INDIANANGLER

Hi Friends,

Have been waiting for the season to start since my last visit to this land of untouched beaches, crystal clear waters, warm hearted people and not to forget amazing fishing.

Discussed my plans countless times with Ali, Rajat and Vishal. Unfortunately rajat had to cancel the plans due to an emergency. We missed you rajat.

While Ali & Fred had amazing fishing near Malvan, I and Vishal headed further downsouth to try few unexplored spots.

We got lot of help from Dr. Prasad and his very kind father who made sure that we were treated like kings when we visit their beautiful native place in south konkan. Every thing from accommodation to the boat was arranged before we left Mumbai. Thanks Prasad, we really appreciate your help .

The trip was one of the best I & Vishal ever had. We stayed in a small village house, cooked food, went swimming, fished like crazy, trolled and saw some beautiful locations right from Teracol to Burnt island.

The best moment was when we saw 8 to 10 huge cobias swimming very close to our boat... some very priceless moments that will be remembered forever, including vishal's fight with 35 lb grouper.

fish caught in 4 sessions;

10 Mangrove Jacks: 5 lb to 8lb
1 Barracuda: 4 lb
3 Reef cod: 4 lb to 7 lb
9 Groupers: 6lb to 35 Lb.

We lost lot of big Fish due to hooks opening up.

The three big groupers Vishal caught were 35 lb, 28 lb, 25 lb.

Some pics that we would like to share with you all..

Cheers... Santosh

Vishal's Trophy (35 Lb)





Game On





Results:









Yummy seafood:






Exploring My Beautiful Konkan

Looks Supa!

What happened to the cobia? Did you guys try?

Santosh, Noticed you are using a Jigging Rod for the troll, good idea, I do the same.

Nice Toby!!

Hey Santo, Vishal and Prasad, wish I was there with you guys! Simply superb.

Bops

Thanks Bobby,

The Rod was brought by Fred from Singapore... has very nice back bone.

I will never forget the sight of huge cobias .. trust me I was very excited yet scared to see such big fish swim close to us. I tried laserpros, sorcerers, x rap / storm 30 feet deep divers and trolled for 1 hour where the cobias were moving, only thing that we managed was hit from barracuda on the laserpros.. and one hit from a small GT on the sorcerers.. I guess live bait / crab would have made a difference.

Used the toby to troll fast while we were moving in between different locations.

Santosh

How large would you estimate those Cobia to be? Large Fire tiger Minnow type lures works well on Cobia.

Great fishing... but bops i was not there wid vishal and santo....

80 - 100 lb plus.. Trust me.

I used X rap 30 ft deep diver in fire tiger type most of the time and vishal used storm 30 ft deep diver in blue color... the water was very clear.

Bops, the season has just started for us.... needless to say that we will be going again..

that's a dream come true bro, keep it up....u ROCK......

Great Fishing Santosh and Vishal. Special congratulations to Vishal on his personal best Gobra. Yes you are right; I too had some amazing experience with Fred and landed some decent fishes. Previously I had heard about the great fishing to be had in sea but had never experienced the real thrill. Thanks to Fred, I did experience some of the real excitement of the same. The high of this trip, for me, was the first strike of a monster of a G.T., on my popper and the 100 lb of shock leader snapping like a thread. Also landing 16 G.T.s. during the trip was experience in it self. The low of the trip was losing a 20lb+ Barra after a good fight when we were trying to net it. Man, I was devastated and the only consolation was every one present on the boat saying that I had not done any thing wrong while fighting the fish. I also lost another big one when I thought that I had him in control. Any way, a very exciting and productive trip where many fishes were landed, including G.T.s, Gobra, Red snapper, Reef Cod and Vahoo.

The best part of the trip was to see a shoal of G.T.s following our Lures but not taking them and how Fred teased them for a long time with ripping his popper on the surface for a long time till they started hitting it and then we landed many of them.

Through this I would like to thank Fred for his hospitality and generosity and making our trip successful and exciting. Now I also know why Santosh call Fred his Guru and the best Angler. Once again thank you Fred for every thing and your hospitality is really par excellence.

Regards,

Ali.

Ali Bhai where are the snaps of your trip ?

Great going people! Will be with you guys soon. Counting the days.

Honestly, I wanted Ali to be with us but Fred robbed us of the pleasure..



No doubt about that Ali ..... The Bawa from Bandra has a Big heart...

Great stuff guys.
Can I ask what rod is in pic No'4 ?
It looks to be either 3 or 4 pieces which is interesting.

Ken, 3rd pic or the 4th..?

the rod in the 3rd pic is a shimano STC 20 30 boat rod (4 pc)
The rod in 4th pic is a one pc. 7 ft 15 - 30 penn mariner.

