The year's been a tough one weather-wise. As I write this another trip has just been cancelled due to some mad winds and an impending storm. Perfect setting to reminiscence about our last trip, one which was hampered by just the sort of weather we frown upon...
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| Like onl all trips, the anticipation hits boiling point when the anglers board the boat and the gears are set up. The DUO Aomasa Pencil has wriggled its way into everyone's tackle box by now... |
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| Shitty weather sees us seeking shelter even before we can get far enough offshore. The result? We wait it out by soaking tiny jigs and catching interesting reef denizens like this Octopus which saw the IMA Gun Peki as the perfect snack... |
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| Small Megabass Agitate jig vs. baby Basslet... |
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| The lithe Jackall Mametai jig accounts for some unique rod and reel captures... |
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| No fish is too small to take a swipe at the Jackall Mametai. This micro Cardinalfish didn't think so either... |
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| The mini madai phenom that is the Bassday Nin Cas keeps us busy with Groupers like this... |
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| At least the anglers where a well fed bunch onboard and spirits were up despite the lack of fishing... |
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| By the time we get to wet a line in anger it was late in the day. Never too late to score with the Jackson Pintail Tune which resulted in this nice Queenfish immediately. The virgin Majorcraft Crostage casting rod was no more... |
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| The swells were big and brutal, but that meant the GTs were out to play. An IMA Big Stik pencil cast into the froth and spun out fast got nailed by this tough little GT... |
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| A positive hook-up and big battle on the FCL Labo UC light popping rod... |
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| The little red FCL UC74 is maxed out by a smart GT using the strong currents to its advantage... |
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| Another good Gee hits the deck, courtesy of the Fisherman Crazy Swimmer... |
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| One of the best poppers we know... |
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| On the calmer side of the island, we experimented with stickbaits and this nice prototype scores a good fish with the help of the FCL UC74 rod... |
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| Didn't take too long to find another customer on the prototype stickbait which seems to be delivering... |
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| The topwater action was fortunately thick. The fish were responding to poppers as well, and the good ol' El Toro scores this nice fish... |
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| The FCL Labo Ebipop needs no introduction and when in doubt, just put one on... |
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| After dark we were privileged to run into a school of massive Longfin Trevally, though many were lost due to their sheer strength against our ultralight outfits... |
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| IMA Guns were hit and many were lost. One of the few fish we were lucky enough to land revealed their identity, and it's love for the Gun Peki! |
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| Another beaut IMA Gun Peki victim. They hit no other jig, funnily... |
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| Bigeye Trevallies took over when the Longfin Trev action died. They loved IMA Gun Pekis just as much... |
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| Evergreen Temujin 'Spider' outfit used to work the 12g IMA Gun Peki jig. The perfect combo for all waters in our region, and most probably in many others as well... |
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| The clouds were sullen and heavy. We didn't need any other hints about what we were in for... |
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| We seeked shelter of a calm bay most of the day as the rains moved in. The ultralights were the only thing to keep the guys busy. Slender Queenies go estatic over small jigs and go hard on the light gear as well. Jackall Mametai credited with this larger than normal one... |
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| When we got a break we brought out the gear and tried but the results were typically dismal. Not much to show for on the Xesta After Burner jig... |
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| We did hit one rare capture in these waters, a nice Golden Trevally! |
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| Then it was back to Queenies on small jigs like this Jackall Laser... |
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| There was only one GT to show in the evening as the swells made popping too hard. It was scored on the prototype stickbait which we are now confident will be a huge success if made into production... |
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| You could always rely on the Queenies in the shallows for some thrills... |
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| IMA Gun Peki jigs were the usual go-to jig, and hardly disappoints... |
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| As night fell, the plan was hatched to cut the trip short and head back to shore before it got any worse... |
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| But not before some post-dinner action with the usual Bigeye brigade. First blood drew by the IMA Gun... |
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| 'Spidering' with the Shout! Dangan jig scores one too... |
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| The Jackson Gallop mini jig shows its abilities as well with another fine specimen before we retired for the night, and the trip... |
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