Fishing off the African Coast

[Wally Smith]

Ahh - Thanks Brother - I certainly will.

Yes - I am very aware of how blessed we are with our surroundings.

In fact the one boat that has run to the deep water today is owned by an English family. They spend about three months here and then return to tend to their business back home, then back here - they bought an old boat about 18 months ago and have basically re-built it - looks very good - they just love the fishing here. I look forward to seeing what they caught.

Till later

cheers

[Wally Smith]

Well.... great day, great fish!!

The first boat in caught eight Yellowfin Tuna - all between 40kg and 60kg range anf one Longfin Tuna (Albacore) about 15kg.

Second Boat - the one owned by the English Family brought back five Yellowfin Tuna - 45kg to 68kg and seven Longfin in the 12kg to 20kg range.

Either way, having a quick pint at the Harbour Tavern ended up in an event that ended in the early hours of the morning!!!

Now I am counting the minutes to next Thursday...lines in!!!

cheers

Wally Smith

[Wally Smith]

Hello all

Well another Gordon's Bay Offshore Classic competition has come and gone. This took place last week from Wednesday through Sunday.

This year was the best that we have had in about seven years – All days, except the Saturday and Sunday were fishable and the catches were overall the best that have been weighed in, in a long time. In total over 15 tons of fish (Mainly Yellowfin Tuna, Longfin Tuna, Skipjack and Yellowtail) were caught in the three days with the top ten fish all being over 80kg per fish. The top fish weighed in at a stunning 93.8kg!!! – the winner (fortunately a local fisherman from Gordon's Bay) walking away with R90 000 prize money or two brand spanking new Suzuki 4 stroke boat engines!!!

Over and above this - and because the Offshore Classic Competion is based on weighing in one fish per species per angler per day - there were hundreds of fish released - close on eighty of them tagged as well.

Great week's fishing and really lots of fun!!

Liza, my wife, only caught on the first day, boating three lovely Yellowfin Tuna, but landed a superb 64.9kg Yellowfin – this gave her 3rd place for the heaviest fish and 4th place overall for the ladies – top ladies fish weighed in at 74kg. She did however land two over 100 pounds – so her personal 100 pounder tally is now at 5 – this far exceeds some of the old time fishermen who have been hunting Yellowfin for over 20 years!!! She walked away with a case of red wine for her gallant efforts . I must admit at this stage that I am very proud of my wife for her guts and the tenacity that she displays when fighting a strong fish like the Yellowfin. She is incredibly stylish and displays a technique that is clearly missing in most of the qualified fishermen that I have observed.

I caught the biggest fish on Nadita (the boat that I crew on) at 69kg – my second 100 pounder and took me only ten minutes to boat it. A fear that I conquered with relative ease after suffering under the fighting strength of my 78kg fish caught a few weeks prior.

Conditions have been superb this year and there is a large number of Tuna offshore of Cape Point at the moment. A very good sign indeed.

I can't wait for the 2007 Offshore now!!!!!!

cheers

Wally Smith

[Norfolkboy]

Nice report Wally, sounds like all who entered had a great time and did well. Well done to your wife and yourself on getting fish over 100lbs!

[baitmaster]

what another good read wally
and well done to your missus on what to me is an incredible feat 5 x100 plus fish awesome no wonder you are proud of her .
it must be great comp to take part in and i cannot imagine 15 tonne of fish being caught aponce again (awesome ) .

welldone wally and your wife (keep them reports coming i enjoy them)

tightlines
baitmaster

[fishingbonsai]

What an awsome report, brilliant. It sure puts Pout bashing into perspective.

[Omahayank]

Yes WELL DONE, I'm too jealous. That sure makes bluegill look like a booger.
See about posting some pictures on one of these incredible trips. That would be amazing. Give our best to your wife too.
Tight Lines and break a leg Wally.

[Wally Smith]

Hi Guys

I have been trying to upload some images so that you can take a look at these incredible fish - but being a bit "technologically challenged" it is appearing to be more hassle than anything. Anyway - I have been able to upload a couple of pics on the fishing Photos website - and will try and see if I can get them across here as well??

There is a pic of Liza and her 64.9kg Yellowfin taken at the scales:


Great effort and guts displayed in bringing this fish in.

In addition, there is one of me fighting a fish and landing the 69kg on the boat.



White body, red head Rapala did the trick!!



Hope that you guys enjoy them.

I will try and post a pic of my 78kg on a seperate posting.

cheers

Wally Smith

[Wally Smith]

Hi Guys

It turns out that I can do this upload thing - I reckon that I must be quite the Geek now!!!!

If you travel back down this thread, you will get to read about one of my most amazing fishing experiences that took place on 01 April this year.....I am NOT fooling you!!

Herewith the evidence to go with the fishing report:




FYI - I am 1.89 meters tall

This is still the toughest/strongest thing that I have ever encountered.

An experience I wish upon anyone who loves the outdoors and even more so.....fishing!!

Till later - have a great weekend -

Wally Smith

P.S. - If you were wondering - the past three days, today included - are the most perfect fishing days we have encountered this year. It is about 28 degrees celcius outside, blue skies, not a breath of wind and the bay looks like a mirror.........Gone

[biggun]

Fantastic looking fish there Wally, they make anything I have caught look like minnows. I look forward to seeing your next catch!
Tight lines,