Author Topic: DURBAN Festival Report - GT on Demon Tackle JIGS! (Read 12625 times)

TUNAMAN · « **on:** May 03, 2011, 03:27:27 PM »

Firstly I need to thank Bennie and Dawn Jordaan for accommodating Stephanie and I over this period and Bennie for arranging our launch at his club Fynlands. The club and its members were great and friendly and it was really a pleasure spending sometime there with the boys after a day out. Please thank the Commodore on our behalf. Thanks guys we had an awesome time and are in your debt.
What makes this trip so awesome is the way in which all the UA members that were involved all did their part to make it happen.
Saturday 23 April 2011 at 04:30 the crew came together. A Salt Weapon with Myself and my lady luck Mrs. Tunaman, Stephan (BV) van der Merwe and his son in law Pieter and Jean Swart (Jean Swart).
We quickly rushed to load tackle, bait etc and to get the boat ready for the water. What a great experience to travel in the harbour and it is still pitch dark out there. We followed in the wake of Witchcraft who consisted of Bennie Jordaan, Nico Snyman and Fin (very experienced crew member of Witchcraft) who led us out the harbour and to the starting line where we awaited the start of the comp. There we were drifting at sea with about 20 boats around us. As time went on the boats got more and after a while one could see that the numbers were starting to look more like the 400 boats predicted. What a sight. By this time we were getting a little impatient as we were raring to go and fish and had quite a run ahead of us.
The organisers set us of and there we went. Boats racing away to their respective fishing sites.
Upon arriving we noticed the water looked good and there was some activity. The first time we have fished this spot which was studied of charts and is not a general fishing location in Durban. Jaen and Pieter quickly got some baits out and rods in the water. Jaen went on while putting a bait down and we were already excited for what the day holds. It turned out to be a johnny but is none the less a good way to open up the account. We hooked up on a few sharks and our Sabikis got a whole range of bottoms including slinger. The absence of maasbanker etc. had us feeling positive about the spot so we persisted.
At a stage Mrs. Tunaman decided she wanted to put her jigging skills to test. This has been a very successful facet for her and she has done well on various occasions with it. To be honest it had not occurred to me at this time when she requested it. She had a down or two when I hooked up on a Tiger shark and during this battle it swam into the braid while she was down. The Tiger somehow bit her off and there went the first jig. The Tiger was released by Jaen removing the hooks very carefully. Must say it is not nice to see your crew messing about in the mouth of a tiger shark. It was a very young tiger and its markings were so distinct and beautiful.
So now we have a jigging rod with PR knot and leader gone. I’m not one for PR’s on a boat so I start a braid bimini and scratch around for a suitable wind on. During this Jaen is jigging on his rod. I decided to use the same jig that was lost again. Fortunately Bennie supplied me a few in this particular colour and I truly believe in their success as we experienced in Barra during December. The jig was clipped with its standard hook set out the packet. With the rod ready I hand it to Mrs. Tunaman who at this point says I should go while she takes a break. Just before my drop Jaen still mentioned he just had a knock. I went down and on my first jig I felt the drag was way to loose, I tightened it and jigged 4 more times. The drag was still not satisfactory and being impatient I gave it a good couple of turns to make sure it is properly vas. Just three jigs later and my rod buckled and at first weight and some line peeled of the reel. Not sure what was one I started pumping but on the second pump the fish only then realised it was hooked. The GT took of and started looking for structure to reef me. The drag was at least a proper 12kg and now I felt it. The first two runs were towards the nose of the boat where Jaen had to manoeuvre the boat for me to take pressure of the twist in my lower back hanging over the gunwales. Hearing line peel under this drag at speed is an awesome experienced. All I could do is put as much pressure as possible on the fish and fight him technically 100% correct. We never timed it but it felt like 8-10min when the fish broke the surface. At this time we were under the impression that the second prize for largest non Couta gamefish was in the bag and subsequently gaffed the fish. Something we would not do under normal circumstances. I phoned Witchcraft and then Nico told me that he was under the impression that GT was excluded in the comp. What a bummer as the briefing was so noisy we could not make out what was being said.
The NE started to show itself properly and we decided to lines up and move closer to the harbour just in case. It was a pity to only get about 2 hours on this spot but we will be back however.
WE ended up at the whaling station where we put out a few drifts and fooled around on dropshot etc. but with no results.
Day 2 we exited the harbour at about 05:20 in pitch darkness. There was a bit of a NE swell and I have never been in the sea at night before. What a strange feeling bobbing around but not been able to anticipate the water. This day Witchcraft was coming out to the spot with us. It took a while at first as I was a bit uncomfortable in the darkness but as the sun started lighting the way we steadily made our way out. Upon arrival we noticed the water colour had changed from the day before and we were not as positive as the day before. With baits out it was quiet and we jigged full steam. Jigging produced 3 bumps but no hookups. No shark around was strange and did not bear as a positive sign for the day. After a while the NE picked up again and as usual we had to lines up and start making way to closer waters. At the whaling station we put out a few drifts but unfortunately no pulls. So ended our weekend in Durban and unfortunately there was not much fish around as we were hoping to get the crew a pull each at least.
Maybe next time!

Kumz · « **Reply #1 on:** May 03, 2011, 03:38:04 PM »

Awesome report ....

