Some pictures of the fish I have caught in my backyard pond.
Planted Freshwater Fish Aquarium
As much as you want to have a nice, big, attractive freshwater aquarium, you only have a small budget with which to set it up. So it's time to settle for the alternative and go the least expensive route. You can try having a fish bowl, a round-shaped, small fish tank which is far cheaper than a standard-sized fish tank. The important thing that you should bear in mind is not to include too many fish in the fish bowl as this may tend to cause an imbalance in the environment for other fish species. The ideal number of fish pets is one or two per normal-sized fish bowl.
Building your own freshwater fish bowl is as easy as 1, 2, 3. You do not need lots of expensive equipment - you just need clean water, a small guppy and some pieces of ornamentation. You can utilize aquatic plants that live in freshwater aquariums to provide a balance in your tank. As long as you remember a few of the basics, you can set up your favorite fish bowl without the help of professionals. The first thing you need to do is decide where to position your fish bowl. In terms of positioning simply place it on the top of a small table or stand. There is certainly no need for a customized stand. Also, you can save on your home's monthly water costs as a fish bowl only uses approximately a gallon (or less) of clean water. You can also save on electricity costs since you do not need water filters.
If you are the type who prefers to have a medium size fish bowl, you can choose to buy low cost lighting equipment for your tank. Again, this is not expensive. However, if you are not the type of person to settle for a small fish bowl, you can set up a mini aquarium to further accentuate your living room. You just need to have a small water filter that helps maintain your tank's water, certain types of fish species such as Bloodfin Tetra and Guppy, live aquatic plants, decorative rocks and sand, and other ornamentations that you may include based on personal preference.
You also need to choose the type of material for your mini freshwater aquarium. Basically, manufacturers offer glass and acrylic aquariums, but you need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each type. Since you are working with a small budget, you may opt for glass which is less expensive than acrylic. Generally, acrylic is lighter than glass and more readily fashioned into your own unique shape, but it is more expensive and somewhat more easily scratched than glass. However, some acrylic scratches can be polished out, while scratched glass is all but impossible to fix.
No matter how big or small your freshwater aquarium, it does not matter as long as you keep your tank looking good. It is also important that you keep your fish healthy - the main reason to maintain your freshwater aquarium. Sit back, relax and enjoy the company of your fish, regardless of what size of aquarium you choose.
Live aquatic plants can also be a big help in a tropical freshwater aquarium because plants also help utilize the ammonia and reduce waste levels in the tank. Plants also provide shy or frightened fish with hiding places reducing the amount of stress the fish experience which keeps them healthier. Planted tropical freshwater aquariums are often more stable and contain healthier, happier fish than non-planted aquariums.
As for the stand of your mini aquarium, you can personalize it by using some basic carpentry skills or seeking the help of a friend when building it. This way, you can save a significant amount of money compared to buying a custom-made stand from the manufacturer. Determine how high you want the stand to be - high enough for comfortable viewing, but not so high that the aquarium dominates the room.
"Today was a good day"
The alarm went off at 5:45am and my eyes were wide open. No snooze button today. Optimism swelled as I brushed my teeth, kissed my wife, and got in my already loaded car. There was no traffic the entire way, not even at HRBT and the tunes were cranking when I pulled into the parking lot at Ocean’s East 2. As I get out of the car, the guy taking out the trash smiles and askes “how many fiddlers today, bud?” It almost felt like Cheers, where everybody knows your name and already has your beer ready for you. 4 dozen please, big bag of ice, and I’m off to Chicks beach, lickety split. I’m ready to launch to perfect conditions at 8am when a family comes over and oohhs and aaahhs and asks about what I’m fishing for. I tell them sheepshead, which they never heard of. I just smiled and said “they’re a ton of fun”. As my butt hit the seat of my “cool ride”, I was wished good luck and happy hunting. I yelled back “thanks” as I took my first few paddle strokes. I love the first few strokes of the day.
After smooth paddle out, I was on the spot under the CBBT. For those of you who really want to know, I use 30lb braid, to swivel, to 40lb leader with dropper loop, size 1 Owner J Hooks, 2 or 3 oz sinkers with the swivel on top. My dropper loop is around 6 or 7 inches above the sinker. All on a 7’ medium heavy Shimano Teremar rod. Anyway, I get out there and immediately I get bites. They’re quick and fluttering bites, so I knew they weren’t sheepies. It turned out to be these guys.
I switch pilings and immediately felt a different type of bite. Light, subtle and before I knew it, my hook was clean. I knew it was a sheepshead. I quickly re-bait and get it down to the same spot. As soon as it hit bottom, I felt that same subtle bump and as soon as the second tap came, I energetically swung up with the rod and... swing and a miss. Without hesitation and as quickly as possible, I re-bait again. I get the fiddler down to the bottom, hoping to feel that tap again, but it’s not there. A few minutes go by and my heart beat goes back to normal and I let out a long sigh. And bamm! There it was, barely a tap and my muscles instantly knew what to do. I guess the adrenalline was still pumping. Drag ripping mayhem ensues as my kayak gets banged around the piling I was on and I see my line rip towards the next piling, I finally get my leg around to the right side, kick off and away from the piling and desperately try to stop this fish. He gets turned around, I get him close enough to see (or for him to see me) and he goes on another amazing run. Taking drag he pulls me all the way back to the bottom and I feel something strange happen and he’s gone. That strange feeling was my sinker getting lodged in something and getting broken off at the swivel. The swivel was still on the bottom of my rig, but no lead, and my hook was bent open. I was in shear and utter amazement at the power I just felt. I pulled on the line from the reel to feel how much drag I had going. It was pretty tight. I remembered looking on Shimano’s website and it said max drag pressure for that Corvalus reel was 11 lbs. so I tightened it all the way down.
