Troppo Fishing Adventures Samoa

14/04/2025

Winners Are Grinners

14/04/2025

Team Troppo - One Spot available for Pago Pago
Hi mates and all anglers. Due to an unexpected family commitment a spot has become available to fish with us as a member of Team Troppo aboard Pure Indulgence, competing in the PPGFA American Samoa International Tournament out of Pago Pago. I know this is late notice, but with Pure Indulgence departing Apia for Pago Pago next Saturday the 19th of April there is still time to get here if you are keen. With Team Troppo being the winners of the last three most recent Samoan International Tournaments, it's a good bet that we will give this tournament a top shot. Apart from that, the fishing out of Pago Pago is exceptional. If you are keen, PM me or email me asap [email protected]... Tight Lines Forever.. Hoppo

13/04/2025

TEAM TROPPO WINS THE 2025 SIGFA INTERNATIONAL
For the second consecutive year Team Troppo fishing aboard Pure Indulgence has won the SIGFA Samoa International Tournament.
This years team consisted of five anglers from Wollongong NSW fishing for Australia. Aaron, Chris, Mitch, Brett and Stu. Well done boys "You Bloody Rippers".. It was our pleasure having you aboard Yee Ha.. Tautua, Aussie & Hoppo .. More picks to come

25/03/2025

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24/02/2025

SAMOA FISHING REPORT February 2025
February has been punctuated by severe tropical storms which reduced the number of possible fishing days dramatically. However, on the calmer days the fishing was and continues to be good. Out the front of Apia blue marlin, sailfish and yellowfin tuna have been dominating catches. Team Troppo reports that their anglers aboard Pure Indulgence have been landing most of their fish in the vicinity east of Apia Fad between the 2000m and 3000m drop offs. During last weekend’s Fish To The Max monthly tournament anglers aboard Roadie and Vagana laded yelowfin to 45kg in the same vicinity,, while anglers aboard Sealord released sailfish due north of Apia in 1000m. This is also the area where Troppo anglers have experienced double hook-ups on sails. Since January, The Paddock due north of Apia has bee producing blue marlin and school sized yellowfin tuna for Pure Indulgence and Free Spirit. A few big wahoo have been on the chew over the wider reefs and sea mounts along the contours. Recently, Capt Vaughan Simpson “Fua II” and Captain Roy Lee “Yellowfin” did a trip to Pascoe Banks, situated 80km off the western tip of Savaii. They and their anglers experienced fantastic fishing and a massive catch. Over three days and two nights they landed over 100 fish consisting of multiple marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, dogtooth tuna, giant trevally and much more.
As we head into our autumn months, the run of blue marlin, yellowfin tuna and sailfish will continue. The frequency of bull mahi mahi and wahoo will increase as spanish mackerel start their spawning run over inshore pinnacles and GT’s start schooling over the shallow reefs.
Tight Lines Forever.. Hoppo

20/02/2025

Tight Lines Fishing Adventure - 7 day Anglers Trip to SAMOA..
Samoa offers Kiwi & Aussie anglers a wide range of fishing opportunities only a short flight away. From the 18th to 25th of May, New Zealand Fishing News editor and fishing legend Grant Dixon will be hosting/guiding a trip to Samoa. As Grant says
"Samoan waters spoil anglers for choice. This trip will target billfish, tuna, mahi mahi and other pelagic species offshore from well appointed boats as well as the opportunity to jig, troll and cast for GT's, dogtooth tuna, spanish mackerel, coral trout and barracuda inshore".
Accommodation will be at beautiful Taumeasina Island Resort.
Don't miss this opportunity to fish Samoa with a fantastic team.
To read more and book your spot click on this link to Grants article about the trip.
https://www.fishing.net.nz/fishing-news/samoa-trip-offers-an-angling-smorgasbord/ #

Islands of the Pacific provide Kiwi anglers with a range of fishing opportunities just a short flight away. One of the best for the variety of angling opportunities is Samoa, a destination Tight Lines Tours host Grant Dixon has fished many times. “I caught my first billfish in Samoa and was...

