Lucipara, Indonesia - Fishing Trip
Doggy Island
Your adventure begins with a flight from your home airport to Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, followed by a connecting flight to Ambon. Depending on your connections and stopovers, the total journey takes at least 23 hours. We’ll be happy to help you plan your flights.
On arrival in Ambon, our transfer team will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel, approximately 45 minutes away. After checking into your room, shared by two guests, you can relax with a drink at the hotel’s Sky Bar.
After a hearty breakfast the following morning, you’ll leave for the harbour at around 8.30 am. The drive takes just 15 minutes. Once aboard the mothership, you’ll receive a safety briefing before settling into your cabin. Two anglers share each cabin, which has two single beds.
You’ll then set sail for Lucipara, a crossing of approximately 15 hours. You’ll usually reach the first island group during the night or just before dawn.
The Fishing
Lucipara offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities, from popping and jigging to shore fishing and fly fishing. You’ll plan each day with your tour leader and guides, adapting to the conditions.
Lucipara consists of three island groups, and you’ll fish all three during your trip. Your tour leader will decide how long to spend in each area based on the conditions and the results. You’ll usually begin at the first group, fishing its three small islands for a full day if the action is good. You may stay for another morning session before heading to Lucipara’s main island over lunch.
Once there, you’ll spend the next two days fishing from the boat or the shore. The main island is particularly well suited to shore fishing, especially with fly tackle. Several lagoons in its centre offer excellent fly fishing opportunities. Large dogtooth tuna and GTs tend to patrol the rugged outer edges of the atoll, where you can target them from the boat with poppers, stickbaits and jigs.
The fish around Lucipara are constantly moving, so there are no fixed hotspots. Success often comes down to being in the right place at the right time. We’ve learnt a great deal about how these atolls fish, and persistence is key.
Fishing Strategies!
Fishing around the atolls depends heavily on the tides. The best periods are just before and after the tide turns, when the currents shift and water flows onto or off the flats. This is when fish activity tends to peak. Between these productive periods, you can take a break aboard the mothership, which always stays nearby. Lunch is served on board each day – a level of comfort you don’t often find on tropical fishing trips.
If the fishing around the main island isn’t producing results, we’ll head to the “island without an island”: an atoll that is completely submerged at high tide. This has proved an excellent fishing area in recent trips. You can target GTs and dogtooth tuna with stickbaits, and there are several productive jigging spots too. It’s also one of Lucipara’s best locations for fly fishing. Triggerfish are abundant, while GTs, barracuda, coral trout and other species hunt across the flats at high tide.
As you can see, fishing in Lucipara is shaped by the conditions. These, together with the catches, determine which island groups we fish and how long we stay. You’ll have eight full fishing days to explore the area.
Your final day is usually spent around the first three islands, as these offer the shortest return crossing to Ambon. You’ll set off late in the evening and arrive in Ambon the following morning.
The departure
Your transfer will be waiting in Ambon to take you back to your hotel. After checking into your room, you can enjoy the views from the Sky Bar one last time before your transfer to the airport the following morning.
Depending on your flight connection, you’ll then fly home via Jakarta.
Saltwater Fly Fishing
Saltwater fly fishing in Lucipara is a unique experience. You can target giant trevally, large triggerfish, barracuda, coral trout, Napoleon wrasse and other trevally species. Over the years, we’ve gained valuable experience and learnt when and where the fishing is most productive.
Fly fishing here depends heavily on the tides and the position of the sun. We’ll plan each session with you around these conditions to give you the best possible chance of success.
GT Fly Fishing
Fly fishing for giant trevally is an incredibly exciting experience. You’ll focus on the channels across the flats, which fill and drain with the tides. These are often the most productive spots, as GTs use them to enter the lagoons, giving you the chance to intercept fish on their way in.
