Author Topic: Reel Magic Charters Action and Updates! (Read 110545 times)

Reel Magic Charters · « **Reply #120 on:** December 22, 2014, 05:44:33 AM »

Man we had some fun with the double header today! Fish came in on the teaser and barely missed the back of the boat as I dived down to remove it. No deckie today so a solo effort. Pitched a bait on a Stella thinking it was a stripe and could see the fish ahead of the shotgun between the long left and right - just got the bait there when the fish ate the shotgun. Was winding the bait back when the big fish came past it and ate a big Ballyhoo on a pin rig with drop back on right long - awesome view of bait going down the hatch! Chaos as the fish crossed over and went in opposite directions, but got it sorted. Good thing it didnt eat the pitch...
Anyway lost the one after 45 min and got the other round 650 - 700.
Great guys from Durbs on the boat - nice to fish with you again and looking forward to January.Nick, Jan and Chris - always a pleasure!

Reel Magic Charters · « **Reply #121 on:** December 29, 2014, 05:45:24 AM »

Been one of the toughest seasons at R Bay this year with the worst weather imaginable. Its made finding fish really hard and the persistant westerlies have constantly disturbed the current and discoloured the water. Heaven knows when we will get the summer pattern back but I hope it happens soon - have never been so tired and worn out from holding on in heavy seas. For those that have braved the conditions there have been good rewards as was the case with this charter when Christo and Michelle flew in and decided to go for broke even though we knew it would only be for one or two hours of fishing at best. you have to roll the dice if you want to be in the game. Glad to have shucked a double six today! Well done to Michelle Human on her first Blue release with RMC out of Richards Bay - great job!

Reel Magic Charters · « **Reply #122 on:** January 02, 2015, 08:30:57 AM »

Had a tough charter with the big man and struggled for marlin hits while we caught some nice Dorado and yellows. Took a last ditch effort on the 3rd day to get his Striped marlin in the usual windy weather we have become accustomed to here this year. Looks like the weather is finally moving into its summer pattern with the onset of the new year - better late than never.
Happy new year everyone!!

Reel Magic Charters · « **Reply #123 on:** January 04, 2015, 09:20:26 PM »

Yesterday we released a nice spearfish but couldnt report.

Today at last we had a summers day and the shirts came off for a great day on the ocean. Released a stripe at 6am this morning and had another knock down shortly after. Amazing how the fish just turned on overnight with the settled weather! Relea[/size]sed another Blue at mid day and called some mates in on the bite. We went shallow looking for a Grand Slam which probably cost us at least one more fish as all the guys that came onto the area hooked up. No matter we were going for a home run and nearly succeeded when a fish came up and missed the lure in 140 meters of water. No positive species ID but i would bet on a black - so close yet so far. All good for a belter fun day at sea!![/color]

Reel Magic Charters · « **Reply #124 on:** January 07, 2015, 02:23:28 AM »

Yowza tired again - whats new - its the game and a great one at that. After a belter we had a slow day yesterday with only one big hit that sent a shiver down a salty dogs spine. Lure came back with the lead hook snapped on the bend??? Must[/size]ad made in China now too!! not nice..
Moving on we had an even slower day today except for a nice Dorado early. A few fish were landed and dropped on the high tide rise early this morning. We missed out somehow and joined the fleet for a boring day in the doldrums with flat sea conditions and no wind. Hung in there till late and watched the storm approaching hoping the fish would come on on the rise of the barro and some wind. Called it spot on and as the wind hit we dropped a Blue and then went tight on a stripe. Saved the day and faced a nice bumpy ride back in 25 knots and driving rain - as I said earlier these are the conditions we thrive on - ha ha![/color]

Reel Magic Charters · « **Reply #125 on:** January 10, 2015, 07:44:41 PM »

Late start today due to west still blowing but launch once it settled. Was out on my old favourite "Reel Magic" with owner Mike and star junior fisherman Dale Leenstra. Water on inside was off colour and cold so it was out back to find it on the 700m line. Sea was rough but fishable and it wasnt long before we were hooked up on a young blue on 50lb standup. Dale looking for a junior record on 50lb so it was a first marlin for JJ and stand-up at that!
Dropped a fish shortly after but went tight at mid day on a slightly bigger blue but not big enough for Dale. Nice gesture by Mike to let me fight a fish for a change. Gave it gears and came to the boat ready to fight. Gave us a great show around the boat before running out of gas. Great day and hoping the show will go on for the next few days with a new group on board "Wave Walker".

Reel Magic Charters · « **Reply #126 on:** January 11, 2015, 07:19:24 PM »

Awesome day out there today but big changes from yesterday. Water pushed back in overnight and fish were spread from deep to shallow. Found some action back on the usual spots and decided to hang in there for the day. Had a knock down early - probably a stripe - no ID and then raised a nice blue that would not commit. Stayed in the area till mid day when we went tight on a great fish. Gave the fish horns and got it to the boat pretty green so the guys had a hard time holding her. Only a few poor pics but she was a good 650-700. Swam away strong after wrestling free -all good except for a lack of good pics.
Had a stripe up late on the way home - bashed everything but would not eat properly - nice action so out tomorrow hoping for more!

cyclone 123 · « **Reply #127 on:** January 12, 2015, 07:12:24 PM »

Some very good fish there Captain, well done!

