A Place To Share Your Fishing Experience

Bebatik 5kg labih~

2010-09-23T13:39:00.003+08:00

wah mcm lama udh nda beupdate site ani hahaha...skali update tu nah GT barat 5kg labih ulih G-Haris mancing dipantai *tut* hahaha...isHhhhHhh can't wait to get back to fishing!

Yesterday's Deepsea Fishing Trip

2008-05-26T21:27:00.010+08:00

Yesterday we went for another deepsea fishing trip at our favourite secret locations. Below are some of the pictures taken during our fishing trip yesterday. We caught several species of snappers, garoupers, one large barracuda and so on. In total our catch for yesterday was over 70kg.

Some new pics

2008-05-18T22:11:00.006+08:00

We braved the rain and cold this past Friday to do some fishing and were rewarded with some of our best fish this year!

Above is a 4.2lb. largemouth taken on a black spinnerbait from a brush pile close to shore.

Bob bagged a 3.5+ pickerel on a bluegill pattern crankbait that fought on even inside the boat!

Removal of the hooks requires pliers as these fish have many sharp teeth, and being built like barracuda squirm and fight until released. All in all a good day, we got 3 bass and more than 7 pickerel for the few hours we were able to stand the cold and wet. Next weekend we have two days of fishing and what looks to be good weather, if the fish cooperate the post should be big with pictures!

God bless, Mike.

Mackerel Buster!

2008-05-15T17:38:00.003+08:00

Pictures below contributed by our fellow angler, Nur Iman. He used trolling technique and Wolf Herring or "ikan parang" as baits. In total Nur Iman and Co. caught around six mackerels on that day off the coast of Belait.

East Brimfield Reservoir

2008-04-21T23:18:00.006+08:00

Finally, we are out on the boat!!! This past Friday Bob and I took the boat out to fish and we had a great day for early spring. The air temp. was in the mid 70'sF. and the water was about 60F. and the bass are moving up in preparation to spawn making them very aggressive. We started the day around 1:30 pm, after I got out of work and only got one bass on a deep diving crank until about 4:30 pm.
We were on the NW shore of the lake working into some shallow coves, the shoreline was steep and the bottom dropped off fast. We were throwing medium diving crank baits and started to get hit just into early evening. The first fish were smaller males, but they hit the lures as soon as they landed, and we went from one fish to 3 or 4 in about 30 minutes.
The fish began hitting fast and hard when the sun began to lower. Bob with a good spring male bass.
As the afternoon went on we started to see a mix of females, some we were able to land, some we lost. We think this was due to the fact that the fish may not have been hungry, but made aggressive and prone to snap due to the warm weather and impending spawn, so they did not hook up on the lures as well as if they meant to eat them.
In the mix Bob caught a good size Yellow Perch, a very tasty species, though they only get up to about 2lbs. They are a tenacious fish for their size and will hit lures even larger than themselves.
One of the lures Bob used, a medium diver Xcaliber fat free guppy. This was the star lure of the day as it caught the most fish. they are, like most crank baits easy to use. They are cast to the desired location, then retrieved steadily fast or slow sometimes stopping to let the lure float up momentarily, and when possible running the plastic lip into rocks and wood to make noise. Bob added a twist by letting the bait sit on the surface after it landed and twitching it, with the bass in their mood they would strike the bait without needing to reel it in.
I caught most of my fish on this bait, a Mann's -4 crank bait with a steady slow retrieve. The lure swims at about 4 ft. below the surface and has a great wobbling action that made the fish hit.
Bob with another nice fish. We definitely had the best day of fishing so far out of the four we have spent on the water, we lost count after a dozen fish and were it not for failing daylight and falling temps (it's not summer yet) we could have kept catching for longer. This will be the first in what I hope to be many positive accounts of fishing both local and out of state waters, and the lures we used to bag them. Until next time, God bless and keep fishing! Mike Z.

14th April Catch Report

2008-04-19T17:29:00.003+08:00

Out total catch for that day was 70 over kg. We tried three different types of fishing techniques, ie. bottom fishing, using "tabur" (not sure what's the name in English...hehehe) & trolling. We caught alot of "kerisi bali" and red snappers using both the bottom and "tabur" techniques but unfortunately we didn't catch any using the trolling technique which was intended mainly for mackerel.

...:: Nice big red fish..called the "Pantaran" ::...

...:: A 3.5kg "kerisi bali" ::...

...:: A 2.5kg red snapper ::...

Attack Of The Mackerels..!

2008-04-01T21:15:00.005+08:00

Photos below showing Osman with his awesome catch..! Those mackerels weighs around 5-6kg each and was a great game fish according to Osman. In total Osman & Co. caught around 40+ kg of mackerels on that day..

Another Deep Sea Fishing Success!

2008-03-23T21:03:00.005+08:00

Check out the pictures below contributed by Osman during his fishing trip yesterday...they were having a field day out there! Just look at the size of those fishes..! By the way we will be having another similar trip again at the end of this month and hopefully we will land those GTs again..!

Deepsea Fishing Trip Video

2008-03-13T05:48:00.003+08:00

Just for your viewing pleasure...a video clip of our recent trip to deepsea fishing around the Ampa/Failey area...This video clip just showed some of the action-pact during our trip. Sorry for the poor video quality!

p/s: Please click the "Pause" button for complete buffering first if you have a poor internet connection!

Old lure, New life..

2008-03-12T21:20:00.017+08:00

This post will have two parts, the second will will be several weeks from now when the finished lures and maybe some in process photos come back.

Photo 1) This is a wonderful lure from Rebel, made in the late 1970's called an Amazing Minnow 65. This version is 3.5" long and weighs 0.5oz. as you can see it has a unique shape, that and it's small lip give this lure an action that is seldom seen by fish today, and so attracts attention to itself easily. The motion is a true 'swimming' action and the bait must be retrieved slow to work properly. In this picture is shown one of three I recently found, it is in pristine condition and will not be repainted, but is shown as a 'before' shot to..

Photo 2) This is one of the two Rebel Amazing Minnow bodies that I am preparing for painting. These two were less than good in condition, the finish was chipped and dull and had hardware marks from the hooks, and rubs from use and storage. I first removed the hooks and split rings, for this a pair of split-ring pliers, not a knife as many people (including myself, until I find a pair I like at a reasonable price) use is advised. The next step is both tedious and crucial. The surface finish on the body needs to be carefully and evenly abraded so the primer base will adhere. Removing all the old finish is not necessary! In fact if you sand the body down that much you will ruin the action of a lure. To sand I use a 300 grit automotive sandpaper to start, then a 400 grit to finish. The key to removing the old finish and not damaging the lure body is never to sand in one place too long or too hard, work the whole body gently and delicately. This can take a few hours for each lure, but resist the urge too sand fast, as this can take off too much weight in one area and ruin the balance and so the action of the bait irreparably.

Photo 3) This is one of two finished lures I had done last year in a gold bluegill pattern, prepared the same way. It proved to be a devastating pattern and action combination, I caught a 3lb. 12oz. bass within the first few casts. The artist I work with is Marlin McComas owner of Fishman's Baits at http://www.fishmansbaits.com/. He does excellent work and prices custom work according to lure size and pattern. As his work is in demand it takes a while for the pieces to be painted but are always worth the wait. He also has a website store that features dozens of his own patterns that are proven fish catchers. For this pattern I sent Marlin in a picture of a pattern I liked and said do something like it, he came up with this original, that he did not repeat for another customer for one year. The man's business ethic is impeccable.

Photo 4) The lure body in photo No.2 will be sent off with it's mate to be painted in a week or so, I am getting another, different make and style of lure done now and am waiting to get it back, and will send this drawing as a pattern for it. This is based on the North American crappie, a panfish and prey of bass and pike here in New England.

Photo 5) This is a one of two baby bass patterns I will be sending for Marlin to work with for the second lure body. As bass are cannibalistic, and as most young predators are, can be prey for other species like pike these patterns will draw strikes as sure as their normal adult forage.

Photo 6) Not being able to decide what pattern I liked best I drew up more than one, this gives the artist some room to experiment when the lure is painted. It is always a good Idea to allow the artist some creative freedom as it creates less pressure, and will result in a better looking outcome that one could imaging. I found this out when I got the bluegill lures from Marlin last year, they were much better than the picture I sent! Lure revival is an art, and adds a new life to your tackle box, and will definitely put more fish in the boat. So when your favorite lure is beaten up, or you rescue a classic from a rusty old tackle box, spend some time to clean it up and have it refinished for years of continued use.

By mkz

Another Clean Sweep!

2008-03-11T23:05:00.014+08:00

We made another clean sweep again today and like our previous trip the total weight of our catch was almost 100 kg! Each of us caught around 30 fishes...But it's not as easy as it sound...Our trip was not as smooth as the previous one. This time around the water was a bit choppy and the swell was almost 2.5 meters in height and we have to endure a bumpy boat ride to our fishing spot. Our boat kept flying and crashing everytime we hit the swell...(tambah gi sakit jubooo huhuhu...!) and made some of us sea-sick! But all that didn't hampered our spirit...Pictures below tells all the stories of our trip this morning..

...:: Hj.Ashar with a "kerisi bali" ::...

...:: Syazni and his "anduping" ::...

...:: Double strike by Hj.Ashar ::...

...:: Another double strike ::...

...:: Notice the swell at the background...! ::...

...:: Twin Strike! ::...

...:: Syazni's catch of the day...a 3 kg red snapper! ::...

...:: A double miss-matched strike by Osman...! ::...

...:: Two-Of-A-Kind red snapper...! ::...

...:: Another miss-matched - a "ikan putih" & "lingkuh" by Osman ::...

...:: The jackpot of the day! - a 5 kg red snapper defeated by Hj.Ashar ::...

...:: Triple treat match! Again Hj.Ashar with his 5 kg "kerisi bali" ! ::...

...:: Another big "kerisi bali" ::...

...:: Osman showing his 2 kg garouper ::...

...:: Blue coolbox belonged to Hj.Ashar...Red coolbox belonged to Syazni...full eh! Alhamdulillah...! And look at the size of that fish..::...

...:: Hj.Ashar total haul..::...

...:: Syazni's total catch...not bad eh? ::...

...:: Osman's coolbox...top ice bottom fish..I mean more fish! ::...

To Osman and brother, Jeng thanks once again for the trip...we hope to make another similar trip again in the future but not in this near future offcourse! (jara kali ah mabuk free...wakakaka! )

Deep Sea Fishing Trip To Gannet/Fairley-4 Area

2008-03-05T23:21:00.009+08:00

Red snappers, garoupers & tunas...to name a few are some of the fishes that we managed to catch during our trip yesterday to Gannet/Fairley-4 area. It was such an interesting and memorable fishing trip. In total we caught a massive of 100 over kilos of fish for the whole day trip!

We setoff our trip from the ex-KB/Teraban ferry point at around half past nine in the morning. Before the trip Hj.Ashar called our friend at BLNG for confirmation of the wind speed and wave height and thanks to "our friend!" the wave was not 1-1.5 meters in height...it was more than that! The boat journey took us about 2 hours to reach the fishing spot...(sore ass man..!) Our trip was made easy by using a preset GPS system and fish finder owned by Osman's brother who is also our boat driver. It was with his experience and expertise that we managed to land our massive haul...but it was not for free since we have to pay him $50 per person for the trip but heyy it was worth it!

Most of the time in the morning we only did bottom fishing and later in the evening we used throlling technique to catch tunas...It was all tunas jumping here and there and this was the first time (for me and Hj.Ashar...huhuhu) to see this things!

We took off from offshore at around 6 pm and reached onshore around 8.15 pm feeling tired and exhausted but satisfied with the outcome of the trip and thanks to Allah for blessing our trip! (nda pakai life jacket kali ahh...hehehe) and also to Osman's brother for his help! We hope to make a similar trip again in the future and this time we will make sure to bring some cushion for us to sit...sakit jubo kuuuu!

...:: Syazni's First Catch ::...

...:: Hj.Ashar and his red snapper ::...

...:: Another red snapper ::..

...:: A 2 kilo garouper ::..

...:: Double bonanza for Osman & Hj.Ashar ::..

...:: Another garouper landed by Syazni ::...

...:: Osman preparing our baits...we used fresh tuna flesh for baits ::...

...:: The catch of the day by Hj.Ashar...a almost 4 kilo "kerisi bali"! ::..

...:: Syazni with his "kerisi bali"...::...

...:: red snapper...red snapper...more red snapper! ::...

...:: A double strike red snapper ::..

...:: And another double strike too from Osman ::...

...:: Hj.Ashar though feeling sea-sick but still managed to pose with his catch...hehehe mabuk kawan? ::...

...:: Some of the tunas caught using trolling technique and in total we caught aroun 50 plus tunas! ::...

Three More Kings Surrendered..!

2008-02-19T21:43:00.005+08:00

Another outing this morning and the three of us were each rewarded with three large size king prawns..

Osman as usual with his king prawn...never misssed a single prawn on every outing this boy...ada ilmu kali!

Hj.Ashar with his wide smile after he finally landed this king prawn..

Syazni with yet another XL size king prawn...

Another King Prawns Defeated..!

2008-02-18T20:55:00.009+08:00

This afternoon we went for another king prawn fishing also at the Belait river...though our catch is far less than before but this time we managed to catch the largest king prawn that we ever catch before...!

Osman opening his account with this large king prawn...

This is our record catch...a 300g king prawn!

The king prawn stretches almost 2ft in length....!

Look at those long claws...are they called claws or pincers?? ok whatever...this large king prawn gave a tremendous fight and we were surprised when it finally landed inside the boat that it was actually only get hooked on one of those small legs...what a luck!

Which one is bigger the one on the left or the one on the right..?

Syazni's king prawn on the right...Osman's king prawn on the left...or the other way round???

Osman & Family King Prawn Fishing Trip

2008-02-18T20:38:00.003+08:00

Osman and his family went for a king prawn fishing yesterday morning at the Belait river...they managed to capture three king prawns and several small ones! In total they caught around 90+ prawns for the whole day trip...

Osman showing his king prawn...

Caught in the net...

Their total harvest for yesterday...

Rod and Reel preview

2008-02-16T19:52:00.001+08:00

Preview for Grandt Industries All American Pro Series 58million modulus graphite 6ft. medium heavy rod mounted with the Abu Garcia Revo SX-l 6.4:1 low profile baitcasting reel. This rod and reel combination is the latest addition to my fishing arsenal, the rod itself was an unintended purchase that has turned out to change the way I look at rods and will most likely lead to me replacing all my rods with Grandt industries' products.

The Abu Garcia reel I had been looking at since they came out last year, knowing how good their round body reels are I knew they would be awesome machines.

Photo 1) The modulus count of a rod describes the density of the graphite strains running through the blank. Most commercial companies end the range of their rod blanks with a 58 million modulus count, Grandt begins theirs here and goes up to 70. For custom blanks, they will produce a count up to the customers specifications, even into the hundreds! With the rise in modulus count there is a rise in price. The rod I purchased has a regular retail price of $147.00 US, the 70 series starts at $267.00 US. Helping the impulse to buy this rod was the special show
price of $99.00 US.

