Beiträge von PanamaJack

    Given the democratic processes within Switzerland I understand that a national referendum on any topic - do you remember the ban on Minarets - can be enacted providing it is supported, initially, by 100,000 voters.


    And here's the latest .... read on - http://www.guardian.co.uk/worl…awyer-who-defends-animals. So with 100,000 Swiss voters supporting it it patently isn't something, as some of us within the angling community might wish to portray it as ..... yet another money-spinner for lawyers..


    What if it's successful? And what are its potential consequences on other nation states? Or possibly more worryingly what happens if one of our 'representatives' in the European Parliament determines to have the matter debated?

    BIG Dave, you put the thread where it belongs, emotions.
    Pargo MAN


    I think that's it Jan. Obviously there're the practical considerations already outlined, and those linked to money are obviously of paramount importance. But, at the end of the day, succeeding by 'yourself' is the challenge that's driven you and Kai. Within reason it really doesn't matter if it is more expensive than chartering.


    I've done a bit of fishing but the buzz I now get is not just from catching fish. There's being able to, on that very rare occasion, spot the Marlin before the captain and crew. (Still it doesn't stop me trying.) Finding the lure that's not running right and diplomatically suggesting it's moved backwards or forwards by a few metres, or ultimately replaced in the spread. Teasing a fish in for someone else to drop a bait to. And, wading on shallow water flats without a guide, spotting that Bonefish by yourself. Making a fool of yourself and attempting to catch ballyhoo with a cast net. But then, and this really makes you aware of your limitations and inadequacies and how little you really understand about our sport, listening to local crews describe, often in halting English, how to refine your techniques.


    Everyone's not the same though and I recall two of our Club members who used to own private boats with professional crews who got their buzz just from fighting fish and the vane(?) hope, perhaps given divine intervention, that they would one day get that record or a 'grander'. One used to regularly fall asleep in the chair, the other would spend his time reading a book in the cabin until the reel screamed! Um ....

    Well Kai. Any immediate thoughts, or is it ‘back to the drawing board’? Have they frighten you off the idea?


    I think that those who have contributed have expressed some real pearls of wisdom about the practicalities, risks and costs of boat ownership. But still, to my mind at least, one of the more telling comment was that from the concluding paragraph in the article Berno posted –


    Zitat

    Do I have any regrets now that all the pain and suffering are over? Whenever I pass the refrigerator in my home, I see photos on the door of my children and grandchildren standing in front of our charter boat holding grouper, dolphin, tuna, yellowtail, kingfish, wahoo and many more species. I have plenty of wonderful memories and few regrets. My son summed it up nicely. “Dad if you had never tried it you would have always wondered what it would be like to have your own charter boat.” Well, now you know!


    Now I know your intention is not to own a charter boat so, in part, there the similarity with the quote ends. But you do have a dream to self guide; and ultimately, albeit in your wildest dreams, to catch a billfish whilst self-guiding. It’s the same excitement that guy was expressing.

    So perhaps take on board the comments most latterly expressed by Dieter. Go into the venture, and to resort to an English expression, ‘with your eyes open’. There’s the potential viability of Croatia for a marina-based boat. Or possibly, more realistically, and fitting in with your earlier views, something you can trail.


    I’m sure we’ll all be interested in how matters pan out. And, importantly if you do decide to go ahead, a report when you get your first self-guided fish!
    All the Very Best.

    .... The Carolina skiffs have a very flat bottom. To fish offshore a vee hull is necessary. There are plenty of good ones in the US and you'll find lots of opinions on the US boating forums. .....


    best regards


    patudo


    All very valid points Dustin. It's just in terms of the Carolina Skiff I suspect Kai was considering one of the Sea Chaser range, the Offshore models - http://www.carolinaskiff.com/chaser/cc.asp.


    The point made about compromising by chartering is also very valid with perhaps one exception ... well, at least that was my rationale when I seriously considered boat ownership.


