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OFFSHORE ANGLING => General Offshore Angling Discussion => Topic started by: John F on April 29, 2011, 09:46:41 PM
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What's your opinion on fishing solo for gamefish? Talking about small boat (max 21-23 ft) and not venturing more that 15-20 nm offshore.... Maybe drifting, trolling and a bit of jigging?
I know of at least one fisherman doing it here in Maputo.. how do you guys feel about it?
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Fishing inshore say 5nm I say cool no worries on your own, fishing 15-20nm out on your own........ Cockoo!!!
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Not a good idea period!!! Out there alone wrestling someting that could potentially weigh 4x what you weigh... Safety in numbers! I hooked a biggie on the mountainside & it dragged me all over... After that i dont even attempt to hook a biggie unless my feet are firmly on the sand or i'm fishing with a friend... Back-up sometimes becomes essential...
Your call... w;k
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NOT a good idea. Read the link and you will realise how quickly things can and will go wrong. I was there when they brought his boat back and it was parked next to mine for a couple of days. There were several places where I could stick my thumb into the holes in the hull and the one motor was reduced to a stub. This guy had God with him and that was the only way he managed to survived this ordeal :resp:
http://www.nsri.org.za/2011/04/a-remarkable-story-from-2009-the-wayne-bergstrom-rescue/ (http://www.nsri.org.za/2011/04/a-remarkable-story-from-2009-the-wayne-bergstrom-rescue/)
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What's your opinion on fishing solo for gamefish? Talking about small boat (max 21-23 ft) and not venturing more that 15-20 nm offshore.... Maybe drifting, trolling and a bit of jigging?
I know of at least one fisherman doing it here in Maputo.. how do you guys feel about it?
I'm actually astounded that a level head like you is actually contemplating this!! <:
You of all people should know the outdoors, and the unwritten rules.... never dive alone, never drive alone, and never jive alone! Driving includes 4x4 and boats!
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I'm sorry... maybe I've put the question the wrong way... I'm not contemplating doing it myself!!!!! For me fishing is a social experience above all so I don't think of doing it all by myself!!!! It's just that I've seen it done more and more, the guys launching from the club... just wanted to see how you guys feel about it.... for the record... I have 2 kids! :hnthnt:
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I know we all love fishing, and hate the idea to stand on the beach, and not to have crew to launch. I was on the boat may years ago when my father got a heart attack in Durban. I was only 7 years old, we were fishing off a deep reef, you could barely see land. In those days there were no GPS systems. I had to find Durban Ski Boat club on my own. The moral of the story is, if something happen out there and you are alone, doesn't matter if it is 1 or 20 NM, you are dead and will not fish again. It is just not worth it
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You guys are right and I share your point of views.... I've seen people spearfishing on their own and all sorts of nonsence going on around here...
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I'm sorry... maybe I've put the question the wrong way... I'm not contemplating doing it myself!!!!! For me fishing is a social experience above all so I don't think of doing it all by myself!!!! It's just that I've seen it done more and more, the guys launching from the club... just wanted to see how you guys feel about it.... for the record... I have 2 kids! :hnthnt:
*phew* Jolly Good Marcos - glad to hear you're still level-headed!! :rotfl
Guys who go out to sea alone....it's a bit reckless
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Yeah it's crazy... the angler I mentioned before is actually quite popular and a local "Champion"... but like you guys said... the risk just isn't worth it...
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mmm, but you could just as easy have a heart attack in your car the next time a taxi cuts you up. How do you know your limits without testing them? Have you never been inspired by Hemingway? What is the difference between a solo kayaker and jet skier, vs a solo skiboater?
FWIW, I have been fishing solo for over 30 years now - sometimes it is my preferred way of fishing.
However, when you do it, you know to do it properly. Auto inflating lifevest, safety fanny pack (flares, spare gps, vhf and cell), kill switches, etc. You will also need to modify the boat, autopilot with remote control, safety ropes etc.
Sure, it is not for everyone, and certainly not for inexperienced, irregular boaters, but if you are well prepared, well trained (I am ex NSRI, and would strongly recommend our younger guys to join up, your local base needs you!), confident of your abilities and wish to really feel good adrenaline and feel alive - there is nothing like handling a billfish on your own, or experiencing a double strike.
And remember to take a camera!
Also, please check with your insurance - some policies forbid it!
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I also tend to fish r&s solo not through choice but mainly necessity. When I go on a family holiday I am the only one who fishes sure you can occasionally find a UA member to meet up with but generally not everyday. However fishing solo does have its limits some spots are outta the question and landing a fish is often very difficult but what choice do I have?
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Having said all of this I would never fish at sea alone! Too many ways to get into trouble in fact just last week a boat went over at Kob in near mazeppa fortunately no lives were lost
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Just did it today and have done a couple times before, one of those previous times had an electric problem on the old boat that lead to a fire, had to deal solo first with the fire extinction and then with the repair.
After repairing the electrical problem still managed to fish, but it is never as pleasurable as going out with a mate.
Do not like it but some times the urge to go out into the ocean and de-stress wins and...
If possible would never do it but...
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Those who fish solo is because they dont have friends - :craz: w;k w;k
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Or their friends are busy doing other things...
Some guys that used to fish solo were bottom fishing anglers that did not like to reveal their spots to avoid over fishing and destruction of the spot...
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I have fished solo many times off Durban and still do, nothing wrong with it, there are quite a few guys who do.
