Captain Thomas Stephens
My name is Thomas Stephens, I’m Ni-Vanuatu, been here all my life. I’m one of the skippers running Dropcast Fishing. Based on the other side of the island, we have a pretty good fishery out there. We chase blue marlins, yellowfins, wahoos, and dollies, as well as sailfish, doggies, GTs, and all that.Most of what I do are day charters—like half, 3/4, and full day—to go FAD fishing, which includes topwater yellowfins, live baiting, and many different styles. But I’m also doing liveaboards, mostly targeting doggies and GTs, with other bycatch along the way. We go for a maximum of 4-day liveaboards, or we can do much longer trips from selected resorts in Vila or Santo.
Aiona is a 32ft Luhrs customized by us. We made a serious fishing vessel, so she’s fully set up for any way of fishing you want to do.Always been fishing addicted, so I started working with Andrea in 2017. I was a deckie for him on Amalu for about 5 years, and we caught plenty together—that’s where the addiction comes from. In 2022, I went to Cairns, did a complete season chasing giant black marlins on a 43ft O’Brien named Ruckus, and we caught 2 fish that hit the mark. Days I will remember for the rest of my life.Now I’m ready to take things to next level and drive Amalu. Take clients up the islands and help them catch that fish of a lifetime.