10/02/2025

Three Anglers - 3 Sailfish - 3 Firsts
Gary, Alistair and Greg came all the way from Southampton in the UK on an around the world cruise aboard the Arcadia. They have gone fishing out of every other port on their way to Samoa, but none of the boys had never landed their target species, a "sailfish".
We departed the marina knowing this, so once we got to our marks we selected our lures accordingly and it wasn't long before we had multiple sailfish in the spread. The "BM Maggot" running on the short shotgun was hit first. Within seconds Gary was on the rod and and playing the fish. As Tautua was clearing the gear, a second sail absolutely nailed the "JB Micro Dingo" running on the long rigger. Alistair took the rod and proceeded to watch his fish go ballistic off the port corner. Gary's fish was behaving itself, so we focused on Alistair's fish. It was putting on a great performance doing summersaults off the port corner. Once it calmed down, it wasn't long before it is was tagged and quickly released. We then turned our attention to Garry's fish after a short fight, it too, was tagged and then released.. Both fish swam away from the boat in very good condition. Two down, one to go. By now the school of sailfish had dispersed, so I started trolling south east back towards the contours where we often find schools of little mac tuna "kavelau" being harassed by sails. As we approached the first school, BANG, the "Pakula Phantom" running on the long shotgun was inhaled by a big sail. Greg was quickly on the rod and after a short but intense fight the fish was at the boat, tagged and then released. Mission accomplished. All three anglers had landed and released their first sailfish and were over the moon at their accomplishment. An hour later they were back on the Arcadia and heading to their next port of call. Well done boys, it was our pleasure having you aboard. That was a top few hours of fishing. Tight Lines Forever.. Hoppo & Team Troppo

13/01/2025

Samoa Fishing Report - January 2025.
Just off the coast, north of our capital Apia, the big yellowfin tuna run has begun with a vengeance. Plenty of anglers are landing quality fish to 50kg. Blue marlin and mahi-mahi have also been on the chew. Most of the mahi-mahi have been big bulls to 20kg, while the marlin have mainly been juvenile males to 120kg. Black and Stripped marlin are also being released. Inshore, there has been a fantastic run of dogtooth tuna taking place over the 30m to 50m reef systems. Some solid Spanish mackerel are also being landed.
With the amount of quality fish being caught now, the blue water fishing into February and March looks like it’s going to be hot, with XL yellowfin tuna schooling along the 2000m line, along with feisty blue marlin, sailfish and mahi mahi as they feed on vast schools of tiny squid, blue bait and flying fish. If popping and jigging are your thing, dogtooth tuna, Spaniards and GT’s will continue to be caught over the inshore reefs. Email me [email protected] if you would like to book a charter and join in the action.
With Samoa having just endured a week of sh*tty weather, enjoy the classic pics from the Troppo Library...
Tight Lines Forever - Capt Greg “Hoppo” Hopping

09/01/2025

With JB Lures Australia – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

04/01/2025

Awesome Catch for Billy & His Mates
Billy and three of his mates are in Samoa, working as salvage divers, removing the fuel from the wreck of the Manawanui. A couple of days before Xmas Billy contacted me and it was decided to fish Christmas Eve. It was a another perfect day, with a slight easterly breeze over very little swell. First up, we trolled Andy's Reef, where the boys landed a nice dogtooth and a swag of barracuda. We then headed out to The Finger and trolled north along the eastern 2000m contour. Not much sign. Then Tautua spots birds "noddies" working a mile to the east. No sooner did we reach them when BANG the JB "Little Dingo" running on the long rigger is engulfed by a decent fish. Quickly, one of the anglers is on the standup gear and fighting the fish. As the fish goes deep we soon know it's a solid yft.
After a 30min fight and lots of anglers sweat later the big yellow hits the deck. We take a few pics and off we go, trolling east and following the bait, now showing on the sounder. It wasn't lang before WHAM, the Pakula "Cockroach" running in the "short shotgun" position is nailed by a feisty blue marlin. The lure is a setup from Perter that includes a bird and daisy chain running as a teaser in front of the lure. On calmer days we run it in the middle of the spread so the Bird can create some additional noise (splash). Bill takes the rod and it's not long before the fish is tagged. The amount of jewelry the fish was wearing throughout the fight may have something to do with the short fight time lol. After some pics of Billy releasing his first marlin we are off again, following the bait east, towards the ridge off Falefaa. As we approach the 1700m high point WHACK, the Little Dingo is struck again and another mighty yellowfin takes off. This one is a ripper and takes 300m of line is seconds. Once the angler is set, I slow the boat and the fight is on. After another 40mins of sweat and swears the solid fish is gaffed by Tautua and Aussie and is hauled over the gunnel and onto the deck. After taking some pics the angler gives his big yellow a kiss and we head for home. Wow, what a great day! Well done boys, Merry Christmas, it doesn't get better than that.... Good luck on the wreck and we will all look forward to seeing you back for more tight lines in a few weeks. Cheers. Capt Hoppo & Team Troppo