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I have fished solo many times off Durban and still do, nothing wrong with it, there are quite a few guys who do.
Me too,,,love to have some mee time, without to many yackers on my boats
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Didnt know it is allowed?The guy who did the cof of my boat (seacat 16)stated min 2 persons on the certificate.It sure it is nicer and safer to fish with a buddy but sometimes crew are hard to come by.
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I like to go out on my boat solo, and this is my prefered method to relax and be alone.
You may say it is crazy, but then so is crossing the street.
Sure you cannot do all types of fishing alone, but I like it because I can do my own thing where, when and how I want.
How far does not really matter, and I will go out 40Nm alone no problem.
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Will have to give it a try sometime,when my crew can't make it
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Solo on a SkiVee...........working the 'snoek zone' inside the break off Hyper
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I'd rather go solo on a boat than solo on a highway...
Do it all the time and although it can be seriously hard work at times, but totally lekka! Not with any major billfish though... unfortunately limited to smallish stuff.
Destressing after a hectic week, JUST you and no-one else.... man that gets your mind clear and focused!
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I guess the same would apply for fishing solo,when R&S?
Some places today you just cannot do it,due to old rotton apples that come and wanna steal your stuff and so on....
With me I know I break the rules and do this quite offten,and deep down inside I am taking a chance when doing this,along Macs,Stranfontain and so on,even on the Weskus,seems no where is safe any more. Its just that I dont get to fish with buddies in the week as they all at work and are only avalible on weekends...so what does one do...if you hooked on this sport as bad as I am.....
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At the risk of being called a troll or a :pot: ...
Of course you can fish alone. At the end onf the day, you have to make the call if it is safe, and make the right calls when you are out at sea.
Any of you done a technical diving course? Dive alone die alone when you are doing open water courses, but when you go deep it is a case of whoever needs to trust someone else will die with that guy!
It doesn't mean that it is for everyone, but I do believe that you do get situations (and a level of experience) where you will be as safe, or safer, than looking after crew. I'm lucky, everyone I fish with are qualified and experienced skippers.
It is a personal choice, and we do not (yet) live in a nanny state.
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Hey
I often fish alone. I often run up to 60Km from the club. Obviously I am confident with my boat/safety gear/electronics/weather etc before I do. Like many others have mentioned, I enjoy the alone time.
I fished of fishing ski's (obviously alone) for many years before moving here, where the distances are just too far for the ski.
In my oppinion, I'd rather fish alone than have a w@nker, on board with me. That's not to say that I don't enjoy fishing with a good buddy, but they seem to be few-and-far-between, these days.
I've managed some pretty good catches, nothing spectacular, but some decent fish, whilst fishing alone.
Now don't crucify me for killing such a small marlin, but it was my first one, and as luck would have it, I'd forgotten my camera. I got this guy on my bottom-stick with a 10-inch KP whilst fishing for Kingies with live Bonny, in 60 meters of water. I was alone, so boating it was a bit of a mission. Also in my defence, this fish was landed by standing on the deck (no fighting chair) and no chasing the fish (not once were the motors started during the fight)
I feel that if done responsibly, there's nothing wrong with fishing alone. After all, it's your life and you'll only have yourself to blame if you make Sh**.
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Well done Datsun!
Congrats on your first bill on such "low tech" tackle!!!! When was this?
Please update the UA Billfish Hall of Fame!
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Thanx John F
Have updated, thanx for the advice!!!
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I love fishing with my crew, I'm very lucky to have great company... But I actually wouldn't mind fishing alone if they can't make it. I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with it! I've driven to JHB on my own... I reckon that is way more dangerous!
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Many responses here are from members that have a facility to launch from a harbour. Will the feeling still be the same if it was a surf launch? Why I ask is I have experienced launches where skippers got injured during the launch and they then required the help of their crew.
I personally would use a harbour on my own but I will hesitate when a surf launch is involved.
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Many responses here are from members that have a facility to launch from a harbour. Will the feeling still be the same if it was a surf launch? Why I ask is I have experienced launches where skippers got injured during the launch and they then required the help of their crew.
I personally would use a harbour on my own but I will hesitate when a surf launch is involved.
All within reason! For one thing you cannot handle a boat by yourself if in the surf. If the sea was nice and I had help launching, I'd still do it! But from somewhere like Vetchies, for sure!
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I've seen some guys do it on the KZN North-coast, a few years ago.
They obviously had help pushing the boat into the surf, otherwise, Like Bennie said, it would be impossible.
What struck me about these guys, is that they all opperated on smaller craft, 12ft & 14ft Skivee's etc.
These guys must have been superbly confident....
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Informative topic !
What about going out alone on a jetski ? Also, what are the legal issues of this ?
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Informative topic !
What about going out alone on a jetski ? Also, what are the legal issues of this ?
Homie as far as i know a Ski-boat is not allowed to launch with just the skipper at a registered launch site.
With Jetski's I think the 5 nautical mile border set is what makes it allowable and safer.
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Thanks Reinhardt !
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All within reason! For one thing you cannot handle a boat by yourself if in the surf. If the sea was nice and I had help launching, I'd still do it! But from somewhere like Vetchies, for sure!
100% agreed, I have launched at DBSC on my own before and this will depend on conditions, if a large NE swell is running into vetchies you cannot do it alone.
I have also surf launched alone at other places but have needed a ground crew to help turn and hold the boat.