The next couple of hours were spent talking to God. And I’m not really the religious type, but it’s funny how fishing will do that. I fed a bunch more puffers, had a few more highly suspect sheepshead bites, but no hook ups. At this point, I was even running low on fiddlers. I took a deep breath, looked up at the sky and on my exhale, I told myself, it’s a beautiful day, gorgeous sky, a perfect light breeze, it’s not insanely hot, happy families playing on the beach, I’m out on the water, doing what I love to do..... today is a good day. Sure as hell beats the office anyway!
Well, just then, my muscles went into auto drive again and set the hook on something huge. Even with drag rippping, 3/4 of my rod is pulled into the water and my kayak started leaning as the line shot under the boat. I desperately held onto the rod as I leaned back the other way. An intense battle commenced as I brought him to the surface and he dove back down. If I remember it correctly, he did that about 4 or 5 times and each time he dove back down, drag ripped and my heart came up to my throat... once again, praying to god that the hook stayed in him. Eventually, I got him to stay on the surface. When I saw that the hook placement was good, I grabbed the leader, dragged him over the gunwale and it was like that Berkely commercial where they show a bunch of guys yelling “Woo Hoo!”. Except mine was louder and followed by “#%&K YEAH! I LOVE THIS $H*@!!!”
About 20 minutes later I ran out of bait, so I paddled in, proud of my one fish. I packed up my equipment and drove over Ocean’s East to show them what their fiddlers did for me. It ended up weighing exactly 11lbs and was first citation sheepshead. I felt the adrenaline still rushing as I signed the paper work and I was all smiles when I asked for 4 dozen more fiddlers. The guy looked up and asked “Are you serious?”. I looked at the clock. It read 11:45 am. I said “Damn skippy, I took the day off of work and I’m gonna spend as much of that time fishing.” He replied “Sounds good man. Go gityerself ‘nother one”. I smiled, got my bait, a bite to eat and I was back on the water in no time.
Well, I know this story’s getting kinda long, so I’ll wrap it up. I spent 4.5 more hours on the water, hooked and lost another one, and ended up with 2 more citations!!! 13lb 4oz and 13lb 2oz !!! One of them wasn’t hooked very well so I used my leg to help lift it into the boat and I got the marks to show it.
I showed back up at Oceans East and put on a spectacle. After signing the paper work, I dropped off one fish at my parents and before I hit the road I stopped off to get some gas. As I was pumping, I looked at my reflection in the glass and realized my fishing shirt was on inside out. I chuckled and said to myself “Today was a good day”.
p.s. I might have to wear my fishing shirts inside out from now on.
Also, I decided that I’m not going to keep any more of these big sheepies.
After smooth paddle out, I was on the spot under the CBBT. For those of you who really want to know, I use 30lb braid, to swivel, to 40lb leader with dropper loop, size 1 Owner J Hooks, 2 or 3 oz sinkers with the swivel on top. My dropper loop is around 6 or 7 inches above the sinker. All on a 7’ medium heavy Shimano Teremar rod. Anyway, I get out there and immediately I get bites. They’re quick and fluttering bites, so I knew they weren’t sheepies. It turned out to be these guys.
I switch pilings and immediately felt a different type of bite. Light, subtle and before I knew it, my hook was clean. I knew it was a sheepshead. I quickly re-bait and get it down to the same spot. As soon as it hit bottom, I felt that same subtle bump and as soon as the second tap came, I energetically swung up with the rod and... swing and a miss. Without hesitation and as quickly as possible, I re-bait again. I get the fiddler down to the bottom, hoping to feel that tap again, but it’s not there. A few minutes go by and my heart beat goes back to normal and I let out a long sigh. And bamm! There it was, barely a tap and my muscles instantly knew what to do. I guess the adrenalline was still pumping. Drag ripping mayhem ensues as my kayak gets banged around the piling I was on and I see my line rip towards the next piling, I finally get my leg around to the right side, kick off and away from the piling and desperately try to stop this fish. He gets turned around, I get him close enough to see (or for him to see me) and he goes on another amazing run. Taking drag he pulls me all the way back to the bottom and I feel something strange happen and he’s gone. That strange feeling was my sinker getting lodged in something and getting broken off at the swivel. The swivel was still on the bottom of my rig, but no lead, and my hook was bent open. I was in shear and utter amazement at the power I just felt. I pulled on the line from the reel to feel how much drag I had going. It was pretty tight. I remembered looking on Shimano’s website and it said max drag pressure for that Corvalus reel was 11 lbs. so I tightened it all the way down.