....

John F · « **Reply #2 on:** May 03, 2011, 03:43:57 PM »

WalkersKiller · « **Reply #3 on:** May 03, 2011, 03:44:04 PM »

Great report well done!!!!

benniejordaan · « **Reply #4 on:** May 03, 2011, 03:46:50 PM »

Nice one Reinhard - was only a pleasure having you and "Shumi" with us for those days!

Big congrats on that incredible catch!!

Cam Mundy · « **Reply #5 on:** May 03, 2011, 03:49:29 PM »

Great catch Tuna man I'd keep my lips sealed about the spot

Prego · « **Reply #6 on:** May 03, 2011, 03:53:19 PM »

Well done again on that magnificent beast, now you just need to get some 4 strokes to make that long run to the secret spot on one tank

Capt. Hook · « **Reply #7 on:** May 03, 2011, 04:22:54 PM »

Awesome Fish, well done on your

.

Now you broke my record for Durban and I will have to search for a bigger one.

benniejordaan · « **Reply #8 on:** May 03, 2011, 04:32:02 PM »

Quote from: Fishing Adventures on May 03, 2011, 04:22:54 PM

Awesome Fish, well done on your .

Now you broke my record for Durban and I will have to search for a bigger one.

Seems like there are quite a few of them around... SpearO at our club shot one of 22kg the other day.

Capt. Hook · « **Reply #9 on:** May 03, 2011, 04:51:38 PM »

Maybe Durban is becoming a good

destination. Hmmmmmmmmm.....

REEFMAN · « **Reply #10 on:** May 03, 2011, 05:01:32 PM »

Great report TM... and huge congrats on that GT... really awesome catch!

jaenswart · « **Reply #11 on:** May 03, 2011, 05:27:34 PM »

What a pleasure to fish with friends, all of them made right here on UA. Thanks for everything guys...next time we will get them

REEFMAN · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2011, 06:25:05 PM »

Quote from: jaenswart on May 03, 2011, 05:27:34 PM

What a pleasure to fish with friends, all of them made right here on UA. Thanks for everything guys...next time we will get them

Is this true??? That's just sooooo kewl!!!!! And

too!! Just made my day!

CAPTAIN MORGAN · « **Reply #13 on:** May 03, 2011, 07:01:26 PM »

Well done Reinhard wat n mooi vis! Jy moet my daai jig ding leer! Ek het al die "tools" maar lack die expertiece.

Big Van · « **Reply #14 on:** May 04, 2011, 07:54:32 AM »

Hi Reinhard
Great report!! Thanks it was great fishing with you and missus Tunaman. We had a good time. By the way you are a excellent skipper. I enjoyed the days fishing in not so nice conditions with you and you made us all felt safe and you always had your crew's comfort in mind.
Next time I want you and missus on Liberty for some fishing.
Tight Lines

jaenswart · « **Reply #15 on:** May 04, 2011, 08:07:11 AM »

Quote from: REEFMAN on May 03, 2011, 06:25:05 PM

Is this true??? That's just sooooo kewl!!!!! And too!! Just made my day!

yes 100% true

Rory · « **Reply #16 on:** May 04, 2011, 08:44:35 AM »

That king is a proper bruiser, nice one Reinhard!!!

TUNAMAN · « **Reply #17 on:** May 04, 2011, 09:14:53 AM »

Thanks to all I appreciate it.

@ BV - We will take you up on that in the near future. It was a pleasure having you onboard.
@ JAEN - Thanks for working the lines all day long everyday. You are an asset to any crew.
@ CAPTAIN MORGAN - Ons kan dalk op n bate stelsel werk. Jy wys my hoe die RBAY manne die Yellows trek.
@ CAM MUNDY - Thanks. The marks have been entrusted to Nico and Bennie who will keep us abreast of how it produces.
@ FA - They are certainly around. Jaen got plates but I then realised I still had too much line out for plates. There were others.
@ PREGO - Yip 4's is the answer. Will be working on it soon.

benniejordaan · « **Reply #18 on:** May 04, 2011, 10:25:47 AM »

Quote from: TUNAMAN on May 04, 2011, 09:14:53 AM

Thanks to all I appreciate it.

@ CAM MUNDY - Thanks. The marks have been entrusted to Nico and Bennie who will keep us abreast of how it produces.

We went past there the other day after a deep water outing.... The fish are thick - masses of showing but at 2pm (not the best time) before heading home...

Did a quick scout and dropped a jig there. I got a nice Tropicial Yellow tail (on the same jig but in pink) and some other interesting fish too. I think a proper jigging expedition from early with the right conditions and we will nail the fish there!

TUNAMAN · « **Reply #19 on:** May 04, 2011, 11:24:47 AM »

Quote from: benniejordaan on May 04, 2011, 10:25:47 AM

We went past there the other day after a deep water outing.... The fish are thick - masses of showing but at 2pm (not the best time) before heading home...

Did a quick scout and dropped a jig there. I got a nice Tropicial Yellow tail (on the same jig but in pink) and some other interesting fish too. I think a proper jigging expedition from early with the right conditions and we will nail the fish there!

That just shows and not even based on picking conditions or times and it produces. Fortunately no one can tail Witchcraft at sea so the secret will remain safe for now. Tropicals are a very good sign.