03/01/2025

MIKES MAGIC SAMOAN XMAS
Mike came to Samoa hoping to catch and release his first marlin. It was not only Xmas, but also his birthday. His wife Kim booked him a half day charter with Troppo Fishing Adventures. We departed Apia marina at 8am. It was a beautiful, calm day and it wasn't long before we were trolling the 2000m line. An hour later, WHAMO, a feisty blue marlin nailed the JB Dingo running on the long rigger. After a fight lasting 35mins Mike had the leader in Tautua's safe hands and the fish was tagged. After a quick photo of Mike holding his marlin, the fish was released. By the time we got back to port, Mike had not only released his first beautiful blue marlin, but he had also landed his first Doggie (dramatically sharked), Sao Sao and a tasty Spanish Mackerel which he took back to the resort for their dinner. Well done Mike. Onya Kim! That's the best birthday present a wife could ever give her angler husband. A Very Happy Hubie!
Tight Lines Forever.. Hoppo & Team Troppo

21/12/2024

2025 NPDL Pacific Islands International Tournament - combines tournaments in Samoa, American Samoa & Tonga - Another first for SIGFA
https://samoaglobalnews.com/samoa-to-host-first-leg-of-game-fishing-world-championship-qualifiers/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0mmFRlx4wUSavQU7SGjfmudrOYJSABiR0UrtXp233i0Qs0iLAP5y3p3zs_aem_S4GUTgLwQLlhgKwy5BmdBQ

Apia, Samoa — The Samoa International Game Fishing Association (SIGFA) is proud to announce the highly anticipated 2025 SIGFA International Tournament, taking place from April 5th to April 12th, 2025. This year’s event, once again proudly sponsored by Neptune Pacific Direct Line (NPDL), marks a ...

19/12/2024

A TOP HALF DAY GOING TROPPO IN SAMOA
A couple of days ago Steve, Pat and Johono went Troppo for a few hours and all of them landed "firsts". Steve landed his first mahi mahi, Pat landed and then released his first marlin and John landed his first saosao "king barracuda". Well done fella's. It was our pleasure having you aboard and putting you on the fish. See you next year. Tight Lines Forever.. Hoppo & Team Troppo
Note: the marlin and the mahi mahi took a Pakula Lures Phantom wearing a Brad J skirt running in the shotgun position.

05/12/2024

Team Troppo Wins Pago Pago Tournament
Last week Team Troppo (Hoppo, Randy, Jay, Jacob, Darcy, Tautua & Aussie) jumped aboard Pure Indulgence and along with seven other boats from SIGFA Samoa, steamed to Pago Pago the capital of American Samoa to compete in the annual Budweiser "Buds & Suds" game fishing tournament run under the auspices of the PPGFA. The trip over was terrific. Both PI and Bellas Pride departed at 4am to take advantage of the early mornings calm conditions. The remainder of the Samoa fleet departed at 6am. Around 9am the easterly trades came up and to ensure a smooth ride Bellas Pride came in close off the stern of PI and sat in our wakes sweet spot, enjoying their ride for a few hours until we came close enough to our destination to start fishing. We headed strait to a local seamount just inside the border and quickly nailed a few small dogtooth tuna. Perfect as a gift for our friends upon arrival. Then, all the Samoa boats rendezvoused at 2pm outside Pago harbour and progressed to the marina to be cleared by immigration, customs etc. This was followed by the opening ceremony and team briefing. By the end, we were all knackered and with our planed kickoff on Day 1 being 3am we headed to bed at Sadie's By The Sea, where Chez, Norie and Tasi were waiting for us. The PPGFA had organized a car for us to use throughout the tourney, so it was a quick drive to the hotel, just a mile from the boat.