The next couple of hours were spent talking to God. And I’m not really the religious type, but it’s funny how fishing will do that. I fed a bunch more puffers, had a few more highly suspect sheepshead bites, but no hook ups. At this point, I was even running low on fiddlers. I took a deep breath, looked up at the sky and on my exhale, I told myself, it’s a beautiful day, gorgeous sky, a perfect light breeze, it’s not insanely hot, happy families playing on the beach, I’m out on the water, doing what I love to do..... today is a good day. Sure as hell beats the office anyway!
Well, just then, my muscles went into auto drive again and set the hook on something huge. Even with drag rippping, 3/4 of my rod is pulled into the water and my kayak started leaning as the line shot under the boat. I desperately held onto the rod as I leaned back the other way. An intense battle commenced as I brought him to the surface and he dove back down. If I remember it correctly, he did that about 4 or 5 times and each time he dove back down, drag ripped and my heart came up to my throat... once again, praying to god that the hook stayed in him. Eventually, I got him to stay on the surface. When I saw that the hook placement was good, I grabbed the leader, dragged him over the gunwale and it was like that Berkely commercial where they show a bunch of guys yelling “Woo Hoo!”. Except mine was louder and followed by “#%&K YEAH! I LOVE THIS $H*@!!!”
About 20 minutes later I ran out of bait, so I paddled in, proud of my one fish. I packed up my equipment and drove over Ocean’s East to show them what their fiddlers did for me. It ended up weighing exactly 11lbs and was first citation sheepshead. I felt the adrenaline still rushing as I signed the paper work and I was all smiles when I asked for 4 dozen more fiddlers. The guy looked up and asked “Are you serious?”. I looked at the clock. It read 11:45 am. I said “Damn skippy, I took the day off of work and I’m gonna spend as much of that time fishing.” He replied “Sounds good man. Go gityerself ‘nother one”. I smiled, got my bait, a bite to eat and I was back on the water in no time.
Well, I know this story’s getting kinda long, so I’ll wrap it up. I spent 4.5 more hours on the water, hooked and lost another one, and ended up with 2 more citations!!! 13lb 4oz and 13lb 2oz !!! One of them wasn’t hooked very well so I used my leg to help lift it into the boat and I got the marks to show it.
I showed back up at Oceans East and put on a spectacle. After signing the paper work, I dropped off one fish at my parents and before I hit the road I stopped off to get some gas. As I was pumping, I looked at my reflection in the glass and realized my fishing shirt was on inside out. I chuckled and said to myself “Today was a good day”.
p.s. I might have to wear my fishing shirts inside out from now on.
Also, I decided that I’m not going to keep any more of these big sheepies.
Spades n Triggers
Friday, my main focus was spades. I got out to the CBBT and I immediately started hookin up.
Only problem was...
...they were tiny.
The biggest was 10".
I also found some triggers.
It was crazy hot so I took a break when the current got too fast to fish and took a swim by the down current side of the island. Other than tiny black sea bass, I didn't catch anything else all day and of course... the paddle back was miserable. I had a nasty head wind and I had water crashing over my bow on every other wave. Salt sprayed in the mouth as I breathed through my teeth and the upstroke end of my paddle felt like a sail on every stroke. It sucked.
Sunday I went looking for sheeps and found a couple little guys.
Only problem was...
...they were tiny.
The biggest was 10".
I also found some triggers.
It was crazy hot so I took a break when the current got too fast to fish and took a swim by the down current side of the island. Other than tiny black sea bass, I didn't catch anything else all day and of course... the paddle back was miserable. I had a nasty head wind and I had water crashing over my bow on every other wave. Salt sprayed in the mouth as I breathed through my teeth and the upstroke end of my paddle felt like a sail on every stroke. It sucked.
Sunday I went looking for sheeps and found a couple little guys.
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Just a few...
Nothing huge and not the hottest action, but still a lot of fun. Especially since I didn't think I was gonna get out cuz it was my wife's "birthday weekend". But I guess I did a good job of making her happy cuz Sunday afternoon came around and she asked if I wanted to go fishing. I just looked at her and smiled (resisting the urge to say something like "Do Asian people eat rice? Duh")
And she smiled back.
I got a couple of these...
and lost a couple more.
I can't tell you which piling, but I'll tell you that they love some fiddler crabs.
Fish tacos tonight! Woo hoo!
And she smiled back.
I got a couple of these...
and lost a couple more.
I can't tell you which piling, but I'll tell you that they love some fiddler crabs.
Fish tacos tonight! Woo hoo!
Witching Hour
Das Licht schwindet, der Wind lässt nach und die Gelsen beginnen mit ihren unbarmherzigen Attacken auf die einzigen nicht von Textil bedeckten Hautflecken (Augenlider, Zahnfleisch etc....)
Die Dämmerung war unaufhaltsam über die Szenerie gezogen und mit dieser begann auch unser Futterplatz zum Leben zu erwachen. Mario und ich waren schon seit ein paar Stunden am Wasser und fischten auf Karpfen. Ausser ein paar Piepsern hatten die Bissanzeiger noch nichts gemeldet und ich begann schön langsam zu zweifeln ob heute überhaupt noch Karpfen auf den Futterplatz kommen würden. Gerade als wir über das Schneidertum bzw die Brotlosigkeit von Angeln ansich sinnierten lief plötzlich die rechte, flach abgelegte Rute.
