To film or not to film? That is the question.

We set out with the intention of filming some how to videos. How to tie a bimini, how to cast big poppers etc. Unfortunately our camera man brought his new fishing pole and wanted to give it a try. And who am I to say no you can not fish?

As we left the river mouth it looked to be a cracker of a day.

From Inshore with Brendan

But as usual that was just a teaser. Within 5 minutes the wind was blowing 20 knots and the chop had picked up. We headed to a sheltered bay to do a bit of filming. Brendan (the videographer) grabbed his new 15 lb rod and reel and proceeded to cast a small popper to the shallow reefs surrounding us.

Before I could tie a bimini twist he was on, and it was a good fish.

From Inshore with Brendan

The Trevally had him doing circles around the boat. I knew at that very instant that he would not be filming on this day. After a good fight by both angler and fish, the angler was victorious. A nice 4kg trevally.

From Inshore with Brendan

So it was to be, that Brendan was now sporting a grin that would not soon go away.

We then moved out to a bit deeper reef system which of course means a bit larger fish. Time to switch to the 30 lb gear. Of course just to make his point clear that he had no intentions on filming, Brendan went on to catch a very nice 6 kg Bluefin Trevally.

From Inshore with Brendan

Now this next picture of the same fish, only a close up, is for a reason. It is the last time Brendan's popper was ever seen.

From Inshore with Brendan

Very soon after a giant cod or Red bass engulfed the popper, split ring, and swivel in one smooth, explosive move. It bit right though the twisted double leader. Of course Brendan was devistated. I felt his pain for exactly one second, then I realized he would be buying another from my shop. I know, I'm a little bit evil.

Next up was Rosie with a nice Bluefin.

From Inshore with Brendan

Followed by another Trevally.

From Inshore with Brendan

Look closely at Rosie's popper because it is no more. Taken in the same unceremonious way as Brendan's. A big rampaging something that was unstoppable.

After all the fish these two were catching it made me hungry.

Corned beef and crackers, a clasic Fijian lunch.

From Inshore with Brendan

After lunch it was the captains turn to catch a fish, no matter how small.

From Inshore with Brendan

On our way home we tucked into a small sheltered bay again and Brendan proceeded to catch a few small Trevally's and a baby Goatfish.

From Inshore with Brendan

From Inshore with Brendan

After that we pounded our way into the wind and chop to make it home before dark.

We had a great day despite no filming.

Oh and Brendan has decided he wants to go out again this Sunday, to fish.

Tight lines

Ika Tavu or Fish cooked on an open fire

,There is a swell in Fiji. And I mean a big swell. Apparently there was a huge storm in New Zealand and it sent a giant swell to us. When I say giant I mean 4+ meters measured on the backside. That makes the face up to 8 meters. That's big. It also means we are not fishing out on the reefs, way too dangerous.

So we head down to a protected river mouth with a truck load of people, gear and the dog, for a Sunday on the beach.

We get to the beach at the bottom of the tide so we can fish the incoming. 15lb gear is on tap for the day and the first to jump on a hook is a Beltfish (Largehead Hairtail).

From Ika tavu

We have never caught one of these, so this creepy looking sea creature got us all excited. Luckily there was a fellow hanging around that new what it was and wanted it for his dinner.

We fished with such intensity that no fish had a chance if it even wanted to swim by.

From Ika tavu

A good friend Erik, showed up on his scooter and decided to stick around. We had an extra pole so he took it and proceeded to catch a nice Trevally.

From Ika tavu

We had plans for any fish we caught for today. Those plans involved a beach fire and a not so happy ending for the fish.

From Ika tavu

Preparing the feast.

From Ika tavu

I can taste it already.

From Ika tavu

Almost done.

From Ika tavu

It is amazing what you find inside the bellies of fish. This one had the stomache of the trevally bloated and misshapen.

From Ika tavu

Ahhhhhh Ika Tavu (fish cooked on the fire) with lemon and chillie.

From Ika tavu

Lou with one of the many catches of the day.

From Ika tavu

Tight lines

"Blowing dog's off chain's" or "Making the best of a windy situation"

The weather, what can you say? It is what it is and I should be glad I am not cold. That being said, it has been blowing for a week and a half, non stop. My friend Brendan likes to say, "blowing dogs off chains", very appropriate.

We decided to skip work and go for a fish, after all, we own the business and it has been so long since we fished I needed to see if I still knew how.

We headed out at 7:00 on the nose. The water was rather calm and as I throttled up, I was thinking, this is gonna be good.

I wanted to try some new spots and since it was so calm I figured why not.

We headed East, got out side the reef and was met by a ferocious swell and a wind that was picking up. After about 5 minutes of running into this I decided to stop the boat and see just how rough it was. After all popper fishing involves standing while casting and retrieving.

It became very obvious that that was not going to happen out here. The boat was being tossed around like it was in a washing machine.

A quick change of plans and we headed back West to some familiar grounds that are fishable in wind and swell.

We finally arrived to the new spot and wasted no time in wetting our lines. Unfortunately there was no one there to bite.

We fished until the low tide then made the decision to move. Another 20 minute ride and we are at the new location. The tide is moving again and then the bite comes on.

First up is Loren, he catches his first GT on his new rod and reel.

From Loren Rosie Callan Sept 15th 2010

Rosie moves in to leader and land the fish.

From Loren Rosie Callan Sept 15th 2010

This is one happy camper.

From Loren Rosie Callan Sept 15th 2010

Next up, Rosie lands a Red Bass. Too bad they are poisoned.

From Loren Rosie Callan Sept 15th 2010

By now it is getting really rough outside of the reef so we decide to make a move inside and switch to lighter tackle, 30lb.

From Loren Rosie Callan Sept 15th 2010

First up is Loren again and he catches a whopper of a fish, a Leather Jacket.

From Loren Rosie Callan Sept 15th 2010

We manage to catch a few Bluefin Trevally's, the take home and eat size. Then Rosie hooks onto a large Red Bass that tries to pull her rod into the water. After a good fight she is smiling and the Bass is photographed and released.

From Loren Rosie Callan Sept 15th 2010

This is then followed by Loren getting smoked on some 8lb tackle. But it gave us all a good laugh.

Then in the worst possible location, with wind, tide and current all working in opposite directions, Rosie hooks up to a GT on her 30lb. Normally we would be fishing for GT's with 50-80lb tackle but not this time. A hell of a fight ensues and after nearly 8 minutes the fish is boated and Rosie is smiling again if not a little worse for wear.

From Loren Rosie Callan Sept 15th 2010

Here is a short video of the fight.

That finished us off for the day. Until next time.

Tight lines

"Who caught who" or "Pay back is hell"

I normally do not forward emails, but this one is a cracker. The names have been deleted to protect the innocent and guilty.

You may be forgiven for thinking that any man would look proud after catching a large barracuda as he poses with the fish and his 14 year-old daughter at the marina afterwards.

From barracuda bite

Then you may wonder why his daughter looks less than thrilled.

From barracuda bite

14 year old was sitting in a boat while her father fished. Suddenly she saw a silver flash in the air. The barracuda had thrown the hook and grabbed her arm.

Father managed to kill the fish with a knife in the head.

But she needed 51 stitches.

And he felt the need to pose for photos before taking her to hospital!

From barracuda bite

From barracuda bite

Tight lines