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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

OFFSHORE FOR A DAY!

Spent a day chasing chromed speedsters on jigs not far offshore not long ago. It was a chance to put some new gear to good use and have fun with hard-fighting pelagics on super light gear. Rods bent and drags alight, no better way to spend a day!
 
Hot out of the oven, some new jigs from Xesta called the Slow Emotion Flap. These slow-style jigs are perfect for demersals but as we soon found out, pretty deadly on pelagics as well...

First Slow Emotion Flap victim was a stubborn Longfin Trevally, which put up a decent fight against the Majorcraft Giant Killing Slow Pitch Special rod...

Two drops later and the Slow Pitch Special Giant Killing keeled over, line peeled fast from the locked down spool and it was a few anxious moments as the fish made its bid for freedom...

A decent sized Diamond Trevally was the culprit. It went for the Xesta Slow Emotion Flap jig hard and got pinned after a few misses. Like all Diamonds they go super hard and it was a fight to savour...

Queenfish are a common visitor in these waters, and they love IMA Ro jigs much!

The IMA Ro scores another close cousin, the infamous Giant Trevally. Found in these waters too, except in not-so-giant models...

It was a tough mid day as we spent hours of inactivity due to a massive storm that swarmed us. As it died the first catch was this small Longfin Trevally which nailed the new Megabass Metal-X Agitate jig worked with the Evergreen Temujin 'Aerial Level Stroke' ultra light spin rod...

The fishing was tough post-rain but as the day drew to a close this nice Diamond Trevally on the ultra light Temujin 'Aerial Level Stroke' made up for the dismal day thus far...

The Megabass Metal-X Agitate claims another victim...

And yet another, with this frisky Queenie hitting the deck as a school moved in...

We ended the session with a few Queenies plucked from the school. They were great fun on the ultra light outfits and small jigs like these Jackall Bros Mametais...



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Monday, August 19, 2013

FROGS ALIVE!

An opportunity to get down and dirty is hardly ignored. When the chance to do some heavy cover bashing for Common Snakehead arised we jumped at it. The explosive topwater takes are what keeps anglers hooked on this type of angling. Finding the right snags and precise lure placements are essential in this exercise and only adds to the challenge when going after these fish. Here's how it went...
 
It was a pre-dawn march. And the heavy downpour only made the trek muddier. Alas we could put clip on our snagless frogs as the sun rose. The games began...

Lengthy, heavy rods are required for this type of work, and you can't get much lighter and tougher than the new Dobyns Coalition Series baitcast specials...

Few casts in and a frog was hammered. The rod was dipped, then struck as the fish chomped down. The next few seconds were just a flurry of high rod work and crazy cranking. No inch could be given as the hooked fish would traverse logs, branches, and heavy weed on its way to our feet. It was a nice one and great capture on the Dobyns Coalition rod...

The big Evergreen Skirted Frog was attacked without hesitation, like with all Snakeheads it was taken deep...

Not far off the from place of the first capture, another Snakehead strikes and falls victim to some heavy-handed tactics...

Again it was the large Evergreen Skirted Frog which drew a response...

There was no shortage of smaller fish, and they liked the smaller offerings like the Viva Mazzy Frogs and such...

Mazzy Frogs have long been the lure of choice for local anglers. Its unique sinking ability and long casting make it the perfect tool for this type of work. Its lithe size ensure all fish it crosses path with will take a swipe at least...

New Evergreen Dry-Fit Tees - a great new addition to an already exhaustive line-up of fantastic products...

The Baby Frog by Kahara is another deadly lure for these cover-hugging Common Snakehead...

We struggled to find more big ones, but were kept busy by throwing Mazzy Frogs at smaller Snakehead...

Another Kahara Baby Frog victim...

As the day wore on the bite descreased but the Mazzy Frog continued to work on a few more fish...

The last one was a decent specimen and fun too on the light Evergreen Temujin 'Spider' outfit...

Mazzy Frog scores again, this one taken deep...