Nach schönem Drill kescherte mir Mario einen herrlichen Schuppenkarpf.
Nun, dieser Karpfen war der Kickoff-Fisch schlechthin, denn in den nächsten 25min konnten wir zusammen noch 3 schöne Fische fangen, davon ein Satzler (no pic) und noch ettliche Klodeckln....
Der letzte Karpfen war der Beste des Tages, ein extrem guter Kämpfer!
Kleines Video gibt auch mal wieder, Unterwasseraufnahmen waren aber wegen des trüben Wassers nicht möglich.
Danach ging nichts mehr, kein Zupfer. Wir fischten noch ein wenig, packten im letzten Licht unseren Krempl und zogen zufrieden ab gen Heimat.
Einen Nachtrag hab ich auch noch zu posten, und zwar meinen ersten fully scaled Spiegelkarpfen, nicht groß, aber SCHÖN !!!!
SUR-fishing
Die Dämmerung war unaufhaltsam über die Szenerie gezogen und mit dieser begann auch unser Futterplatz zum Leben zu erwachen. Mario und ich waren schon seit ein paar Stunden am Wasser und fischten auf Karpfen. Ausser ein paar Piepsern hatten die Bissanzeiger noch nichts gemeldet und ich begann schön langsam zu zweifeln ob heute überhaupt noch Karpfen auf den Futterplatz kommen würden. Gerade als wir über das Schneidertum bzw die Brotlosigkeit von Angeln ansich sinnierten lief plötzlich die rechte, flach abgelegte Rute.
Nach schönem Drill kescherte mir Mario einen herrlichen Schuppenkarpf.
Nun, dieser Karpfen war der Kickoff-Fisch schlechthin, denn in den nächsten 25min konnten wir zusammen noch 3 schöne Fische fangen, davon ein Satzler (no pic) und noch ettliche Klodeckln....
Der letzte Karpfen war der Beste des Tages, ein extrem guter Kämpfer!
Kleines Video gibt auch mal wieder, Unterwasseraufnahmen waren aber wegen des trüben Wassers nicht möglich.Danach ging nichts mehr, kein Zupfer. Wir fischten noch ein wenig, packten im letzten Licht unseren Krempl und zogen zufrieden ab gen Heimat.
Einen Nachtrag hab ich auch noch zu posten, und zwar meinen ersten fully scaled Spiegelkarpfen, nicht groß, aber SCHÖN !!!!
SUR-fishing
Paul the octopus has made his final selections
As the international tug-of-war between Germans wanting to eat him and Spaniards wanting to protect him to the death does something less than rage on, Paul the Oracle Octopus has continued with his charlatan ways and picked winners of both the third-place match and the World Cup final. Given Paul's perfect record in picking his food out of the box covered with the flag of the team that goes on to win the World Cup match, these choices have now reached gospel status. Television networks in Germany, Spain and the Netherlands interrupted their programming to broadcast their octopus overlord's decisions live on Friday. And then they waited, eager and nervous. For an octopus to eat a piece of food.
First up was the Uruguay vs. Germany third-place match. And according to Reuters, Paul is becoming a bit of a showman:
On Friday Paul first settled on top of the Germany container but after a few minutes shifted to the Uruguay container. Then after about 15 minutes he went back to Germany container, quickly opened the lid and ate the morsel of food inside.
Fifteen minutes to make a pick? Come on, Paul. Don't be like LeBron.
Picking Germany was probably a smart decision, though. Maybe it will quell the death threats and allow Paul to finally get back to a normal life. Yet, we do know that Paul didn't make his pick under duress because, well, he's an octopus and doesn't know what these people are doing to him.
Anyway, which box would Paul select when humbly asked to make a special non-German match second selection? Who will win it all, Paul — Spain or the Netherlands? Tell us so we can bask in your tentacled glory! Spanish television personalities awaited his decision with mild interest...
Spain! Pulpo Paul is attempting to cement his bid to become the new king of Spain — the first step in his deliberate plot to seize absolute power over the entire universe — by picking them to win their first World Cup. And so it is foretold, and so it is written.
Also featured in that Reuters video report at the top is that prognosticating parakeet threat to Paul's crown, and Paul's captor speaking casually about the octopus' rapidly impending death. Assuming, of course, that Paul is like every other mortal octopus and not, in fact, the Highlander.
Offshore Kayaking 7/7/10
There's a small part of me that says mothershipping is "cheating". But the other part of me says "when am I ever going to see that bluewater, the beautiful colors of a dolphin, and feel the amazing power of an AJ if I don't go?" If I ever was to see and feel those things, it was definitely going to be in a yak. So I commited. I met Rob Alderman and crew down at Teach's Lair Wednesday morning at 5:30am. Actually, I got off work Tuesday, went to the HRBT, fished the schoolie stripers until 12:30am, got to Teach's Lair by 3:30am, slept for 2 hours and got on the big boat. I couldn't help it. The schoolie stripers were on fire last Thursday and Friday so I had to.
So the crew aboard the Big Tahuna consisted of Capt. Scott, 1st mate Kenny, Alderman, Alderman's Parents, Rich (OBX Taco), Chris Peebles (from near Blacksburg) and myself. Four yaks were loaded; gear, food, drinks and we were off.
