Fish Aitutaki Cook Islands

Fishing stories from the Aitutaki lagoon and the South Pacific Ocean beyond the reef.

Lagoon & reef fishing

Spearfishing in the Aitutaki lagoon, by day or by torchlight at night, is productive on calm evenings — keep “Ben’s Law of Lagoon Turbidity” in mind, since a few days of trade wind swell stirs up the leeward side of the lagoon. Parrotfish, surgeonfish and reef fish are common catches inside the lagoon; outside the barrier reef, bigger predators including giant trevally (GT), tuna and wahoo patrol the drop-off.

A word of caution on reef fish from the western side of Aitutaki and some other Pacific islands: ciguatera fish poisoning can occur in certain reef fish species that have fed on toxic algae. Locals generally know which fish and which areas to avoid — ask before you eat anything unfamiliar.

Lion fish

Painted crayfish

Humpedheaded Maori Wrasse

Squirrel Fish

Yellow tropical fish.jpg

Sweetlip fish

Game fishing

Outside the lagoon, game fishing for tuna, wahoo and marlin is excellent — the Aitutaki Game Fishing Club has produced IGFA world record catches. Most charter trips head out through the passage and fish the drop-offs and current lines beyond the barrier reef.

See the Fishing Aitutaki page for photos of recent catches and fishing spots.