Team Rapala and GOMOKU – Part II

 

For Fish On and the Rapala team was really looking for were to catch few of the GT’s Sri Lanka is getting well known for and to try an innovative light jigging technique called “GOMOKU”

A BIT ABOUT GOMOKU

GOMOKU is a Japanese technique of fishing for survival and also a checkers like game, and now Storm has refined the Gomoku way into a new, any one can, concept for anglers.

Gomoku techniques allow anglers to use traditional vertical jigging methods on a much smaller scale – a proven Japanese method of targeting a large variety of species in different conditions. This is an ideal, almost guaranteed result fishing for inshore and light offshore

We decided give the offshore fishing a go as the forecast seemed to be a little better but there was the chance of another depression building so it was touch and go, unpredictable weather is something we need to live with in the tropics these days and accept. So it was time for early departures at first light with the weather seeming a bit better early in the mornings.

Fred is the first one into a GT, his popper must have landed smack on the GT’s head because he did not need to even move it, he is using a new prototype rod that meant for lighter fish and he had a workout.

But the end result was rewarding with a nice fish to start off the trip, we had a few more short strikes that morning before the waves started to pick up and we decided to try out this Gomoku thing!!

We Gomoku does work and it works very well, its great fun with fish upto average size and I am sure with luck you could land fair size fish, but its easy on the body and not hard work with lots of results so something to try out for sure. And its hooks almost all species, here is Aaron with nice grouper on the Gomoku.

Bonitos we the most regular catch and great action on PE 1.5 to PE 2

Can you believe this is the characteristic “L”bend of these Gomoku rods

Fighting a bigger fish takes a while but the runs are spectacular and the others can have a laugh while waiting for you to bring it up.

Finally up, because of the light drag you have no barotrauma on the fish and they are easily released

Who would have though a specimen like this stunning Golden Trevally possible on PE 1.5 in 50 meters of water 10 kg is weight.

Food plays an important part in any fishing trips and our chef’s here are able to turn out some great food that you will always look forward to one your fishing day and when you get back to the lodge.

Colours always add to making great pictures even with fish like a bonito

Anglers having fun on a trip even in trying conditions is always special for the crew and guides.

We kept having goes for the GT’s they were after but it was rock and roll most of the time, we had hits off and on but somehow the fish won and di not stay hooked long.

So it was back to Gomoku!!!

more

and more action on lighter tackle jigging

Species

 

Even tiny ones go for the lures

We had Gomoku action till we decided to stop for the day

The back to the lodge for food and specials

Like this open air barbeque with the freshly caught fish.

I am sure all our clients will love this for dinner!!!

Species to show for Fred

Even Rainbow runner, would that make a live bait for what!!!

Bluefin Trevally too

Double and triple hook-ups

And very happy anglers this is what our trips are about to create that experience that is not only about fishing.

Daniel was after an average size GT for the whole trip and he kept toiling away whenever we decided to have a go at the popping, on the last day the weather really picked up and we decided to run in there were big 3.5 meter wavers coming onto the reef and they were starting to break a bit as well, I asked the guys if they we will to have one pass on the reef before we headed back in to end the trip. The big seas were pushing us onto the reef so we had to watch out, a few casts and guess who was into a good fish… Daniel, deft boat handling and continuous encouragement for Daniel and we have a nice GT boat side 28 kg, Daniel has a big smile and we decide to call the trip.

Morale of the Story never give up!!! Period.

For more on the Gomoku concept here is a video courtesy of Rapala featuring none other than Fred

Gomoku Jjgging interview with Fred Goh courtesy Rapala

Till next time,

Tight lines.

163cms of Hard Work

 

It’s been a exciting journey for all of us at Gamefishing India so far. We set off in 2006 on a wild adventure in search of some of the largest game fish swimming in the Indian Ocean. Our first base is the Andaman Islands where we operate a successful charter catching the largest GT in this part of the world. We often came upon specimens that are once in a lifetime fish. On our travels and searches for places to fish we have always kept in mind the quality of the fish being caught along with creature comforts, ease of connectivity and the safety of clients. Sri Lanka, our latest chapter has provided all of the above and more.

One of the best parts about this business is that we initially get to explore areas that might have never been fished before with popper or jig. It is hard work and involves a lot of time driving the boat around scouting for structure, signs of bait and birds, looking for currents, understanding the effects of the tides at a local level and long hours of casting or jigging with little result. But in time we figure out the puzzle, put it all together piece by piece and the results are always spectacular. Sri Lanka offered us a new set of challenges unique to itself. Operational and official hurdles had to be crossed which take up more time and effort than the fishing.