    We, and there were given the potential costs of the venture six ownership shares, considering buying a 46' (or 50') Striker to fish initially in the Azores back in the late 80s. It seemed large enough though to relocate on its own bottom, should circumstances arise to fish Madeira, the Canaries and down to the Cape Verdes. But the key objective was to be able to undertake multi-day trips to some of those complexes of banks 80 miles south of Faial and also out towards Flores and Corves. Ted Legg was going to be our skipper but to minimise our costs we were also to charter the boat with the ownership shares just 'buying' one or two weeks of fishing.


    Well it never got off the ground given that one of the potential group just was unable to accept that, as such, it wasn't his boat. He could go down there and fish just when he wanted unless he paid commercial rates for the weeks outside of his ownership share.


    Just moving on though a number of operations have now applied that concept at a purely commercial level, allowing individuals to buy weekly shares in a larger game boat that was managed and operated by a limited company, usually with their own skipper. So whilst this may not be the 'dream' that Kai is looking for aren't there other operations that allow those with ownership shares to self drive smaller centre console craft? I can't think of any in European waters but, and here some of the forum's German members may be able to comment, didn't Jorge-Dieter Hasselhorst buy into such a syndicate that operated a centre console craft on the Pacific coast of Panama? From memory it was based around David, giving him the opportunity to fish out on places like the Hannibal Bank.


    So somewhat compromising Kai wish to self-drive and self-guide to a Marlin in European waters. But is it a concept perhaps worth exploring?


    By the way, what do you thing about the Carolina skiff Seachaser offshore series?
    www.tackle-import.com


    Hi Kai
    They certainly appear to be a very popular, well constructed, budget-priced craft in the 'States with their appeal not just limited to private owners - I've seen them being used by guides as well. Additionally, perhaps a plus point, they do have a number of European agents in France, Holland and Croatia. And - a measure of their popularity - they did a few years ago significantly increase their production - http://www.marlinmag.com/news/…-chaser-models-42459.html.


    I presume, given towing considerations, you'd be looking at the 19 footer - 1900 - which they seem to rate up to 150HP outboards? Although comments you see on the Web suggest that the heavier 4 strokes, slightly less HP, are more popular as a power unit. (There's an interesting comment here that you might not have picked up on regarding 4 strokes - http://www.reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26531.)


    But in an earlier post I recall you did mention about twin engines. Um ... I'd tend to agree with you from a safety perspective, especially with your wife on board. And I guess you could always consider a main engine with a smaller 'kicker' engine as security, or for trolling? That said I've often run 50 miles offshore into the Gulf of Mexico - from Key West - in 26 footers powered by a single 200HP 4 strokes. As well we've fished from 23' Parkers (a North Carolina boat) off Long Island with single outboards close to some pretty rocky coastlines with big swells. But perhaps I've been 'using up my 9 lives'?


    I'm sure everyone will be interested to see how things go, especially when you get your first billfish. Challenging, but immensely rewarding!


    All the Very Best


    Did I mention? Ska Rumba now has fighting chair bolted-through fittings.
    We inherited a 20 years old chair a few days ago which should help us with
    the 500 plus Marlin this season... or rip the deck open!!!


    Fingers crossed Jan! I remember a South Australian friend of mine rigging his boat for Great Whites - that was back in the days when you could still target them. Except rather than through bolting to the keel he was using a fishing, as opposed to fighting chair bolted to a hatch cover. Well up came the Great White they dropped the bait in its mouth on unlimited class tackle and, with some of the double line still on the spool, set the hooks by his skipper on the fly bridge opening up the throttles. As everything locked up the Shark spooked, the chair fitting collapsed and Rolf - in the bucket harness - got dragged over the back landing virtually on top of it!


    They fish relatively shallow water, around 10 metres, and soon Rolf felt himself being dragged along the reef. But that stopped - either the line had broken or the fish, perhaps curious, had turned and was swimming back to investigate. Rolf freed himself and swum to the surface. His frantic skipper reversed towards him and rushed down from the bridge to help him aboard. Unfortunately in his panic the engines weren't completely out of gear, the props were still 'feathering' around. And as Rolf tried to get back on board one struck his upper arm. Um ... blood everywhere! Rolf laid on the deck and the skipper tried to staunch the flow of blood using ice and towels.


