When is the best time to fish Christmas Island?

When is the best time to fish Christmas Island?

We get asked this question all the time. The easy, yet still accurate answer is… anytime!

Christmas Island (Kiritimati) lies very close to the equator, giving this largest of atolls consistent temperatures year-round. Upper 80’s during the day and mid-70s in the evening are the norm. So, if don’t have to worry about temperatures, what are the other factors to consider?

Wind and rain are not the fly fisherman’s friend. According to several sources, January is the windiest month and July is the wettest. Winds tend to drop starting in March and usually pick up in November. These are only trends and weather is unpredictable, so keep expectations reasonable.

Two other factors you should consider are the moon phase and tides. Most local guides are convinced the 3 days before and after the full moon are the best for bonefish. These are the days the bonefish like to gather into bigger schools. These schooled up fish generally eat well and aggressively. When consulting the tide chart, look for big swings if you want to target trevally. More water on the flats for longer periods of time is a good thing when hunting the big boys. Look for spring tides and avoid the neaps! The opposite can be said for bonefish. Neap tides keep the water more consistent on the flats making for longer periods of good fishing.

When visiting Lagoon View Resort to chase bonefish, triggerfish and trevally, whether you’re going out on a boat with a guide or going DIY, you want to maximize your stay with us. Putting aside the weather, the tides and the moon, picking your travel times based on the crowds may be something you also want to consider. Most of the US traffic on the island comes during the winter months for obvious reasons. Summer and late spring can offer less crowded flats.

Regardless of when you go, the flats of Christmas Island offer some of the best fishing to be found anywhere!