INDIANANGLER

Hi Guys

Since some time now , me and my boys were considering a week’s popping and jigging trip to the Lakshadweep islands off the west coast of India. Finally the plans were drawn and we reached the islands after a 45 minutes flight from cochin air port ( south India )followed by a 2 hour boat ride to our base.
We had absolutely no idea about the kind of fishing we would have. The local boat which was available for popping was a rickety 20 footer with a 1964 25 hp Cummins diesel engine which had to be hand cranked to start. The jigging boat we managed to get was a 14 feet local canoe with a 9.9 hp out board that ran on kerosene.
We were well aware of the lack of local knowledge on popping and jigging and that precisely was the reason we decided to go .. to check out on the GTs!
Made some enquiries with sketches of GT on the sand and also description of “Tunas with teeth” however we did not get any encouraging info and decided to face the truth on the waters.
The next day morning saw us at sun rise heading on the popping boat towards the surf we could see on the horizon. The boat took close to an hour to reach the outer reef and en route we explained to the captain our modus operandi .At the first stop three poppers flew over the side My younger son hooked a Job fish, Rahul hooked a Blue fin trev and I got a swirl at my stick bait …most defniely GT! I reeled in and cast again two pops and WhaM!! ..there are GTS HERE.
Did three hours of popping in the morning and Three hours jigging in the afternoon. Results were awesome considering the boats we fished from, all locations and spots picked by us on gut feeling and Jigging from a canoe with no fish finder, using only the braids colour marks to judge depth.
Couple of unstoppables on 15 kg drags. One fish pulled the canoe all the way to the reef and cut us off when we locked the drag.
Highlights include fighting a gt in a storm with lightning cracks next to your ear , Rahuls big wrasse and JeenRaj popping a gt from the beach



















more to come!!!

Jeen,

You are the best. Nice pics and thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Apoo

WOW!!!!!!
you rock.....

more

and more...

WooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Absolutely fantastic mate.

I am speechless.. just too good.

man you rock....
you are the best......
this is my first time to see some of the fishes.....
it will be very nice if we can have IDs of the fishes as well........
the one in greyish-blue color is amazing....
can you please describe in some details about the fish and fight

Are those two fishes on one lure..

Awesome fishing.. you are living the dream life of many here Jean.. keep it up.. :)

-inder

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the response. I have a special word of thanks for Makarand (FLY FISHER) WHO INSPIRED US TO THIS TRIP.


Jeen

Simply Aweome.....

Too good for Words....

no words....

simply superbbbbbbbbbb
I want to be there with u guys
cheers!!!
M

Hi Jeen,

You and your baoys always make me go mad about fishing.

Sometimes im jealous on your boy and his friends.

My papa is a professional fisherman but he hates my fishing hobby.

Rahul you so lucky man.

Salmonmani

A A..MAzing Pics...

Superb Pictures Jeen. Did you get those wrasse on the Jig? The first one looks like a Napoleon Wrasse, if so it is on the endangered species list and is one for the records.

both fish were napoleans and both caught jigging.released unharmed.

Some of the restraunts still serve them here in Hong Kong, I was surprised to see them. They come from Kiribati, I supply Satellite equipment to some boats who commercially fish for corral fish for the table for the Hong Kong market. The Napoleans were very common here a few years ago now you do not see them in restraunt tanks and you should not. You used to pay an arm and a leg for them.

i think that chewed up popper says it all !! What island were you based at Jeen?
regards
vikram

Noting to say after going through the pictures and your report. ,

I can only convay my congratulation and dream that some day I too will catch something like that.

Regards,

Ali.

Amazing pics.....Ive always enjoyed your pics section...Keep them coming

Regards...........Simon

You lucky boys. I know where I am headed for my next holiday.

regards

Monch

Jeen,

Once again congratulation and a very Happy new year to you and your family. While going through your pictures (Which I did many times and loved it more every time I saw them) I observed that you are using a single strand of Floro as Leader. Would you kindly elaborate on the techniques regarding the leaders you adopt? To me your leader looks like it is not more than 50 lbs. Will this leader work over reefs and rocky terrain. I am planning one trip where I would like to target some biggis and the water is very clear over there.

Was this leader attached to the line directly or through a swill and what length you use for leader.

One more thing, what drag is ideal when targeting these fishes. I was advised to keep a drag of only 5 Lb. but will it work ?

I will be grateful if you can elaborate on the above.