We found a grass line and started trolling to see if we could find them. It took a little time, but we found them. We all brought in some dolphin from the big boat. The action wasn't very steady, so when we found them again, we deployed the yaks. I was the first one in and in no time I was hooked up. There are no pictures or video that can do the beauty justice. The color of the water is just gorgeous and the dolphin look like they're lit up from the inside. The bright blue of the pectoral fins when they're in the water is just amazing. The incredible aerial feats are insane as well. So I had my first yak hooked mahi right at my side and I decide to get my camera out to do some underwater footage.
With one hand, I grab my camera, turn it on, press record, and that's when the mahi makes one last run and it's gone. I regret not pulling that fish in, cuz all the others spit the hook as well. All I had to do was grab the leader and lay him in my yak. It was the same story with the other 3 yakers too. Everybody hooked up, but the dolphin always found a way to get off. Just one of those days I guess. Oh by the way, I tried standing since I wanted to get a better view to find the fish. Alderman with his Ride135 and tons of experience in the open ocean seemed to have no problem standing and casting. He even hooked two mahi while standing.
I gave it a shot and was up there for a few seconds, but then took a quick swim. I tried it again and quickly sat myself down as I was losing my balance. I can stand and cast in the flats no problem, even on a breezy day, but the ocean is apparently another story. Alderman also had something take his ballyhoo while paddling that made us all wonder. Whatever it was slammed the bait hard and was taking line when it came unbuttoned. Any given day out there...
After that we were off to a wreck with the hopes of finding some AmberJack. And boy did we find some. Once again I was the first one in. It was a trip to see 300+ feet on my yak's fishfinder. Kinda made me giggle a little thinking about how tiny I was. Anyway, we all hooked up immediately. These things are freakin' powerful! I could hardly getting any line in. Actually it was peeling off line at an exhilarating rate. I tightened the drag just a bit and pop*. I hit the back of my seat real quick. It was a similar story with two other guys too. Expletives came from every yak except one. Chris managed to pull in what looked like a 24" ~ 28" amberjack (I didn't get an accurate measurement). We re-rigged and did it again. We'd hook up and they'd pull us into the wreck. I must have lost about 6 or 7 fish. Some just pulled the hook, but most of the time I came up with a frayed leader. The captain decided to move us to another location so we packed up, quickly ate a sandwich and we redeployed at "the rock pile". Once again, we were on 'em. The mate got us some thicker leaders and I was able horse one in finally. It measured 35". But I could tell that the AJs at the other wreck had to be a bigger class of fish. I can safely say that was the hardest fighting fish I have ever fought. We just couldn't get them to turn their heads. Alderman pulled in a beautiful 40" and Chris hooked into something that spooled him. Rich had a nice size trigger and bee-line snapper. I saw a turtle try to eat my ballyhoo, some flyingfish, and had a great time! If you're ever interested, contact Rob Alderman with The Outer Banks Angler. His vast knowledge is impressive and his connections with the captains in the area will get you the best deal possible. He knows how to get it done and will help you make it happen. However he does expect you to work hard. Just because the mothership takes you out doesn't mean it's not a lot of work. The current is very strong and staying over the wrecks is tough. But it's worth it!!!
I don't necessarily agree or disagree with the lyrics of this song. I just like the pumped up feeling it gives. I hope you like it.
So the crew aboard the Big Tahuna consisted of Capt. Scott, 1st mate Kenny, Alderman, Alderman's Parents, Rich (OBX Taco), Chris Peebles (from near Blacksburg) and myself. Four yaks were loaded; gear, food, drinks and we were off.
We found a grass line and started trolling to see if we could find them. It took a little time, but we found them. We all brought in some dolphin from the big boat. The action wasn't very steady, so when we found them again, we deployed the yaks. I was the first one in and in no time I was hooked up. There are no pictures or video that can do the beauty justice. The color of the water is just gorgeous and the dolphin look like they're lit up from the inside. The bright blue of the pectoral fins when they're in the water is just amazing. The incredible aerial feats are insane as well. So I had my first yak hooked mahi right at my side and I decide to get my camera out to do some underwater footage.
With one hand, I grab my camera, turn it on, press record, and that's when the mahi makes one last run and it's gone. I regret not pulling that fish in, cuz all the others spit the hook as well. All I had to do was grab the leader and lay him in my yak. It was the same story with the other 3 yakers too. Everybody hooked up, but the dolphin always found a way to get off. Just one of those days I guess. Oh by the way, I tried standing since I wanted to get a better view to find the fish. Alderman with his Ride135 and tons of experience in the open ocean seemed to have no problem standing and casting. He even hooked two mahi while standing.
I gave it a shot and was up there for a few seconds, but then took a quick swim. I tried it again and quickly sat myself down as I was losing my balance. I can stand and cast in the flats no problem, even on a breezy day, but the ocean is apparently another story. Alderman also had something take his ballyhoo while paddling that made us all wonder. Whatever it was slammed the bait hard and was taking line when it came unbuttoned. Any given day out there...