Hi Guys

Here are some pics of the trip ... have my rear on fire at the office so will try and post the remaining later

Fish caught

GT - 23 - all in 5 - 8 lbs range
Yellow tail - 7 - 2 in the above range and 5 small ones released
Grouper - 5 - One around 24 lbs ,one 18 lbs and 3 in the 5 - 9 lb range 2 released - one for the table
Mangrove Jack 2 - one large specimen around 14 lbs and another 9 lbs
Reef Cod 1 - around 10 lbs
Wahoo 1 - around 6 lbs

Total Fish caught -39
Released - 8

On the boat with Tom Cruise




Getting ready




First lot of the many caught - these were LURED to their doom




Alibhai with the GT




Some more GT




Large Mangrove Jack 14lbs




Alibhai with the Jack




Mixed bag with Grouper / Trevally / Reef cod and Wahoo




Ali with the wahoo




Ali with grouper




Unexpected Storm on Friday Evening




Large Reef cod




Another large grouper





Alibhai you are too kind ....I am happy you had a great time ...

Awesome stuff guys,

wish I was there. I'm sure Rajat must be kicking himself for missing out

The reef cod is one hell of a fighter..

Keyur, Rajat had far more important things to handle.. anyways we will plan another one pretty soon.

Great fishing guys,are there any places closer to Mumbai rather than Goa?

just...... just...... just...... wonderful guys.
left speechless.
goody goody show
Ravi

Yes, Chimbai fish market....

Fred is a Bawa ????

Santosh ,Ali and Fredfish ,

What a Grand opening of Salt Water Angling Season! Hearty Congratulations to you all and many thanks for sharing your amazing moments with us at IA.

I look forward to be with you next time.

Best Regards,


Arun

Hi Fred,

That does not look like a Wahoo to me but a Spanish or King Mackerel Scomberomorus cavalla (supposedly not available around India) or a Scomberomorus commersona called Towar Locally. Most obvious difference between the Wahoo and the Kings is the snout of a Wahoo is quite different the upper jaw straightens.

I do not think Wahoo are available around the Konkan

Regards,

Bobby

Bob I did a double check on it .. I also was not sure so I enlarged the picture in my brochure department and checked the markings on the broadside as well as the teeth and the teeth were the giveaway . Wahoo it is for me ... Spanish Mackeral have more sharper edged teeth . These teeth match the Wahoo .. but again this was a fairly small specimen so really not 100% sure ..... but 99 :))))))

Good show guys . Someone was hurt and couldn’t go fishing hmmmmmm.

This is a picture of a small Wahoo, perhaps this will change your mind.




And the teeth

Reproducing the text that made me 99% sure :)))

The wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) is a dark blue scombrid fish found worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas. Its speed and high-quality flesh make it a prize game fish. In Hawaii, the fish is known as ono. Hispanic areas of the Caribbean and Central America call it Peto.
The body is elongated and covered with small, scarcely visible scales; the back is an iridescent blue-green, while the sides are silvery, with a pattern of vertical blue bars. These colors fade rapidly at death. ( the fish I caught also looked like the smaller wahoo in your picture but later faded to the image that we have of Ali with the fish )

The mouth is large, and both the upper and lower jaws have a somewhat sharper appearance than those of king or Spanish mackerel. Specimens have been recorded at up to 2.5 m (8 ft) in length, and weighing up to 83 kg (180 lb). Growth can be rapid. One specimen tagged at 5 kg (11 lb) grew to 15 kg (33 lb) in one year. Wahoo can swim up to 80 km/h (60 mph, Firestein and Walters, 1969. They are one of the fastest fish in the sea.

The wahoo may be distinguished from the related king mackerel by a fold of skin which covers the mandible when its mouth is closed. In contrast, the mandible of the king mackerel is always visible as is also the case for Spanish and Cero mackerels.
Their teeth are similar to those of king mackerel, but shorter and more closely set together.

Wahoo tend to be solitary or occur in loose-knit groups of two or three fish, rather than in schools. Their diet consists essentially of other fish and squid.
The flesh of the wahoo is delicate and white and regarded as very good in quality. This has created some demand for the wahoo as a premium priced commercial food fish. However, because of its solitary lifestyle, it is caught commercially only in the process with long-line fishery for tuna and dolphin. Wherever found, it is a prized catch in sport fishing.

Whatever mate, looks like you guys had a real blast...Great Stuff

Great going guys
A way to start the salty season.
Looks like you wiped the entire fish population in the konkan

Cheers,
Binu

Awesome stuff guys

Hi Santosh,

The pic with the light house is really superb! reminds me of the Vengurla/Tiracol coast line.Great fishing,Man.

Also congrats to Visahal for landing such monster of a Gobra.

Cheers,
Madhur.

PS. All the best for the Cobia's on your next trip!

Hi Ali Bhai & Fred,

Congrats on landing as many fishes, as you guys did.

Cheers,
Madhur.

Great going guys
A way to start the salty season.
Looks like you wiped the entire fish population in the konkan

Cheers,
Binu

Hi Guys,

Fantastic stuff. That coast is really something.

cheers,

Jeen

Tato, Who was hurt..?? when??

Madhur, you are right about the location. For me that's the most beautiful place.

On my next trip I will explore some more new places, after all its not just the fish.

