Imagine a paradise where the sun kisses the ocean and the waves whisper secrets of the deep. This was my reality for two exhilarating weeks in Waikiki where I spent much of my time in the world of micro fishing. The Art of Micro Fishing began uncovering a diverse aquatic tapestry one catch at a time at the beautiful Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu. We fished mostly the rockwalls on the ocean beaches outside our resort in relatively shallow water. There are a lot of angling opportunities around Waikiki and Oahua in general. if you’re heading out you should definitely take some micro fishing gear with you.
Equipped for the Miniature Quest
In a place where the angling world leans towards the giants of the sea my gear spoke a different language. Armed with the delicate Art of Micro Fishing #1 hooks and a 9-foot lightweight rod I embarked on a journey to celebrate the little wonders of the ocean.
Float fishing with these long limber travel rods became our art form. It was our connection between angler and the tiny vibrant life beneath the waves. The longer rod helped us manage to stay out of the rocks and reef a lot more than short 6 or 7 foot rods could have ever hoped. We also used small pencil floats to drift the bait back and forth with the gentle ocean swell. Bread, which is expensive on the island, was surprisingly the best option and produced the most results.
A Treasure Trove of Tiny Titans
The true allure of micro fishing isn’t in the size of the catch but in the diversity it unveils. From the vivid Christmas wrasse to the industrious Hawaiian sergeant major every species was a window into a vibrant underwater world. We went snorkeling the first day and got a feel for where the fish hung out, what was there, and how they interacted with the swell and reef.
In the Ali Wai Canal the stealthy blackchin tilapia and the resilient Mozambique tilapia became our prized catches. They absolutely refused to take squid, cuttlefish, or shrimp. The moment we started pinching on small bits of wholewheat bread they went crazy. A little chumming from lost bait and there were hordes of willing participants showing up. A float or sinker isn’t needed just ball some bread onto your hook leaving the tip exposed and they will do the rest.
Meanwhile, back in Waikiki, each day brought new surprises – the elusive blackspot sergeant, the striking blacktail snapper, and the vibrant bluespotted goby. A squirrelfish stuck me pretty good in the left hand and for a couple hours it felt like a bee sting. I did not like the experience of getting stuck by them and avoided doing so in the future at all costs.
The Indo-Pacific sergeant displayed its aquatic prowess while the island trevally reminded us of the strength hidden in small packages. The pink tail triggerfish and the iconic reef triggerfish were like swimming jewels dazzling us with their beauty. not everything we caught on the Art of Micro Fishing #1 hooks were micro fish by definition but catching the small young specimens was fun and exciting.
Not to be overlooked, the saddle wrasse, the sturdy stocky hawkfish, and the graceful bandfin cardinalfish added to our list of miniature marvels. The saddle wrasse seemed to come in a variety of color variations but all of them were interesting to look at.
More Than Just a Catch
This journey was an ode to the subtleties of angling and a challenge to embrace finesse over force. It was a reminder that in the world of fishing the smallest creatures can offer the biggest adventures.
Yet, the real challenge lay in sourcing the right gear. In a land geared towards larger catches finding suitable micro fishing equipment can be a quest on its own. It was a journey marked by curiosity and persistence leading us to The Art of Micro Fishing.