Reel Magic Charters · « **Reply #128 on:** January 14, 2015, 12:13:23 PM »

Another very nice compliment from Ian and his group who caught the 650 -700 lb Blue:
" Ek wil egter my wardering uitspreek en jou ook komplementeer op hoe jy jou boot en tekkel voorberei en hanteer, mens sien dees dae min mense wat soveel trots en toeweiding het en so profesioneel is.
Ek ( en die ander) het baie by jou geleer en dit was 'n voorreg om saam met jou te hengel."

Many thanks Ian and your group - its feedback like this that makes putting in the extra effort so worthwhile. Look forward to fishing with you in April again.

REEFMAN · « **Reply #129 on:** January 14, 2015, 12:25:02 PM »

Hansen on fire as usual! Great catches Skip!

Reel Magic Charters · « **Reply #130 on:** January 14, 2015, 12:47:52 PM »

Quote from: REEFMAN on January 14, 2015, 12:25:02 PM

Hansen on fire as usual! Great catches Skip!

Thx Reefman its been a tough season and its been hard work - nice to get great feedback!!

Reel Magic Charters · « **Reply #131 on:** January 21, 2015, 07:32:18 PM »

Back in the saddle today after the week of fever but nothing mind blowing to report. Big swell out there this morning and strong NE by end of day. Mick got his first Short Bill and a nice Wahoo but that was it. Going south for some cooler water tomorrow and praying for some marlin as its looking all too hot out there. Better report tomorrow hopefully

Reel Magic Charters · « **Reply #132 on:** January 23, 2015, 08:12:50 AM »

What started off as a fairly wet run out ended with an awesome day on the ocean. Went south in search of some temperature gradient but alas there was none. Work the southern area to the bone and came up with only a sailfish as prize. Have caught two species that one doesnt expect to catch the last two days, but no complaints two billfish that count. Was great having Mick on board again and as usual we manage to catch fish together... Not what was targeted but two more species ticked off Mick's list - not bad!
The Blues have gone missing the last 3 days and probably a result of the warm water which is now over 28 degrees. Probably a good time to head home for a short break before the 2 tournaments later next month. Hope the water cools down and the fish are around then!

Reel Magic Charters · « **Reply #133 on:** February 07, 2015, 01:41:52 PM »

Weather now looking great for next weeks Marlin comp! Skipper rested, bakkie serviced and ready for the long haul back to R Bay Monday. Hope the girls are rested and ready to play. Last leg of the season coming up and hoping for some good shots at some fat ones!

Capt. Hook · « **Reply #134 on:** February 07, 2015, 05:58:54 PM »

Very nice

Reel Magic Charters · « **Reply #135 on:** February 09, 2015, 07:22:01 AM »

Just when you have settled down and are enjoying being home its again time to hit the long road. Had a great day of R+R yesterday off St Francis with a special braai to celebrate being home for a while. Weather looking awesome for the weeks marlin comp in R Bay and weather for next week at Struis not too bad at this point. Hopefully we get to tag a few more girls and add to the collection of fin clippings for research!

Marthin · « **Reply #136 on:** February 09, 2015, 08:13:58 AM »

and "they" say yellowtail is dry.... meal looks fit for a king... (a little jannie stap always works with any meal)

SAfish · « **Reply #137 on:** February 09, 2015, 08:24:25 AM »

That looks so good. This past weekend I told my wife we must have a Yellowtail braai again but the price here is ridiculous.

Reel Magic Charters · « **Reply #138 on:** February 09, 2015, 05:07:29 PM »

Quote from: Marthin on February 09, 2015, 08:13:58 AM

and "they" say yellowtail is dry.... meal looks fit for a king... (a little jannie stap always works with any meal)

Best eating fish..esp with Jannie stap Lol

Reel Magic Charters · « **Reply #139 on:** February 23, 2015, 06:58:53 AM »

Been a hectic few weeks travelling around and running for hours out of Struis. The Marlin Club of SA comp in R Bay went off really well with awesome spirit and great organisation and was a pleasure to be a part of. Was a big pity that the water went green for the comp and forced us deep looking for fish. Fishing was understandably slow and only a few fish were caught with Reel Magic landing two fish in the three days to be a clear winner. We fished on Rampage and only raised one very big fish that came off after pulling good line. There were 3 fish tagged that pushed over the 500lb mark so the big girla are around if we can just get the blue water back.[/size]The comp in Struisbaai suffered from the same problems with 4 of the 6 days blown out with 2 days fished, one in heavy conditions and the other a peach of a day. We fished off Catitude and released a stripe on the first day, raised 3 on the second and dropped the two that had ago at the lure and a bait. There were a number of fish dropped and 3 boats managed two fish with 15 fish released in two days from a fleet of 30 boats. not wonderfull but the fishing potential there is good if you can time the weather and water conditions. Struis is not for sissies with a two and half hour run out to the 45 mile banks and no shelter from weather off the southern most tip of Africa. Back in R Bay now for the Classic this week with some charters and fishing the Inter Provincial next week. Lets hope we get some water and weather as there have been some very big fish caught in the last week. now is the time for those trophy fat girls!!!