While heading out to the Rurima 
Islands, I also checked over the 
generous electronics package 
from Garmin which includes 
a GPSMAP 1653XSV, Garmin 
Transducer GT51M-TM with 12 
pin, Mid Chirp, Garmin Radar GMR 
Fantom 24, with Garmin Navionics 
Vision+ with relief shading.  The 
fish will have nowhere to hide!
While also installed to keep the 
crew awake and focused when big 
game hunting out on the water, is a 
Fusion sound system featuring the 
latest Fusion RA210 and speakers.
FISHING TEST
We pulled up quietly into the 
shallows of the islands as I 
explained to Geoff, we should 
sneak into the shallows to cast 
softbaits while it was early and 
with heavy cloud cover, ideal for 
stealth fishing and not so good for 
taking photographs on the drone.
While we waited for better light, 
we both cast softbaits around the 
shallows of the Rurimis in little as 
only 4m of water.  When on just 
my second cast, a good fish hit my 
Crush City Rock Melon softbait 
hard and put up a good fight.
Geoff soon netted, then measured 
a nice snapper just over 70cm and 
after taking photos we released it. 
The grand prize is surely a lucky 
boat!  Geoff and I drifted slowly 
along with the motor off, catching 
kahawai and scored a couple more 
fat pannies that we kept for dinner.
54  FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE
Tested
Surtees 770 XL Game Fisher
The big hardtop prize is fitted out with the 
latest Garmin electronics, with two quality 
screens and radar to give the winner the 
best performance when on the water.
The Surtees 770 XL is a new model in 
the popular Game Fisher line-up, with a 
third berth for those overnighters.

View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.