There are fishing trips, and then there are adventures that stay with you long after you’ve returned home. Our recent 8-day expedition into the remote waters of Papua New Guinea was definitely the latter.

Fishing alongside eight of my mates aboard the 60ft mothership MV Carringa with two tenders in tow, we spent our time exploring some truly remote locations, chasing hard-fighting reef and pelagic species, experiencing a side of PNG that not many people get to see.

One of the major targets for the trip was dogtooth tuna. These fish are known for their brutal power, and ability to punish both angler and tackle.

My go to for the trip were 200-250g MAS knife jigs worked at speed through the water column, putting in the effort waiting for your arms to be pulled from their sockets. Once connected, it’s a serious battle to keep them away from the reef and turn the fight in your favour.

I also had the chance to jump on the end of a gun and try shooting one of these angry power houses, luckily enough on the last arvo I managed to secure the goods, boating my first dogtooth on spear, adding another dimension to the experience.

While the dogtooth tuna were high on the hit list, the reef fishing was world class.

Death Wobbles were the go to on the flats. Red bass, Long nose emperor, GTs and many trout, including a new PB of 104cm

Once my arms were exhausted from jigging 200+ gram jigs all morning I’d switch over to the firefly haymaker jigs in a 150g and spend the arvo targeting green jobfish and ironjaw. It was a great way to mix things up and explore the variety of species holding around these reefs.

With so many different techniques and species to target, there was never a dull moment. One session could be all about working deep for dogtooth, while the next had us casting around the reef flats.

That variety is what makes fishing remote PNG so special. You never quite know what’s going to eat next.

Spending eight days aboard the mothership with eight of my mates was an adventure in itself.

Having a 60ft boat as our base allowed us to explore remote fishing locations, spend our days out on the water and return to the boat to share stories about the day’s action. With a crew of mates, plenty of fishing gear and incredible water surrounding us, it was the kind of trip that reminds you why you love fishing in the first place.

Trips like this aren’t just about the fish you catch. They’re about the people you’re with, the places you visit and the experiences you share along the way.

One of the most rewarding parts of the expedition was visiting remote local islands and having the opportunity to give something back to the communities we encountered.

Each day, we were able to share fish from our catch with local island communities. In addition to supplying fresh fish, we gifted footballs and medical supplies to help support the people living in these isolated locations.

These moments added a whole different meaning to the trip.

Fishing in such incredible locations is a privilege, and being able to share some of what we caught with local families made the experience even more special. The fishing was amazing, but connecting with the communities and being able to contribute in a small way was just as memorable.

Looking back on eight days aboard the MV Curringa, it’s hard to pick just one highlight.

From chasing dogtooth tuna on knife jigs and spear guns to pulling big coral trout off the reefs, the fishing delivered an incredible range of experiences.

Add in the remote locations, the time spent with mates, and the opportunity to support local island communities, it becomes a trip that means much more than just ticking fish off a list.

A huge thanks to Reef Lagoon Charters for making this adventure possible, and to Missing at Sea for the support and for being part of the journey.

Remote PNG - A first but not a last

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