Jigging Adventure with Captain Ali - November 26, 2023

 

Embarking on a highly anticipated jigging trip with Captain Ali and a group of fellow anglers promised excitement and the thrill of the unknown. As we prepared for our adventure, the weather took an unexpected turn with rain and high winds forecasted. The winds in Dubai were visibly strong, setting the stage for a challenging yet thrilling day on the water. Adding to the intrigue, cloud seeding activities added an air of mystery to the already dynamic conditions.

Two days of uncertain weather culminated in a strategic decision by Captain Ali to start the trip at 6 AM. With the coast guard monitoring conditions closely, the call to begin our expedition was granted at 6 AM as expected and we set off.

Our day commenced at 7:30 AM with high hopes, but the first two hours yielded no bites. Undeterred, we shifted to our second spot, a drift between 180-200 meters deep. This decision proved to be the turning point of the day.

Throughout the day, our persistence paid off. One angler skillfully hooked a Longtail Tuna, while an impressive 17.5-kilogram Amberjack was reeled in by another. The bounty continued with various anglers securing belt fish, although my own encounter with a particularly feisty one resulted in the loss of around 200 meters of line.

In the midst of our fishing endeavors, a dramatic incident unfolded. A fellow angler accidentally dropped his rod with the reel into the deep waters. As we watched the sinking rod with disbelief, a collective effort ensued to retrieve it. In an unexpected twist of fate, as I jigged at the bottom, my line entangled with something unusual. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be the lost rod and reel, submerged nearly 200 meters below the surface. Our successful recovery became the highlight of the day, a stroke of luck amidst the challenges of the deep sea.

Despite the intermittent successes, the elusive nature of the sea kept me without a single nibble on my line for the entire day. Even after changing jigs and adjusting rod setups, the sea remained mysterious and unrevealing. The experience, coupled with the fact that it was a full moon day, left me pondering the intricate dance between lunar phases and fishing outcomes.

As the boat returned to the harbor, the memories of the day lingered, a testament to the unpredictable yet exhilarating nature of deep-sea jigging. While my personal catch eluded me, the camaraderie, unexpected twists, and the thrill of the depths left an indelible mark on this unforgettable jigging excursion.