Photo 2) The primary reason I purchased the piece was the sensitivity. As with all quality rods, the blank must run through the handle, and be exposed in the cradle of the trigger so when a fish strikes the bait, the vibration is transmitted up the line, through the guides and down the blank to the index finger that touches the blank where it holds the trigger. The more care and quality that goes into the making of a high modulus blank the more sensitive the rod. When I was looking at the rod I noticed there was a 14" to 16" piece of monofilament line tied to the tip eye of the rod. I asked the sales person the reason for this and he showed me a sweet test for the sensitivity of a rod. Holding the piece like I was fishing, my finger on the trigger and touching the exposed blank, he gently flicked the line tied to the end of the pole and to my surprise, I felt the tick!

My buddy Tim who owns seven of these rods just smiled. Suddenly I knew how it was that he had such better success fishing light plastic baits than I, he felt bites I was missing with the rods I was using.

Photo 3) The other quality I considered was strength and flexibility, while the tip is soft to the touch, which helps with casting, the tension loads up fast as the salesman bent the piece while I held it. This loading, or rigid quality is necessary to set the hook well, and to pull larger fish out of weeds, and these rods have it all, a supple top 25%, and a no- nonsense backbone for the rest. The final determining factor that won me to these beauties is the warranty. If you break the rod, either fishing or otherwise (barring blatant abuse), Grandt Industries will replace or repair it free for life. The only charge is shipping and processing. This is the kind of confidence true craftsmen have in their products, a reassurance we rarely see in commercially available fishing poles. An added bonus is your own name laser etched into the rod to identify you as owner, and when you purchase a Grandt rod, you go into their database and receive e-mails about specials and show dates.

Photo 4) Here is the Abu Garcia Revo SX-L 6.4:1 mounted on the Grandt rod. Low profile quality of the reel is made apparent here, this image clearly shows how the oversized high speed driving gear is offset to bring the center of the reel closer to the rod blank, making it a very comfortable reel to fish. The other benefit of an oversized gear is the high gear ratio, but no loss of torque. This allows one to fish a lure fast (this model recovers 27" of line per turn of the handle), retrieve a fish fast, and not lose any power. The castability of this reel is amazing, the Everslik coated spool pinion allows one to cast 1/4 oz. baits against the wind successfully (with good thumb control) and heavy baits great distances. This is not a reel for beginners because of this, backlashes and resulting bird's nests can happen easily if you are not familiar with bait casting reels.

Photo 5) Another great feature of this reel is the bearing and drag system. with 10 ball bearings, and one roller bearing the operation of the reel is surgically smooth, a dream to use. The six plate Carbon Matrix Drag System is one of the best available, generating a massive 24lbs. of resistive force, 2 to 3 times that of other reels in the Revo's class. As with all three Revo models, S, SX, STX, the drag is adjusted by the star wheel shown here. The spool break adjustment, like all controls is precise and demands practice to master. As with most Abu Garcia reels, round as well as low profile this control seems most effective when applied a little on the
heavy side.

Photo 6) Perhaps the only shortcoming of this reel is the smaller line capacity due to its lower body height, where a similar reel by another company may hold 150 to 160 yds. of 12 lb. monofilament line, the Revo series holds only 120 yds.

I do not feel this is a big concern, but there are some who will want the extra yardage. The break control is Linear Magnetic, controlled by the dial seen in the picture. This fine adjustment control eliminates backlash at the beginning of the cast and is easily operated. I usually set it at 75%, and adjust for the lure weight on the cast with the spool break.

Photo 7) In this picture you can really see well the main gear housing, and how low the reel actually sits, The gear system is all solid brass, and the frame is aluminum as opposed to graphite so there is no flex in the parts. This type of construction makes the reel strong, and very light weighing only 8.7 oz. when the spool is empty.

Photo 8) This makes the whole setup of rod and reel weigh a little more than 16 oz., but it's quality of strength makes it able to battle the largest of New England freshwater fish, and I feel that it would handle many moderately large

fish in other environments with proper line, and of course cleaning and application of oil and maintenance regularly for light saltwater use.
I hope this is a helpful review, and will update it later in the spring after the first day out on the water and let you know if the setup lives up to my expectations.

God bless, Mike.

Wocester Sportsman Show 2008, Pt. 2

2008-02-15T10:00:00.013+08:00

To complete the coverage of this show, I will pick up with boats.

Photo 1) A nice aluminum 16.5 ft. bass boat from G3, completely loaded starting at about $18,000 US. This is a good beginning package for starters, although one can find Trackers for about $12,000 US, they will be a slightly lower quality, and not as nicely equipped. There is something to be said for buying an equipped boat. It will cost more for a down payment, and higher monthly installments, but out the door, you are ready to fish. Buying a base model will be easier on the wallet initially and monthly, but unless you search for the lowest prices on each option and install them yourself, ( no guarantees with this option either with some items if not professionally installed) in the long run you are likely to pay more, and of course do without the assurance of some manufacturer coverage.

One needs to think long and hard on how you will buy as well as what you will buy, and how much capitol you can afford to spend.

Photo 2) Ranger boat line up. These are 16 to 18 ft. fiberglass boats that are at the top of the price chain, exceeding $40,000 US and some of the better made on the market, though not as well made as some like BassCat costing the same or less.

Photo 3) The new lineup of Penn reels. Here I have to admit some ignorance. I know little of Penn reels other than they are almost exclusively salt water orientated, however if you look to the center of this picture you can see a baitcaster reel that is an inshore model, with anti-corrosion bearings that double as a bass reel. I do know that Penn is one of, if not the most famous names in reels worldwide and if the quality, fit, action and feel of these reels is any indicator than I understand why.

Photo 4) More Penn reels, again mostly all are designed for saltwater, but I saw no reason why some of the medium reels could not be used for drop-shotting and light plastics in freshwater venues. Penn reels range in price from $50.00 US to $600.00 US, depending on whether they are for Giant Tuna, or lite action flats fishing.

Photo 5) This would be my buddy Tim, dreaming of the size and weight of the lunker bass that would give this $700.000 US Diawa Tuna reel stripped drag plates and burnt bearings. By the look on his face I would guess he imagines it would be bigger than him!

That is all for this show. I did not cover rods as I did not really look at many, and there was a request to cover reels. The next post however will be a rod and reel review, a Grandt Industries All-American Pro-Series Rod I bought at this show, and a new Abu Garcia Revo SX baitcaster 6.4:1 that I matched it to. The pair promises to be a lethal combination for bass!

2008 Worcester Sportsman's Boating & Fishing Show.

2008-02-11T06:28:00.000+08:00

This past Saturday My friend Tim and I went to the annual fishing show in our area. I went two years ago, missed last year, but when Tim invited me to go I did not need my arm twisted. Unfortunately Bob was unable to go with us.

There are a lot of things to see, I took photos of mostly boats and reels, as some folks wanted to see more fishing equipment, and while the boats are outrageously priced, they are beautiful to see. This review will be two part as I have more reel pictures to show than I can reasonably fit into one post.

The first three photos are the Shimano table.

Photo1) Saltwater reels for medium shark and Tuna fishing. These run $200 to $400 US. Shimano makes a good, durable reel. While I do not have any reels of this caliber, the Shimano Curado Bantam 201 baitcaster for Bass was my first baitcasting reel and I still use it regularly.

Photo 2) The long spread of handle mounted reels was massive! One could explore every make of reel Shimano makes form freshwater baitcasters, to saltwater spinning reels. The sales reps were helpful, though there was no negotiation on price unless you were to buy more than one reel.

Photo3) These are varieties of the Calcutta series, ranging from $200 to $220 US. They are a crossover size, suitable for medium salt to heavy freshwater fishing. I have seen them used on television for big Pike and Muskie in North America, to Peacock Bass in the Amazon. I have even seen them used in Egypt to fish for 100+ lb. Nile Perch!

The show was four days long, running from February 7th to 10th, admission was $11 US and was fairly crowded, but not to the point of uncomfortability. There were also many booths devoted to hunting and taxidermy, charter and guided tours, and new fishing related products like collapsible boats and specially outfitted kayaks for fishing in remote backwater.

There were even showmen handling Monocled Cobras, and a reptile zoo with American Alligators (juviniles), turtles and lizards for the many children that came with their parents. Also for the kids there was a trout pond set up and hourly fishing contests with junior rods and reels as prizes.

The biggest spectacle, and I do mean big, was a live 1,400 lb. Brown bear that was tame, and had been in movies and on the cover of National Geographic Magazine last year. I did
take pictures, but unless anyone wants to see them I will stick to the fishing aspects of the show for the visual reference.

Photo 4) These are some of the new freshwater spinning reels from Quantum, the Energy series. these are awesome reels, though I do not own one, they are smooth and strong with 10 bearings, machined aluminum frames and titanium bails. Each one comes with a spare aluminum spool and a supply of Hot Sauce, a specially formulated lubricant exclusive to Quantum products. They sell for $150 US.

Photo 5) These are some of the new Catalyst reels from Quantum, similar to the Energy series, they also boast many of the features listed above, including a hybrid polymer stainless steel bearing system that is distinctive to Quantum. This reel contains 8 bearings, magnetic anti-reverse, and sells for about $100 US.

These reels are some of the most popular among pros in the US. I see many using them on footage from B.A.S.S. tournaments around America, and while I only own two spinning reels, both Shimano's and less expensive,I could tell from handling these that they are performance oriented and worth every penny.

Photo 6) These are some of the new the new Diawa reels, Viento, (blue body) Zillions, (silver bodies) Millionair-S, ( Top, left row) and Lunas, (right row, all). These are middle level reels from Diawa, (the Steez is the highest at $450 US) and are very good quality. All are milled aluminum frames, and free-floating spools with a wide range of bearing numbers. The prices range from $200 to $300 US, and their quality reflects the price. These are incredibly tight reels, the drags are smooth and all operational parts are made to a high tolerance, these are reels you buy once, keep for life and then hand down to your children!

I do not own a Diawa as I have a love for Abu Garcias, but I can appreciate their quality. There are more photos and more reels to come, I will post more in the next installment of this post, The Worcester DCU Center is a medium sized sports venue located in Worcester Masachusetts, and during this show the arena center was filled with over a million dollars US in boats, motors and trailers. From my last post you may know that I just bought a new-to-me boat that I am overly joyful to have, and thank God for, but that does not stop me from appreciating the works of engineering art for fishing I saw Saturday!

Photo 7) While my jaw is still dragging on the ground from this boat, an 18ft. Skeeter with a 225 hp 4stroke Yamaha with an incredible paint job that looks like it belongs on a race car rather than a bass boat, the price of $32,999 US kept me from any dreams. As beautiful as it is, I told Tim I feared the bright color would scare the fish, even if the 4 stroke was super quiet!

Photo 8) this nice Champion bass boat is very understated with its simple paint scheme. I like it the instant I saw it, it is 18ft. X 6ft. with a 150 hp. Evinrude 2 stroke e-tec motor. Evinrude e-tec motors are to date the most fuel efficient, powerful, and quiet 2 stroke motors made. They have the added advantage of needing no dealer maintenance for 3 years, and no break in period!!!

Photo 9) After a few hours Tim and I got some sandwiches and sat up in the upper level of the arena to eat and watch all the people walk about and look over all the awesome toys. This is the right side view of the arena and as you can see the spread of boats is extensive, something for every taste, and as far as new boats go, most price ranges. A basic package aluminum hull Bass Tracker starts at about $10,999 US, and the most expensive boat we saw was a 21ft ranger at over $54,000 US! No, I did not take a picture of it, my camera is not that good!

Photo 10) The picture below is the left side of the arena and the rest of the array of fishing machines that we perused.

I hope I am able to bring the enjoyment of the show to you in this post. It was a good show shared with a good friend. The next post will be the second half of this show, focusing on more reels, and a nice custom rod I bought, not that I was looking for a new rod, but it impressed me so I took the leap. Enjoy the post, and for those still locked in winter, be patient spring is only four to six weeks away!

God bless, Mike.

King Prawn Fishing Trip At Kuala Belait River

2008-02-09T20:02:00.000+08:00

We went for another king prawn fishing this morning at the Belait river...although it was raining heavily in the morning it never dampen our spirit. We arrived at our usual boat landing spot around 10.30 am where our friend, Osman was already there waiting...Once onboard we straight away went to our hotspot...

...:: Heading towards our favourite hotspot... ::...

...:: Syazni's first catch ::...

...:: Osman hit the jackpot with this large king prawn...! Abis record kawan ku hahaha...::...

...:: Another catch by Syazni which was no match to Osman's king prawn...citttttt!! ::...

...:: "Queen prawn" by Syazni...still no match! ::...

...:: Another "queen prawn" by Osman... ::...

...:: More prawns caught by Osman & Syazni...I wondered where's Ibnu's pictures...??? ::...

...:: Check out the size of that king prawn compared to the soft drink can...! ::...

Altogether our total catch for the day was only 26 prawns...about half of what we caught last week...but unfortunately our friend Ibnu didn't get a sinlge prawn...atu panasss hehehehe! Nevermind there will always be a next time Ibnu! Cuba lagi kawan...

1990 Lowe 1600 V

2008-02-06T07:52:00.001+08:00

After three years of waiting, scraping and saving, I am finally a boat owner! And thank God, we got exactly what we wanted and at a better than good price. After a long while of renting boats when we could find then, and fishing from shore and small canoes my fishing partner and I will now be able to go after the fish where they live, rather than being at the mercy of the shoreline, trees, and private property ownership. This past Friday Bob and I went to New Hampshire, about an hour away from our area to the Monadnock Boat Store where we had seen the ad, and made arrangements to inspect and purchase what looked like a good deal for the price. We got there and met Scott, the salesman and he led us to the boat.

We were very surprised! They had brought the boat in from the storage warehouse and unwrapped it, and put it into a large heated work bay with tools and a bench. " Heres all the tools you'll need, go through the boat and make sure it meets your needs, let me know when your done, I'm not going to hang over your shoulder and pressure you." Scott said, and left us to check out the boat for an hour. We were stunned, the last place we had looked would not let us look at the boat like that unless we bought it, which I did not like at all.
We were immediately impressed. The boat, even though 18 years old was in great shape. I checked the hull first and saw it to be in very good shape, having only scrapes in the aluminum on the riveted keel rib, regular wear from rocks in New England, and a 1 1/4" slit that did not penetrate the hull, an easy fix with a TIG weld, or aluminum weld epoxy and a file. Bob is a master mechanic and electrician, he checked the motor, a 1989 Evinrude 50hp in very clean and well maintained shape. (the boat originally came with a 40hp, and is rated for a max. of 70hp.) The spark plugs were seasoned but almost new, and the wiring was solid. The prop is new and the lower unit was rebuilt this spring, a pricey job if you pay someone.

I looked over the interior. I was happy to find all aluminum decks and transom, so replacing rotting wood will not be an issue in the future. The carpet was in good shape, but I will replace it in the fall as there are some worn areas, small holes, and a few stains. As you can see by the pictures there is plenty of storage compartments, a large bait well up front, a large livewell between the seats, and two smaller wells behind each seat. There is a battery charger, and three new batteries, one Garmin color fish/depth finder on the console, and one graytone Humminbird fishfinder on the bow. It even comes with a stereo am/fm cassette player, which I will replace with an all weather radio, as I can't think music will help our fishing!