As the water rises, you can move further into the lagoon. Here, too, the fish follow channels as they travel through the shallows. With the sun at your back, you’ll wade through these areas, ready to cast to passing GTs. Accurate, quick fly presentation is essential – every second counts.
On the falling tide, concentrate on the channels draining the lagoons, where GTs pass as they head back out. We’ve also had excellent results along the atoll’s drop-off. Particularly large GTs move up from deeper water onto the outer edges of the flats as the tide rises and falls.
Don’t overlook these outer areas. You’ll wade along the edge, watching for fish moving onto the flats and casting as opportunities arise. GT fly fishing in Lucipara has enormous potential – and this is your chance to explore it!
Trigger & Napoleon Fly Fishing
Lucipara has one of the best triggerfish populations in Indonesia. Titan and moustache triggerfish are particularly common on the flats. With very little fishing pressure, these fish are remarkably bold – titan triggerfish will often take several shots at a crab fly!
When targeting triggerfish, you’ll mainly wade across the sandy areas of the flats, where we’ve found them in large numbers. Once you spot a fish, approach slowly until you’re within casting range. Make sure you present the crab fly within its field of vision. Triggerfish have excellent eyesight and can often spot the fly from a considerable distance. Stay calm and retrieve it slowly with short strips.
Triggerfish are powerful fighters and can make long runs once hooked. We recommend at least a 9-weight rod and plenty of backing.
Lucipara also offers opportunities to target Napoleon wrasse on the fly. These elusive fish are a dream catch for many fly anglers, and here you have a genuine chance of landing one.
Other species on the flats include bluefin trevally, smaller trevally species, barracuda, grouper and coral trout. The variety of fish is remarkable!
Accommodation Lucipara Fishing Trip
The Accommodation
Indonesia
Swiss Bell Hotel
The Swiss Bell Hotel is the best hotel in Ambon, offering spacious double rooms with air conditioning and private bathrooms.
The hotel has a spa, a restaurant in the lobby and an excellent Sky Bar with spectacular views over Ambon.
Around 45 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from the harbour by car, it’s an ideal base for your stopover on the way to Lucipara.
Catering
Meals: Breakfast included
Beverages: Drinks can be paid for on site according to consumption
Lucipara
Sea Safari VI
Sea Safari VI is a traditional Bugis phinisi schooner accommodating up to 20 guests.
Completely refurbished in September 2026, the ship has eight twin cabins spread across three decks, all with air conditioning and private bathrooms. During your trip, you’ll share a cabin with two other anglers.
The middle deck features a spacious communal dining area. Meals draw on local cuisine, with a good selection of seafood and meat dishes.
At the bow, there’s plenty of space to store your tackle securely, along with fresh water for rinsing your equipment.
The upper deck offers ample seating and a Jacuzzi, while the sun deck has loungers and an additional seating area.
Catering
Meals: Full Board
Beverages: Water is available on the boats during fishing trips. Extra drinks can be paid for on site according to consumption
Your fishing boats in Lucipara
The Boats
Four boats are available for your fishing trip to Lucipara: two smaller aluminium boats with room for two anglers each, a large aluminium centre-console boat accommodating four anglers, and a fibreglass longboat with space for four anglers.
Boat 1 & 2
2 anglers per boat
Two of the fishing boats are made of aluminium and accommodate two anglers each. They are stable on the water and have ample engine power, with one boat fitted with twin engines.
Both boats have fish finders and are usually used to drop anglers off for shore fishing.
Each boat has a bench seat and plenty of space for your tackle. There are no rod holders, but rods can be stored at the stern.
Boat 3
4 anglers
Our large centre-console boat was purpose-built for fishing around Lucipara. Powered by twin 60 hp engines, it has a central helm and plenty of casting space at the bow.
The aluminium-hulled boat accommodates four anglers for popping and jigging and is equipped with a fish finder.
It’s ideal for popping and jigging around the islands and handles rough conditions well.