 
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Sunday, August 18, 2013

FUN FOR ALL!

Got up a wet morning and forged ahead to spend an easy session with some friends and kids chasing some pretty smart stocked saltwater fish in a pond outside town. The fishing was pretty tough and we were surprised that only the very best lures worked in this particular place. It was a fun few hours none the less and a great way to spend a weekend morning. Here are some pics of the anglers with their catch and the lures which worked...
 
IMA Sasuke SS-95

DUO MOAB 85F

DUO Tide Minnow Sprint 75S

DUO Spearhead Ryuki 50S

DUO Realis Minnow 80SP

DUO Realis Shad 59MR

DUO Spearhead Ryuki 50S

DUO Spearhead Ryuki 60S

DUO Realis Spin Bait 80

DUO Spearhead Ryuki 60S

Special catch of the day! After two other guys failed in an attempt to land a bruiser Grouper in tight confines, here's a successful capture with the help of the powerful Majorcraft Skyroad spin rod. The Bassday Nin Cas madai was hit with tenacity and the ensuing tug-of-war was brutal.

Zipbaits Khamsin Jr SR

DUO Bivi 40


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Friday, August 16, 2013

BASSIN' SINGAPORE STYLE!

A great short video by IMA Singapore with some nice Peacock Bass and Giant Snakehead action on the spectacular topwater POPKEY lure.
 
Enjoy.
 
 
 
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Monday, August 12, 2013

ONE FINE FISH : SNAKEHEAD HUNT

This story was written as a field report for the DUO company website
 
 
 
ONE FINE FISH : SNAKEHEAD HUNT
 
While on vacation I had the chance to sneak off for a day to sample some Snakehead angling in Northern Thailand. For those who are familiar, the local fisheries at home have been desimated by unscrupulous netting, trapping and set-lining, even in protected areas. The chance to uncover a fledging new area was too hard to pass. One had to pounce at the chance.

The Giant Snakehead is just that. It is the largest-growing of the amtospheric-breathing Snakehead species. Its aggressive nature when young mean most never make it to adulthood. The ones that do are learned individuals and present a great challenge to lure fishermen. Highly explosive when going after a lure, the Giant Snakehead is an addictive target and many go through great lengths and cover many kilometres to wrestle with one.

Here is where I come in, couple of thousand kilometres from home and a couple hundred more to go. We set off at 3am, with boat in tow and two enthusiastic hosts in command. The plan was a 2 hour drive to escape the city crowd and fish a reservoir 120kms away.
 

We hit the water as planned, before the sun rose. Negotiating the rocky strewn sections in the dark was a failed attempt as the aluminium hull and outboard took a few heavy thumps. As we motored into position and the sun peaked through the horizon, it revealed a beautiful sight. The clouds hugged the surrounding mountains and the mist hung just above the still water. Gear in check, the casting began.

Towards shallow banks and weedy snags lures flew. We peppered the likely spots with a combination of noisy propbaits, snakey pencils, loud poppers and diving cranks for nary a hit. A few responses from small fish were all we got but they weren't big enough to get pinned.

Freshwater fishing in the tropics is at its best at dawn and dusk, so as the morning wore on the chance of a good fish, or any fish at that, was dwindling. We tried smaller lures for the Jungle Perch that were exploding on baitfish sporadically but that didn't work either. The fish were simply shut off, and it started to feel much like fishing at home. Maximum effort, minimum returns. At least the scenery pleased the soul and when a storm moved in at lunchtime, sending us for shelter, I resigned to the fact and calmed the comiserations with the age-old adage that a day fishing was better than any working.

Forward two hours and the pelting eased into a drizzle. My stressed hosts suggested we hit the water again. I was almost reluctant, but the chance of a good post-rain bite kept the optimism. Rain is everything in the tropics, and the key reason for our dismal result thus far was the lack of it, for weeks. The reservoir was a good 15 feet below it's highest marks, exposing gravel banks and such. The heavy skies and impending rain signaled the arrival of the rainy season, and I was a couple days too early.