The trolling motor is a neat feature. It is a Minn Kota AP55, with Auto Pilot. The motor is connected to the fish finder, and one plots a course by the electronic compass, and the motor follows the path automatically, we have never even seen one before. I also have a 30lb Minn Kota stern mount 30lb. trolling motor and another new battery from my canoe that will now go on the boat so we have enough power to fish our local watershed lakes that do not allow gas motors. There is a rod locker that will fit most of my fishing poles and wonderful pedestal seats for comfortable casting all day long.

The boat even comes with a pair of Cannon downriggers to run lures deep and at a steady depth, a type of fishing I know nothing about but may have to learn. The trailer is galvanized aluminum and in very good shape, tires are new, bearings are good and the winch and hitch are well cared for and the crank jack works well.
All in all one could not ask for a better deal. The boat was taken meticulously good care for throughout it's life so far, and I will continue to do so. Being a boat owner will be a big step, I am looking forward to working on the motor, boat and trailer as it needs maintenance, and modifying it to suit Bob and my style of fishing. The weather helped us greatly, if it were spring here in Massachusetts, I would have paid far more for all the boat and options I have described.

By summer Bob and I hope to fish tournaments, and I hope to spend many days fishing with the fishermen in my church, and vacationing at my aunts in Maine, camping out and fishing with Bob and his son. I will keep posting on the boat from time to time, repairs, modifications and tournament news as it happens and of course photos of the big fish we hope to catch now that we can get to them!

God bless, Mike.

Fresh Water Prawn Fishing Trip

2008-02-03T19:21:00.001+08:00

This morning we went for a fresh water prawn fishing at the Belait river by boat...there were five of us. On arrival at the boat pick-up point near the Rasau bridge, we were greeted by an unexpected & uninvited creature...it was a 1 meter long crocodile! On seeing our presence it quickly make way and vanished under water...

...:: A gruesome sighting...! ::...

...:: Osman waiting for us under the Rasau bridge with his 18 foot long fibreglass boat ::...

....:: All eagerly looking for the best place to get started ::...

...:: Faizal 1st catch of the day.. ::...

...:: Followed by Mizan ::...

...:: And soon..everyone was posing with their catch.. ::...

...:: Pian with his fresh water prawn ::...

...:: The biggest catch of the day! King prawn caught by Mizan ::...

...:: More catch from Osman ::...

...:: Syazni manouvered the boat looking for another strategic location...::...

...:: Osman and his biggest prawn ::...

...:: Another catch from Pian ::...

...:: Syazni showing his catch ::...

...:: And another one...::...

...:: By mid-day one after another the prawn became our victims ::...

...:: At the end of the day we managed to catch a total of around 50 fresh water prawns or king prawns ::...

By 5 pm we decided to call it a day...packed our things and headed home feeling satisfied and hoping to make another trip again in the near future with more catches and hopefully to catch that elusive big blue king prawns..!

The Lipless Crank Bait

2008-01-31T08:07:00.001+08:00

With the coming of spring, well in a few months for us New Englanders, it's time to bring out one of the ultimate springtime baits for bass. This is a truly versatile bait as it is made in many sizes, shapes, and patterns and each manufacturer's rattle has a distinct sound. On any given day one particular rattle may be your ticket to a full live well.
First photo. Sizes and weights range greatly, (top to bottom) 6" Cordell King Shad,silver scale,at 4oz., 4"Rat-L-Trap chart. perch, at 2oz., 4" Gag's Grabber, bunker pattern, at 1.5oz., Cotton Cordell suspending Spot, 1/2oz., Excaliber Xr50 lemon-lime, at 5/8oz., unknown make, gold shiner, at 1/2oz., Renegade mini, goldfish, at 1/8 oz.
each of these rattles, the largest with a thunderous crackle to the smallest with a sound like salt in a shaker. As with any bait, the proper rod, reel and line is needed to maximize the qualities of each lure. For the Cordell King and the 4" Trap I use a 7 ft. Ex-Heavy Shimano Convergence Rod, an Abu Garcia 6501C reel, spooled with 65lb. Power Pro braid. For the Mini, a 7ft medium Fenwick spinning rod, Shimano Sonora 2500 reel, and 10lb. Berkley Ironsilk. ( Ironsilk is discontinued, and a suitable replacement would be McCoys Mean Green, in 8lb. test.)
For each manufacturer, there are many patterns as you can see by the numerous depictions. There is quite literally a color combination for every water condition, temperature, and sun condition. on moderately sunny days in shallow to medium deep water, a natural pattern, as seen in the second photo are optimal. (top to bottom) Custom painted lure in sunfish pattern, 1/2oz., Cotton Cordell, bream pattern, 1/2 oz., Cotton Cordell, bass pattern, 1/2oz., Berkley Frenzy, bluegill pattern, 1/2oz.,
For the brightest of days, usually those that follow a weather front, metallic golds, blues, and silvers are best in shallow to medium depths. in stained water at any time bright colors like chartreuse, white, and lime green excel. On overcast or rainy days, dark solid patterns, reds, blues, browns do well. Remember, this is a general guide, as with any situation experiment and let the fish tell you what it wants!
Third photo. There are considerations of shape also. The dispersion of vibration from this bait, which is tremendous and causes the rattles inside to make so much noise, is also differentiated by the fish due to the shape of the lure body.
Look closely at the outline of the six lures shown, ignore the color and you can plainly see the difference in all of them. Even if they all had the exact same rattle, the body shape would make their hydrosignature very different, and the name of the game with this style of lure is vibration! This is the first thing you will notice when you fish this bait. The easiest retrieve follows a pattern like this; cast the lure out far as possible, this will be easy as their compact shape launches through the air like a missile. When the lure hits the water, count one second per foot,(on the sinking models, some suspend, some float) when you reach the desired level, sweep the rod back horizontal to swim, or up vertically to jig, and reel in between sweeps, the first sweep will tell you all you need to know about the baits wonderful dinner bell vibe that calls fish to the feast! If the water is cold, try simply slow reeling the line in until you feel the bait vibrate, then retrieve it steadily, when the bait stops dead, it's usually a strike. (top to bottom) Real life privateer lures, chart. perch, 5/8oz., Matzuo red foil, 5/8oz., custom painted lure, sunfish, 1/2oz., Berkley Frenzy, bluegill, 1/2oz., Real life privateer lures, Gold shiner, 3/4oz., Excaliber Xr50 red craw, 5/8oz.
Fourth photo. (as not to bore you with repetition, I will number the lures I have previously described. Top to bottom) 1) , 2) Rapala silver shiner, 1/2oz., 3) Cotton Cordell, gold shiner, 1/2oz., 4) Strike King, red craw, 1/2oz., 5), Real life privateer lures, baby bass pattern, 5/8oz., 6).
I like to start the season out with the lipless crank bait casting over newly emerging grass beds, letting the lure sink to the tips of the grass than ripping it free, sinking, and ripping again. This emulates a shad or bluegill, even a crayfish darting out of cover, which is a fatal mistake, then dipping back into the grass. The strike will usually come when the bait rips free of the grass.
Summer can be productive with a shallow or floating presentation, for shallow, after casting, as soon as the lure hits the water, reel fast over weeds and grass, (over, not through) ripping the lure free if you feel the bait tick the vegetation. Floating is a very new presentation for me. I purchased four lures on E-bay from a seller called 'Real Life Privateer'. I fully expected them to sink as most all lures of this type do. but these floated just below the surface, and when I reeled them in, they swam about six inches underwater, and I got slammed by a two lb. bass the first cast! since then, I have used this unusual lure with great success. They can be found at: www.reallifeprivateer.com. you will find the owner easy to deal with and very fair in price. I have other lures from him I will review in another post.
Photo five. (top to bottom, left to right) 1) Kinami rattler, blue/silver shiner, 3/4oz., 2), 3) Real life privateer lures, harlequin, 1/2oz., 4) Lew's speed lures, (a Bass Pro Shop brand, nice lures) crawfish pattern, 7/16oz., 5), 6) Cotton Cordell, pot belly Spot (the sides bow out, unlike most of these kind of baits, giving this lure a unique vibration, rare lure.) 1/2oz., 7) The Producers, chartreuse craw, 5/8oz., 8) Yo-zuri, Rattlin' Vibe, ghost shiner, 5/8oz.
If you are not familiar with these style of lures, you are missing a unique fishing experience. They work on salt or freshwater species and if you use a few different brands you will find they each have specific sounds and actions that will appeal to you, and to the fish. So far my favorites are Cotton Cordell Spots, which are easy to find and inexpensive, and Real life privateer floaters, as there is no other lipless crank bait that fills this niche in the water for this type of lure, so far as I have been able to find. Good fishing God bless, Mike.

Fishing Trip To Pulau Pelumpong

2008-01-26T13:03:00.000+08:00

Yesterday we went for a fishing trip to the fish cage breeding gound at Pulau Pelumpong in the Brunei Bay area. There were thirteen of us. We met at exactly 5 pm at the boat landing area near the Muara Port. At about 5.20 pm we started out journey by boat accompanied by the brother of the owner of the fish cage, Lt. Col. (R) Hj.Kamaludin. The weather was fine and the water was calm..much to our relief!

...:: At The Boat Landing Area Near Muara Port...Waiting For The Rest Of The Members ::...

...:: On The Way To The Fish Cage Near Pulau Pelumpong Onboard A 30" Long Fishing Boat ::...

...:: Team Lumut Anglerz & Team Kaki Joran ::...

...:: Syazni & Rahman Preparing To Tackle The Sea ::...

...:: The Accomodation Area Where We Spend The Nite...It Was Quite Old But Still Strong Enough To Face The Bad Weather & The Fish Cages ::...

...:: Azwandi Casting His Baits ::...

...:: Osman With His First Catch ::...

...:: Enjoying Our Dinner Which Was Included In The Package...Everybody Seem To Be Hungry & The Food Was Not Bad ::...

...:: The Catch Of The Nite! Osman's Third Catch...A 0.8kg "barahan" ::...

...:: Kendy Posing With His Catch...::...

...:: Azwandi Showing His Catch ::...

...:: Our Total Catch Of The Nite...Not A Big Achievement But Still OK Considering That The Weather Was Getting Worse Through Out Of The Nite Which Send Some Of Us Sea-Sick!

...:: Some Of The Giant GTs And Barramundis Kept Inside The Cage For Exibition Purposes Only According To The Cage Owner..::...

...:: Early Morning...Everybody Packed Their Things And Ready To Go Back ::...

...:: Onboard The Same Fishing Boat Ready To Go Back To Shore ::...

...:: On Our Back From The Fish Cage...All Tired, Exhausted & Sleepy! ::...

...:: Reached The Boat LAnding Area After A Ten Minutes Journey From The Fish Cage & Unloading Our Fishing Gears & Equipments ::...

...:: That's The End Of Our Fishing Trip ::...

p/s: For more pictures click here

Mind Your Line!

2008-01-22T21:14:00.000+08:00

There are a tremendous number of lines on the market now, and it can be difficult to choose which one to use. If you have the luxury of several fishing outfits, you can spool different lines for different conditions on different outfits. If not, you need to pick a line that will meet most of the conditions you fish.

Following are some ideas that works:

• For fishing heavy cover and rough conditions like rocks, pick a monofilament designed for it, usually designated tough, extreme or extra strength. Also try braids and fusion line.

• For fishing clear water, choose a thin, clear line. Fluorocarbon lines disappear underwater. Others are usually called extra limp, extra thin and other names that designate it as small diameter.

• For fishing vegetation like lily pads, moss and grass, try a thin, tough line. It can be a braid or a fused line. Names like Fireline, Spiderwire and Power Pro are all good.

• For setting a line class record, use a line that will break at the designated test. Most lines break well above the stated test and will be considered for the record at the test they break, not what is stated. There are few lines on the market that will break at the stated test, usually under names like record line or something similar.

• For spinning and spin cast reels, choose a thin, limp line for better casting. It can be mono, fusion or braid.

• Baitcasting reels handle most any kind of line, but stiffer line works well on them, much better than on a spinning reel.

Decide what kind of line you need. Change it often. Learn to tie a good knot. Then you won't be able to blame your line on the one that got away!

More from Bass Pro Shops.

2008-01-16T03:16:00.001+08:00

Here are the pictures I promised. I apologize for not having more close-ups of the actual lures and rods and reels. I know God willing, we will be going again soon and I will make it a point to get more specific with the images. Before I go again, I will post, and ask if there are any particular sections of the store, or product lines, lures, rods, reels, or displays any reader wants to see. I will take the list with me and do my best to cover the requests with pictures and a post.

Photo Captions:

1) 35,000gal. aquarium, massive!

2) A small section of the lure and rod displays, saltwater section.

3) Approximately 6lb. landlocked salmon, good eating!

4) 1960's sportfishing boat, 43ft!

5) One half of one isle, mostly freshwater heads, some plastics.

6) View from the top floor, about 1/8 of the freshwater baits and rods section.

Bass Pro Shops, Foxboro, MA. USA

2008-01-09T00:02:00.001+08:00

Where to start? After two years of waiting here in New England, we finally have a Bass Pro Shops Store! By far the top of the food chain in the U.S. in outdoor equipment. One can find anything needed for fishing, from a child's beginner spin caster combo, to $50,ooo plus ultimate bass boats from Nitro. One can also find firearms, ammo, bows, camping equipment, outdoor bar-b-q supplies, fly rods and fly tying equipment, clothing for any season and terrain, and.... well the list goes on and on.
As we are concerned with fishing I will try to hold my overall excitement in check and stay on topic. No promises.
The size of the store alone is daunting. At 140,
000 sq. feet split into two levels complete with two large elevators to get people and shopping carts easily between floors, it is by far the largest outlet of its kind in the northeast. On entering the store the decor is engulfing and complete. A large fireplace and sitting area is to the right of the main entrance, wood post and beam construction and wall mounts of bear, deer, elk, ducks, turkey, fox, wolf, pheasant, salt, and freshwater fish abound. The walls are laden with rustic box shelving holding antique fishing reels, guns, axes, knives, snowshoes and anything else that has ever been used to adventure in the wild.