After that we were off to a wreck with the hopes of finding some AmberJack. And boy did we find some. Once again I was the first one in. It was a trip to see 300+ feet on my yak's fishfinder. Kinda made me giggle a little thinking about how tiny I was. Anyway, we all hooked up immediately. These things are freakin' powerful! I could hardly getting any line in. Actually it was peeling off line at an exhilarating rate. I tightened the drag just a bit and pop*. I hit the back of my seat real quick. It was a similar story with two other guys too. Expletives came from every yak except one. Chris managed to pull in what looked like a 24" ~ 28" amberjack (I didn't get an accurate measurement). We re-rigged and did it again. We'd hook up and they'd pull us into the wreck. I must have lost about 6 or 7 fish. Some just pulled the hook, but most of the time I came up with a frayed leader. The captain decided to move us to another location so we packed up, quickly ate a sandwich and we redeployed at "the rock pile". Once again, we were on 'em. The mate got us some thicker leaders and I was able horse one in finally. It measured 35". But I could tell that the AJs at the other wreck had to be a bigger class of fish. I can safely say that was the hardest fighting fish I have ever fought. We just couldn't get them to turn their heads. Alderman pulled in a beautiful 40" and Chris hooked into something that spooled him. Rich had a nice size trigger and bee-line snapper. I saw a turtle try to eat my ballyhoo, some flyingfish, and had a great time! If you're ever interested, contact Rob Alderman with The Outer Banks Angler. His vast knowledge is impressive and his connections with the captains in the area will get you the best deal possible. He knows how to get it done and will help you make it happen. However he does expect you to work hard. Just because the mothership takes you out doesn't mean it's not a lot of work. The current is very strong and staying over the wrecks is tough. But it's worth it!!!
I don't necessarily agree or disagree with the lyrics of this song. I just like the pumped up feeling it gives. I hope you like it.
SUR-fishing "Got some Bass?"
Vom 30.06 bis 4.07 war die SUR-fishing-partie wieder mal in Kroatien unterwegs. Mit einem umgebauten Mercedesbus gings zuerst nach Graz und dann nach Koprivnica, nahe der Ungarischen Grenze.
Angekommen, wurden wir schon von unserem ortsansässigen Kumpel Hrvoje begrüßt, und bei einem kalten Pan sogleich ein Schlachtplan für die nächsten Tage ausgearbeitet.
Hrvoje, Nationalteamangler und jedes Jahr unter den Besten der Trout bzw Bass Liga, versorgte uns mit Gewässertipps der Sonderklasse, und arrangierte sogar Tagestrip nach Ungarn, wo wir uns bei ein paar Cracks der Bass-League anhängen durften.
Erstmals gings jedoch an eine kleinen C&R See wo wir fürs erste unser Lager aufschlugen. Gut besetzt mit Hecht Karpfen Amur und Tincas, war der See letztes Jahr auch für den einen oder anderen Schwarzbarsch gut.
Wir bauten unser Camp auf und machten ein paar Karpfengertn fertig.Gefischt wurde mit Kugeln von MelegBait bzw mit Honigmais.
Schnell brach die Dämmerung herrein und mit ihr kamen sie dann, 1.000.000.000.000 Gösn !!! Dachte ich doch in den Donauauen schon so ziemlich alles gesehen zu haben in diese Richtung, wurde ich schmerzhaft eines besseren belehrt....
Gott sei Dank machten die Gelsen etwa um 11:30 die Fliege, und ab da konnten wir uns wieder uneingeschränkt den kalten Bieren und heißen Würschtln widmen.
Die erste Nacht verlief karpfenmäßig recht ruhig, bis auf einen starken Drillaussteiger im Seerosenfeld war nichts zu verzeichnen.
Würden uns die Karpfen, wie schon letztes Jahr, was pfeiffen??
Der nächste Tag war ganz den Hechten und Schwarzbarschen gewidmet. Hauptsächlich mit Spinnerbaits, Buzzbaits, Gummiködern und Poppern wurde gefischt, und tatsächlich konnte ich nach 2 Aussteigern den ersten Bass verhaften. Kein Riese, aber die Freude war enorm.
Auch Hechte konnten einige gelandet werden, zwar alle recht klein, aber dennoch ein Spass!
Rettich mit seinem ersten Hecht, ever!
Gegen Abend fingen wir uns ein paar Sonnenbarsch und versuchten in der Dämmerung einen besseren Hecht am Schwimmer zu erwischen, leider ging der Stoppl nicht einmal auf Tauchgang.
Längst war es nach Mitternacht, als der, schon in Vergessenheit geratene, Bissanzeiger einen Dauerton von sich gab und nach kurzem Drill konnten wir den ersten Carp auf die Matte legen.
Wir freuten uns über den Karpfen als wärs ein 10kg+ gewesen !!!!
Es folgte in jener Nacht noch ein Run, leider setzte sich der Fisch wieder im Kraut fest, welches fast am ganzen See bis an die Wasseroberfläche wuchert.
Am folgenden Morgen trafen wir, wie vereinbart, auf unsere kroatischen Fischerkollegen und fuhren über die Grenze nach Ungarn. An dieser Stelle werde ich der Bitte unserer Gastgeber nachkommen und weder über Namen noch über die Lage des Gewässers sprechen, von meiner Seite eine klare Sache.
Am Tatort angekommen mussten wir mit Entsetzen feststellen, dass die ungarischen Gelsen weit tagaktiver waren als ihre kroatischen Halbbrüder. Insekten und Hitze machten den Tag zu einer echt harten Nummer, und es war sehr schwer mit der nötigen Konzentration ans Werk zu gehn.
