Khorfakkan jigging trip with Cap Ali 08 Sep 2024

This was a planned trip with Capt. Ali. A long-waited trip as the previous trip was canceled due the captains holiday trip. We were six as usual. A friend joined from my home for this trip. We drove together to Khorfakkan and reached at 0430 am. We started off the boat at 5 am. The plan was to start jigging at 110 meters. Captain said it should be fast jigging. Some of us were fast jigging and some slow jigging. As usual I was high pitch jerking with Poseidon high pitch jerker with Shimano Ocea jigger 4000HG reel spooled with 1.5 PE sunline braid.

On the first drift fellow angler got a belt fish. as he landed the belt fish I got a strike. The fish fought initially and then followed the line. Resistance was occasional. I was thinking it could be a long tail tuna as it was following the line. But it was different. As the color of the fish was visible it was a nice Malabar trevally. Took a picture of it. 

We continued jigging captain got a Trevally in the same location. We moved again to the next spot. With no fish we moved to the submarine. The captain was fast jigging and got a nice Amberjack. We were jigging and another fellow angler got a huge Hammour. It is not common to get large groupers in Khorfakkan. 

The weather was getting better, and captain slowly moved to slightly deeper like 150 meters. We did not find any strikes. Then we moved to do some bottom fishing for Pinjalo snapper. The captain insisted that it was not productive previous day. But however, the group wanted to try for Pinjalo. We tried bottom fishing with squids for an hour. We had zero catch. I was joking that I should get at least a sultan Ibrahim. As I reeled my last drop of squid I had a sultan Ibrahim. The fish was saved for fry, but friend was saying should try sashimi. He mentioned it is a very tasty fish for sashimi.

I was feeling seasick and started resting. The group continued to try for some top water activity. Although there were birds there was no activity. We returned to shore quite earlier than planned. Overall, a productive morning session on jigging, 

It was fun jigging after a long time. Enjoyed the trip. Thanks to the sea.

Fishing trip to Ras al Khaimah on 23rd June

 

On Wednesday Captain Aziz put a message that he is doing a sharing trip on Sunday. It was a full moon day. I immediately put my name in – This was a much-awaited opportunity. Previously I have been to Ras al Khaimah shore fishing few times with no luck. So, I texted the captain what jig should I carry. He advises 80-120 grams. Water depth is 50-70 meters. This is completely different to Dubai and Khorfakkan. So again, needed to shop few jigs in this range. My grappler and Poseidon jigging rods were able to support this range. I paired them with Ocea jigger 1000 and 2000 F custom respectively. The braid was 2 PE and 20 pounds leaders with just two meters length.

We reached the port around ten to four and the trip started on time. We went around 25 miles and only two of us were jigging. Some were squid with squids and few squids on jigs. I was asked to expect sherries and barracudas on the trip. When the first guy got his fish, it was a small Koffer. It was on squid and me jigging. I wanted to try jigging at least an hour before moving to bottom fishing. Then I got a strike and reeled in. It was a beautiful red grouper. 

The second strike was different. Got a Barracuda. Line was damaged. I cut short the leader. I was afraid to drop now but we continued. I was getting sherries. As we went through the day, I got my first Macroona fish. later found another red grouper. In the last one hour I also started adding some squid to my jigs just to try for some large grouper or Hamour which like lumpy baits. I did get a strike and the reel screamed for few seconds and lost the fish.

I straight went to Ajman market for cleaning the fishes. Found few restaurants ready to grill and fry fish. picked three sherries and got it fried. Fresh fish is so much different and tasty. Thanks to the ocean such a great fishing trip

Fishing Adventure in Khorfakkan: Chasing Amberjack and Pinjalo Snapper

Planned trip. Weather was great. Capt Ali advised us to be on boat at 4am. Plan was to jig for some time and reach the casting area for tuna. The previous day huge, long tail tuna top water activity was seen and the capt wanted us to have some casting fun. 