There were over a thousand people of all ages in the store during our visit, but due to it's size and layout we were never crowded or boxed in. The store staff was always available, and in great numbers, checkout was fast and efficient. Above the vast area of fishing line, tackle, and tackle boxes that is six or seven 15 ft. long isles with product on both sides, is a life size replica of a 42ft. 3,000 lb. humpback whale. To further help one understand the scale of things, above and to the right of the service counter fronted by multi-level glass cases full of both salt and fresh water fishing reels, is a hanging diorama including a 43ft. sport fishing boat from the 1960's, with an angler on deck fighting a large
Blue fin Tuna, complete with crashing waves. The center of the store from the top floor to the bottom, is a replica New England waterfall complete with live plants and trees, and mounts of native animal and bird species . The falls empty into a 5,500 gal. turtle pool, and then flows into a floor level 3,500 gal. trout pond. Standing in the center of the pond is a life size 1,600lb. bull moose mount. The trout in the pool average 24in.
To the right of this massive display is the aquarium, a 35,000gal. freshwater tank built from the rock backdrop of the falls, with a massive glass panel that measures around 14ft.X20ft. This is filled with some dozens of native species, including rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish, sunfish, landlocked salmon, pickerel, and northern pike to name a few. This is an awesome opportunity to see these species in motion, and to add to the excitement the fish are fed live baitfish three times a week during the business day, showing how each species attacks and devours it's prey.
We had hoped to see this event, and showed up an hour before, but were so overwhelmed with everything around us we missed it! Next time for sure. Not yet open, but part of the store is the Blue fin lounge, a restaurant and bar where top quality meals will be served, at the time we had lunch at the food bar on the top level. There were sandwiches, nachos, sodas, coffee, fudge, and assorted snacks. The sandwiches were big and stuffed with great quality meats, more than fair for the price. along side of the food bar was a large dining area set up with a fireplace, and dozens of thick cushioned armchairs and couches, around large wooden trunks that served as tables. Bob and I sat around and ate and took in the view of all the store, and the scenery outside as well, the wall behind the dining area is a story tall glass viewport over woods and a pond. Out in the distance are mounts of deer and moose in the field and around the wood's edge. They add a neat ambiance, but also serve as objects of focus for the optics department at the end of the dining area, where you can test out any of several hundred types of spotting scopes and binoculars.

We started out in the plastics section of the fishing displays. 10 15ft. isles stocked back to back took a while to get through. Every type, color, size and scent of worm, grub, lizard, creature and frog could be found. We did notice that there were many empty places where items were sold out, but that is to be expected for the first few months open, and when the season kicks in the help will be hard pressed to keep the shelves stocked too.
About the only items I could not find were the higher end swimbaits in the 6"+ size like Huddleston, and Megabait Charlies, which are popular on the west coast but smaller sizes from companies like Storm, Berkley, and Zoom were abundant,

Hard baits were next in line, saltwater occupied 3 of the 10 isles opposite the plastics side, freshwater baits the balance. High end lures like Luckycraft and Yo-zuri had a good representation, Rappala had the biggest display I have ever seen. I would guess that 90% of their product line was represented.
Cotton Cordell, Excaliber, Storm(a subsidy of Rappala) , Heddon, Mann's, Smithwick, and of course BPS' own brand of lures were available in every imaginable pattern. Jerkbaits, topwater, crankbait, lipless crankbait, and poppers in all depths, and sizes and in various prices were there.

Rods and reels, well, if you could not find something to make your pulse race in this setting, you are probably dead. Shimano, Abu Garcia, Penn, Fenwick, Quantum, Diawa, take your pick, most every model, length, and weight rod was there to handle, and all the reels on display are setup on rod handles that you can remove from the display and test out for smoothness, brake investigation, and drag inspection.
Be warned, don't bring the rent money with you if you go, and take care with the credit card. Spending money here is so easy, but the trip is worth every second!

Top 7 Tough Monofilament Fishing Lines

2008-01-08T13:42:00.000+08:00

Monofilament lines come in a variety of colors, sizes and strengths. It is usually cheaper than other types of lines and works well in a variety of fishing conditions. These lines have special coatings or designs that keep them from cutting or wearing on objects as easily as other mono lines. They are usually best for heavy cover and have less stretch because they are thicker.

1) Trilene XT Monofilament Fishing Line Trilene XT is a very tough, abrasion resistant line. It is somewhat stiff and works best on casting reels, and is excellent for flipping and pitching to heavy cover. This line holds knots well and does not slip. It has limited stretch due to its thick diameter but is not as invisible as thinner lines.

2) Stren Original Monofilament Fishing Line The line I used for many years. It is tough, holds knots well and casts acceptably. This line comes in clear or clear blue, green and gold for visibility or stealth, whichever you need. It is a good all around line that is abrasion resistant and has relatively little stretch.

3) Stren Super Tough Monofilament Fishing Line Tougher then Original Stren, this line is more abrasion resistant and has more strength but less stretch. It is somewhat stiffer so is better suited for baitcasting reels. It is a thick line, too.

4) Bass Pro Shops Excel Trophy A favorite of many because it is relatively cheap, Excel has a hard finish and relatively small diameter. It resists abrasion well and holds knots without slipping. It comes in clear only.

5) Remington Express Monofilament Fishing Line A fairly new line on the market from the gun and bullet folks, this line is tough, has a relatively small diameter and comes in clear only. It also has a low memory, something other tough lines often have problems with.

6) Rapala Tough Monofilament Fishing Line With good abrasion resistance, this line from the folks best known for lures has been out for a short time. It has good shock strength and holds knots well.

7) Ande Monofilament Fishing Line A very popular saltwater line, Ande comes in two types, abrasion resistant that is stronger than the stated test and tournament grade that will break at the stated test. For a record in a line class the tournament grade is a must.

Tackle Box Must Haves

2008-01-05T16:29:00.000+08:00

You cannot have success at any sport if you do not have the right equipment. When people think of fishing, they automatically think of rods, reels, and bait. However, you cannot underestimate the power of the tackle box because it plays an important role in the success of your fishing expeditions.

Many people covet their tackle boxes because they represent a lifetime of trials and tribulations regarding what methods work for which fish. If you are a novice in the world of fishing, you could find yourself overwhelmed with the possibilities and choices that are available. Starting your tackle box can seem challenging, but if you stick to the basics, you will be able to get started without a hitch.

The first thing that you need is to pick out a box. A tackle box should be strong and able to handle wear and tear easily. The plastic tackle boxes are usually thick and come with strong handles making it easier to lug back and forth between boat, river, and pier trips. The most important thing when deciding on a box is the latch. Your tackle box must have a sturdy latch because you do not want everything to spill out on the dock or into the water. When you are in a boating store, pull on the latch and test it before you decide on a purchase.

Some essentials to keep in a tackle box are hooks, lines, and sinkers. Hooks are an important part of fishing because without them you will not be catching very much. The larger the number size of the hook, the smaller the hook actually is. When you buy line, make sure that your line fits your reel. Keep an extra spool in your box for just-in-case purposes.

Sinkers are important for helping your bait to catch fish below the surface of the water. In order to get your line to the bottom you are going to need split-shot sinkers. Sinkers are made from different materials, but the safest are the ones that are made from steel, tin, and non-toxic metals. Some of the sinkers are made from lead and they can potentially poison some types of fish.

Lures are going to be the next thing that you add to your tackle box. There are many different types of lures ranging in all colors, shapes, sizes, and material. Different fish are attracted to different types of lures. For instance, a kingfish will be more attracted by a lure with glitter while a bass will be more attracted to a worm shaped lure. Make sure to know what the fish you are trying to catch like to eat before you buy.

Some fun gadgets that may be useful are the leaders, snap swivels, fingernail clippers, needle-nose pliers, practice plugs, stringers, and maps. Maps are obvious because you need to know how to get to your favorite fishing spots. However, the other things may need some greater explanation. A leader is a piece of line with a metal core that will keep a fish from biting off the line and escaping. A snap swivel will prevent tangles in your line and a practice plug is for casting. Lastly, a stringer will help you to keep your catch fresh in the water.

Once you start fishing regularly, you will find out which lures are useful and which one dont help at all. You will discover the tools that you use the most and the ones that are just collecting dust. Hopefully, you will try new things and maybe put your own spin on some old ones and build the perfect tackle box for you.

How to Go Fishing with Topwater Lures, and CATCH MORE FISH!

2007-12-22T04:19:00.000+08:00

Using topwater lures to catch bass is one of the most effective ways to fish, but it can also be one of the most frustrating. Use these tips and tricks to catch more bass than ever.

The first step in effective topwater fishing is your topwater lure. When you choose a topwater lure, you want to pick one that resembles a bait fish from the water that you are fishing. Ex: If you are fishing a pond with an abundance of small sunfish, you want to use a topwater lure that resembles one. etc.

Once you have picked out a natural looking food source for the bass, you need to have the correct technique. When fishing a topwater lure, you want to cast as far as possible. Casting farther will often result in more strikes because you are covering more ground.

Once you have caste your lure and it has hit the water, let it sit for a few seconds. Fish often bite while or just after the lure has hit the water.
If your lure has floated for a few seconds with no strike, then begin to reel it in. Each lure should be reeled in a different way. It is often best to refer to the packaging your lure came in to see which way is most effective. If you have thrown away the packaging or are still unsure about how to reel, there are a few time tested techniques that almost always produce a strike.

1. The stop and go - just like it says reel, stop, reel, stop
2. Walk the dog - to walk the dog you want to make your pole perpendicular with the line and twitch the end as you are reeling in.
3. Twitching - reel, let the lure sit and twitch your rod, reel, ...

When a fish strikes, you cannot set the hook like on any other lure. Topwater lures are different in that instead of biting the lure, the bass suckes the lure into his mouth, then after about 2 seconds the fish will bite the lure. Because of this, when a fish suckes the lure from the top of the water, count to two before you set the hook. Otherwise you will try to set the hook and you will pull the lure from the fish's mouth.

That's all you need to know about landing that monster bass with a topwater lure. Good Luck!

Spotted Stingray & A Wide Smile!

2007-12-08T01:22:00.000+08:00

A fren of mine from Geng Lumut Anglerz, Mizan, posing with his spotted stingray caught somewhere in KB (Kg.Melayu Asli...I guess!)...sukanya dierrr! Haven't got the chance to fish there yet...maybe some other time! Citttt..jeles! jeless..!

...:: Mizan dengan pari..parinya ::...

How to Determine The Best Time To Fish

2007-12-08T01:01:00.000+08:00

There are many factors involved in fishing, and timing is one of them. If you have a good understanding of how fish live, you'll be able to determine the best times to fish. Use these guidelines to get one step closer to reeling in the big ones.

Evaluate the available sunlight. When it's very warm and sunny, fish move to cooler, deeper waters to stay comfortable. Cloudy days are great for fishing because the clouds diffuse sunlight.

Study daily warming trends. Morning sun warms the shallows, which creates comfortable water temperatures for fish to feed. Late morning is an excellent time to take advantage of this.

Learn about the habits of fish. In the early morning and late afternoon, cooler temperatures and lower light levels allow fish to cruise the shallows for meals. This is an excellent time to fish the shallows.

Monitor storm and weather patterns. Warm fronts cause surface water temperatures to increase, which encourages fish to feed on or near the warm surface. Fishing will be slow during and after a storm or cold front.

Check daily tide information in the newspaper if you're interested in saltwater fishing. The best conditions are during a rising or falling tide. During these times, your bait will move and provoke active feeding among coastal fish.

Fishing during a light rain is often successful because the fish have a harder time seeing through the surface. Rain also washes insects and bait into the water, creating a feeding frenzy for the fish.

Repair Broken Fishing Rod Yourself

2007-12-08T00:30:00.000+08:00

Fishing is an activity that most of us have participated in since we were children and for many adults the sport still attracts them. The main implement of the fisherman is his rod. What happens when your favorite fishing rod breaks? Many repairs to the rod can be made including broken tips, mid-pole breaks and loss of guides.

Repair a broken fishing rod that has been broken in the middle of the rod by trimming the ends of the break square and placing a ferrule in the break. One side of the ferrule is cemented to the top half of the rod and the other side of the ferrule is cemented to the bottom half of the rod. Ferrules can be obtained at sporting goods stores or fishing supply stores.

Replace a broken guide with a similar guide that can be found at sporting goods stores. The guide is re-tied to the rod in the place where the old guide was. If the old guide is still on the rod, cut the string that has the guide tied to the rod and remove both the guide and the old string. Re-tie the new guide in place and coat the new string with lacquer to cure it and hold it together.

Restore a broken tip by trimming the end of the rod square and cementing on a new tip that can be bought at most hardware stores. Be sure to align the tip with the rest of the guides.

If the rod is a valuable one or holds sentimental value, the best advice is to have a professional repair the broken fishing rod. They are experienced in how to perform the repairs and the methods used to secure guides, tips and ferrules to rods.

How to Consider a Combination Fishing Line

2007-11-22T20:51:00.000+08:00

Use the strongest and toughest line possible when fishing for game fish. You never know what you are going to hook or on what the line is going to snag. Of course the stronger a line is, the less distance it will cast and the more likely it is to snarl up on the reel. When fishing in a non-motorized boat or wade fishing on a budget you need one rig that you can use under as many situations as possible.

Things You'll Need:

Fluorocarbon leader of at least 25-pound test
20-pound monofilament
25-pound test steel leader
50 yards of 20-pound test fused microfilament

Choose the right material for the first 8 to 10 inches from the lure. The best material for all-around use is a fluorocarbon leader of at least 25-pound test. Any length over 10 inches makes it harder to cast because of the knot with the casting line. The fluorocarbon leader will work equally as well in bays or the surf. Most game fish will not be able bite through it. Use a 25-pound test steel leader when small shark or mackerel are around.

Put 50 yards of 20-pound test-fused microfilament line behind the leader. Braided line is too fragile and 20-pound monofilament is prone to snarl up and restricts the range of the cast. The microfilament will cast like 10-pound monofilament. It isn't as tough as monofilament, but you've compensated for that with the leader. The microfilament registers every resistance as it has far less give than the monofilament. Use no more than 50 yards because it is expensive.

Fill the rest of the spool behind the microfilament with 20-pound monofilament. It won't snarl up because the only time it comes off the spool will be when you hook a big fish and it will be under considerable tension, both going out and being reeled in.

Test the three knots thoroughly by jerking on them. If possible, attach the leader to a swivel and nail the swivel to a tree or post. Walk out all the line and put under hard tension several times. Place the drag on lightly and walk back to the swivel, reeling everything in.

Selunsong Sungai Matan

2007-11-11T14:24:00.001+08:00

A fren of mine, Sarul caught a 4kg Selunsong or seabass (barramundi) near Sungai Matan in Bandar. It was his first ever big catch of the season. Using live prawn as baits..pandai dah ia mancing anak ani...gagagaga

...:: Sarul With His Catch..a 4 kg Selunsong ::...

Changing a Fishing Reel From Right to Left Handed

2007-11-11T14:15:00.000+08:00

Changing a fishing reel to suit ones hand preference, takes only a few minutes and improves your fishing experience. Here's how to get it done.

Place the fishing reel that needs to be changed on a table or in your lap with the reel facing up.

Loosen the screw that is on the opposite side of the handle. The screw should come off by hand, but some models may need a screwdriver to help loosen the screw.

Unscrew the screw on the reel, and remove it from its hole. Pull the handle opposite the screw, out from the fishing reel.

Insert the handle into the opposite side of the fishing reel, where the screw was just removed. Push the handle in, so that it is as tight to the reel as possible.

Place the screw into the hole that the handle was in, the handle and the screw just change places. Tighten the screw as much as possible, until the handle is attached firmly.

Test the fishing reel by casting and reeling in with the dominant hand, to make sure that the change in handle position suits your hand preference.