And the cobia , ..... I am willing to wait

Santosh

Hi FRed,

THat fish you caught is a spanish Mackerel ( king fish) . The wahoo is different .THe pic Bobby posted is a wahoo. I have pictures of both some where will try to post both side by side.
THe difference is quite pronounced.

Jeen

Guys,
We did make the most of this trip and as Santosh mentioned, it was all thanks to the help and support provided by Dr Prasad.

Good fishing Fred and Ali. The next thing on my mind is to catch those GT's.

Bye the way.. my row boat would be ready next week. lets meet at Powai sometime next week.

Guys Just awesome awesome and awesome . I had to miss it unfortunately for a very serious personal emergency and thank god that i made it in good time but believe me i am really happy for Santo Vishal and specially Ali for a long time he was hanging for it so cheers to you all I hoping to go fishing soon and fred you are really a champ pal

2-1 in favor of Spanish Mackerel .... so spanish mackerel it is .....Thnx Jeen and Bobster .. Await the pics Jeen

Hi Fred,

Have you got a picture of the Reef Cod when it was freshly caught?

Await the other pictures...

Must do a Konkan trip soon

Bobby

No mate .. forgot the DC ...but may have a couple of older ones will try to post them ...

Konkan is rocking

Here is one I had caught




and a friend posing with the same fish




Hope this helps

Hi Fred,

This does not look like a fish from the Cod/Grouper Family but a Snapper. I would say a Maori Sea-Pearch Lutjanus rivulatus

Santosh,

I saw you were using a Toby like spoon, did you have any hook-up or strikes on it?

Bob

Bobster .. this im absolutely sure about ... it is a reef cod ... 100% ... U had posted a Maori Sea perch earlier on one of your posts and this is not the same ... The Reef cods mouth is more rounded than the pisture you had posted

Hi Bobby,

No hits on the spoon.. to be honest, did not try it much.

Bobster check out these names

Reef Cod (Epinephelus Diacanthus)

Reef Cod (Epinephelus Areolatus)

Fred

Hi Fred,

Checked your link, those are definately Cod/Groupers but do not look like the one you caught.

This is the best I could find on line, too lazy to scan the pages off my book.

All these Konkan pictures, really getting the blood pumping. Here are some from my next to last trip though nothing much to brag about. Nothing on the last trip (begining of this season) bad water, probably spent more time in Titos and Wambos...

Hi Fred,

That reef cod is a beauty! I had a couple of these fish from Dana Pani some years ago when in bombay. Also I read Ali's episode with the big Gt on popper. Was the hit on the suface? and what was the connection between the leader and main line. If you guys persist with popping .. I can imagine the size of Gts that are going to come out of thse waters. I can also understand the limitation of popping/ spinning from a rolling traditional boat.Those cobias were dead meat if you tried jigging with long jigs(just being optimistic) . You caught that monster of yours on a rapalla right?
So you cant really say .


Jeen

Hi Jeen

As Ali s report said , we were trolling for close to 3 hours with "nothing " so when we finished trollingover all the reef in sight we stopped the boat and were reeling in our lines to go to another location and try there . As we were doing so ,me and the boatman , looked over the side and saw the lures come towards the boat with a whole gang of GT's following them like sheep . As soon as we started to lift the lures they turned back . I had a spinning rod with a popper on so i immediately picked that up and cast out . Once the popper neared the boat out I looked out and there they were again . I kept up the popping for nealry 20 mins and this just kept happening . I changed to a spoon and then to a aluminium plug .... same thing

I then put on the Roosta popper again and started to rip it across the surface out of anger and finally got one rise . I did it again and again and the rises staretd to get frequent . By this time I was gettign tired popping continously for over 40 minutes so I rigged out a daisy chain ... put 2 poppers out on a long lines on the back rods around 10 metres further back from the daisy chain and two deep divers minnows on the side rods just below the daisy chain .

I instructed the boatman to make wide circles around the approximate location these GT were, at around 5 - 6 knots and the smaller fish started rising I had a take on the popper with a GT of around 8 lbs . Then Ali had the monster take on his popper and I saw the fish actually take on the surface ... one screaming run .....stop .....and the second screaming run and then the break off ... 100 lb braid shock leader .

Post this episode . Ali sat on one of the side rods rigged with deep diver minnows n pulled out 3 GT in succession . I took a couple of more trevally on the remaining popper that was beyond the daisy chain

We were fishing with a 4 foot wire leader followed by around 10 metres of 100 lbs braid as shock leader followed by 50 lbs braid . The shock leader broke right in the centre .. Drag was set to 10 lbs

The fish was lost on the surface itself .... only heaven knows what happned ... speculation ----- i owuld not like to even guess

By the way .... what were you doing at Dana Pani besides fishing :))))))))))

Monster Cobia was caught on a Large Storm Saltwater Thunder Deep 30 - Blue Mackerel .. What would I give to hook up with something like that again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Jeen,

Any Pics of the jig?

Common guys, what lures, tactics, jigs for Cobia.. would love to catch one in this season.....Please.

Bobby,

That boat in the 4th Pic looks little familiar .....