Bobby, If you are reading this, I will also request you to shed some light on the above. Will highly appreciate any info on the above subject. And yes-- Happy new year to you and your family too.

Regards,

Ali.

Jeen you are on another level. No words.

Cheers and Happy New Year to you all and may you get fish like this as often.

you guys rockxxxxxxxxxxxxx

now words i have on this report

just amazing

Hi Ali,

Happy New year to you and your family too. Well we are using 130lb mono shock leader which is about a rod and a half length with just 2 or 3 turns on the reel at casting. The leader is connected to PE 8 braid which is around 90lb test. The knot we use to connect is a mid knot or FG knot ( there are descritions abt these knots on the web). The popper or stick baits are connected to the leader using a swivel and split ring rated at 150 to 250lb. THe poppers and sticks are all about 8 to 10" and weigh 120 to 150 gms.
You really need these heavy set up to stop the fish from running to the reef. THe drags are set at 8 to 10 Kg, and worked up to 15 KG while fighting the fish ,depending on the fish you are connected to.

The big drags and heavy lines are required, since we fish the shallow reefs and target big GTs and other reef fish . THe idea is to stop the fish on its track and fight him without any slack to prevent him from going to the reef. This is the intention, though you might at times, meet some serious guys at the other end who will spool you at 15 kg drag!!

You need maching rods and reels to do this type of fishing . THe rod should be able to face the abuse of 150 gms lures flying non stop from its tip and also not snap at 10 kg drag . the reel should deliver smooth drags that are set high while fishing time after time.


Jeen

Hi, Jeen,

No words to express my reaction after seeing your pictures. Great show and thanks for sharing your experience at Lakshadweep.

Hearty Congratulations and Wishing You and Your Family A very Happy New Year.

Regards,


Arun

Good show Jeen .... Please dont post more pictures or else I will have a stroke!!!!!

Interesting Jeen regular mono or of a certain brand So its not fluorocarbon then…

Thank you Jeen,

The above explanetion will not only help me but also help other members who dream of catching such fishes as landed by you.

Regards,

Ali.

Hi Ali,

Nothing more to add to what Jeen has said. Just that I have not gone so heavy and that is the reason I have been cut-off over rocky terrain a few times by big GT. I never go over 30lb when spinning, except in certain locations when spinning for very big barra where you have to stop them dead (like what Jeen is referring to). I have only just loaded a spinning reel with 50lb braid about a year ago.

All the big GT's I have caught have been trolling with real heavy tackle 50lb to 80lb class, so there was not really any skill involved

Spinnning trace has been mono 50lb to 80lb. Or braided spiderwire.

Wish all of you guys a Very HAPPY NEW YEAR

Bobby

hi jeen

what a way to start of the new year. absolutely amazing, please set up a anglers training institute for all of us.
You are an inspiration to all of us

cheers

Congratulations Jeen & Juniors !

All I can say right now is that I am in shock & have now gone into depression !

Awesome stuff Jeen, Happy NY to you & your family.

Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.....!

Tonns of Congrats and happy new year to your team!!

Seems your Rodshave magic, would like to lean the art.

Anoop

Nice to see this and so excited keep it up

Hi Jeen,
You and your boys are marvelous.
I can just sit and dream here in Dubai and feel jealous about it. Wish i could join you'll............(dreaming), but belive me you'll are lucky to have your dream come true.
What a wonderful team work. God bless and keep you'll going.
May this year bring you'll more happiness and health.
Regards,
Ronald

Amazing report and fish guys, nice to see lots of smiley, happy faces!

Jean what a way to go mate I here join Ali to thank you for very valuable info on the tackle and technique really appreciate it all the best to you on your future hunts
cheers

Dear Jeen,
which island in lakshwadeep did you fish from,your trip looks amazing.I dream to go to this place.I have olny recently joined the site.
Rajiv.k

Hi Rajiv,

We fished the reefs about an hour away from the Bangaram resort,
Jeen

absolutely spellbound...cheers

Hi Jeen,

Absolutely superb fishing as usual. Thnks for sharing the pics and happy fishing.

you inspire me with the pics..those are some exciting pictures..
wanted to as you where did you stay or how did u fix a boat?
do they have boats for hire cuz i'd love to go fish the waters some day soon
thnx for the lovely pics..inspiring.

WOW NICE MONSTERS!

Dear Jeen,

It's been a while since we got in touch. I fondly recollect your advice on fishing on Cochin.