There are many different types of fishing reels, these instructions are specifically for the spinning reel, but they can be generally applied to other reels. The key component is to look for a screw across from the handle.

How to Pick the Right Lure by Knowing What a Fish Sees

2007-10-29T21:39:00.000+08:00

To catch a fish, you should focus on the way fish feed. When fish are in schools and feeding they will bite on almost anything they think is alive and can be swallowed. Fish are slightly more likely to hit on lures that are roughly the same color as the food they are eating at the time. Lures in white, silver or bone will do the trick. While shape doesn’t matter, the size needs to be about the same as their food.

Consider a fish's vision. Fish detect movement both to escape a bigger predator and to locate a meal. The size of whatever is moving is the biggest determinant of whether they run or feed. If something is large and moving very slowly on the surface, fish don't react until it is directly over them and then they move off a short distance.

When a fish detects sound or vibration in addition to movement, it will be more likely to move away. Without sound or vibration, the fish may assume the object is a log. Alligator gars instinctively understand this and get close to their prey by moving very slowly along the surface.

Consider reflected light. Most fish have shiny scales on their sides. Game fish use that shine to determine when they are in a good position to attack. Some baitfish have spots on their sides, which can confuse the game fish about where the fish's head is, especially when the baitfish are closely packed in schools. Some game fish, such as trout and redfish, also have spots, swim in schools and are often bait for sharks or dolphins.

Don't worry too much about the color of lures. Fishermen will argue about color, but it is doubtful that it makes much difference other than lures that are light in color and lures with two colors at different ends of the color spectrum are more effective in salt water.

Consider the appearance of the lure when fishing in clear and calm waters and when fish are schooling. When selecting a lure based on sight alone, choose a lure that is shiny or white and moves erratically. Picking a top water, shallow or deep running lure depends on the depth of the water and what the game fish are doing.

Basic Maintenance Guidelines To Get Optimum Performance of Your Spinning Reel

2007-10-18T06:16:00.000+08:00

Inorder to get the optimum performance out of your spining reel and to prolong its life you have to carry out a simple basic maintenance on your spinning reel. Below are the basic maintenance guidelines to get the optimum performance of your spining reel:

After each fishing trip we recommend lightly spraying down your reel with freshwater and then gently wiping away all moisture with a soft clean towel.
Do not submerge or use a hard direct spray of freshwater on the reel as this can drive debris such as salt, sand, oils and many other contaminants into the core of your reel. This type of misuse will leave your reel's internal parts to be exposed to standing water that can lead to future problems.
Another good means of protection is to use a water displacing lubricant. This helps take away the smallest amounts of water and will form a barrier between your reel and corrosive elements.
It is recommended that at least once a year you have your reel serviced. If you spend a lot of time on the water with your reel you may want to have it serviced more frequently.
By following these simple steps you will prolong the life of your reel.

Learn How To Make Your Own Sinkers

2007-10-05T11:25:00.000+08:00

Sinkers, by the nature of their use are the most often lost than most of fishing lures so it really pays for you to make your own sinkers.

There are many types of sinkers available in most fishing stores, such as the ball or round, bell or dipsey, bank, diamond, oval, flat, rectangular, pencil, and pyramid.

The equipment required to make your own sinkers are:

a gas or electric stove - to melt the lead
a ladle - to hold and pour the molten lead

For making sinkers, especially the larger saltwater types, a big ladle is best. You also need lead. Scrap lead can usually be obtained from a junk dealer.

Alloys of lead and other metals can also be used although you usually get best results with pure lead. Finally to make the sinkers you need a mold of some sort.

These molds can be made of potato, wood, plaster or simply use a teaspoon. All the necessary materials and equipment are readily available. Depending on the rate of usage and type of material, some of these molds can last for a lifetime while others only a few times.

The quality will also depend on the type of molds used. If you are just starting out or testing a new lure design, using a cheaper potato mold may be good enough.

So hopefully this article will help to provide a simple ways of making your own sinkers.

WHAT SINGLE TOOL CAN BE USED TO HANDLE FISH, LAND FISH, WEIGH FISH, AND SET DRAGS ON YOUR REELS?

2007-10-01T13:23:00.000+08:00

WHAT SINGLE TOOL CAN BE USED TO HANDLE FISH, LAND FISH, WEIGH FISH, AND SET DRAGS ON YOUR REELS?

The answer is the BOGAGRIP.

This is the niftiest tool in every anglers fishing arsenal. It is made of machined stainless steel, will not corrode and is almost indestructible. Its locking mechanism will attach easily to the jaw of any fish and will not let go until you hit the release. It has a precision built in scale for weighing fish or setting drags. It comes in two sizes; small will weigh up to 30 pounds and large that will weigh up to 60 pounds.

Night Fishing Success Depends On The Moon

2007-09-20T08:53:00.000+08:00

Why The Moon Is Your Key To Night Fishing Success?

Want to catch more fish at night, watch the moon! Sounds like a crazy idea, doesn't it? Using the moon, you are able to learn several things about fish at night.

During a full moon, you are most likely to find fish hiding in the shadows. Don't ask why it's true, but that's what we have seen. When you find shadows on the water (from trees, etc), you know exactly where you need to cast your line.

Keep in mind that if there is no moon, you aren't out of luck. This is when the Evening Secret works best, you will really be impressed.

If the moonlight is not shining down on the water and there are no shadows, the fish will be much more scattered in the water, making your job of finding them much more difficult.
On the other side of the coin, it seems like the fish are more likely to hit when the moon is hidden, either by clouds or a quarter moon. So, the real trick is to use the moon to determine how you are going to fish that particular night.

If you have a bright, full moon, head for the shadows on the water. If you are on the water and the moon is nowhere in sight, you can go straight to your favorite spot and fish like you normally do, but expect to get more frequent and harder hits on your line.

This tip is especially true for bass, but it works with virtually any kind of fish at night.
Some anglers swear they only fish during a full moon, others say no moonlight is best. I say, both are best, you just have to alter your style depending on how much moonlight you have that night.

Try it out for yourself and see if you get the same results. This one tip alone has helped many anglers catch some of the biggest fish in their life. Hopefully it will help you do the same.

How To Maintain Your Spinning Reel

2007-09-20T08:41:00.000+08:00

Most of the time anglers overlook the importance of maintaining or cleaning their spinning reels. Many times your fishing rod and reel simply get thrown in the back of your car or in the storeroom at the end of the fishing season and then dragged out at the beginning of the next season to be used again. Very often your reel will choose to not work properly at precisely the worst time, such as when you're fighting a large fish. This is why you need to do a little routine maintenance on your spinning reels before the start of every fishing season. You only have to lose a trophy one time because of your fishing reel not performing properly to make you a believer. Take my word for it. Do a little routine "check up", such as what's described below, before the beginning of every fishing season and you won't have any problems.

First of all, gather the following tools: A small screwdriver, a pair of needle nose pliers or hemostats, grease of some sort (either purchase a small bottle of reel oil or simply just use WD-40), a couple of clean towels, 5-6 Q-tips, and a clear area to work. Any cleared off table will work fine.

First off, take the fishing reel off of your fishing rod and set it aside. Now take the reel and some warm water and wipe it off thoroughly. Once you have the reel wiped of debris, remove the handle. The handle normally simply unscrews either by a screw that you back out with your fingers or by turning the handle the opposite direction that you turn while reeling. Once the handle is removed, set it aside.

At this point the reel has exposed screw heads and position the reel so the screw heads are visible. Now using your small screwdriver, remove the screws that are holding the reel together. Once these screws are removed, set them aside as well. At this point you can remove the reel plate. Once the reel plate is removed the gears and springs on the inside of the fishing reel are exposed. Without taking anything else apart, simply examine the inside of the fishing reel. Many times you can see sand and or dirt particles. Using the Q-tips, gently remove any exposed sand or dirt particles. Once this is accomplished you want to add reel lubricant to any exposed gear (not too much, just enough to cover the gear).

At this point, simply reverse the process by installing the reel plate and screws. Add a little lubricant to the spindle of the handle and re-install the handle. That's it; you just maintained your fishing reel and shouldn't have any problems with it. By doing this to your fishing reels it will works wonders for a long time.

Performing maintenance such as this enables you to know if your reel is in need of being replaced, before you get on the water, which is what we're trying to accomplish. Because losing a trophy because of a reel malfunction is no fun at all. Routine maintenance, such as outlined in this article will alleviate that problem forever. Not only will it alleviate the problem, it also doesn't take much time and effort. This entire "check up" can be performed on most spinning reels in under an hours time.

Hope this article will help you in maintaining your spinning reels so that it can last for many years and stay in great shape!

How To Avoid Tangles On Your Spining Reel

2007-09-14T21:28:00.000+08:00

Do you often get your line tangle on your reel while you cast? Have you ever experience how frustrated it can be to free your line when it gets stuck or tangled?

Spinning reels often get bird's nests and tangles, which are usually caused by one of few mistakes.

1. The line is twisted (nothing a swivel tied to the end of your line can't fix)

2. The line is not tight against the spool

3. Putting the line on the reel improperly. The line should go onto the reel the same way it comes off the spool, taking advantage of the curve the line has memorized from being stored on the spool. Lay the spool FLAT on the ground (do NOT hold it vertically) and start winding the reel. If tangles begin, turn the spool over. The tangling should stop and your reel should be tangle free for the future, as long as you don't make the other two mistakes.

4. Mistakenly overfilling the spool. Spinning reels should never be filled past the front spool lip, or too much line will come out during casting and -POOF!- you'll have a big mess of tangles.

5. The most common mistake is to crank the reel while a fish is taking out line. While it's OK to crank a baitcaster while a fish makes a run, a spinning reel is not designed for such a mistake. During the fish's run, cranking a spinning reel literally twirls the line around and around, twisting it up like a rubber band and resulting in lots of kinks and tangles.

Here are the steps to tighten the line onto the spool:

1) Go to a large field such as a football field

2) Tie the end of your line to something stationary such as a light pole or small tree etc.

3) Open the bail and walk away. The line will come off the spool as you walk. Be sure to walk off all the line

4) Once all the line is off the spool start cranking the line back on while keeping tension on the line. Make sure the rod has a small bend as you crank in the line.

How to Spool Line On Spinning Reels

2007-09-11T19:48:00.000+08:00

Put line on spinning reels right and the line will not be twisted..

1. Pull old line off reel thru line guides until you have enough room on spool for new line.

2. Always leave some line from spool through rod guides and past end of rod to tie new line to.

3. Tie new line to end of old line with a blood knot or two clinch knots.

4. Lay spool of new line on the floor so line comes off spool just like it goes on your reel spool.

5. Hold line tight with left hand just above reel.

6. Reel line onto reel slowly, making sure it is spooled tightly.

7. Fill spool to within 1/8 inch of spool lip.

Don't fill whole spool,

you usually need only about 50 yards of line for most fishing.

Save money.
IF

for some reson you continue to have line twists

TRY THIS:

Once you have followed the above procedures don't tie a bait on right yet, wait till you get to the lake and as you idle out of a no wake zone let all of the line off the reel and "troll" it behind the boat for a minute.

Now reel it in and your all set.

Related article here..

Today's Featured Catch

2007-09-11T18:40:00.000+08:00

...:: Team Fish Busters With Their Catch ::...

Had another fishing trip early in the morning with only two of the crew, me and Aizat....Aizat picked me up at around 6.15am...and we arrived at Serasa Beach at around 6.45am...we were the only one's there at that time..we set up our gear and started casting without any delay...

Full story here...

The Smart Spooler - Fishing Line Winder Makes Your Reels And Lines Last Longer!

2007-09-09T18:51:00.000+08:00

The SMART SPOOLER is a great tool to apply line dressing on fly lines: the fly line does not drag on the floor. The dressing can penetrate while the line rests on the vented spool. When winding line back on the reel, run it through a clean cloth. CLEAN LINES CAST FURTHER!

The fastest system to spool fly line and backing, with a cordless drill or manually. Makes for fast, easy line changes and cleaning without risk for line twists or birdsnests.

The SMART SPOOLER works also very well with spinning reels and bait casting reels.

Winding fly line and backing on the reel is equally fast and easy. Use a cordless drill for optimal speed, or manually. Tight, even distribution of the line on the reel and no risk for tangles.

How To Make Your Own Glow In The Dark Fishing Lure

2007-09-05T21:30:00.000+08:00

Learn how to make a glow in the dark fishing lure that will keep the fish biting.

A glow in the dark fishing lure is a great addition to any angler's tackle box. Sometimes the odd glow is just what is needed to excite lethargic fish into striking. These lures can be used successfully at night, during the day, and in about any situation. In this article we will take a look at the different materials used for glow in the dark fishing lures. We will also show you how to make your own glow in the dark lure.

The basics

Glow in the dark is just what it says, an object or material that can be seen in the absence of light. The most common objects are nightlights or plastic stars hanging in a child's bedroom. These objects store light then release it when no light is available. The glow produced can be applied to fishing lures. This glow attracts fish at deep water levels where there is little light.

Why glow in the dark lures work?

Glow in the dark lures work for one simple reason, the fish are able to see them better in deep water. As the depth of the lure increases, the color and brightness of the lure decreases until it looks gray. This is because colors of light can only penetrate the water so far. A luminous object like a glow in the dark lure keeps its color and brightness in dark places. Fish are able to spot the lure better because of this.

Materials needed to build your own glow in the dark lure

These lures are simple to make and a deadly addition to any tackle box. Here's what we need to get started:

2 ½" wooden dowel ½" diameter
Two treble hooks
¼" Eyelet screw (x3)
Glow in the dark paint
Paint sealant
Knife
Sandpaper
Towel
Pencil

We will be making a small minnow type lure using an acrylic based glow in the dark paint. This paint is sold online and at some paint shops. It comes in more colors than your standard green including blue, pink, and yellow. These are all excellent colors for lures so choose one that suits you. Paint sealant can be found at a paint or craft store and is used to waterproof the glow in the dark paint and seal it for added life.

Another option besides paint is to use glow in the dark craft clay. This clay can be purchased at any craft store and is a quick and easy way to sculpt effective lures. Once a lure has been made with the craft clay, it is baked in the over until it hardens. Hooks can then be added and it's off to the nearest fishing hole.

Put it all together

It's time to build our lure. Start by imagining the basic shape you want the lure to be. It should be fat at the head and skinny at the tail. Grip the dowel firmly at one end and place the other end on the towel angling away from you. To form the tail, we only want to carve the bottom half of the dowel right now. Using the knife with your free hand, place it against the dowel and cut downwards to whittle your shape. It is easiest to carve two flat sides opposite each other on the dowel then carve the top and bottom. It's up to you how skinny you want the tail to be. Remember we are just making a rough shape right now, we will smooth out the lure with sandpaper later.

Once the tail is done, flip the dowel over and firmly grip it. Angle it away from you on the towel and begin to carve the head. There should be a bump about ¼" of the way up from the end of the dowel to represent the head and increase movement in the water. The mouth of the lure should taper away from the head and be rounded at the end. Grooves or notches can be added with the knife to make a spot for eyes. Fish concentrate on a minnow's eyes when they are looking for a meal so it's a good idea to make them glow in the dark.

