By Cyrus Boyum
Posted Sunday, December 17, 2006
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Often it starts with a "here it comes!" "yeeehaaa", and then bracing for the run as the thrill of seeing a Giant Trevally smash into the lure sets in. Resembling a torpedo in the water, wake waves peel off the GT's dorsal fin. Pectoral fins spread out horizontal, similar to a jet fighter, for maximum accuracy at the moment of lure impact. It is game on! The head thrashes wildly a few seconds. Finally the singing reel, as one of the strongest game fish in the world stripes line with lighting speed. After the first fifteen minutes nerves have calmed, and the GT has possibly stopped for its first stand off that could last for an unknown amount of time.
During the standoff a large sea Eagle swoops down from its perch to check out the action. The pissed off monkey in the trees behind you lets you know its feelings about your hook up with one of its own screeches. Sometimes luck is on your side for a photo of the action, but most of the time only "yeehaaas" give away the location of your friend a few hundred yards down the virgin white sand beach. Battling continues with a few more runs and standoffs. At last there is the potential to land or loose the fish with just better odds than fifty-fifty depending on your gear. These moments are why I love fishing expeditions into the wildest parts of Indonesia.
 "Jungle Ulua Adventures" are what Michael and I call the fishing trips into a remote corner of South East Java. Michael, 20 years senior to me, instigates these trips. We met several years ago and discovered we had a common obsession with fishing. We are best friends from separate continents, who meet yearly in a foreign land. Our fishing style is stand up shore and reef spinning to battle monster Gaint Trevally and other fish that hit our lures.
Recently we took our lure sponsor and friend, Mark White, from Kauai Hawaii on a Jungle Ulua Adventure. Mark is an incredible fisherman and lure maker. He has been in contact with Michael and me for a few years. His supplies of durable ceramic plugs keep our arms aching and reels screaming fish after fish. So we found it fitting that Mark be the first guest to witness first hand the world class fishing we have encountered for years in the untamed jungles of South East Java. Sure enough, Fishing was great on the trip.
The first day Mark and Michael went down to a sandy beach point about 10 min from fish camp. Trevally in the 15 – 20lb range smashed every size shape and color plug thrown cast after cast. It was nothing short of spectacular fishing. Even the Sea Eagle that resides above the beach took notice. This was going on while I went 20/20 catching Blue Trevally off the rocks next to our camp site. The only attention this got was that of our local, jungle wise camp site keeper named Ketut. The tide was on its way in so I choose a large deep tide pool to pile the catch in. Ketut had other ideas.
Next thing I hear is a "splash" I spun around and Ketut is wide eyed as the Sea Eagle on a dive trying to catch the Blues by hand. I said in Indonesian "Ketut don't worry I will have another one for you in 1 cast" he didn't listen until he found a deep spot in the tide pool where he couldn't stand. Locals can't swim too well, so his eyes went from wide eyed enthusiasm to fearful frustration and he gave up in defeat. I kept my promise and threw him my catch. In doing so I secured the rest of the catches return to the sea. We later dubbed the spot "The Blues Festival" because of the constant Blue Trevally action that exist there.
Toward the end of Marks time with us, after catching countless numbers of Trevally from the sand and reef, the monster hit! Our location was triangle reef. I was whipping to the right hand side of Mark, while he was working the crook of the bay to the left of me. I was just finishing my retrieve when I looked over to see the largest Trevally I had ever seen. Even better it was heart set on gulping down Marks little 1oz plug. I have seen some big fish but this thing was jaw dropping BIG. "Hold on Mark" I yelled, as I sprinted to assist in the strike and fight. This was going to need some serious assistance. The fish hadn't even taken the lure but was continuing to strike "1, 2, 3," counting as I ran. My awestruck eyes locked on the charging fish!
 Now the monster was in ankle deep water with hardly enough room to turn and Mark was running out of room quickly. "Slow your retrieve" I thought, and he read my mind. Mark slowed his retrieve just enough. Less than 6 feet from his feet the fish took the lure and slowly turned. "Yee haaa" I yelled, "Hanapaa" Mark yelled. We watched in awe as the fish wasn't even affected by the 20lb fire line and lure in its mouth. It simply swam back to the channel it came from. I watched as this monster leisurely gained speed in deeper water. The rod tip started to bend and then the drag started to go like a locomotive steam engine train. Slow at first for 5 – 10min, and then all out smoking! This fish wasn't stopping. Off it went with all 300yds of line. We scrabbled and tightened until it came to the end. We were under gunned for this fish, but the strike with the monster GT half out of the water and then the resulting run left us both with a knee and hand shaking adrenalin rush. Later in the trip Michael and I each landed fish in the 60lb range later, but Mark had the biggest hookup of the trip and possibly ever!
Most outings produce stories like the ones above. The majority of fishing spots are only accessible at low tide. With 16 foot tides it makes a big difference. At high tide we would have to swim to the same spot we walk to at low tide. Walking allows us to access these cracks in the reef where the fish are. Boats are a dangerous undertaking. The waves are often very large. Reef passes are small with strong rip currents pushing out to sea. Most days the boat option is out of the question if targeting GT. You can hook up trolling in deep water, but it is not as productive. Thus walking is our preferred form of transportation around this area. The spots from base camp are 40minutes to 1 hour in both directions from camp. Temperature out on the beach ranges from low 80's in the morning to 90's in the middle of the day. Once at the fishing spot waves become a huge factor in the success or failure of the fishing session.
Water depth changes from ankle to hip to overhead in seconds. The severity of these depth changes depends on how big the waves are. Bigger the surf the more dangerous fishing becomes. You could easily get washed off the reef and into the rip. You know big GT are in there. Don't want to think what else. We use every bit of experience and help we can to avoid getting washed off the reef or beach. There are stainless steel cleats on our shoes for extra grip during a large set of waves. From surfing experience we know when to wind it in quick and run to safer ground. This is done when unmanageably large waves are approaching. There have been close calls, but until now neither Michael nor I have been swept into the rip.
Your legs take a beating. First the walk, and then the waves keep the muscles burning. It is all worth it when you hook up. Our spots are world class and strikes usually happen in the first throw. The fish are large and hungry. If you can throw the distance needed to reach the prime strike zone, the chances of hooking up are over 50%. Fish have weighed in at over 100lbs. Upon return to camp we sip red wines, eat smoked salmon with crackers, and fix up a great meal to end the day. This is a unique fishing experience. There is luxury fishing options available all over the world. For us that is gentleman's fishing. We enjoy the adventure, jungle solitude, and feeling of accomplishment at the end of a day on the reef. Jungle Ulua Adventures are made for people that share our passion!
Contact Cyrus Boyum by email if you would like more information on these trips: jungleulua@gmail.com
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