Das Gewässer ließ jedoch auch schon bei diesem Kurzbesuch (wegen der Gelsen zogen wir uns vorzeitig zurück) sein unglaubliches Potenzial erkennen. Ich konnte einen dicken Bass von 44cm landen, nachdem mir zuvor 2 knappe 50er im Drill abgekommen waren.
Der Barsch lieferte einen harten Drill mit ettlichen Sprungeinlagen, bei denen mir jedesmal schlecht wurde vor Angst der Barsch könnte mir den Spinnerbait wieder vor die Füsse knallen!
Auch Wernisch und Rettich konnten gute Barsche hooken, doch leider kamen die starken Fische alle bei spektakulären Sprüngen vom Haken.
Einer der Bass-Cracks mit denen wir angelten konnte einen richtig Kapitalen Fisch landen. Jenseits der 50cm und knapp 2,5 Kilo hatte der Traumfisch. Gebissen auf einen schwarzen Senko! Dobar Bass!!!!
Zurück in Kroatien bauten wir wieder für Karpfen auf machten eine fette Brotzeit. Nach dem Essen warf ich noch ein wenig mit Gummiköder um mich, und konnte mit einem giftgrünen Senko diesen schönen Bass von seiner Schule trennen, natürlich nur kurzfristig...
Es lief an der Rauberfront recht stark, da konnte uns auch eine weitere Schneidernacht auf Karpfen nicht aus der Fassung bringen. Die Moskitos waren jedoch sehr knapp dran....
Erst am Vormittag, 3 von uns waren gerade auf Bassjagd, konnte der Bewacher der Karpfengerten, Domi aka Rum Coco seinen ersten Karpfen ever drilln, und wies der Zufall so wollte kamen wir gerade recht zum Keschern wieder am Platz an.
Rum Coco freute sich wie ein Hinniger, und auch dem Hund war das einen mehr oder weniger anerkennenden Blick wert.
Jeder hatte nun seinen Fisch gefangen und der Druck, sollte da überhaupt einer gewesen sein, war von uns abgefallen. In dieser Tonart ging es in den nächsten 2 Tagen weiter und wir fanden einen guten Mix zwischen Bier im Schatten...
.......und Angeln in der Sonne.
Wernisch und Rettich waren mittlerweile heiß auf einen Schwarzbarsch und fischten teilweise hart am Limit zur Dehydrierung und Blutarmut, doch es war wie verhext. Sie fingen zwar Hecht auf Hecht, wenn sich jedoch mal ein Bass an den Köder verirrte, schüttelte er sich entweder vom Haken, oder blieb erst garnicht hängen....echt unglaublich !!
Die Schwarzbarsche waren mir gnädiger gesonnen, so konnte ich noch ein paar zum Tanz bitten, einer davon ein wirklicher Traumbass.
Auch gelangen noch 2 besondere Kunststücke. In der letzten Nacht fingen wir den kleinsten, verbautesten Karpfen im ganzen Gewässer. Echt verdammt klein kann ich euch sagen....
....und am letzten Tag biss mich der kleinste Hecht des Trips zum Abschied gehörig in den Finger!!!
Das wars, nichts geht mehr! Eine Nacht früher als geplant, die Gelsen waren beim besten Willen nicht auszuhalten, machten wir uns auf den Weg nach Graz, um dort noch ein wenig zu trinken und den Trip revue passieren zu lassen.
Wiedermal eine gute Zeit, gibts goanix!!!
SUR-fishing
Angekommen, wurden wir schon von unserem ortsansässigen Kumpel Hrvoje begrüßt, und bei einem kalten Pan sogleich ein Schlachtplan für die nächsten Tage ausgearbeitet.Hrvoje, Nationalteamangler und jedes Jahr unter den Besten der Trout bzw Bass Liga, versorgte uns mit Gewässertipps der Sonderklasse, und arrangierte sogar Tagestrip nach Ungarn, wo wir uns bei ein paar Cracks der Bass-League anhängen durften.
Erstmals gings jedoch an eine kleinen C&R See wo wir fürs erste unser Lager aufschlugen. Gut besetzt mit Hecht Karpfen Amur und Tincas, war der See letztes Jahr auch für den einen oder anderen Schwarzbarsch gut.
Wir bauten unser Camp auf und machten ein paar Karpfengertn fertig.Gefischt wurde mit Kugeln von MelegBait bzw mit Honigmais.
Schnell brach die Dämmerung herrein und mit ihr kamen sie dann, 1.000.000.000.000 Gösn !!! Dachte ich doch in den Donauauen schon so ziemlich alles gesehen zu haben in diese Richtung, wurde ich schmerzhaft eines besseren belehrt....
Gott sei Dank machten die Gelsen etwa um 11:30 die Fliege, und ab da konnten wir uns wieder uneingeschränkt den kalten Bieren und heißen Würschtln widmen.Die erste Nacht verlief karpfenmäßig recht ruhig, bis auf einen starken Drillaussteiger im Seerosenfeld war nichts zu verzeichnen.