We now have the rough shape of the lure. At this point a lot of sanding needs to be done to produce the final shape and smooth the surface. Start with rough sandpaper and then use some fine sandpaper to prepare the surface for paint.

The next step is to come up with a design and use the pencil to draw it on the newly made lure. Horizontal or vertical stripes work well as do spots and random patterns. Again the choice is up to you. One simple design is to make three or four stripes across the back and draw two oversized eyes. Several spots are then drawn on the belly. The stripes and spots are later filled in with glow in the dark paint to produce excellent results.

When the design is on the lure and you are happy with it, we can start painting. One or two base colors should be used that do not glow in the dark. These colors should be acrylic based but any craft paint should work. Start by applying the base colors to the dowel. Each layer is brushed on and then allowed to dry. We painted the bottom half of our lure with white paint and the top half with green. After the paint has dried, paint in the details with glow in the dark paint. We used yellow for the stripes and pink for the spots. The eyes were then painted to glow green. After the paint dries, we need to seal it. Follow the instructions on your sealant to apply it to the lure.
It is a good idea to use multiple coats of sealant to keep the lure looking like new for a long time.

After the sealant has dried, we can add the hooks. Two of the eyelet screws are used at the bottom of the lure. One should be placed near the end at the tail and the other is placed just behind the head. Drilling a small pilot hole into the lure will make it easier to screw the eyelets into place. The treble hooks can then be attached directly to the eyelets or by using a wire ring. The third eyelet screw goes on top of the lure in front of the head. This is used to hook into a swivel when attaching the lure to your line. Again, drilling a pilot hole makes it easier to screw the eyelet in place.

Test your new lure

You should have successfully built a glow in the dark fishing lure now. The paint must be charged in order to glow. To charge the lure, hold it close to a light source for 5 minutes or so. The 5-minute charge will keep the paint glowing for 6-8 hours and can be tested by taking the lure into a dark room.

To fish with the lure, tie a swivel to the end of your fishing line and clip it onto the lure. Since the lure is light, some sinkers should be added to the line to weigh it down. Then just cast it out and reel it in and wait for the fish to bite. With a little creativity and some effort, a good glow in the dark lure can be produced. And hopefully the sport of fishing is more interesting now that you can make your own glowing lure.

How To Make Your Own Hook Remover

2007-08-29T18:43:00.000+08:00

Hamby's Hookout is made from a 12-14" length of 1/2" PVC plastic pipe. Cut a curve slot about 1/3 the length of the pipe as shown in (A). This slots wraps approximately 1/2 way around the pipe. A shallow notch (B) is made directly opposite the slot. The pin (C) is a 1/8" "roll pin" found at hardware stores . A large nail will also work. Drill two holes in the end of the pipe just large enough to force the pin or nail through. A little "super glue" will help hold it in place. The pin should be slightly off-center towards the slot side of the pipe and (D). Grind the outside ends of the pin flush with the pipe. Use fine sandpaper and buff the entire end of the tool, making sure that the edges of the pipe are very smooth.

To use the Hookout, feed the line through the slot and slide the tool down to the hook. The shank of the hook lays on the slot side of the pipe, the bend end in the hook runs over the pin and through the notch (D). Keeping the line tight, push the tool to back the hook out. As you withdraw the tool, keeping the line tight will create a "cam" action, forcing the hook point to lay flat against the outside of the pipe, preventing re-penetration (E).

Ugly Braid - The Only Braided Line Strong Enough To Be Called Ugly!

2007-08-24T19:10:00.000+08:00

From the makers of Ugly Stik®, the world's strongest and most sensitive rod, Ugly BraidTM combines amazing strength with superior fishing performance.Using advanced technology in both braiding and coatings, Ugly Braid provides strength, durability and effortless casting. Near zero stretch and outstanding abrasion resistance means instant hook setting power as well as the Ugly strength to land your catch.The result: You Catch More Fish!

• Ugly ArmorTM Coating:Ugly Armor provides maximum abrasion resistance with enhanced flexibility as well as a unique anti-fatigue property. Ugly Armor allows Ugly Braid to retain its original color longer.

• Ugly Strength:Ugly Braid is the perfect line for fishing in heavy cover or deep water and can stand up to the stress that the toughest fish can put on a line.

• Line Diameter:The beauty of using Ugly Braid is that the line diameter is smaller than monofilament, but the line is stronger, has less stretch and lasts much longer.

• Round Shape:Ugly Braid's micro weave process with Ugly Armor permeates the braided fibers, to keep Ugly Braid's round shape, resulting in longer, smoother and more accurate casts.

• Knot Strength:A dependable knot is key to keeping fish on your line and Ugly Braid knots are incredibly easy to tie, and retain their strength and power cast after cast.

How to find fishing lures that provide consistent strikes!

2007-08-24T19:04:00.000+08:00

Fishing lures can sometimes seem like they're more for showing off to other anglers than they are for attracting lurking fish. They come in every shade of color in and under the rainbow. Some have frilly ends or metallic sheens, while others are designed to practically glow and flutter along in the water.

While some men get as giddy about lures and children do over the wares of a candy store, we must all remember that lures do have practical purposes. And sure, lures may comes secondary to doing the right prep work before you cast away. It may be more important, for instance, to learn the habits, tastes, and patterns of your prey first. But it's is also important to choose the right shaped and colored fishing lures.

Picking the right color lure, in fact, could help you draw out that fish that otherwise wasn't going to bother with your line. Basically, you want to base your color selections first and foremost on what sort of body of water you'll be working with. The dirtier and more opaque the water, the brighter colored you want your lure. On the other hand, if you're floating on a crystal clear lake, go with less eye-catching, more natural colors.

The tone of the color, and the number of colors, depends on this basic rule, too. If you're wading into murky muddy waters, go for heavy colors, or dual-colored, lures. For example, dark purple, black, or midnight blue shades can do, with the dual color effect of a red or orange tail. Whereas, in water where you can see the fish swimming around your feet, go with translucence with colors such as gray, pink, and clay.

Not only will you have a selection of lures that look pretty and are worth showing off to your chums. Your fishing lures will work no matter where you're at.

Get To Know The Spanish Mackerel

2007-08-21T13:56:00.000+08:00

The Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus maculatus, is a migratory species of mackerel which are voracious, opportunistic & carnivores. As with other members of the genus, food consists mainly of small fishes with lesser quantities of shrimp and squid.

The fish exhibits a green back; its sides are silvery marked with about three rows of round to elliptical orange spots.

Spanish mackerel are similar in appearance to small King mackerel (S. Cavalla) and Cero mackerel (S. regalis). All three are very similar in shape and coloration. They may be distinguished as follows:

The lateral line on Spanish and Cero mackerel slopes gradually from the top edge of the gill to the tail. In contrast that of the king mackerel takes an abrupt drop at mid-body.

The first (spiny) dorsal on Spanish and Cero mackerel has a prominent black patch. The King mackerel has none. As all three species normally keep the first dorsal folded back in a body groove, this difference is not immediately evident.

Spanish mackerel have prominent yellow spots on the flanks at all sizes. In addition to such spots, Cero mackerel have one or more yellow stripes along the centerline. Young King mackerel have similar, but slightly smaller spots; these fade away on individuals weighing over 10 pounds (4.5 kg), but they may still be seen as spots of slightly darker green on the upper back from some angles of view.

World wide there are many members of this genus quite similar to one or another of these three species. In particular, off Mexico, Spanish mackerel may be confused with S. brasiliensis which may appear in the same area.

Spanish Mackerel

2007-08-21T13:46:00.000+08:00

...:: Azzahari landed a spanish mackerel ::...

p/s: More details of catch report here

Megabait Charlie Suspending Swimbait

2007-08-17T21:11:00.000+08:00

Check out this super realistic swimming action bait. An award winning suspending and swimming swimbait.

The bait combines the best attributes of soft plastic and hard-plastic lures. Soft plastic on the outside gives it the look and feel of a real baitfish. Multiple slits on the tail produce a natural swimming action that will fool a wide variety fish. Great for the Freshwater and Inshore fisherman!

A hollow inner core allows the Charlie to suspend and the tungsten ball bearings enhance casting distance / control, lure swimming action, and create fish attracting sounds. A "must have" lure for your tacklebox!

Watch the video below for a live demo..

Brunei International Sport Fishing Competition 2007 - UPDATED!

2007-08-14T14:03:00.000+08:00

" Extended! Extended!
Closing date for registration has been extended:
Offshore Category :
17 Aug 9:00AM
Beach Category:
21 Aug 8:30AM "

Yes the Brunei International Sport Fishing Competition 2007 registration date has been extended to the 17th August 2007 from the original date 13th August.

So for all avid anglers out there you still have the chance to participate in the competition and submit you form today. For more info on the competition you can go here.

Spooling Up Your Reels

2007-08-10T22:55:00.000+08:00

Fishing with old line is a costly mistake. After use, abuse and exposure to the elements, weathered line is weak and thereby unreliable. The best, and least expensive, insurance against broken lines and lost trophies is learning how to change line properly, and doing it frequently.

Baitcasting Reels: Line on baitcasting equipment is loaded by winding it to the top of the reel spool. Monofilament manufacturers load their spools the same way. To prevent line twist when transferring line from the supply spool to the reel, take line from the top of the supply spool and load it to the top of the reel spool. To do this, simply slip a pencil through the center of the supply spool and have a friend hold it. Keep the supply spool in a vertical position, aimed at the reel. Keep tension on the line as it's reeled on, so the spool is filled evenly without loops or loose coils. Simple as that.

Spinning Reels: Spinning reels are a bit tricky to refill because they operate on a different principle than baitcasting equipment. Instead of winding line on a revolving spool, a person uses a revolving bail which winds line around a spinning reel's fixed spool. To avoid line twist, load a spinning reel as described. Hold the label of the supply spool toward the face of the spinning reel spool and take in 15 cranks of line while keeping tension on the line. Next, move the reel toward the supply spool to see if the slack line twists. If it does, eliminate twisting by reversing the supply spool before loading the rest of the reel.

Spincasting Reels: Spincasting reels are loaded in the same manner described for spinning reels, with one difference. Stop periodically and remove the reel face to be certain the reel isn't over filled. Too much line on a spincasting reel will cause it to jam and tangle.

With all reels, fill the spool about 1/8th inch from the rim. Less line will make casting difficult, if not impossible. More line will cause the line to backlash or jump off the spool in loose coils. Experts say line twist is the most frequent complaint anglers have about their line. Actually, the twist is a result of some mechanical action that occurs after line is take from the supply spool. A few line twisting factors include: improperly spooling line, fishing with lures that spin line on retrieve, or retrieving fouled lures. If new line is twisted, you can untwist it by dragging it in the water behind a boat. In a few minutes the line will return to its original condition. Today's fishing lines are better than ever, though they can't be expected to last indefinitely. Changing it regularly and correctly, and you will spend more time fishing and less time making up excuses for the big one that got away.

The Best Fishing Tackle Box in its Class

2007-08-07T21:51:00.001+08:00

Because the Fish Won't Wait!

Say goodbye to the days of fishing for tackle instead of fish! The innovative horizontally-loading design of the Readi-Lure® fishing tackle box ensures fast and easy access to all of your bait and tackle. With the unique twin 4-drawer storage system and multiple removable compartments, bait and lures of varying sizes and shapes are easily reached. The fishing tackle box is made of a durable, translucent polypropylene plastic that is both lightweight when empty and allows nighttime content visibility with the assistance of a flashlight. The state-of-the-art octagonal design provides a variety of compartment sizes for storage of up to 200 fishing baits while keeping the fishing tackle box well-organized.

The Readi-Lure® fishing tackle box runs circles around the competition. With over twice as many removable compartments as either the Plano tackle box or Shimano fishing tackle systems, for almost the same price, the Readi-Lure® fishing tackle box gives the angler instant view and access to all tackle box contents at any time of day or night. Unlike other fishing tackle storage systems, the Readi-Lure® is no stranger to bad weather. Thanks to the soft rubber silicon seals securely placed on the inside lids, your fishing bait and tackle will be unharmed by wet weather and damp conditions.

Get To Know The Sailfish

2007-08-02T19:18:00.000+08:00

Sailfishes (genus Istiophorus) are fish living in all the oceans of the world. They are blue to gray in color and have a characteristic sail (dorsal fin) on top, which often stretches the entire length of the back. Another notable characteristic is the elongated bill, resembling that of a swordfish.

All sailfish species grow quickly, reaching 1.2 to 1.5 meters in length in a single year, and feed on the surface or at mid-depths on smaller pelagic fishes and squid. Individuals have been clocked at speeds of up to 68.5 mph, making them the fastest fish in the ocean. Generally, sailfish do not grow to more than 10 feet in length and rarely weigh over 200 pounds, although larger specimens have been seen off the shores of Costa Rica.

The sail is normally kept folded down and to the side when swimming, but it may be raised when the sailfish feels threatened or excited, making it appear much larger than it actually is. This tactic has also been observed during feeding, when a group of sailfish use their sails to "herd" a school of fish or squid.

Sailfish are highly prized game fish and are known for their incredible jumps. They often take hours to land. Anglers now fully revive and release over 95% of sailfish caught.

Sailfish Captured

2007-08-02T18:46:00.000+08:00

...:: Sailfish caught by Ken ::..

p/s: More stories here

Preparing For Your Fishing Trip

2007-08-02T12:14:00.000+08:00

Fishing takes more planning than you may think. To be successful, you need to have proper equipment but you don’t want to take a lot of extras with you either. This could hinder your success because your pack might be too heavy to be able to be effective.

Consequently, if you don’t have enough supplies, you could have less success than you would have if you were properly prepared. Careful planning and packing is an ideal way to get the most out of your next fishing trip.

Of course you’ll want to make sure you have your fishing poles and all of your fishing tackle. Do a quick check and make sure that your tackle box is stocked with everything you’ll need to catch the fish you’re going after.

Everything should be where you left it, but you never know when someone might have borrowed your favorite lure, or you forgot about that mishap on the last trip that caused you to lose some of your most valuable and trusted fishing tackle.

You should also look at your reels and see how much line is left on the spool. Not only does a lack of line limit how far a fish can run with the line once hooked, but a shortage of line actually affects how far you can cast. If you notice that your line is becoming discolored, it may be getting brittle, which may cause it to snap easier or for the knot to untie itself.

It is also important to ensure that you have the proper line on your poles before you go fishing. Line weight can affect what lures you can use, as well as if certain fish, like trout, can see your line and become spooked.

There are other fishing related items you should make sure you have with you before you go fishing. Needle nose pliers can help immensely when getting fish off the line, especially if the hook is in the back of their mouth. Since many fish have size restrictions, you will also need something to measure them with, and if it’s a big one, a scale and a camera.

If you plan on keeping your fish, you will need a stringer or something else to hold on to them, and something to put them in until you get home. Many people prefer to clean fish before heading home, which necessitates a fillet knife, and whatever else you need to clean your target fish.

For anglers who take their boat fishing, there’s a whole other list of things to check before you hit the water. Although some individuals have ignored its use at different times, it’s a good idea to make sure you have the plug in your boat before you back down the ramp.