Our season in both locations is on in full swing, with clients arriving almost on a weekly basis. We’ve had clients from China, Singapore, India and France so far to name a few. We’ve had many a GT over the 30 kilo mark and have been sending home all our groups with their dreams and goals fulfilled. What we are fortunate with is that we have found two very consistent locations that provide great fishing regardless of month, day, tide or time. Our base at Kirinda in Southern Lanka has finally arrived on the popping and jigging map of a must fish destination.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating! On the 4th of November, 2013 we just proved that. We had a group from France fishing with us in Kirinda. They were being hosted by Darran Davis and our new trainee guide Erik Owens. Erik has been with us about 5 weeks and is a quick learner while onboard. On the 4th Erik was out on the boat guiding clients and took them to one of our favourite spots…. It’s a small area, a plateau 14 to 15 meters deep that drops off on all sides to a depth of about 30 to 40 meters. The top of this plateau on most days is alive with bait with the GT’s patrolling the perimeter. On this particular day they were fishing a couple of hours before high tide and Erik had picked up balls of bait on the fish-finder.…knowing well that if the bait was around it was only a matter of time before a big predator showed up. Jerome Lenagard a lucky French angler cast out his Cono Cono and had it taken by a monstrous fish. After a 20 minute fight the GT was brought to the boat. Judging by the size of the fish Erik knew he’d have to work quick. A few photographs later the GT was returned to the water and released once it was completely revived.

For those interested in the tackle used and conditions:
Rod: Zenaq Fokeeto
Reel: Stella SW 18000
Line: Varivas Avani 90 lbs.
Lure: Cono Cono 160, pink purple.
Leader: Varivas 200 lbs
Tide: 1 hour before High
Hooks: 5/0 Owner ST66
Weather conditions: NE wind, choppy sea, clear water and a bright blue sky.

Tight lines,

Team GFA

Great Inshore session Team Rapala–Part I

 

After a great opening week of the season in the South of Sri Lanka we had 2 back to back depressions in the Indian Ocean that caused the weather patterns to go completely off so we had to to try to do our best given the conditions we had.

We had Daniel Wan, Fed and and Arron all part of Rapala Storm who were here to write an article for the Magazine Fish On and ready to try out new techniques and gear that is going to be introduced shortly rearing to go…..

With the weather offshore not conducive to head out we headed for some inshore action amidst some incredible surroundings where we have caught some of the usual estuary suspects before.

The idyllic conditions pictured is stunning surroundings had everyone looking forward to the light tackle fishing

Here is the boat just getting ready to cast off from our accommodation what more can you ask for when you are fishing than to just step into your boat and fish.

And we are off on the way to some favourite spots.

When you are fishing new water there is always the expectation you do not know what you are going to get or how its going o turn out, all you can do is be ready and prepared and watch and read the signs you see around you.

No long after we start out Aaron is into a solid Mangrove Jack, a tenacious fighter that you have to pull out.

As he sun warmed up and got a bit higher in the sky, we had a solid thump the sure sign of a nice Barrmundi and sure a few minutes later this amazing Gold Barramundi comes to the net.

An absolutely ecstatic angler after an amazing fish is landed

Just look at the coppery gold of this fish, a beautiful Barramundi.

A smiling angler poses with his prize.

Fish love!!! before the release

And away it goes to come back and fight another day bigger and stronger.

Mangrove Jacks we plentiful and on light tackle they put up a good scrap trying to get back to the snags they cam out of to hammer the lure.

Happy anglers having lots of fun and continuous action on light tackle.

Aaron with another Barra that fell to his angling style.

Fred goes bump into a good fish close to structure and tries his best to get it out.

 

And look who we have here Mr Trevally himself, this is the first time have caught one of these here

Here is a super action shot of a hook up from the other boat so you know just how much fun the guys were having to be able to wait to take action shots of hook-ups…

Fred poses with a Malabar trevally which has got those distinctive gold yellow-fins

More action and more fish we even hooked into some tarpon that came off, and seem to be a common species here although they are smaller version ox-eye tarpon.

A double header of Jack and Trevally shows that there is a good variety of fish with lots of species to you going trying to catch one of each or more….

Would you believe a small GT as well, go back, grow big and come back when you can swallow a GT3 popper fully on PE10 and give some happy angler an experience to remember…. forever

Some lures proved to be repeated killers and laded numerous fish.

Daniel poses with his copper gold Barramundi on the famous Fire tiger.

So there is so much more to do here than just go after the big game plus it gives anglers an alternative if the weather gods do not favour us to just get fishing and still have all the fun.

Also wait for our next reports which have more news on the light tackle action offshore that goes extremely well when you need a bit of a break from throwing those big chuggers and dropping heavy metal.

Tight lines.