INDIANANGLER

Well the other day a guy I know thru work was just back from a holiday from the Caribbean, he showed me his pictures of his first time fishing trip where he caught 2 sailfish and 1 big mahi-mahi in a span of 2hrs, he could not help boasting about the trip and what a good angler he was, that is when I lost my head and I told him from which angle are you an Angler you are just another client on the fishing charter boat, I mean these guys have absolutely no Idea of which boat they are on, then they have no Idea of which specie they are after, all they know is that they are gonna catch some fish and have a nice speed boat ride, well once they are on the boat they have absolutely no idea of what all the equipment on the boat is all they know is that there many rods and reels, then when the are out at sea and the time for trolling starts absolutely no idea about which are the line classes how to rig the out riggers, which teasers to put out, which lure(size and color) to put out on the short and long corners and on the outriggers in fact this is the first time they see a lure and ask the obvious question to the crew are you going catch fish with this don't you use some dead fish or prawns, the charter crew puts out the lures with the color of their choice and place the rods out start trolling while our jockey talks to his wife and clicks some pictures, after a few minutes in the fish rich waters of the Caribbean a hit, the crew scrambles puts a fighting belt on the client till then the other guys removes all the other lines from the water and our client is made to sit on the fighting chair and just wrench the big reel for the next 30-40 minutes under instructions from the crew, that is the only active thing our jockey has done and finally the fish is near the boat it is taken in, and some pictures clicked with our proud angler posing with it.

I may receive flak for this but I had to put my point out to all those people who have absolutely zero knowledge about angling, but show off their fishes that they caught on charter boats, My entire point is that you dont just become an angler by wrenching the reel for 30-40mins that is something any tom dick and harry could do, so please stop boasting that your an angler, you are Not, you are just another pot bellied corporate client on the Charter fishing boat....

Here here! I know the feeling Dilip! Just remember one day "anglers" such as these will find themselves in a situation where it's up to them to make all the decisions! we all know what the outcome will be..! Half the fun of angling is learning new techniques and the characteristics of different species...when it all clicks into place and one has worked it out for himself, it can be the best feeling in the world. It's sad to think people like the guy you mention will probably never experience this true thrill of angling.

all the best, Scott

HI Dilip,

We have to also understand certain situations where people are presented with minimal opportunities & some are promised the seas. I am happy to be in the latter category where I can spend time by the sea or any water body, relax, catch some fish & be happy even if I dont catch any. While there are others who may get a once in a life time opportunity to get on a charter, hold a rod with a large fish at the end of the line, but for only a minute. These people are soooooo excited about their trip which is an adventure (they may never have another) & they cannot understand the details that go into the finer points of fishing. I do not bother about such people & I thank God that I have been blessed with opportunity. I suggest that you should do the same and thank God.

I used to get upset (sometimes I still do) about people posting superficial weights for the fish they catch. A 1kg fish is said to be 3 - 5kg & an 8 to 10kg fish is said to be 20 - 25kg. The fact remains that anyone who has caught fish know what the actual weight of the fish could be. People get a kick out of increasing the weight of the fish, so be it. But the fact remains that they did catch a fish.

Life is short. Dont waste your time over the ignorance of others. Just get you rod & reel out & head towards the sea.

Best regards,
Keyur

A very tricky subject...

Would like to add only this much--

There are no good anglers, there are no bad anglers, there are only LUCKY anglers...

So prey that you get lucky next time you are going fishing.. whether from a rock or from a delux charter boat.

Remember from somewhere, Dilip going on a trip with a Fancy boat but coming back empty handed.. Despite all his experience and knot tying skills, he was not able to even wrench the reel. That is, that day he was simply an Unlucky Angler...

Regards,

Well Said Alibhai .... Powai lake is a great teacher and leveller of all such fallacies .... Jai ho ... Id rather be lucky .....than an experienced angler :)