Another thing that can put a kink in your plans is a flat tire on your boat trailer. There have also been many fishing trips salvaged because a wise angler made sure to check the gas tanks and made sure the batteries had a full charge.

Packing something to eat while you’re on your fishing trip is essential. Staying out on the boat in the middle of the lake doesn’t offer many options in the way of food. If you bring your lunch, you can add to the time you spend fishing for your favorite species. With all of the proper supplies, you are sure to be successful in most of your fishing trip ventures.

Fishing Lure Retriever System - The Ultimate Luresaver

2007-07-29T16:25:00.000+08:00

Losing lures and bait rigs not only is frustrating but can be expensive and costly. While most lure retrieval systems require a some sort of tool to rescue your lure, Ultimate NiTi has devised a system built onto your favorite lures designed to reclaim your lures quickly and easily. The ultimate LureSaver makes use of the properties of Titanium to devise a intelligent system that works.

The Ultimate LureSaver is a relatively new addition to the terminal tackle available to anglers, but has already been making a real splash in the industry. The Ultimate LureSaver won "Best of Category Winner" at ICAST 2001, and "Field Test Approval" from the NAFC.

TheUltimate LureSaver seems very simple, consisting of unpretentious Titanium split rings, but behind this motif is a carefully crafted system designed to help save more lures, and catch more fish.

Setting up the Ultimate LureSaver system is as easy as switching out your old split rings for the LureSaver's Titanium ones. But before you do this you need to make sure that you have properly determined your rod and line rating, are using the appropriate line test, and choose the LureSaver that best matches your outfit. If you improperly match up the line or rod you may find yourself defeating the principles that make the LureSaver function properly.

How does the Ultimate LureSaver work?

After removing your standard split rings and rigging the appropriate LureSavers the system is designed to break away when desired. When your lure becomes snagged you point your rod tip towards the snag, reel in all the slack, and thumb the spool, then turn your face away from the snag and pull steadily. At this point the LureSaver's titanium ring will open up and abandon the snagged hook, and release your lure.

"If the LureSaver will release a snag what prevents it from releasing a fish on the line?"

The answer is that when properly matched to the right rod and line your rig won't allow it. The rod actually generates very little force and actually acts as a shock absorber, so unless your completely clamped down on the line and there is no rod flex the Ultimate LureSaver will not open.

The ultimate LureSaver is truly an innovative product that has proven to be effective. This is one system that makes retrieving your lures quick and easy, regardless of the type of lure, snag, or depth.

This patented technology not only saved us a lot of headaches, but also allowed us to fish longer and with more confidence since we wouldn't lose our favorite lures, ultimately resulting in the single most important outcome...more hooked fish. While the entire system may seem like a lot of investment at around $1.32 per LureSaver, it is a small price to pay to keep your favorite lures in your arsenal, and increase your fishing effectiveness!

Brunei International Sport Fishing Competition 2007

2007-07-25T15:59:00.000+08:00

Brunei Darussalam will be organising an international sport fishing competition named Brunei International Sport Fishing Competition 2007. The competition will be organize by Capt Fred's Fishing Supplies along with Brunei Fisheries Department with the intention of promoting sport-fishing and tourism in Brunei Darussalam.

All are welcome to join in this fun and exciting event.

The competition will be held from Friday, 17th August 2007 - Sunday, 19th August 2007 and the venue will be at the SERASA SEA SPORT COMPLEX.

There will be two categories on the competiton day, the offshore category and the onshore category. For the offshore category the first prize winner will received a BND5000 plus other prizes while the first prize winner for the onshore category will bring back BND600 plus other prizes.

For more info please visit here.

New England Bass

2007-07-25T10:40:00.000+08:00

Call them Greenies, Bucketmouth, or just plain Bass, the North American Black Bass (Micropterus Salmoides) is not a Bass at all, but a member of the Sunfish family. Don't let this fool you though, throughout America Bass are the most pursued species of game fish in fresh water. Not as tasty as Trout or catfish nor as large as Muskie, or Pike in some cases, they are the second most fight for the cast. The above specimen, approx. 3 lbs. was taken this June from Quabbin Reservoir in Hardwick, Massachusetts using a chatter bait in a crayfish pattern. Angler; Bobby Plankey.

Enter the Smallie, Bronzeback, or Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus Dolomieu). Also a member of the Sunfish family, these are the smaller of the two New England species, but take first prize for the fight. Pound for pound I am told only Amazon native Peacock Bass are a tougher customer. This photo (my apologies for the poor light) shows a 4 lb.+ fish caught this May on Kezar Lake, Lovell, Maine by Team Kezar angler Bruce Trimpop. The fish fell prey to a 1/4 oz. Rapala Rattlin' Shad in a silver/chartreuse pattern.
My host, and Team Kezar angler Tim Trimpop, (left) put me on my biggest fish to date. This Largemouth weighed at 6 lbs. 2oz. and was taken on Lake Kezar, late May on a custom black double Colorado spinnerbait designed by Bruce Trimpop. The hit on the bait was soft and unremarkable, and until I got the fish to within 12 ft. of the boat and she went wacko, stripping drag and making us scramble to lip her and get her on board for a picture. Angler; Mike Zelonis.
This 5lb. + lump fell to the same custom spinnerbait as the fish in the previous photo, and fought to get away from the start. Late May is a good time for Lake Kezar fish as it is still pre-spawn, 5 hours south in Massachusetts where I live, fish at this time are already starting to make beds and are distracted from feeding so ferociously. Angler; Bruce Trimpop.
Bruce with another beast, close to if not over 6lbs. on the same lure. The spinnerbait design is a unique construction that the Bass in Lake Kezar seem to love, in a future post I will put up a photo. It looks plain, but a flexibility feature in the blade arm allows for a more positive hookup ratio than the standard commercial variety.
Mid July on Quabbin, my fishing partner Bob bagged this approx. 3lb. Largemouth on a gold/blackback Cotton Cordell Spot lipless crankbait, 1/2oz. size. His second fish in this class in about about 10 min. Then we lost the school. High pressure, (30+ millibars), cooler temps, and a cold front made the day tough, we got 6 fish in about as many hours. Angler; Robbery Plankey.

A note from the author. All Bass we catch are released
unless fatal injury is suspected once the fish is boated.
At present no New England states stock Bass of any
species. We strictly advocate catch, photo, and release.
The Bass fishing future for our kids depends on this!

Thanks, Mike Zelonis.

Below, Early July on Quabbin, Bob tagged into this approx. 2lb. smallie on a chartreuse chatter bait. The fish was taken in clear water less than 8ft. We watched the Bass charge the erratic jig and snap it up like candy. Bob was fairly happy as he bought some of these baits last year, but had no success with them until this day. In fact most of the fish, Largemouth and smallies were after the chatter on that trip. Angler; Robert Plankey.

Get To Know The Blue Spotted Stingray

2007-07-24T18:01:00.000+08:00

The bluespotted ribbontail ray, Taeniura lymma, is a stingray of the family Dasyatidae, found around coral reefs in the tropical Indo-West Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Solomon Islands north to southern Japan and south to northern Australia.

The bluespotted ribbontail ray is a colourful stingray with large bright blue spots on an oval, elongated disc and with blue longitudinal stripes on the tail. The snout is rounded and angular, the disc with broadly rounded outer corners, and stout tail, tapering and less than twice the body length when intact, with a broad lower caudal finfold reaching the tail tip. The disc has no large thorns but has small, flat denticles along the midback in adults. There is usually one medium-sized sting on the tail further back than in most stingrays.

It migrates in groups into shallow sandy areas during the rising tide to feed on molluscs, worms, shrimps, and crabs, dispersing on the falling tide to seek shelter in caves and under ledges. Rarely found buried under the sand. Small specimens are popular among marine aquarists, but it does not do well in aquaria.

Coloration is grey-brown to yellow, olive-green or reddish brown with large bright blue spots dorsally, white ventrally.

Reproduction is ovoviviparous.

Ovivoparous reproduction mean that the eggs are kept within the mother's body unitil they are ready to hatch or are about to hatch.
The only known predator of the bluespotted ribbontail ray is the hammerhead shark.

Blue Spotted Stringray

2007-07-24T16:29:00.000+08:00

...:: Indra Posing With His Blue Spotted Stingray ::...

p/s: Full catch report [here]

Get To Know The Giant Freshwater Prawn

2007-07-23T17:48:00.000+08:00

The giant river prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), also known as the giant freshwater prawn or the Malaysian prawn, is a species of freshwater shrimp (not prawn) native to the Indo-Pacific and northern Australia. This species (as well as other Macrobrachium) is commercially important for its value as a food source.

This species of shrimp can get quite large, attaining a length of nearly one foot and a weight of several ounces.

Giant River Prawns have been farmed using traditional methods in south-east Asia for a long time. First experiments with artificial breeding cultures of M. rosenbergii were done in the early 1960s, where it was discovered that the larvae needed brackish water for survival. Industrial-scale rearing processes were perfected in the early 1970s.

The technologies used in freshwater prawn farming are basically the same as in marine shrimp farming. Hatcheries produce postlarvae, which then are grown and acclimated in nurseries before being transferred into growout ponds, where the prawns are then fed and grown until they reach marketable size. Harvesting is done by either draining the pond and collecting the animals ("batch" harvesting) or by fishing the prawns out of the pond using nets (continuous operation).

Giant River Prawn

2007-07-23T17:29:00.000+08:00

...:: Team Sunday Fisherman With Their Giant Prawns At Sungai Remand, Bukit Sagu, Kuantan Malaysia ::...

p/s: Detailed Catch Report [Here]

Get To Know The Barramundi

2007-07-20T22:33:00.000+08:00

The Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) is a species of diadromous fish in family Latidae of order Perciformes. It ranges from Torres Strait to New Guinea and northern and eastern Australia.
Barramundi is a loanword from a Queensland Aboriginal language of the Rockhampton area meaning "large scales" or "large, scaly river" fish.

Barramundi are usually a pale grey-green with a coppery shimmer, and can grow to a maximum length of 2 m (6 ft 7 in), weighing up to 60 kg (130 lb); specimens weighing 5–6 kg (11–13 lb) are more commonly seen, however. Of typical centropomid shape, it can be distinguished from the Waigeo seaperch (Psammoperca waigiensis) of the same waters by its closely-set nostrils and maxilla which extends back past the eye.

The barramundi feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, and smaller fishes (including its own species); juveniles feed on zooplankton. This catadromous species inhabits rivers and descends to estuaries and tidal flats to spawn. At the start of the monsoon, males migrate downriver to meet females, who lay very large numbers of eggs (multiple millions each). The adults do not guard the eggs or the fry, which require brackish water to develop. The species is sequentially hermaphroditic, most individuals maturing as males and becoming female after at least one spawning season; most of the larger specimens are therefore female.

Highly prized by anglers for their good fighting ability, barramundi are reputed to be good at avoiding fixed nets and best caught on lines and with fishing lures. The fish is also of large commercial importance; it is fished internationally and raised in aquaculture in Australia, India, Indonesia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Netherlands. In Australia, the barramundi is used to stock freshwater reservoirs for recreational fishing. The fish's white flesh is delicate, mild-flavoured, and relatively boneless, making it a popular (and sometimes expensive) food which can be prepared in many ways.

The Barramundi Experts

2007-07-20T22:24:00.000+08:00

...:: Sebastian & gangs with their barramundis ::...

p/s: More details [here]

Fishermen Catch Rare Ancient Fish

2007-07-17T13:17:00.000+08:00

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania — Fishermen have caught a rare and endangered fish, the coelacanth, off the coast of the Indian Ocean archipelago of Zanzibar, a researcher said on Monday.

The find makes Zanzibar the third place in Tanzania where fishermen have caught the coelacanth, a heavy-bodied, many-finned fish with a three-lobed tail that was thought extinct until it was caught in 1938 off the coast of South Africa.

Since then two types of coelacanth have been caught in five other countries: the Comoros, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar and Mozambique, according to the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Program.

"Fishermen informed us that they caught a strange fish in their nets. We rushed to Nungwi (the northern reaches of Zanzibar) to find it's a coelacanth, a rare fish thought to have become extinct when it disappeared from fossil records 80 million years ago," said Nariman Jiddawi of the Institute of Marine Sciences, which is part of the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania's commercial capital.

Trade in the coelacanth is banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

"Zanzibar will join a list of sites of having the rare fish caught in its own waters," said Jiddawi, adding the catch weighed 59.5 pounds and measured 4.4 feet. Four fishermen caught the fish on Saturday, Jiddawi said. Mussa Aboud Jume, director of fisheries in Zanzibar, said that the coelacanth will be preserved and put on display at the Zanzibar Museum.

A statement of the Institute of Marine Sciences said that 35 coelacanths have been caught since September 2003 in Mtwara, a southern region of Tanzania, and mostly along the coast of Tanga in Tanzania's north.

Coelacanths are the only living animals to have a fully functional intercranial joint, a division separating the ear and brain from the nasal organs and eye, according to an Institute of Marine Sciences statement.

"What color of lure did you catch those fish on?"

2007-07-17T07:57:00.000+08:00

I hear that on a never ending basis when I am out talking to anglers across the state. You catch a fish and someone invariably asks you that question.

Color is over emphasized. While color plays a minor role in your ability to catch fish, its not the primary reason why fish bite the offering. The first question should be, how were you fishing the lure, or what depth did he hit it.

But lest I digress, the focus of this article is color and how its choice can affect your fishing success.

The best overall strategy for choosing lure colors is to match the available forage as best as you can. It is important to do this when close imitation is the key to getting fish to strike. More so in clear water than any other water type. In clear water, fish can get a really good view of your offering at a reasonable distance. If it doesn't look like its supposed too, chances are, they aren't going to strike at it. This is the main reason natural looking forage colors are your best bet in these situations.

In dingy water situations, the color match doesn't have to be so limiting. In these situations, you should try bolder colors. Fire-tiger patterns, yellow, chartreuse, even reds and whites excel. Usually in these situations, I opt for metallic tones, such as bronze, gold or silver, depending on the weather conditions. The brighter it is, the lighter I go for maximum flash. If it is overcast, you will usually have more success with bronze or gold. Countless days fishing spinnerbaits and cranks brought this important aspect into focus.

I am not one for mincing colors. I usually stick with natural patterns, but I have a few off colors I reserve for special occasions. One is a metallic blue vibratail jig that perfectly imitates the minnows available in the Missouri river during June and July for white bass fishing. While I never put my finger on why, I found out through trial and error that the natural colors available at the baitshop didn't produce, even though they mimicked size and color almost perfectly. Perhaps it was a visibility factor in the slightly tinged waters.Perhaps it is because white bass key primarily on small shad. To this day, I can go out to one of my favorite points and within a few casts with this color pattern, I can have one or two white bass caught and released.

Thus, the mystery of color continues.

Perhaps indeed, it related to the time of day and available light. Darker colors seem to predominate in the twilight hours and the evening hours while brighter colors seem to work better as the light increases.Perhaps. Perhaps not. Depends on the body of water you are fishing. An instinctive angler realizes that he has to let the fish basically 'tell him" what they want through their responses to his different offerings. That is the gist of it all.

