here is the report from my (our) outing yesterday
final leg of the Maritimo competition went well with nice fishing for us and consolidation of Nakisai as the better boat fishing in Maputo during 2011
congratulations for Nakisai team as indeed they put a big effort on fishing tis year and out fish all the other boats with nearly 1 billfish per leg
regarding our outing, I had a PM on Wednesday late in the evening from well known UA Champ...he was gonna be in Maputo for a client visit and asked me if I was fishing this weekend and he could join me
I mentioned that we had the competition and I was as usual a guest on board Oba Oba...but I would check with the skipper if I could take a guest
all ok and Thursday I took care of sorting out the fishing license for him...as it's mandatory for everyone on board a boat during a competition...no one checks even if the skipper as a license but it's mandatory
anyway...he arrived Friday after a long and exhausting drive...we had super micro social at Maritimo (only the 2 of us) friday night as competition was postponed for Sunday
weather forecast for Saturday was not so good...although wind never picked up
it was good time spent having some 2M's (him) and a Francesinha...typical portuguese dish from Porto
Saturday he had to work and after work another super micro social at Mundo's (now tih my partner)...we chated for a while before I went home for fishing snacks preparation
all set up and at 4:30 we got to Maritimo for 5:30 launching time
sea was flat, some clouds and treat of rain (we had some drops during the day) and temperature around 25
our goal was to sail North as the conditions were perfect to explore the fishing grounds up North...
by 6:40 lines were in the water in the 40/50mts mark...the Champ can write a bit on the spread as he his more experienced...I thought it wasn't that good although we were able to score nicelly
10minutes after...we had a long screaming reel on the short corner kit...I was the skipper/cameramen for the moment and Miguel started clearing the way for the Champ to start the fight
he had a good fight and after a while he was all happy and screaming as it was his first wahoo ever...and a grander...he will post the pics as I don't have any...I will try and collate the videos
on board he (the Champ) estimated over 20kg...I mentioned that last competition winning game fish (also a wahoo) had 19.1kg and was bigger then that...although skinnier...I guessed 18kg
weighted 18.9kg and was the biggest game fish caught yesterday...John F's boat caught a 18kg and was also first...of the lst ones (hehehe)
nice fish tough
we were all happy and yelling WAAAAAAAHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
congratulations on your first wahoo Champ!!!!
lines out again and after a while we were on again...and another strike that failed to hook up...a dorado was jumping around...so we start working the area in search for some dorado
after a while the top gun was on and I hold the rod...a 30y old penn international 30 reel that a few moments earlier we figured out that had a drag problem...
the drag wasn't working and per turn in would loose 3 out (literally the handle was reversing 3 turns out)...it was a fun fight with a lot of stress on my hands and arms as I was controlling the drag with my hands
the Champ was on the wheel/gaff while I was fighting...when suddenly Miguel asked the Champ for the gaff...
...we were all surprised why was he asking for the gaff on the other side of the boat but while reeling in The Winch (as we called the 80 and 130 reels) we found out that another dorado was on...funny hein!!!
it was a small one that only counted for the pot...mine was a very nice fight considering the weight of the fish (7.8kg) and the condition of the tackle
by this time John F was next to us aboard Lucky Luke, a F200 recently bought by one of his friends and because of lack of experience they have asked a experienced fisherman and sailor to go with them
we told him that the area was mad with dorado and he should work that area with us
not long after and again...another double strike of dorado...I was on the wheel/gaff/camera while Miguel was clearing the are...and the Champ fighting...guess what...the same kits
Miguel with The Winch...the Champ with the 1in/3out kit...but this time with a lot more fun as the dorado was slightly bigger and fighting a strange way
the Champ mentioned that this dollie was going like crazy to the bottom...like a YFT would do
I have really nice video footage that definitely need to collate and post for you guys
Miguel's dorado weighted 6.6kg and the Champ's 9.7kg
same lures, same kits...so we decided to change the lures for another kits as fighting a dorado on The Winch was not fun (for the fish and for us)...and fighting any fish on a 1in/3out kit was too tiring for us
the rest of the day was spent trolling towards deeper waters and around Poco and by 13h we call it off and start heading home
by 14h30 we were back in Maritimo for weighting and boat cleaning...and some more 2M's
the Champ had to leave to finish is work while I waited for all the boats to arrive with the catches...we had a big fish and although we weren't able to fight for the first place (as Nakisai released another marlin) but we scored high and maybe we could get 2nd place
unfortunately Hakuna Matata caught a few tunas and relegated us for 3rd place...but we had the biggest fish thanks to the Champ
looking forward for some pictures from the Champ camera...and will work on the video collage so that you can see him in action
I'm also looking forward for John F's report
and to finish...I'm also looking for a comment on the fishing snack's prepared...
just to ad that the Champ is now on the way home...so safe trip to you mate and post some pics so that everyone know who you are
100% mate and thanks for being such a good company aboard Oba-Oba...come more frequently and remember that there's a open offer for Ponta do Ouro