I had in my box a complete selection of Snakehead baits to cover all applications, and I had put every single one on by the afternoon. Nothing worked. I had a spanking new Dobyns Coalition Series baitcast rod and it shone in all areas but its fish-fighting ability had yet to be revealed. As we rounded a bend to reveal a heavily vegetated cove, we saw the tell-tale sprinkling on the surface that can only be created by schooling Snakehead babies. There were three pods!

Snakehead pairs would defend their precious brood unconditionally after mating. Their young make easy prey for fast predators like Jungle Perch, so the parents do all they can to ensure their young make it to a decent size before the pod is disbanded.

As the electric motor inched us forward we sussed out the three pods of babies. For sure they would be guarded by angry parents. Now under normal circumstances we wouldn't pursue parental fish, as they lack fight due to starvation during the time of brooding. And also so they can go about with their parental duties undisturbed, ensuring future stocks. But this was a bleak day and with the session drawing to an end we decided to just get one for the camera.

Instantly, we identified differing sizes of the babies from the three pods, and judging by the frequencies of them rising for air we could work out which ones had guardians and which probably didn't. We knew for sure the smallest pod had protective parents keeping a tight watch. The trick with parental Giant Snakehead was that you had to present a lure which posed a threat to their young, this would prompt an attack triggered by instinct.

Couple of casts in with a big swimbait drew a blank. This guardian definitely knew real from fake, and kept her emotions in check as we continued to pepper it with different lure types. She made a getaway with kids in tow, rising ever so far from where we were. Giving chase, we were soon a few hundred metres from where we started, and getting nowhere. We gave up and decided to go back to the other two pods. Upon closer inspection we deduced that these fish were unguarded, as displayed by their youthful nonchalance.

It was off to the adjacent cove in search of greener pastures, which of course weren't so. However on the way back out, while drifting along waiting for likely rises to cast at, I spotted the faint tell-tale ripples in a distant shallow patch. I had on the new DUO Realis Crank M65 so it was sent flying in that direction only to fall a couple of feet short. Quick cranking had the lure back at the rod tip and few patient seconds saw the boat drifting into range. The fries rose again, and the Crank was sent on its way. This time it hit the mark, three feet beyond the pod. Couple of cranks set a course for it to bust right through the school, and as it did the rod buckled. Hook up!

It was over in a matter of seconds, the heavy set up for snaggy terrain made short work of it in this open water. A few short bursts summarized the fight and the fish made it into the landing net with little drama. My hosts, who by now were close to pulling out their hairs, heaved a great sigh of relief. Their job had been done.


Not a big fish by brooder standards but a good fish no doubt, given the conditions. For me it was a bonus to an already fascinating day. The DUO Crank sat pinned on the side of it's mouth, its chart/gold flanks gleaming in the sun. Yes! I swear it winked at me.


A few quick photos later, the angry fish was sent back to her kids to ensure their safe passage into adulthood. The articulate brooding patterns on her back stood out even against the dirty green of the water as she slowly slipped from view.

I sat back and took it easy as the day drew to an end with an impending storm brewing. We packed our gear and tethered the boat on the trailer for the long trek back, each of us totally spent.

What adversity, what circumstance, and what a challenge this day turned out to be. I wouldn't have it any other way.




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GETTING MALDIVATED! Part One

It has become an annual ritual, the Maldives. Sometimes more. Here we are again: same boat, same crew, same waters, same species but a whole new adventure each trip is. We also get to introduce new faces to the places, and they never disappoint. So here's the most recent pilgrimage in pictures...
 
 
First morning's always special. The anticipation burns like the strong rays...

The motley crew wastes no time in getting kitted out for the tough day ahead...

Didn't have to wait to long for the first bite. Here a GT opens the accounts for us by munching down on a prototype popper and rod combo...

The inner reefs held fish on this day and the procession started bright and early. The FCL Labo EXT 81MH rod gets an early workout...