Würden uns die Karpfen, wie schon letztes Jahr, was pfeiffen??Der nächste Tag war ganz den Hechten und Schwarzbarschen gewidmet. Hauptsächlich mit Spinnerbaits, Buzzbaits, Gummiködern und Poppern wurde gefischt, und tatsächlich konnte ich nach 2 Aussteigern den ersten Bass verhaften. Kein Riese, aber die Freude war enorm.
Auch Hechte konnten einige gelandet werden, zwar alle recht klein, aber dennoch ein Spass!
Rettich mit seinem ersten Hecht, ever!
Gegen Abend fingen wir uns ein paar Sonnenbarsch und versuchten in der Dämmerung einen besseren Hecht am Schwimmer zu erwischen, leider ging der Stoppl nicht einmal auf Tauchgang.Längst war es nach Mitternacht, als der, schon in Vergessenheit geratene, Bissanzeiger einen Dauerton von sich gab und nach kurzem Drill konnten wir den ersten Carp auf die Matte legen.
Wir freuten uns über den Karpfen als wärs ein 10kg+ gewesen !!!!Es folgte in jener Nacht noch ein Run, leider setzte sich der Fisch wieder im Kraut fest, welches fast am ganzen See bis an die Wasseroberfläche wuchert.
Am folgenden Morgen trafen wir, wie vereinbart, auf unsere kroatischen Fischerkollegen und fuhren über die Grenze nach Ungarn. An dieser Stelle werde ich der Bitte unserer Gastgeber nachkommen und weder über Namen noch über die Lage des Gewässers sprechen, von meiner Seite eine klare Sache.
Am Tatort angekommen mussten wir mit Entsetzen feststellen, dass die ungarischen Gelsen weit tagaktiver waren als ihre kroatischen Halbbrüder. Insekten und Hitze machten den Tag zu einer echt harten Nummer, und es war sehr schwer mit der nötigen Konzentration ans Werk zu gehn.Das Gewässer ließ jedoch auch schon bei diesem Kurzbesuch (wegen der Gelsen zogen wir uns vorzeitig zurück) sein unglaubliches Potenzial erkennen. Ich konnte einen dicken Bass von 44cm landen, nachdem mir zuvor 2 knappe 50er im Drill abgekommen waren.
Der Barsch lieferte einen harten Drill mit ettlichen Sprungeinlagen, bei denen mir jedesmal schlecht wurde vor Angst der Barsch könnte mir den Spinnerbait wieder vor die Füsse knallen!Auch Wernisch und Rettich konnten gute Barsche hooken, doch leider kamen die starken Fische alle bei spektakulären Sprüngen vom Haken.
Einer der Bass-Cracks mit denen wir angelten konnte einen richtig Kapitalen Fisch landen. Jenseits der 50cm und knapp 2,5 Kilo hatte der Traumfisch. Gebissen auf einen schwarzen Senko! Dobar Bass!!!!
Zurück in Kroatien bauten wir wieder für Karpfen auf machten eine fette Brotzeit. Nach dem Essen warf ich noch ein wenig mit Gummiköder um mich, und konnte mit einem giftgrünen Senko diesen schönen Bass von seiner Schule trennen, natürlich nur kurzfristig...
Es lief an der Rauberfront recht stark, da konnte uns auch eine weitere Schneidernacht auf Karpfen nicht aus der Fassung bringen. Die Moskitos waren jedoch sehr knapp dran....Erst am Vormittag, 3 von uns waren gerade auf Bassjagd, konnte der Bewacher der Karpfengerten, Domi aka Rum Coco seinen ersten Karpfen ever drilln, und wies der Zufall so wollte kamen wir gerade recht zum Keschern wieder am Platz an.
Rum Coco freute sich wie ein Hinniger, und auch dem Hund war das einen mehr oder weniger anerkennenden Blick wert.
Jeder hatte nun seinen Fisch gefangen und der Druck, sollte da überhaupt einer gewesen sein, war von uns abgefallen. In dieser Tonart ging es in den nächsten 2 Tagen weiter und wir fanden einen guten Mix zwischen Bier im Schatten...
.......und Angeln in der Sonne.
Wernisch und Rettich waren mittlerweile heiß auf einen Schwarzbarsch und fischten teilweise hart am Limit zur Dehydrierung und Blutarmut, doch es war wie verhext. Sie fingen zwar Hecht auf Hecht, wenn sich jedoch mal ein Bass an den Köder verirrte, schüttelte er sich entweder vom Haken, oder blieb erst garnicht hängen....echt unglaublich !!
Die Schwarzbarsche waren mir gnädiger gesonnen, so konnte ich noch ein paar zum Tanz bitten, einer davon ein wirklicher Traumbass.
Auch gelangen noch 2 besondere Kunststücke. In der letzten Nacht fingen wir den kleinsten, verbautesten Karpfen im ganzen Gewässer. Echt verdammt klein kann ich euch sagen....
....und am letzten Tag biss mich der kleinste Hecht des Trips zum Abschied gehörig in den Finger!!!
Das wars, nichts geht mehr! Eine Nacht früher als geplant, die Gelsen waren beim besten Willen nicht auszuhalten, machten wir uns auf den Weg nach Graz, um dort noch ein wenig zu trinken und den Trip revue passieren zu lassen.
Wiedermal eine gute Zeit, gibts goanix!!!
SUR-fishing