My first big tilapia
by rakesh patil(raka)
Each day had been like hell for me, each day we went for fishing,
our hopes were high but most of the time we got disappointed by fate...
But this day was different...
Like any other sunday, I got up early in the morning...
took my stuff and met nirupam da. Today planned to go on bike as we had to check a remote fishing spot where cars couldn't go.
prayed at the mazaar(the one nirupam da told me about fulfils wishes) I prayed for a little longer this time.
Hit the usual spot in the morning first to check if there was any hope left there.
None...
tried my pop up rigs, but didn't get time to check it properly as no bites were observed and we were eager to try the new place, so tried till 11 am, gave up and were about to leave when dada noticed my bike's tyre deflated.
"Aargh its punctured !!!". Cursed my bad luck and took the bike 1 km to repair...
We travelled through trecharous terrain, through hilltops and barren lands
(Nirupam da thought he was bear grylls from Man Vs Wild
),
through roads filled with potholes and finally reached "the remote fishing spot". lot of local anglers were fishing there, asked them details of the place, and started casting...
problems as construction work was going on nearby and an electric wire was hanging too close to the bridge due to which we couldn't cast too far...
My fishing intuition noticed a spot close to the bridge from where long casts could be done... So I packed my bag and went there... Tried my Modified cum Repaired jyaada Shakespeare tiger stick in this place with a float and my old line...
didnt get any bites for a few minuted then...
The float submerged and the rod jerking in my hand. Got surprised (Didn't expect it), excited(It's been a while), puzzled(What could it be ?) and nervous(Just dont get de-hooked !)
Shouted DADA !!! nirupam da came running and stood by me... it was a small tilapia

... "Something is better than nothing" He said.
He dunked the tilapia in the holding net and went back to the bridge...
I casted again and again a small one ! The local anglers left the place as they had other plans, and we both started casting from the same spot.
nirupam da caught 4 small to medium sized tilapias, and two singharas. I noticed a fallen tree branch to the right and thought it might be good to cast there.
Didn't notice it, but my chappati was being eaten... Slowly and slowly my float went down and down and down and... I finally noticed it and pulled my rod back with a jerk ! Bam !!!
Holy Carp It was a Fish on, and It was Big ! Tried pulling it with brute strength to the bank but couldn't ! What the fish it was ? looked like he was playing with me rather than me playing with him.
left right left right left right... after 10 seconds gave the rod to nirupam da who Fought it for 1 minute or so and finally managed to bring it ashore.
I caught it but couldnt climb up as my hands were busy... A onlooking fisherman/good Samaritan took the fish from my hand and helped me up... It was huge !!!
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that was my moment of happiness... even though tilapia, I caught a big one !!! took some snapshots and in it goes the
landing bag...
Tried after that but bites got decreased, Got one small bugger who Fought back like a man ! tried unhooking it near a mud pool, that son of a gun struggled and slapped mud all over my face !
I think he was thinking "take this ! and this ! buri nazar waale tera muh kaala !"
Finally packed up and went happily home... with mind, and heart at peace...Thank you god ! Faith is good...
My old and faithful modified cum repaired jyaada shakespeare tiger stick and okuma silvara reel with 12lb mono...
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I know not that great but It has been a long time... this season's been pretty dry...
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Ze big one-u !
and it was still alive ! well not that alive...
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here's a link to the video of the big one in my aquarium... just before he died...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJqDyNiq ... e=youtu.be
I thank IA and its members for educating me on angling and providing me with unlimited information on it, my puneri angler buddies for planing trips and making me learn by observing them in action, Daryl and nirupam da for teaching me a few tricks of the trade...still to learn a lot !!!:D
Keep on Angling !!!
Regards
raka
