Author Topic: Wahoo…..and a Dorado in April (Read 7648 times)

Capt. Hook · « **on:** April 03, 2011, 04:32:57 PM »

Wahoo…..and a Dorado in April

I find this incredible, for 7 months straight since October we have been getting Dorado (Mahi Mahi) off Durban; this Gamefish season has truly been a season for the record books with some truly awesome catches and over 200 Dorado.

We launched at 06h00 this morning for a short 4hr session, the skies were overcast and threatening to rain, but there was no rain, the sea was calm with a light SE wind, the water was very clear and averaged around 25deg.C making for a superb fishing trip. The moon was right the tides were right the barometer looked very promising, just the current was screaming SN which was not in our favour.

I set a spread and went about working some of my usual productive areas and found no fish activity and so decided to head out to a deeper area which has yielded good catches in the past, out here the current was slower and it was not long before we heard the 1st reel growl after seeing a swirl, and Andree was given the rod on the basis of Ladies first, after a good fight landed a Kawa Kawa of around 6Kg (13lbs).

The spread was reset and we continued out deeper when I saw a fish on the finder in the mid water and turned around expecting to see a reel go, but it did not as I faced forward the reel growled and then screamed and it was Pierre’s turn on the rod, this fish gave him a real fight and he was totally surprised with the strength of this fish and after a long hard fight he landed a good sized Wahoo of 15Kg (33lbs), afterwards he was excited and filled with adrenalin.

I was then told, “OK, we can go home now”, and suggested that we reset the spread and take a troll back which was accepted and so we set up the spread again and it was not very long before another reel went and we saw a Dorado jumping as the reel was screaming, it was Andree’s turn at the rod again and she put up a brave fight and eventually landed a lovely Queen Dorado of around 8Kg (17.5lbs).
I have to take my hat off to this remarkable lady as she really supports her husband in his passion for fishing by participating with him.
.

SAfish · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2011, 04:48:15 PM »

Great report, Mike. Congratulations, Andree and Pierre with your great catches! 2 x

2 x

PH · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2011, 05:05:26 PM »

A word of advice if you ever intend to fish with Mike:

Make sure you have space in that freezer before you go!!!

Thanks for an incredible morning, Mike. Your attention to detail iro the choice of tackle for novices
like us, and the patience, and knowing where to find the fish, and the friendly way you shared your
knowledge, and....and...

You are my witness that Andree said that I have a birthday coming up, so polish them props!!

And thanks to Andree for being such a great sport and companion

@ Bennie & Reefz who know that I'm terrified of seasickness:

I did not even feel nauseous!!

Thanks Bennie!!

AH · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2011, 05:39:06 PM »

Mike, I was really apprehensive about this trip - I did not know what to expect. But after getting to
know you on the boat I thought - o well it such fun - it does not even matter if we dont catch
anything. The man is so nice, so professional, so interesting and the ride was lovely. But THEN! My
word, what a thrill to catch the Bonnie under Mike's precise instructions.
Pierre and I thought -thats fine now we are happy - even if Pierre didnt have a chance to fight a fish.
Then that reel screamed again... I thought Pierre was going to have a heart attack! That wahoo was
so feisty and so beautiful..and now we are going to eat it and eat it and eat it! We were quite
overwhelmed by this time and then that Dorado splashed the surface...
Thanks, Mike it was the trip of a lifetime - and all that in 4 hours!

Capt. Hook · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2011, 05:49:24 PM »

I am so happy that you guys enjoyed it, it was a pleasure having you aboard.

Pity you did not book 8hrs as I have afeeling we would have filled up the hatches.

PH · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2011, 06:05:41 PM »

I'm sure we would have filled the hatches, but I'm sitting on the freezer lid to keep it closed already

PH · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2011, 06:25:58 PM »

Just to add to the experience;
I always had this fantasy of catching a 15kg + Couta (or something) off the kayak.
I'm not so sure anymore. I battled to "land" the Wahoo from a Z-Craft under the expert supervision
of Mike and was shaking for 20 minutes afterwards.
Off a kayak? Don't think so

Capt. Hook · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2011, 06:29:07 PM »

Quote from: PH on April 03, 2011, 06:25:58 PM

Just to add to the experience;
I always had this fantasy of catching a 15kg + Couta (or something) off the kayak.
I'm not so sure anymore. I battled to "land" the Wahoo from a Z-Craft under the expert supervision
of Mike and was shaking for 20 minutes afterwards.
Off a kayak? Don't think so

You will manage fine, just focus and more important do not panic.

REEFMAN · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2011, 07:09:09 PM »

Congrats on your great fish PH and Andree... stoked for you guys!!!
Yipeee!

PH · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2011, 07:14:57 PM »

Thanks Safish & Reefz
I'm going to relive this morning's experience over & over before falling asleep tonight!

Capt. Hook · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2011, 07:17:53 PM »

Quote from: PH on April 03, 2011, 07:14:57 PM

Thanks Safish & Reefz
I'm going to relive this morning's experience over & over before falling asleep tonight!

Just remember that not all fishing trips go well like this, there are even better days sometimes and then there are really lousy days.

PH · « **Reply #11 on:** April 03, 2011, 07:39:49 PM »

Quote from: Fishing Adventures on April 03, 2011, 07:17:53 PM

Just remember that not all fishing trips go well like this, there are even better days sometimes and then there are really lousy days.

Accepted, Mike. That is the nature of fishing!! If the fishing bad, one just enjoy nature and life!!!

MIKE PIKE · « **Reply #12 on:** April 03, 2011, 07:57:44 PM »

Great catches Pierre and Andree, looks like u had great fun , good one Mike for giving them a day to remember..

Rods · « **Reply #13 on:** April 03, 2011, 08:24:20 PM »

Congrats PH and AH on those wonderful catches. And a big ups to Capt Mike as well.

WalkersKiller · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2011, 08:51:20 AM »

Great stuff guys

John F · « **Reply #15 on:** April 04, 2011, 11:17:13 AM »

Congrats guys!

Well done FA!

Kumz · « **Reply #16 on:** April 04, 2011, 11:20:07 AM »

Great catches ....

Timothy Scriven · « **Reply #17 on:** April 05, 2011, 12:05:13 PM »

AH & PH, I've been reading your regular posts waiting with anticipation for your first "big" fish. Finally it's happened and you could not have chosen a better skipper and guide to do this with.

Mike is so very correct when he commends the two of you on your support for one another in this sport!

Mike to you, WELL DONE AGAIN!!
Was 4 hours enough to flatten to coffee?

Capt. Hook · « **Reply #18 on:** April 05, 2011, 12:42:13 PM »

Quote from: Timothy Scriven on April 05, 2011, 12:05:13 PM

AH & PH, I've been reading your regular posts waiting with anticipation for your first "big" fish. Finally it's happened and you could not have chosen a better skipper and guide to do this with.

Mike is so very correct when he commends the two of you on your support for one another in this sport!

Mike to you, WELL DONE AGAIN!!
Was 4 hours enough to flatten to coffee?

No I did not flatten the coffee but I did put a serious dent in the flask

benniejordaan · « **Reply #19 on:** April 05, 2011, 01:07:04 PM »

Awesome!!! So glad you could find our friends some fish! Congratulation AH and PH! Lovely Wahoo and Dodo!

Mike, you still running odds and evens. What's happening with your motor?

Author Topic: Wahoo…..and a Dorado in April (Read 7648 times)

benniejordaan