Boat 4
4 anglers
For a more traditional option, we also have a classic fibreglass boat powered by a 150 hp engine.
Its long, narrow design provides room for four anglers to pop comfortably from the extended bow.
The boat is equipped with a fish finder. There are no rod holders, but rods can be stored in the bow.
All boats stay in contact by radio.
You need this fishing tackle in Lucipara
Tackle Talk
For fishing in Lucipara, you’ll need three rod setups: a heavy PE8 popping rod, a PE6 popping rod for the flats, and a PE6–8 jigging rod for dogtooth tuna and other species.
Poppers and stickbaits are the main surface lures. Stickbaits often work better than poppers in Lucipara, so bring a good selection of both.
Jig losses can be high, so plan to bring at least 25 jigs!
- Popping Rods: PE6-8
- Popping Reels: 14-18k size, gear ratio min. 5,7:1
- Jigging Rods: PE 6-8
- Jigging Reels: 14k-20k size, gear ratio 4,4:1
- Rods for Flat Fishing: PE4-6
- Reels for Flat Fishing: 8-10k Reels
- Fly Rods: #9 & #11-12
- Fly Reels: #9 & #11-12
- Jigs: 150 - 300g, Butterfly shape, long butterfly shape
- Jig Colors: pink, silver, blue-green, orange, zebra, glow!
- Popper: 12- 20cm, middle & big heads
- Stickbaits: 12- 20cm, swimming & sinking
You need these poppers in Lucipara!
Popper / Stickbaits / Topwater
In Lucipara, your choice of lure depends on how you plan to fish. When fishing from a boat along the reef edges, medium to large poppers measuring 150–190 mm are ideal.
Stickbaits have outperformed poppers in recent years. For boat fishing, bring a selection of sinking and floating models measuring 140–200 mm. The GT Ice Cream is a must-have – it works well from both the boat and the shore.
Stickbaits with a walk-the-dog action are also highly effective. We recommend the Glide Stickbait 220 or Nomad Riptide 200.
For fishing the flats, choose smaller poppers and floating stickbaits measuring 120–150 mm. The Halco Roosta Popper and FCL Ebi Pop are good choices, as are walk-the-dog stickbaits such as the Hybrida Tropic Walker.
You need these jigs in Lucipara!
Jigs
For jigging in Lucipara, you’ll need a good selection of jigs weighing 150–300 g. Butterfly-style jigs and elongated designs that aren’t too narrow have proved particularly effective in recent years. Major Craft Jigpara jigs, Sakura Orion jigs and our own Team Deep Sea Pelajig V2 and RockShock models have all produced excellent results. Budget jigs from AliExpress and Temu have also caught fish.
Pink, silver, blue-green, orange and zebra patterns all work well. Make sure every assist hook is fitted with an octopus skirt. This adds attraction and improves hook-up rates.
Use hooks in sizes 8/0–12/0, matching them to the shape and size of your jig. For the assist cord, we recommend Kevlar at least 1.4 mm thick or cord with a minimum breaking strain of 600 lb.
The best lines and leaders for GT fishing
Leader & Main Line
For popping, use leaders rated at 200–240 lb. Choose high-quality leaders from brands such as Fishermen, Varivas, Nomad or Climax.
For jigging, use a leader with a maximum breaking strain of 175 lb. Diameters vary, but we recommend one below 1.0 mm.
Your main line should be a high-performance PE braid. For heavy popping, use at least PE8 (80 lb). For jigging, we recommend PE6–8 (65–80 lb), while PE4–6 (40–65 lb) is suitable for fishing the flats.
Good options include Gosen Diver X8, Daiwa J-Braid X8, JB Line One and other high-performance braids.
Terminal Tackle
Hooks & Terminal Tackle
There’s no room for compromise when it comes to popping hooks. Please bring only BKK GT-Rex hooks in sizes 3/0–5/0. For smaller poppers, use sizes 1/0–4/0.