Well, these days we have been catching small GTs ( max about two and a half kgs) ,snapper (around the same) and some grouper as well. Last week a friend of mine landed a close to 5 kg barramundi. I lost a fairly big one, i reckon about 8kg as we didnt have a landing net and tried to pull him out with the line. I guess it is always the case with the one that got away, always the biggest.

Thinking of going to Lakshadweep after seeing those awesome snaps of yours and your boys.Can you please advise me on the tackle that i should invest in to enjoy my fishing.
What i have presently is
A Shimano Backbone 50lb boat rod.
A Penn Special Senator multiplier reel.
A 600 yd spool of Pioneer 50lb mono.
A Shakespeare Ugly Stick med/heavy 9 ft rod.(rated 10 to 30gm lure)
A Daiwa Emblem 5500 reel with 30 lb mono


A few Halco poppers
A few Halco Laserpro lures
A few Rapala and Storm lures of 6 to 9"

Iam advised that the boat rod with the Penn reel would do for trolling and i should invest in a Rapala Popping Rod with a Shimano Saragossa reel.What would you recommend.

I have read your post and have another question. Should the reel be filled with PE 8 braid and then a shock leader added,or should the reel be wound initially with 50lb mono, then braid and then a 100lb mono be added for a shock leader.

For popper and stick baits what brands/sizes would you recommend.

I would really appreciate your advise on the same and the next time you come to Cochin, please do let me know in advance and i will be only too happy to set up some fishing for you.

warm regards,
Praveen

Praveen,

Nice to know that you are on to some fish in cochin.Popping is a very specialised sport and all tackle are made to withstand heavy preassure and repeated stress from big fish . Frankly speaking, more than the fish, its the heavy poopers and popping action that puts the tackle under stress.To be more precise one needs to cast and pop continously to hook a fish. In two hours of fishing youll probably cast and pop( retrieve) 50 times?
You can very well imagine the stress at the rod tip guide when you snap cast a 180 gm popper to about 60 to 70 Meters ( with the 5/0 trebles) !! and after the cast is made you pop the lure against the current or waves all the way to the boat raising considerable commotion. THe strike rate could be 1 in 10 casts or 1 in 100. Once the fish is hooked you fight it with 10 to 15 kg drag . This would smoke most of the reels with the drags seizing, bail arm bending or in some cases the reels disintergrating or the rods snapping.

The tackle you have is enough to troll and catch big fish and the 30lb spin set is adequate to catch some reef beauties like coral trouts, red bass and blue fin trevally.

But if you really need to get into popping for Gt you will need the following basic gear

1 Rod - Shimano GT special - 300$

2. Reel - Daiwa Saltiga 6000 - 600$

3 Spare spool for above -150$

4. Braid PE 8 about 600 Meters- 500$

5. Mono filament Shock leader 130Lb -170-lb 60M 50$
6. Poppers and Stick baits - 10 nos ( most minimum ) 200- 300$

7. Gloves to protect you from the braid - 50$

8 Fighting belt to protect your "family jewels" 100$

These are basics then you need tools- split ring opener, Swivels , Trebles,
learn GT knots ---- the list goes on.

All the above Iam afraid are at the most basic cost effective essentials.

There may be guys who will tell you this is all over rated, you can catch a whale with a 30 lb spin set up -- all true in open water but not a 30 kg gt that will hit your popper with a heart stopping explosion in the shallow 3 to 4 M reefs that wants to run like an express train back into the deep with your braid bowing and cutting across the shallows spraying fine droplets under the strain!

I started this stuff in 2003 , tried everything I knew and eventually had to change and aquire new tackle and skills from other fisher men who have been there and done that.

I suggest that if you really want to go for this sport in earnest. Check out GT popping forums like deep jigging .com, Gt poopping .com . caranx to name a few . Each and every question is adressed there.
First get to know the techniques, the tackle, fishing terrain, identify a GT destination. Lakshadweep is a wrong destination for a first time Gt popper since you need to work as a team with the boat operator. The deck hand will not hold you from getting dragged overboard if you hook a big GT in rough waters. He cannot guide you to the right spots . The boat plays a big role in maintaining the right pace as you cast along the reefs from a moving boat.

Instead you should go to Maldives where there are professional charters who can give you proper guidance , take you to the right spots, and will mind your safety at all times.

Jeen

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW

I am DUMBSTRUCK.

Amazing Giants.

Brilliant stuff.........