For example, when crayfish molt, they typically have a blue shell for a few weeks. But not all crayfish molt at the same time. If you are using natural crayfish browns and reds and having some luck, odds are you are going to stick with those colors. But knowing that blue shelled crayfish are softer and more often the target of gamefish then their harder shelled brethren should make you sit up and take notice. Most anglers I have found or fished with don't realize they have to take those little hints mother nature offers and use them to their advantage.

Forage color should be more important that the hot "new color ' that is the current rage. Every year it is a different color. For example. If the primary forage of a body of water is shad, Bluish silver should be a primary choice. If it is Bluegill, then blues, oranges and lighter shades of red are a primary choice. If it is perch, then yellow and black and dark olive colors would be a good bet. Smelt and you know its going to be silver. See where I am going with this?

There are some pros out there that say even the time of year can make a difference, emphasizing that darker colors work better in cooler water periods such as spring and fall and that wilder hotter colors should be the norm for warm water periods. I can see their justification to that, although I have some serious disagreements with it, having had some of my best luck in cold/cooler water periods with such off colors as hot pink and pumpkin colored lures. (The reason I tried the hot pink was because every angler I watched was using chartreuse or yellow and I figured if I gave the fish something different, it might trigger them).

Which brings me to my next point. If everyone is using the same colored presentation to catch fish, sometimes an oddball colored lure can be your best bet. If you exhaust your options with natural colors, then there is no reason not to try a color the fish haven't seen, as long as you present it the most natural way possible. This depends on what type of bait/lure it is and combine your retrieve rate to match the water conditions.

Everyone has a "lucky" lure which brings me to my final point. If you have great success with one specific color, then stick with it, but don't beat it to death. There is familiarity factor that goes with such lures and usually, an angler who finds a specific color to stick with usually is fishing the lure in a correct fashion which result is more fish and greater confidence.

Until next time...

Keep those lines wet!

Fishy..Fishy..

2007-07-15T22:14:00.000+08:00

...:: Isa of Team Nelayan Inc. with his catch ::...

p/s: Full stories [here]

Learn To Fish: It's Fun!

2007-07-13T09:32:00.000+08:00

Fishing is a fun and tranquil sport that lets you spend quiet time with your friends, family and with Mother Nature.

Salt or fresh water fishing is a sport involving the catching of fish on shores, deepseas, in lakes, rivers and streams. It involves a lot of patience, challenge and a lot of acquired skill over time. Anyone can participate in this fun activity, including the kids.

To start, you have to check your State's fishing requirements and make sure if a license is needed for you to fish. If it is required, you must acquire one by checking with a sporting goods store. They will help you how to get it, and some will even provide it for you.

During the time that you are in your favorite sporting goods store, you can look around and buy the right fishing equipment that you will be need for your trip. Considering that you are a beginner, make sure that you budget well the cost and your spending on the equipment, not deciding on expensive equipments; buy only the basic things you will need.

When in doubt as to what is needed, ask the help of the store keeper, but do keep in mind that you need to stick to a budget. Take your time and don't hesitate to ask how to use each piece of equipment that is offered to you. Artificial lures for bait can be used or you can simply look for worms from your back yard.

An inexpensive fishing rod and reel will be enough along with a fishing line, hooks, weights, a bobber (this keeps your line afloat), fishing lures and net. A polarized sunglass is also essential, as it will help to see clearly through the water and lessen the glare.

Then if you don't know the good locations to fish, ask about local hot spots, or check your State's fishing regulations for information about fishing locations around your State.

The time will surely come when you will be a better fisherman; then you may decide on upgrading your equipment. In the meantime, keep things simple.It is always advised that you avoid fishing alone. Always be with a friend, as when emergency strikes, there can be someone who can call for help.It is wise to start fishing in shallow waters. Aim your cast in shady or rocky areas where the water is deep, as this is where the fish is expected to be found.

Keep in mind that this is all practice first.As your skill level develops and increases, you can then attempt into deeper waters. But before going, take the time to practice casting to familiarize yourself with your rod and your reel.What better place to practice than your back yard. To do so, mark off an area using a rope and use this as your guide in aiming your cast. Rehearse and study your movements to discover a method that will work for you. Bear in mind, cast with your wrist, and not with your arm.

Fishing hooks are very sharp and needed to be handled with care to avoid injury. Before casting, it is important that you should look around you and stay unobstructed to avoid hurting other people with your hook.

When the right time has come and you go fishing for real, keep in mind to cast your line always ahead of the fish, making your bait land slowly, with as little splash as possible. The fish will see well at a close point, but cannot see behind.If your casts are going in a disorganized manner, move closer to the water so you can gain better accuracy.

Watch the bobber closely for any movement. If and when a fish grabs the bait, the bobber will be pulled under water. This signals that you got a fish on the line. Don't get too excited. Remain calm.Keeping your line tight, slowly reel in your catch. Place the net near and use it to bring the fish out. Remove the hook from the fish with great care.

If you got an undersized fish, quickly return it to the water. Likewise, if you have no intention in eating your catch, do not waste it and return it to the water. Releasing the fish will supply the water with more fish, giving future fishermen the thrill to experience a catch.

Lastly, look around you and feel the calm, restful and serene view of the river.

Have fun!

2007-07-12T21:01:00.000+08:00

...:: Madie showing his king prawn or "udang galah" ::...

...:: The king prawn ::...

p/s: More stories of the catch report [here]

KY Jigging In Action At Sitiawan Wreck

2007-07-11T22:37:00.000+08:00

...:: Ken showing his catch...a grouper ::...

...:: A big grouper landed by Michael ::...

...:: Ken with his catch a "tenggiri" ::...

...:: A GT lost in action ::..

p/s: More details of the catch report [here]

Krazie Fishie Trip To Pulau Sembilan

2007-07-10T13:25:00.000+08:00

...:: Hari, Sharma, Navin, May & Jeishen of Team Crazyfisherman On A Trip To Pulau Sembilan ::...

...:: May opening her account with a 2kg GT... ::...

...:: Navin posing with his Queenfish ::...

...:: Sharma a.k.a Krazie Fishie with his 5 kg GT ::...

p/s: For full stories of the catch report click [here]

Battle Of The Barra..!

2007-07-07T22:03:00.000+08:00

...:: Sebastian and his barramundi & barracudas ::...

Using A Fishing Rod

2007-07-06T02:29:00.000+08:00

Rods are basically made from carbon. Plastic, composite carbon combined with Kevlar, which is a kind of material that is bullet proof, or just high carbon. Since the carbon's force and strength in connection to its mass is light, making it strong material that can allow thinner fabrication but still is able to keep the span and length. A rod that is lighter evidently handling will be easier, controlling it would be less tiring on ones arms and reduces resistance to air giving one an easier time accurately casting it, particularly on windy ways.

Rods come in silicon carbide, hard chrome or ceramic rings having a function of letting the line pass through. These are precisely used because of their smoothness having the function to minimize friction when passing through the line and keep the maximum strength. Silicon materials are a fact costly, so an alternative is bring into play ceramic rings like Zircon which when taken in to account, it is not as tough or as light, but is much cost effective. Rings made of chrome are better, although every season they require replacement, they do deliver excellent job of line running. At least thirteen rings are needed from the handle all through the tip, lesser near the handle, needing more close to the tip. The line can fasten itself to the rod, if you don't have enough rings.

When determining length of the rod, you want to take into account exactly what kind of fishing you want. If you want far out fishing, in that case choose a larger rod as this will offer you better control when you are playing the fish. If you are planning to go fishing in an area that is enclosed, you will need a shorter rod. Normally, the safe rod size to choose is13ft (3.9m). This is lengthy enough for a waggler but does not cast out too far.

Handles

Handles are made from either cork or foam. Whichever you choose, this is a matter of preference. Just try handling both materials so you can have a good feel before buying it.

Action

Action is the term used in describing how the rod will bend when it is placed under the lot of strain and effort of a fighting fish.

There are two types of tip on a rod, the hollow and spliced tips. Hollow tips are good in catching carp, tench and chub which have a progressive or developing action making it sharp for quick bites, yet proficient enough to manage long distance strikes. Spliced tips normally are normally spliced to the end with two feet solid carbon. This rod is sharper so it is a good pick for fast acting fish.

When choosing a rod, these questions will help you pick the right one:

1. How frequent and where do you fish? Are you a beginner, a weekend warrior, or a tournament pro? If you are just starting out, you may need to budget and spend less money on your first rod. Once you learn the techniques and once you have decided that fishing is for you, that is the time to spend on more specific rods.

2. Freshwater or Saltwater fish? While there are a few rods that can be used for both fresh and saltwater fish, most rods are made for a specific purpose and application.

3. Spinning or Casting? The species you that you choose to chase will determine it.

4. Power, sensitivity, and your technique. The rod should match the way you enjoy fishing. If you like to fish with lures, then you should look for a rod that is comfortable enough to cast frequently all day long.

Toman Tasek Kenyir

2007-07-04T21:55:00.000+08:00

...:: Ah Siow with his "toman" from Tasek Kenyir ::...

No Herring Problem for Azzahar and the gang!

2007-07-04T21:31:00.000+08:00

...:: Saleh, Yan & Sazali with their catch...a staggering combine weight of 9.2 kg of Herrings or "Tamban"! ::...

Milkfish by Jia

2007-07-02T13:57:00.000+08:00

...:: Milkfish landed by Jia Yao ::...

Ujung Tanjung Hotspot

2007-07-01T08:35:00.000+08:00

Took these two pictures yesterday at the "Ujung Tanjung" Danau...Tried couple of hours fishing there but no luck at all...not a single bite! Packed my things and took a couple of shots of the beautiful sceneries...

This place will normally get crowded with kaki jorans especially on weekends...

Sicklefish of Puaka Beach

2007-06-30T13:14:00.000+08:00

...:: Khidir posing with his night sicklefish or "tudung periuk or daun baru" ::...

p/s: Thanks eastcorezsurfanglerz for the pictures..nice catch!

Stringray From Puaka Beach

2007-06-30T13:08:00.000+08:00

...:: Obeq with his catch...a 1 kg stingray or "pari" ::...

The Great Trevally

2007-06-28T08:28:00.000+08:00

...:: APIT from Team Nelayan Inc. with his prized catch...a trevally! ::...

Double Queens..!

2007-06-26T22:38:00.000+08:00

...:: krazie fishie with his Queenfish or "bekalang" ::...

Today's Catch

2007-06-24T18:57:00.000+08:00

Caught this catfish or locally known as "sembilang" this morning...never tried eating this fish and I'm not sure how it taste.. :)

Paternoster And Knots

2007-06-23T18:29:00.000+08:00

Remember! The knot you tie is the weakest point in your line. A good knot will retain more than 90% of the strength, while an improper knot will have less than one half of the line strength.

A paternoster is any style of hook rig where the leader is tied to a fixed lead, the hooks then are on droppers above the lead. Usually one to three hooks are used on a paternoster rig depending on the species you are after. The droppers can be either blood loops tied directly in the leader or more often a stop knot, bead, swivel, bead, stop knot arrangement is used.

Using Paternoster style running rigs are the best choice for many types of fishing situations. For shy fish such as Bream, Snapper and Threadfins, the Running Paternoster rig is an excellent choice as it allows the bait to be taken some distance freely without pressure. In addition, by varying the length of the drops to the sinker and the hook respectively alters the rig to suit a variety of fishing situations from estuary to surf casting, to bottom fishing from a boat in a fast current.

Removing A Fishing Hook

2007-06-22T01:04:00.000+08:00

Ouch!...every real fisherman will get a hook embedded somewhere, but hopefully not a vital part. OK so here is a short guide to removing the hook.

1. Don't panic. Cut the line attached to the hook, sit down in a safe area with a table and good light. Ok now scream for help!

2. Assess the location of the hook. Is it deep or superficial. *** Do not attempt to remove a fishhook that is deeply embedded, lodged within a joint or tendon, or located in or near an eye or artery.

3. OK there are mainly 2 methods of removing the hook.

A.String-Yank Method.

In this method, take a long piece of fishing line, loop it around the shank. While pressing on the hook eye, yank the linesharply, parallel to the skin and in line with thehook, to snap the hook back out of the wound. I like this comment made by the author:"This method is quick, simple and relatively painless, as long as you get it on the first try. The secret to a first time success is yanking the loop of line, which is wrapped around the embedded hook, rather hard so the hook comes out on the first try. The reason you should get it out on the first try is obvious, the patient might not stick around for a second try."

B. Advance & Cut Method

Advance and cut method: single-barbed fishhook. (A) The fishhook is advanced through the skin. (B) The barb is then cut off and (C) the remaining hook is backed out through the entry wound

Advance and cut method: multiple-barbed fishhook. (A) The fishhook is advanced through the skin. (B) The eye of the fishhook is then cut off and (C) the remaining portion of the fishhook is pulled through the exit wound created by advancing the point.

C.Needle Cover Method

(A) Advance an 18-gauge or larger-gauge needle along the fishhook until the needle opening covers the point. (B) The fishhook and needle are then removed at the same time.

4. After patting yourself on the back for the successs of your major brain surgery, wash the wound with an antiseptic like flavin or diluted dettol....this part hurts! Squeeze out the blood and bits of worm bait too. Dress the wound lightly with a small plaster, not tightly. Only apply pressure if the wound is bleeding a lot.

5. You need to get a Tetanus injection within 24 hours of the injury. The tetanus shot lasts 10 years, so you can go ahead and hook yourself again anytime after that.

Types of Angler's Knots

2007-06-21T10:29:00.000+08:00

The Angler's Loop

This knot is also known as the Englishman's and Fisherman's loop - complicated, isn't it!

The Anglers Knot

Also called the Water Knot, Waterman's, Fisherman's, English-mans and True-Lovers. It's very strong and one the commonest of bends employed by anglers.

Danau's Hot Spots!

2007-06-18T21:35:00.000+08:00

These photos were taken at Danau beach this evening. Danau beach has recently became a hot spot for fishing enthusiasts or KAKI JORAN. It all began ever since the beach undergone a major restoration project where some part of the coastline were built with wave breakers.

With the constructions of these wave breakers they eventually provided a perfect place for all fishing lovers within the area and also indirectly promoted Kg.Danau as a fishing heaven for all KAKI JORAN from all over Brunei.

These has became evidence especially during weekend where groups of KAKI JORAN can be seen flocking the beach with either friends or family members.

KAKI JORAN will feature another favourite fishing spots in Danau in the upcoming posts..

Diamond Trevally

2007-06-11T23:37:00.000+08:00

Hj.Haris with his catch a Diamond Trevally or "Tawi" caught at Danau beach...

...:: A Diamond Trevally ::...

Fishing Activities Of Yesterday's

2007-05-31T10:09:00.000+08:00

...:: Hj.Omar with his catch..two "kerapu" and a "gelama" ::...

This picture was taken few weeks ago at the famous Danau beach.

More Pictures Of Yesterday's

2007-05-30T23:30:00.000+08:00

Pictures above were taken during Kaki Pancing outing at Danau Beach..We manage to catch a few "kerapu".