    He then powered back to port. Well that was the theory! Unfortunately there're lots of small islets around Kangaroo Island and the skipper had lost it completely and was heading South, towards Antarticia! Luckily as Rolf collected his thoughts he realsied the sun was on the 'wrong' side and corrected his skipper.


    It's a fairly nasty wound - left bicep - and he lost some muscle tissue but he's still fishing. Not for Great Whites I hasten to add!
    Kindest regards

    Hi Jan
    And similarly let me extend to you and your family my Very Best Wishes for a Happy, Successful and Prosperous 2009.


    Ah, the practicalities. I guess I'd skipped over those somewhat.


    Really my focus had been on which areas Kai might want to target for billfish from a self drive boat. And in that regard the Canaries with their volcanic structures - access to deep oceanic waters, extensive lee shores - and the Canarian current seemed to offer the best option. Coupled with that there was the availability of regular and cheap flights from Northern Europe, reasonable marinas and repair and maintenance facilities. Then there was also some good opportunities for vertical jigging and the Tuna.


    In mainland Europe though the Eastern end of the Algarve and Adriatic were also options.


    But I suppose I would always view Kai's venture as somewhat longer term so, rather than trailering a boat, basing it in a marina or on a trailer in a local compound. As to the boat well perhaps a centre console in the 25 to 26' range, powered by twin outboards, and equipped for stand-up fishing. If Kai was 'more comfortable' with a chair then they can very effectively be rigged in the 'pointy' end.


    Where to source it? Well, given the severity of the 'credit crunch' and the current strength of the Euro versus the US$, I'd been looking initially at the sites of some of those East Coast (USA) brokers for Bank or Finance House enforced sales for a bargain. And some of those boats will of course be fully rigged for game fishing. Then there are any number of US ports to ship a boat as deck cargo in a container either to the Canaries or Mediterranean.


    Hi Kai
    That's the proverbial 'can of worms'! But where to start?

    Well Jan's already offered some suggestions as to boat specifications. But, at one level, you really don't need even a 'mini' game boat. Although a centre console craft fishing stand-up tackle would be my personal minimum requirement.


    I can recall a Belgian angler who, with his mother, used to fish from a semi inflatable – those with a rigid bottom – powered by an outboard for Marlin and Tuna from Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria. And yes, he did catch the occasional Blue on conventional trolling gear. There though you can fish in ‘flat’ conditions in the lee of the island. Then I’ve also seen photographs of anglers in small, outboard powered rowing boat catching 50 kilo plus Amberjack over reefs fairly close to shore in the Canaries.


    So the Canaries would offer you opportunities using small boats in calm conditions but you would need to store the boat somewhere, either on a hard standing or in a marina. I guess the plus side is that there’re lots of low cost airlines that fly there.


    Then, sticking with small boats, I’ve light tackle trolled off the westerly end of the Algarve, near Cape St Vincente, for Little Tunny, Bluefish and European Bass. Again you get protection from the high sea cliffs. Blue Sharks are also present offshore. But there’re also Makos and I’m not certain I would want to tackle those other than with a professional crew. To the east of the Algarve, near the Spanish border, they do during September also encounter White Marlin some 10 to 15 miles offshore. So, given calm conditions, that would be practical in a slightly larger centre console craft.


    As well, moving into the Mediterranean, how about the Ebro estuary for species like Bluefish and Leerfish? There are still runs of Bluefin, some large, off that coast but perhaps someone else could comment as to its viability.


    Moving round, from the Rivera coastline of France, they similarly target Bluefin – some very small – but I think the shoals are often encountered 40 miles plus offshore.


    Then you have the Adriatic, from both the Italian and Croatian sides, where, as well as light tackle trolling for Albacore, you can again from smallish boats chum for Bluefin, Blue and Thresher Sharks. They also occasionally encounter Swordfish and Spearfish. And I’ve also seen some graphic video footage of a huge Great White ripping a Thresher Shark apart boatside! But I suspect you wouldn’t want to target one of those!


    Any rate just a few more thoughts to add to Jan’s.

    Well done Jan!