If you have seen previous trip reports you would know that the FCL Labo SPP Slim is a deadly weapon on GT. No different this time around...

Its smaller cousin, the SPP Tuna scores the first Red Bass of the day...

Another GT hits the deck, courtesy of the Maggy Gara GT Popper worked with the prototype rod...

The Maggy Gara continues to boat fish, with this Red Bass next...

FCL Labo popping rods were used by all, here an 81MH is loaded to send an SPP Tuna lure out...

The good old Mangrove Studio Awaumi Popper always produces despite it's less-than-pristine condition. This one has seen better days...

The El Gaviota is a Maldives favourite, given its small cup and ease of use. Here it fools another GT...

We love our FCL rods and they come back for more even after put through pretty decent punishment...

A decent sized GT hooked in the back is no fun! This one went ballistic on the FCL Ebipop and got snagged...

A beaut Coronation Trout. These aggro reefies wouldn't miss out on passing goodies like this FCL Labo CSP and would readily pounce!

Meanwhile, the Mangrove Studio Awaumi continues to score another fish...

Rigged with single hooks, the FCL Labo CSP pencil works with an extra slinky action. Here's a nice GT that got fooled...

As the anchor was sent overboard, signalling the day's end, out came the ultralights. Didn't take too long to find a taker and the Majorcraft KG Lights AJI rod got to work...

After a few unstoppables and lost IMA Gun jigs, we finally landed this stonker of a Long Nose Emperor. The ultralight KG Lights outfit made it so much sweeter...

This anchorage was hot! A pack of GTs moved in and devoured the light jigs, so some heavier back up was called in. Here the IMA Ro jig on the Evergreen Spin Jerker Light rod tamed this solid fish...

Another Evergreen Spin Jerker Light capture, this Long Nose Emperor was super fun on the light jig outfit...

More species to add to the list, a Green Jobfish which took the IMA Ro jig with gusto...

A smaller Green Jobbie was fooled with the ultra light Bassday Nin Cas mini-madai jig...

The larger jigs like this Shout! Flash was needed when going after the larger predators lurking. Worked with the Evergreen Poseidon Spin Jerker, this GT was brought in in short time...

Between the bruisers were some beautiful Red Bass to keep the fishos entertained. Here's one which fell for an IMA Ro jig...

And another on the magnificent jig that is the IMA Ro...

The GTs hung around till late. Here another falls for the Shout! Flash jig...
 
The action went on with more GT boarded. The Shout! Flash jig was working overtime indeed...

Long Nose Emperors are considered a prized catch and we were lucky to land more than a couple on this first evening. This last one courtesy of the Shout! Flash...

Early morning we managed to pick up a Red Throat Grouper on a Bassday Nin Cas mini-madai jig before heading off for some bigger quarry...

The Evergreen Poseidon Spin Jerker jig rods have been faithful partners on all our trips the past seven years and never fail. This trip it had a new partner in the form of the Melon-Ya Metal Flap jig which did well to attract a passing toothy predator which duly snipped it off...

The popping action was warming up with the sun. FCL rods were loaded up everywhere on deck...

A trio of GTs on FCL Labo CSP pencils and a Maggy Gara popper respectively...

After that short melee the bite tapered off and it became a rather bleak day of fishing, punctuated by this other fish on the FCL SPP Slim swimmer...

As the sun set on a tough day, we prayed for a better tomorrow...

On the village island we witnessed local fishermen going about their daily business of preparing small Tuna for sale...

Early next morning we set off for a nearby island for some light tackle casting. We caught fish at anchor before disembarking. This greedy Emperor had the DUO Ikakko lodged in its jaws...

Next cast with the Ikakko and another Black Blotch Emperor oblidged...

These crystal clear lagoons are home to myriad of reef species. Walking and casting them is a great way to spend a morning...

DUO Ikakkos have become a staple for these flats. Bluefin Trevally are a common capture and go wild when they spot a twitched Ikakko...