Day 1.. Our plan was to head strait to the 3000m line and start fishing at 5.30am. With the tide change on the high at 5.45am, the timing should be perfect. It was. Daylight appears and only a few minutes after setting the lures BANG, the JB XL Dingo running on the long corner is inhaled by a hefty blue marlin. As the fish dances through the spread, Darcy jumps in the fighting chair and he is strapped in. After getting set to fight the fish BING, the top shot is severed and the fish dances off into the wild blue yonder wearing some expensive JB jewelry. S**t, was it a wahoo chasing bubbles or a nick in the line? Who knows? I go with the wahoo theory and we proceed to troll on down the line. About 8am, bird’s appear and the JB Dingo running on the long rigger is hit by a nice mahi mahi. Randy makes light work of the beautiful fish. We continue trolling west along the line. Then, right on 11.30am and one hour before the change of tide on the low, the Pakula Phantom, wearing a Brad J skirt is inhaled by a juvenile blue marlin. Jacob was quick in the chair and after a short but feisty fight his fish was lead to the boat by Tautua, gaffed by Aussie and in the boat.
OK.. Just so you all know now. The Bud’s and Sud’s tournament is a friendly tournament for people, but a kill tournament for all fish, with one point being awarded for each pound of fish flesh. There is no Tag & Release option. Yep, something all Team Troppo members grappled with prior to entering the tournament. But after releasing hundreds of billfish over the last twenty years and all fish caught in this tournament being donated to the old people’s home and the homeless of Pago, we figured we could make an exception this time.
After a few quick pics of Jacob and his marlin we continued west along the 3000m line. Around 2pm we see a heap of white terns. As we troll the edge of the flock WHACK, a mighty bull mahi mahi nails the JB Dingo running in its perpetual position on the long rigger. Darcy’s up again, this time on stand up gear and after an exciting fight, including a number of ariel displays by the mahi, the fish is gaffed and on the deck.
We are a long way from Pago Pago, so once we get the pics of Darcy and his magnificent mahi it is time to power up and head back for the weigh in.
It was a good one for us and after Day 1 we are a few points ahead and in 1st place.
Day 2 .. Early start. 4am saw us heading towards the legendary South Bank, a good 40mls from Pago harbor. We want to catch the high tide at 7am as we troll the ridge leading to the bank. We cross the 3000m line at dawn and continue on passing west of the WW2 Amo Dump, a 5000 metre hole in the sea floor. The original volcanic Caldera. Right on 7am, Whack, Bang, Didily Doo, a blue marlin takes off with the Zacattak “Thunderstruck” running in the short shotgun position, smack bang in the middle of the spread. Yee Ha! Jay takes the 37kg stadup outfit and lays into the fish while the boys clear the spread. After a ten minute fight the fish is in the boat and we take the pics. Well done mate. We set the gear and head on down the ridge along the 2000m line on the NE corner of the bank where I spot a few birds hanging around a drifting purseiners FAD. Halleluiah! There could be any number of fish hanging around this floating object, especially mahi, wahoo and YFT. As we approach, the Dingo is hit and a small, underweight yft “jellybean” soon hits the deck as another hits the Phantom, same, same, but no mahi or wahoo. Around we go again and this time a mahi hits the Dingo. It jumps a few times before being led to the boat. Bu**er, all fish are under weight and not worth a point. We leave the FAD and head off to the SE corner of the bank. As we approach the sea floor rises quickly from 1000m to 60m and we see a couple of birds. As we pass under them the marlin Magic “Baby Rucus” running on the short rigger is hit by a solid fish. The fish took off like a rocket and being only 60m deep we all figured it to be a wahoo. Jay was on the fish and taking some solid weight. As