    But a comment from an 'eagle-eyed' attempt at Inspector Clouseau. Are you fishing lures, or bait rigs from the 'spagetti junction' 'riggers? No problem with baits, but with lures it might be worth fishing them with stinger lines - lines attached to the 'rigger's running lines but with, at its end, the fishing line being attached with something like a number 22 rubber band. It just holds the lure long enough for the Marlin to start to turn and provides enough resistance to just start to pull the hook in.


    That said of course, with flat lines, some crews will fish the reels, even with hard headed lures, with just enough drag to prevent an overrun. The fish takes the lure in its mouth turns away from the boat and then, often with a count of around 5 seconds, you push the drag steadily forward causing the hook to lodge in the corner of the fish's jaw. It takes a degree of confidence, you expect the fish to drop the lure, but it definitely works. And I guess of course this principle can be adopted when fishing the 'rigger lures - waiting until it has turned away from the boat before pushing the drag up to STRIKE.
    Dave

    Hi Jan and Rudi
    In what is nearly 30 years since I caught my first Marlin I've seen literally one without a bill. It was a 900lb plus Blue from Ascension Island. But still not quite as extreme as that Angolan fish! This one had a short stubby bill probably no more than 20 centimetres long and gave our crewman, Marty Bates, no end of problems in how to release it. Nothing to grab hold of! Fortunately it was so strong it managed to throw the hooks when it was leadered. Even though you can't see the absence of a bill from the image what you can see is that it was perfectly healthy. (I will though have to look through images of the trip I might actually have one that illustrates its short bill.)


    I've also included an image that shows a juvenille Black Marlin with a curved bill; presumably a genetic abnormality?


    But as well as using their bills to stun fish they do use them to agressively attack Mako Sharks and even other Marlin. Both species have been found with Marlin bills embedded in them.
    Dave

    Hi Fishbuster


    And Thanks for that update. Great to see that overall resurgence in the population of Goliath Grouper, or being non-politically correct 'Jewfish'. How much do you think that 6 1/2 footer would have weighed?


    I recall once fishing the Gulf, some 45 miles offshore from Key West, on a small piece of structure in 60/65' of water. Speed jigging on 8lb test we were catching numbers of Amberjack around the 20lb mark when 'something' grabbed hold of one. It just cruised around obviously oblivious to the limited pressure I could exert on that tackle. And then the line 'popped'. Then it was probably less than 20 minutes later when the guide - Bob (RT) Trosset also hooked it and, although he succeeded in getting it a few feet up that similarly broke the line. The same Goliath we assumed.


    Um ... perhaps your 150lb test would have been a more appropriate match!


    Dave

    Just for anyone unfamiliar with those Tuna frenzies one of the crew I've fished with in Ascension Island (South Atlantic) - and also in the Cape Verde Islands - Olaf Grimkowski captured an excellent shot of them on his web site. (From Olaf's home page click on Ascension and then scroll down to the entry for 23rd March 2007.) The YFT, some jumping out of the water, are competing with the Gannets.

    That update and photographs really brought back memories.


    As Lee described those YFT blitzes are absolutely incredible to see - huge numbers of big fish leaping out of the water and beating the surface to a foam. There're usually Dolphin - the mammals - 'mixed in' with them.


    At times it's quite odd you'll see the Dolphin 'messing around' on the surface, just playing, and can 'see' the YFT on the sounder holding deep. But trying to get strikes from that at that time is next to impossible. However as soon as the Dolphin echo locate a school of Black Skipjack the mood changes completely. The Dolphin line up and start porpoising towards the bait and, if you get in front of them, you'll find the YFT will readily strike at the lures. However the bigger fish tend to run at the front of what may be 'mixed' shoals and a bridle rigged live Black Skipjack will often get nailed by those larger 100lb plus fish.


    It's a strange relationship between the two species - Yellowfin Tuna and the Dolphin. The YFT obviously associate the Dolphin (ultimately) with 'food'. But what do the Dolphin get out of it? Um....I suspect nothing! And whilst, if you've seen footage of Dolphin effectively 'coralling' bait collectively then one of their number zooming in and seizing a fish whilst the other keep the shoal packed together, this doesn't happen when the YFT are present. Then it's 'every man for themself' - the bait shoal split and you get that feeding happening over a vast area.


