensure you’re not injuring yourself. If in doubt, perhaps consider a smaller setup listed below.
Medium Casting Setup (PE7-8)
- Rod: PE7-8-rated casting rod
- Reel: 8000 – 10 000 High-speed spinning reel
- Line: 80 lb braid
- Leader: 180 lb monofilament leader
Why We Use It: This all-rounder setup is great for casting stickbaits at yellowfin tuna, coral trout, and smaller GTs. The lighter rod allows for all-day casting while still having enough backbone to handle hard-fighting fish.
Things to note: If the heavy set up listed above sounds a little too big, this is the perfect rod and reel for you. If we could only pick one set up to use all day at Ocean Blue, this would be it.
Light Inshore Casting Setup (PE4)
- Rod: PE4-rated light casting rod
- Reel: 6000 – 8000 Medium spinning reel
- Line: 40lb braid
- Leader: 50lb fluorocarbon leader
Why We Use It: When the bite slows down offshore, we move inshore to target coral trout, coronation trout, and bluefin trevally. This setup is ideal for finesse fishing with smaller stickbaits and allows for fun, high-action fishing in the shallows. This rod is not built for targeting bigger fish, but it allows you to catch fish that other rods wouldn’t allow you to do.
Things to note: Just because this rod is smaller, doesn’t mean you can’t catch nice fish. It just means if you hook a big fish, you need to work as a team on the boat and drive the boat around to have a better chance at landing that fish. This rod provides for proper sport fishing action!
Jigging Setups for Deepwater Species
Light Jigging Setup (PE3-5)
- Rod: PE3-5-rated jigging rod
- Reel: Compact jigging reel
- Line: 50lb braid
- Leader: 180 lb monofilament leader
Why We Use It: Ideal for jigging inshore reefs and fishing around FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices), this setup is great for jobfish, red bass, and yellowfin tuna.
Heavy Jigging Setup (PE8)
- Rod: PE8-rated heavy jigging rod
- Reel: Large jigging reel
- Line: 100lb braid
- Leader: 200 lb monofilament leaderWhy We Use It: Designed to stop the biggest dogtooth tuna, this setup is for serious jigging. The heavy-duty gear makes battling these fish possible, even when they try to head straight for the reef.
Choosing the Right Lures for Vanuatu Fishing
Lure fishing is the most popular technique in Vanuatu, much due to the constant action and explosive bites it can bring. At Ocean Blue, we don’t supply lures and jigs, and encourage our guests to bring their favourite ones. For those who need a hand, you can purchase jigs and lures off us at the beginning of your trip, and top up as you go – you just need to chat to one of our friendly guides.
A versatile selection of lures is crucial for success in Vanuatu’s waters. Here are the types we use most:
Poppers
- Best For: Giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, coral trout
- Why They Work: The surface splash and noise trigger aggressive strikes from predatory fish.
- Things to note: When chasing fish like GT, there is no such thing as a lure too big. We often use lures anywhere from 15-25 cm long.
Stickbaits
- Best For: Yellowfin tuna, GTs, wahoo
- Why They Work: Stickbaits mimic injured baitfish, making them irresistible to topwater feeders. They are worked faster across the surface, and often trigger a reaction bite from the fish.
- Thing to note: Fishing with stick baits is easier on the arms, as there is less resistance from the cup-face popper when bringing it back to the boat.
Jigs
- Best For: Dogtooth tuna, jobfish, red bass
- Why They Work: Fast-moving jigs imitate fleeing baitfish, perfect for targeting deep-water predators.
A Week on the Water: Jack Nolan’s Setup Breakdown
Jack Nolan, one of our seasoned anglers, recently spent a week fishing in Vanuatu with Ocean Blue Fishing Adventures. Here’s what he had to say about his setup:
“If I had to pick just one casting setup for Vanuatu, it would be my PE8 with 80lb braid. It’s an all-rounder that can handle everything from GTs to yellowfin. You never really know what you’re going to hook next, so having gear that covers all bases is key.”
Jack Nolan
This flexibility is exactly why we recommend bringing multiple setups—you want to be prepared for any scenario.
Throughout his trip, Jack hooked into a diverse range of species, from GTs smashing topwater lures to dogtooth tuna testing his jigging skills. One of the highlights of his adventure was battling a massive yellowfin tuna, an experience that had him working every inch of his PE8 setup. The excitement of seeing the fish explode on a surface lure and the fight that followed made it a memory worth reliving over a beer that afternoon.
Beyond the offshore action, Jack also explored Vanuatu’s inshore fisheries, targeting coral trout and bluefin trevally on lighter tackle. The variety of fishing options in Vanuatu allowed him to switch between styles, ensuring non-stop excitement throughout his stay.
This blend of high-adrenaline battles offshore and relaxed inshore fishing showcases why Vanuatu is a must-visit destination for anglers. No matter your style, there’s an opportunity to target world-class fish in stunning surroundings.
Private Piece of Paradise
Your fishing adventure should be complemented by world-class accommodation, and Trees and Fishes is exactly that. Featuring high-end Retreat and Luxury Pool Suites, this coastal retreat offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.
With gourmet cuisine prepared fresh daily, breathtaking ocean views, and a laid-back atmosphere, Trees and Fishes provides an ideal sanctuary after a long day on the water. Whether you prefer lounging by the pool or enjoying a cocktail under the stars, this lodge ensures a seamless balance between luxury and adventure.
The Ultimate Sport Fishing Machine
To make the most of your fishing experience, having the right gear is essential—and that includes the boats. Ocean Blue’s fleet of EdgeWater 318CC sport fishing boats is designed to handle everything from inshore jigging to deep-sea trolling. With powerful Mercury engines, spacious decks, and state-of-the-art fish-finding technology, these vessels offer the best in sport fishing performance.
With expert guides, top-tier equipment, and the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, Ocean Blue Fishing Adventures ensures every angler has an unforgettable experience in Vanuatu.
Ready to Fish? Want to test your skills against Vanuatu’s most powerful fish? Book a trip with Ocean Blue Fishing Adventures today and experience world-class fishing in one of the most beautiful locations on Earth. Our expert guides and top-tier gear ensure an unforgettable experience.
📅 Contact us now and start planning your adventure!