For jigging, we recommend VMC Jigging Assist Hooks (7264 BN) in sizes 8/0–13/0. Remember to bring rubber octopus skirts for your assist hooks.
Split rings and solid rings for popping should have a minimum breaking strain of 220 lb. Heavy-duty solid rings in sizes #7.5–#9 and split rings in sizes #10–#11 are good choices.
You need this fly fishing tackle in Lucipara!
Saltwater fly fishing
You’ll need a good selection of fly rods and reels for Lucipara. For GTs, we use 11–12-weight rods, while a 9-weight rod is recommended for triggerfish. Well-known manufacturers such as Sage, Orvis and G. Loomis offer a wide range of suitable rods.
Match your reels to your rods: 11–12-weight reels for GTs and 9-weight reels for triggerfish. We recommend models from Nautilus, Abel, Orvis or Sage.
For GTs, use an 11–12-weight saltwater fly line with at least 100 metres of 80 lb braided backing. Specialist GT fly lines are available from Scientific Anglers, the RIO Elite range and Cortland.
For triggerfish, you’ll need a 9-weight saltwater fly line with at least 80 metres of 50 lb braided backing.
Choose strong, high-quality fluorocarbon leaders. For GTs, use a breaking strain of 80–130 lb; for triggerfish, 16–25 lb is suitable. RIO and Shilton are good options.
The best saltwater flies for GT, triggerfish & Napoleon!
Saltwater flies
For GT fly fishing, you’ll need a good selection of large flies designed specifically for these fish. Proven patterns include the Black Brush Fly, GT Semper Fly and NYAP Popper Fly. Dark colours have consistently worked well, particularly black/purple and solid black. Even so, it’s worth packing a few light and brightly coloured patterns too.
For triggerfish, bring a variety of crab and shrimp flies in light, natural colours, along with a few darker and orange patterns.
Smaller crab flies have proved the most successful so far, so focus on small and medium-sized patterns. Triggerfish can be hard on flies, so bring plenty of spares.
Helpful tools for your fishing trip!
Other fishing equipment
It’s generally a good idea to bring a good pair of snap ring pliers. We recommend the hPa Game Plier. These allow you to easily open even super-strong snap rings.
A good, waterproof boat bag is also recommended. Zeck Fishing offers a few good bags. We recommend the Tackle Container Pro or the Tackle Container Pro Catfish!
Since you’ll often be popping and jigging for several hours at a time, we recommend bringing a pair of good gloves.
Since it can get very warm in Lucipara, we recommend UV-protective shirts, a sun hat, and LF50 sunscreen! You can order our expedition UV shirts directly from us!
For fishing from the shore, you should bring a waterproof backpack and reef or surf shoes! Wading socks are also a must! We also recommend bringing a pair of leggings. These help prevent chafing when wading on the flats.
Good polarized sunglasses are essential for fishing. We recommend glasses from gloryfy unbreakable. The best polarized sunglasses for anglers currently available are also indestructible!
You can take a closer look at the gloryfy unbreakable polarized sunglasses for anglers here: Polarized Sunglasses for Anglers!
How much does a fishing trip to Indonesia cost?
Price
Included
- english speaking tour leader**
- 1 night in a hotel, DBL, B&B
- 10 nights on the mothership, DBL, FB
- 8 days fishing with guides
- Airport- & Boat Transfers
- Fishing Licenses
- Photo- & Videodocumentary**
Not included
- Tips (ca. 250€)
- International Flight & Visa
- Travel Insurance*
- extra luggage fees*
- additional meals/drinks
- Popping- & Jigging Tackle*
- * optional/exempt **only if the minimum number of participants is reached
- Minimum number of participants: 12
Price per person
2026: 4299,-€
2027: 4399,-€
Extras
On request
Booking statuses
Lucipara - Doggy Island
2026
2027
2028
Indonesia Fishing Holiday - Lucipara Atoll
The best catches!