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Hi Lee
    Good to see the fishing's as good as ever! I had planned to run down to Coiba earlier in the year in a friend's boat - it's berthed up at Los Suenos, in Costa Rica - but that 'dying' El Nino seemed to upset the start of the rainy season. I understand it started nearly a month early.


    So instead I'm going to run north, to the Bat Islands, Gulf of Papagayo, in August. Hopefully there'll be some Blue Marlin around, as well as the excellent inshore fishing.


    But come next January/February we're intending to run down to Coiba to fish the run of Blacks. We might well see you out there.


    All the Best.
    Dave

    It's a start Wolfgang! I had heard that Simon was catching more fish than the skipper of HH1. But is that just a nasty rumour? Perhaps he's banning bananas from the boat?


    Enjoy the rest of your trips and please pass on my Kindest Regards to Simon and all the other crews fishing there.
    Dave

    Hi Kas
    A salutory lesson! It just illustrates that you're not going to get rich solely chartering. I wonder just how many skippers are forced, even with extended seasons, into having back-up jobs? And increasingly now I suspect some skippers are having to take on board wealthy 'fishing nuts' as financial backers.


    What's that hackneyed old simile - likening boat ownership to standing under a shower and tearing up 50$ notes?


    Keep at it, you know you enjoy it really.
    Best wishes
    Dave

    It was interesting to see the report of that first Broadbill.


    However over recent years it is the specialised jig and popper fishing, particularly for Giant Trevally and Dogtooth Tuna, that has been spectacular and attracting anglers from around the world.


    Here’s a thread from a specialist forum that has got comprehensive recent reports and some excellent photographs. One in particular that stood out was on this page. It just shows what’s possible using a (VERY expensive) Shimano Stella spin reel!


    There are also a whole range of photographs on this thread on pages 4 to 7. (Unfortunately the text is ALL in Spansh.) The specific url I’ve quoted takes some pictures of the results of Shark attacks, there’s also one of a Shark taken on a jig and an angler literally on his knees.

    Zitat

    Originally posted by Capt Chris M
    Last Friday, Paul H. from Orlando, and I hit the Mosquito Lagoon at dawn for some fun fishing. We came upon a school of reds in shallow water chasing small baitfish. Paul had
    five bites on five casts with his homemade topwater plug before he was connected to the first redfish of the day.
    http://www.floridafishinglessons.com


    Great photographs!


    Certainly when I fished for them in thick cover (North Carolina) with weedless spoons we got really explosive strikes but no hookups. They're very agressive but I suppose that underslung mouth does make it more difficult for them to hit topwater plugs. It doesn't stop them trying though!

    Hi Chris
    And firstly to echo Uwe's (milchner) comments - Welcome to the forum!


    I was certainly great to see the image of that 'tailer' - it brought back so many memories of my recent trip, albeit a bit further north at the southern end of the Outer Banks (North Carolina). And Thank You also for those wise words about tactics - they're certainly a challenge in thick cover. Whilst they're not as fast as Bonefish they're certainly strong.


    You're obviously not a 'million miles' away from Orlando where many Europeans, especially those with children, holiday. Whilst you seem to catch Reds through the year is there a best time for sight fishing, especially for the bigger fish?
    Kindest regards
    Dave

    Hi Campari
    Willkommen zum Forum!


    Meine Entschuldigungen. Ich habe die Software auf ALTAVISTA.COM benutzt, um diese Anzeige zu übersetzen. Ich hoffe, daß sie etwas sinnvoll ist! Sind hier das xx einer Anzahl von Aufstellungsorten, die Fischenreisen anbieten. Leider alle sind sie auf englisch!


    http://www.atolltravel.com/default.htm?http://www.atolltravel.com/Maldives/MaldivesFishing.htm</a>


    http://www.oceanparadise.com.mv/fb.htm


    http://www.seansunmaldives.com…ight-and-day-fishing.html


    http://www.parahol.com/activities/index.html


    Ich habe keine Erfahrung von irgendwelchen ihrer Betriebe.