Another Ikakko-munching specie is the Banded Trevally...

After a slower than usual morning we managed a lonely Bonefish after dropping another. These elusive fish are highly regarded on these flats and go hard when hooked in shallow water. The Majorcraft KG Lights spin rod has accompanied us on many trips and is still hard to beat for this type of application...

Bones love DUO Ikakkos and they don't think twice about taking one deep when spotted...

Try as hard as we may to snag another Bonefish, they just weren't cooperating so we were left to go after other fish. Here's another Bluefin Trevally on the Ikakko...

Maybe the only fish an angler would dread catching on the flats - the much-maligned Long Tom. Here's a double header on DUO Poco Poco and Zipbaits Raphael respectively...

The Zipbaits Raphael is a deadly pencil anywhere and here on the flats it is no different. Twitched with the Evergreen Temujin 'Spider' rod it accounts for this Cod...

We love the DUO Poco Poco mini-popper for shallow water work. The fish on the flats just love them...

The above Emperor is followed by this enthusiastic Rock Cod...

Bigger Bluefin Trevally are a handful in these shallow lagoons and many are lost as they rampage through sharper rocks in their bid for freedom...

With plenty of high rod work we were lucky to have this guy within range after a few scares...

Like most other reefies it was a Poco Poco muncher...

Ikakko-loving Cod...

Poco Poco-loving Gar...

DUO Ikakkos catch all types. Here's a rarer Snapper...

Followed by a nice Swallowtail Dart, also on the Ikakko...

Rock Cods are most common, and can be a pest when going after other reefies...

It has a close cousin in the form of the beautiful Peacock Hind, electric blue spots make them one of the prettiest of cods...

A pic for posterity...

Then it was back to business with the bigger fish. The GTs were on the chew and this FCL CSP was nailed in a ferocious srtike...

Dogtooth Tuna are not a common capture on topwater plugs so every capture is special. This one couldn't resist the El Gaviota pencil popper as it breached the reef edge...

On this trip small poppers were highly successful on the resident Gees, and they don't get any better than the Maggy Gara Short Popper...

We had to work hard, changing lures ever so often to find the ones that worked on the finicky fish. The satisfaction when the key is unlocked is what all anglers work for...

The FCL Labo SPP swimmer is a unique contraption that's worked magically in the past and will continue to do so. It comes along for all GT trips...

In bad weather and with the day drawing to a close, a nice GT is pinned on the FCL Ebipop and gave the angler more than  he bargained for. A great catch...

Every evening without fail, the ultralights would come out as the boat anchored for the night. On the light gear every fish has a fighting chance and the irresistable small IMA Gun jigs get plenty of hook ups like this nice Emperor...

Even the scavenging Remora falls for the IMA Gun...

So does the bottom-dwelling Goatfish...

Next morning we get right into the jig action. Here's a Rock Cod from the deep yanked up effortlessly by the Evergreen Poseidon High Pitch Jerker as it went for the Shout! Strobe jig...

The bottom brigade continued the attack and no jig could make it up unmolested. Here's a nice Nassau Grouper on a Fisherman Andaman jig...

Followed by another smaller specimen on the Shout! Shab Shab jig...

A feisty deep Seabream proves its ferocity, attacking the big Andaman jig...
 
In the Maldives, we are able to switch between pop and jig as opportunities arise. As the jigging tapered off we went back to chugging out the big lures for some surface action. The FCL CSP hardly fails in drawing a response...

In this session the CSP pencil reigned supreme, accounting for yet another GT...

And capping it off with a big one. The HS version of the CSP really is deadly on days like this...

Back to jigging and we snag an uncommon Cod with the Shout! Strobe jig...

Then we got onto some beautifully marked Coronation Trout, the first of which fell for the infamous Fisherman Andaman...

And it was followed by another on the lumo-zebra Shout! Width jig, and like the one before also on an Evergreen Poseidon jig rod...
 
 To be continued...
 
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