b"TravelCook IslandsTrolling for wahoo in close to the island aboard Akuras 24ft boat.T he Cook Islands areSUPER FRIENDLYFishing Locationnortheast of Godzone,I was lucky to visit The Cook Islands in between French PolynesiaAugust 2019 to stay at Rarotonga and and American Samoa,get out on a couple of charter boats.with the plane trip fromAfter our flight from Auckland and Auckland taking aroundlanding at the airport, the welcoming3hr 35minsfour hours.The Cooklocals were very accommodating as Islands (Kki 'irani) isthey guided us through customs and toRAROTONGAa self-governing islandour transfers at our accommodation at country in free association with NewLagoon Breeze Villas. AUCKLANDZealand. Comprising of 15 islandsOur villa was on a 4-acre family whose total land area is only 240 squarefriendly, self-catering property on the kilometres. However, The Cook Islands'south-west coast.The spacious two-Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) coversstoreyed villa is set in a lush garden some 1,800,000 square kilometressetting, just across the road from its own of ocean.That is quite some fishingstunning white sand beach on the Aroa potential for Kiwi anglers eager toMarine Reserve.Here the snorkelling explore the island chain. was excellent right on our doorstep and The Cook Islands' main populationa safe place to explore with the kidscharters, Marlin Queen and Akura.Both centres are on the island of Rarotongainside the reef. charters were taking me out for a half (17,434 in 2011), where the internationalAs I sat on the beach enjoying theday charter to hopefully land a yellowfin, airport is located. With many visitorssun on the first day of our 6-day break,mahimahi or wahoo.Three common keen to reach the outer islands such asI looked out past the breaking wavesspecies that would be a welcomed fight Aitutaki where the fishing is even betteron the outer reef to the deep blue seaand provide a meal of fresh fish for due to being more remote. and looked forward to fishing with localfamily and friends.42FISHING IN GODZONE JUL/AUG 2021"