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OFFSHORE ANGLING => Offshore Fishing Reports => Topic started by: Capt. Hook on November 28, 2010, 07:40:37 PM

Title: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: Capt. Hook on November 28, 2010, 07:40:37 PM
I have always wanted to say this, so let me say it again – Sailfish on Fly off Durban.

The adrenalin is still pumping through my veins even though some time has passed. It was such an exciting experience. I do not even know how to convey the experience and excitement we had on the boat with everyone cheering, encouraging, yells and screams, the teamwork especially when we had a problem when the fly reel started falling apart.

We launched early this morning to miss the heavy NE wind that was predicted and so were on our way out the harbour by 04h00 and made the bumpy ride out to the deep, it was a long 1.5hr trip of about 40Nm before we got to the area we wanted to target.

This trip was purely a fly fishing trip and so we got about our business, the casting was very tough because the wind was already blowing far and so distance was a problem.

1st up was a double hook up of Dorado, one was lost, the other landed.
It is important not to panic when you get a fish on and start tightening the drag, let him run and play him and you will land him, put too much pressure, especially in the beginning when the fish is still strong and you will loose your fish.
We then had a 3rd Dorado hook up.

Then the moment came when we saw a Sailfish hit the one fly and immediately it was doing a tail walk which is incredible to watch. At the same time as the other fly was brought in we had a second Sailfish strike just a meter from the boat, and again the fish was lost by panicking and too much pressure.
The first Sail was still on and taking line with over 200m out we were well into the backing and a long fight took place with several runs and many jumps.

Eventually just after an hour went by since hook up; we got the Sailfish to the boat and it did a spectacular jump when I had the leader in my hand. The fish was very tired after such a long fight and he was unhooked and immediately released without any further stress. I estimate this Sailfish at around 40Kg, and this is an awesome accomplishment on a 12wt fly rod.
My client told me afterwards that he did a 40Km mountain bike race recently, and this fight with the Saily on a Fly rod was far more exhausting.

After that we managed a double hook up with 2 Oceanic Bonito which gave an excellent account for themselves on the Fly Rods.

The fly’s we used are my own design which I have developed over some time now combined with my fly fishing and big game trolling knowledge, and they really performed well leaving an awesome smoke trail and most of all they attracted fish. I have been studying, researching and planning to get a Sailfish off Durban for some time, with many misses and today we hit the jackpot. I can tell you that this is no easy feat off-shore Durban and so a real accomplishment for the angler.
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: Capt. Hook on November 28, 2010, 07:41:30 PM
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Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: Capt. Hook on November 28, 2010, 07:42:28 PM
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Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: Capt. Hook on November 28, 2010, 07:43:12 PM
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Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: Capt. Hook on November 28, 2010, 07:43:27 PM
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Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: benniejordaan on November 28, 2010, 07:50:12 PM
Gosh that is incredible, on fly... WOW! Hows that sea boet - Crazeee!

Well don to the angler and well done to you for finding the "right spot".
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: benniejordaan on November 28, 2010, 07:55:55 PM
something else..

Did you make the fly or did you design the fly? What did you use for the head? Looks just like the head off a jub jub.
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: Capt. Hook on November 28, 2010, 07:57:54 PM
something else..

Did you make the fly or did you design the fly? What did you use for the head? Looks just like the head off a jub jub.
Here is my post when I made the 1st one.
http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php/topic,2033.0.html (http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php/topic,2033.0.html)
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: fedu on November 28, 2010, 07:58:03 PM
Dream come true!!!!

 (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap)
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: John F on November 28, 2010, 08:08:11 PM
Congrats! (clap)(clap)
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: REEFMAN on November 28, 2010, 08:18:52 PM
Brilliant stuff Mike... bet your client is STOKED!!
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: shagnrelease on November 28, 2010, 09:45:19 PM
Hey Well done Mike, I could hear your excitement on the phone congrats to you and the angler!! I see the F200  has been replaced....whos and what boat is that it looks very nice??

Also were you dead drifting in your "area" and working the flies?
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: Capt. Hook on November 28, 2010, 10:02:29 PM
Hey Well done Mike, I could hear your excitement on the phone congrats to you and the angler!! I see the F200  has been replaced....whos and what boat is that it looks very nice??

Also were you dead drifting in your "area" and working the flies?

The boat was Bigfoot, a Rodman 1250WA which I also do charters on.

Yes we dead drifted over last years "Dorado Pub" marks hoping that there was still some remains under.
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: benniejordaan on November 28, 2010, 10:34:31 PM
Well spotted Greg!
Were you skipping her Mike? What happened to the usual skipper?
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: Capt. Hook on November 28, 2010, 11:49:27 PM
Well spotted Greg!
Were you skipping her Mike? What happened to the usual skipper?

No not skipping, I do charters on that boat also. I almost have my hours for over 9m and then I will skip her.
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: RusticRainman on November 29, 2010, 06:04:22 AM
Wow. Great  :resp: :happ: :happ:
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: Big Van on November 29, 2010, 07:25:53 AM
Congrats Mike. Excellent fishing on fly. Saily on fly is a mean fight.  :geet (clap) :tite
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: L Hooker on November 29, 2010, 07:31:17 AM
Awesome well done
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: jaenswart on November 29, 2010, 07:41:12 AM
Great great great. Well done Mike.

don't I just love a North Eastern. The harder it blows the better for me :-)
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: TUNAMAN on November 29, 2010, 09:12:05 AM
Well done .... incredible achievement!
 (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap)
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: fedu on November 29, 2010, 09:14:15 AM
Great great great. Well done Mike.

don't I just love a North Eastern. The harder it blows the better for me :-)

Sails just love windy and choppy conditions.

I am still thinking about the Sail on the Fly achievement, great stuff!
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: WalkersKiller on November 29, 2010, 09:22:09 AM
Awesome stuff FA  :happ:
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: Kumz on November 29, 2010, 09:22:32 AM
Awesome stuff ...  w;k
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: Rory on November 29, 2010, 10:54:07 AM
One day, one day........
You sure know how to make a guy drool over a pc Mike! Fantastic stuff,  :resp:
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: benniejordaan on November 29, 2010, 11:03:24 AM
Mike, now you know where, what fly etc. Time to take a trip and catch one for yourself buddy! When we go out there we'll take you with so you can "do it for yourself"!
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: Capt. Hook on November 29, 2010, 11:05:21 AM
Mike, now you know where, what fly etc. Time to take a trip and catch one for yourself buddy! When we go out there we'll take you with so you can "do it for yourself"!
:tkx: that is  :ayb
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: benniejordaan on November 29, 2010, 11:08:10 AM
:tkx: that is  :ayb

No problem! I am planning on going out there this weekend... Sunday hopefully. You might learn something there! Are you feeling strong?  w;k
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: Capt. Hook on November 29, 2010, 11:10:44 AM
No problem! I am planning on going out there this weekend... Sunday hopefully. You might learn something there! Are you feeling strong?  w;k

You just want someone to pull you down riggers cause Nico is on strike.  :hehe:

So far I am free for Sunday, but weather looks k**

I am always willing to learn bud, you are a master
Title: Re: Sailfish on Fly off Durban
Post by: ONDE ONDA on November 30, 2010, 07:15:23 AM
Well-done Mike one day gona do this to  (clap) (clap) (clap)
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