    Ist hier ein Report mit Abbildungen des Bootes Mas Hibaru - http://www.caranx.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=2371.
    Dave

    Hi Jeff
    And welcome to the forum.


    It's a long, long time since I last fished the 'Big Island'. (Really THAT long ago - it was the Silver Anniversary tournament of the HIBT!) But I'm familiar with most of the Hawaiian fish names apart from, I have to say, SHIBI. Please - What is it?
    Kindest regards
    Dave


    For anyone out there, perhaps completely confused:


    Aku - Skipjack Tuna
    Ahi - Yellowfin Tuna
    Ono - Wahoo

    Erstens meine Entschuldigungen. Ich habe versucht, dieses in Deutschen mit einem on-line-Übersetzungsdienst zu übersetzen.


    Es gibt regelmäßige Reports der Madeiran Jahreszeit des blauen Marlin, die von einem englischen Rechtsanwalt auf dieser amerikanischen Web site bekanntgegeben wird. Sind hier das URLs für 2005 und 2006 - leider sind sie auf englisch!


    Obgleich sie GROSSE Fische sich verfangen, verfangen sich sie nicht viele.

    Leider Robert könnte ich nicht Ihre Anfrage mit der Babelfish Übersetzung Software auf Altavista übersetzen. Hier sind zwar web site das Sie vom Interesse finden konnten.
    Dave

    Ron Hamlin verfing sich Billfish 2154 2005. Noch ein sehr gutes Jahr! Und das viertes Jahr hat er sich mehr als 2000 verfangen. Die 20000 ist gesamt - er fing an, 1979 zu fischen. Es gibt einen Report, leider es ist auf englisch, auf dieser Web site.

    Ich habe versucht, einige Anmerkungen zu übersetzen, die ich auf das englische Forum mit der Bablefish Übersetzung Software an setzte AltaVista . Ich hoffe, daß Sie sie gelesen ihm!


    Es war ein ausgezeichnetes Jahr für Kapitän Ron Hamlin und seine Mannschaft auf dem 43' Captain Hook. Für viele Jahre charterte er durch den Betrieb in Fin 'n' Feathers aber, da Zurücknahme Iztapa von Guatemala - wegen Ausgaben des Überbesitzes des Landes, auf dem die Hütte errichtet wurde - er unabhängig funktioniert hat und durch andere Firmen chartert. Ich bin bewußt, daß er durch Frontiers in London angemeldet werden kann oder Southfishing in Florida . Vermutlich es gibt andere.



    Ich habe nur dort bei einer Gelegenheit und dann leider gleich nach einem tropischen Sturm gefischt. Die Massen von xx hatten zersplittert und wir mußten reisen fast 40 Meilen vom Land entfernt, sie anzutreffen. Wir verfingen uns etwas Fischen mit Köder und haben gerade einen Haken oben auf Fliege Fischengerät. Und wir hatten auch Blue Marlin und ca. Roosterfish Küsten- Jedoch während der Hauptjahreszeit, sind November durch bis Mai, Verriegelungen von 20 ein Tag ziemlich allgemein und gelegentlich haben sie mehr als 40 freigegeben! Blue Marlin - 200 bis 400 zerstößt - werden auch angetroffen.


    Ron Hamlin fischt normalerweise mit 20 zerstoßen Kategorie Gerät und ` der deadbaits' auf Kreishaken. Obgleich in zunehmendem Maße immer mehr anglers den großen Fliege Fischengerät - benutzen, sport! Guatemala ist ein dritte Weltland und offensichtlich müssen Sie achtgeben. Nicht lassen Sie z.B. das Flughafengebäude, bis der Repräsentant von der Fischenhütte ankommt. Und Sie finden, daß der Bereich, in dem die Anpassung ist, durch eine hohe Wand umgeben wird. Vor aber ernsthaft haben Sachen verbessert, seit der Bürgerkrieg ca. 10 Jahren beendete, und es ist verhältnismäßig sicher. Sowie Ron Hamlin ist das einzige anderer Firmabetrieb in Iztapa, daß ich bewußt bin, Sailfish Bay. Es gibt ausführliche Verriegelung Berichte über ihre web site. Schauen Sie, wie gut es ist!
    Dave

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