Gamefishers are finding there’s no need to head to the mid-Pacific, the Bahamas or Bermuda to indulge their passion – under a half-day’s travel from the east coast they can be in Vanuatu and amid some of the toughest ocean fighters to be found anywhere. And anglers are lining up to go in the record books at the same time: earlier this year a husband and wife team from NSW laid claim to no less than seven world records, including one for landing a 35kg wahoo on a 16lb test tippet... believed to be the largest wahoo ever caught on a fly. Other light tackle and fly fishing records are being claimed by the couple and other Australian and international anglers for massive dogtooth tuna, wahoo, giant trevally, sailfish, red bass, yellowfin tuna, marlin, sailfish and coral trout.

 Organised live-aboard 5-night and longer fishing trips go out of capital Port Vila regularly for the most popular fishing spots – off Espiritu Santo and the remote Banks Islands where volcanic outcrops, reefs and seamounts provide ideal fishing opportunities; trips include accommodation and onboard meals and there are bar facilities to discuss the ones that got away at the end of the day. Anglers can also take a break if they wish to go ashore and visit local villages, bushwalk, swim and meet the locals. For more information, prices and fishing seasons contact the Vanuatu Tourism Office in Australia on (02) 9484 5514, check-out www.vanuatutourism.com or Vanuatu game fishing operator Ocean Blue on www.oceanblue.com.vu