Christmas Island 2019 Trip Report

by Guy Schoenborn

I just returned from a couple of great weeks at The Villages on Christmas Island (April 23 - May 8). Overall, the weather was pretty good. We had about 75 percent clear skies with winds of 5 to 15 mph. There were good numbers of quality bonefish from 3 to 6 pounds and some very nice bonefish up to 10 pounds. I had several clients that had 30-plus fish days on bonefish. Tony Buzolich landed a 10-pound bone. Tom Ferguson’s first bonefish ever was a 6-pounder.

Doug Swift with nice bonefish

Doug Swift landed 27 bones in the two weeks he was there, which were over 4 pounds.

Tom Ferguson with large giant trevally

Some very nice trevally were caught. Tom Ferguson landed a 60-plus-pound GT on a spin rod and a large popper. Denver York focused mainly on GTs with his 12 weight and caught three between 25 and 55 pounds. He also caught a good number of 5-10-pound GTs and bluefin trevally.

Dean, Brian, and Sam Crouser with GT

Dean, Brian, and Sam Crouser had three banner days for GTs. They were casting poppers and swim baits in the waves near the reefs and also near coral heads. They had one day with over 30 hookups on GTs.

Chris Heddins with a huge bluefin trevally

Chris Heddins landed a huge bluefin near London.

Dave Patula with large golden trevally

Dave Patula landed a jumbo golden trevally the first week near Huff Dam.

Doug Swift with a large milkfish

Doug Swift with a nice milkfish caught on a fly after a 40-minute battle. The conditions need to be just right for this fishery, and it was for the first 10 days that I was there. The milkfish bite was hot. Everyone who had the chance caught two or more milkfish. Believe it or not, a 15-pound milkfish will fight harder and longer than a 25-pound GT. We were using 12 weight rods with 60-80 pound-tippet, and it still took 20-30 minutes to land one. Milkfish have to be one of the strongest fish on the planet.

Mike Sekosky with sailfish

The bluewater fishing was excellent both weeks. Corley Phillips, Anthony Turr and Tom Ferguson landed eight wahoo and two yellowfin tuna one day. We landed 3-10 wahoo and/or yellowfin every day we went out in the bluewater. Mike Sekosky even landed a sailfish (pictured above).

Dean Crouser with Christmas Island Giant Trevally

Dean Crouser with Giant Trevally.

We had such good fishing...

We had such good fishing that 17 of my 27 anglers rebooked. If you are thinking about a Christmas Island hosted trip with Brad or me, you need to Book now for 2025, 2026, and 2027. Or if you have other dates you'd like, get with us now.