the fish went deep, we realized it was not a wahoo, but more likely a tuna. A doggie, a YFT? Within seconds Jay was again on the standup gear and showing no mercy. A few minutes later a nice, school sized yellowfin is led to the gaff by Tautua and quickly hits the deck. At last, some points. A quick pic and off we go again, this time running divers right up the bank. Not a touch. We leave the northern tip and put the off shore lures back in the water. It was a long, lean trip back to Pago, but we were all happy with our catch. A bit of action on that drifting FAD, a mighty marlin and a nice yellowfin tuna to present at the weigh station.
Day 3 kicks off and we are still in first place. Like the first day, we have decided to troll the 3000 line, dissecting the marlin marks I have put on the GPS over the last couple of days. We get there and there are no birds, but there is micro bait showing on the sounder at 20m. I stick to the plan and then right on the top of the tide a few birds appear out of nowhere. I chase them and turn across the front. As I do, WACK, the Pakula Phantom on the shotgun is hit and then BANG, the Dingo on the long rigger gets hit. Seconds later, Jacob is in the chair, Darcy is on standup and we realize it’s a double hookup on sailfish. After a few hectic minutes both fish are in the boat and we set up to take the pics. Where to now? The plan was to continue west along the dropoff. But there was not much sign and I kept thinking about the yellow we got the previous day off the corner of the SE Bank. It is a long way and it’s not like me to deviate from a plan, but I turned the boat south and off we go. A few birds on the way, but only over skippies and we were lucky a big one grabbed the Dingo and was a weighable fish for Jacob. As we rounded the SE corner from the west, I pointed the boat towards yesterday YFT mark. S**t, no birds. We pressed on and no sooner had we passed the mark BANG, there was a massive strike on the Big Dingo running on the long corner. Whoa! This was a good fish. Randy was quick in the chair and soon fighting the big fish. Gotta be a whopper yellow. With his experience and superb technique, Randy soon turned the fish towards the boat and after a short 30min fight the fish was gaffed and hauled into the boat. What a RIPPER. Well done Randy. Everyone is very happy, there’s a few points in that one. Yee Ha! A quick pic and off we go again, this time up the eastern side of the bank. Very quiet. Then as we run north over the 2000m line the Dingo on the long rigger is hit again. It’s another juvenile blue marlin. Oh yeah, this could be the winning fish. Darcy is quickly on the rod and fighting the fish. It’s another young, feisty little fella. Darcy knows it’s value and shows great patience, letting the fish tire before getting the leader into Tautua’s safe hands. With great relief the fish is quickly gaffed by Aussie and in the boat. A quick pic and Yee Ha, we could be in for a win. There was still time for another fish, so we headed for a faraway sea mount in the hope of a big Dog Tooth Tuna. We got there and found him. But, being the monster we wanted he straightened the 10/0 hook as he headed back into the reef. WTF, that’s fishing. As we headed back to Pago and the weigh station we were all wondering, do we have the points to win?
WE DID and the next night TEAM TROPPO graciously accepted our prizes for FIRST PLACE
With all the Samoa Boats fishing hard over the three days TEAM SAMOA was also the WINNING COUNTRY
A Big THANKYOU goes out to the PPGFA and the tournament sponsor BUD LIGHT for their awesome hospitality.
Many thanks goes to our wives, Chez, Norie and Tasi for your patience and unwavering support and congratulations to TEAM SAMOA, well done, as always YOUR COMADRE IS SECOND TO NONE!
Tight Lines Forever
HOPPO & TEAM TROPPO (Randy, Jay, Jacob, Darcy, Tautua, Ausie & Greg)
PS: that was a BIG ONE .. We’re still getting over it!

05/12/2024

Our Tournament Win in Pago Pago.. continued

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