Previous trips were of mixed outcome on jigging. Amberjack was not seen couple of trips. This time I decided I use only Deepliner spy which has always got me amberjacks. On the very first drift my reel was screaming and fellow fisherman said it is an Amber. I was using 1.5 PE line, so my drag was low. I could clearly see the drag was not good enough. However I dint want to increase the drag without checking so continued the fish fight with slightly loose drag. 

Later we moved many miles to the casting area. We waited for few hours for top water activity. During the wait I dropped up to 450 meters. I had missed strike. When the top water activity started fishermen started trolling with long lines and we just could manage to cast safely. We left the casting area. 

We had seen some get a Pinjalo snapper in the previous week on some other boat. So we insisted we do some bottom fishing. Capt was not convinced as the season had not started. But however the team was sure to try. Well when you drop squid atleast sultan Ibrahim is going to strike. To our surprise we got about six Pinjalo snappers. I managed to hook two. The trip was great. 

We reached the shore by around 4PM. Although a hot day it was an excellent fishing day. Thanks to the ocean

King Fish Hits again ! Deep sea fishing trip - Abu Dhabi

 

A few angler friends set up a trip in Abu Dhabi. This trip was primarily to hunt for King fish or the King Mackerel. I am always shy of sharing casting trips due to safety concerns. however these were very experienced anglers so was excited to join the trip. 

During the last trip in Khorfakkan, I was using my Ripple fisher Aquila 82-4 rod casting very light Rapala sinking lures. the casting distance was not so great. the group suggested me to get some heavy lures. But i was carrying a Daiwa outrage boat casting rod which can cast light lures. however i picked few hardcore sinking lures up to 40 grams. 

On the drive to Abu Dhabi me and fellow angler were discussing about new moon day. He has strong idea that full moon is not as productive as new moon. I will talk about this later on the catches of new moon at two different locations.

We left the port at 630 am. We reached out first location island near by and did not see any top water activity. I would have started jigging waiting for the top water activity to start. however, the Captain had different idea. he wanted to go around the island and see if any activity around. when we reached the other side we saw some birds. wow that's the sight  we wanted to see. 

As we reached closer we saw some frenzy. we started casting. one of the angler got a King fish. I was excited t cast and retrieve fast as the king fish likes to attack. I had two misses in the first sport. we saw another frenzy closer and when we moved there  I got hooked to a small size king fish. There was no fight for a Shimano stradic 3000 reel but the happiness was immense to get a king on the boat.

We kept moving to frenzies and were getting atleast one fish in each frenzy. midday the frenzies slow down. i wanted to fast jig with a long profile one to see if any king which may be in the bottom will take them. after a few drops found no strike. 

Later we moved away around the island and found some frenzies. we casted into them and got few more kings. the learning for this day was that if you cast right into the frenzy there is a high posiblity of the fish taking them. any where around does not produce desired results.

All round we caught forty three king fish and one of the best trips I have made. 

Thanks to the sea ! another great day.

Capping off the Year with Epic Angling Adventures: A Thrilling Tale of Tuna Triumphs and Marlin Hopes

 

As we embarked on our final fishing expedition of the year, the anticipation was high, fueled by memories of incredible trips throughout the seasons. Our group of six anglers, although reduced to five due to unforeseen circumstances, embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, even as the trip's cost edged slightly higher. The silver lining? Increased space between anglers during jigging, promising a unique experience.

The captain's reassuring call the previous day, confirming favorable weather conditions, set the stage for what we hoped would be a memorable journey. With the possibility of targeting marlins in mind, buoy deployment with live baits became a tantalizing prospect, reigniting the excitement for landing the elusive black Marlin that had eluded us on a prior trip.

Setting sail slightly behind schedule, our first task was to secure live bait from local fishermen. However, a twist of fate led us to pivot, dropping two buoys with dead Bonito provided by the captain before heading to our designated jigging location.

Situated at a depth of 160-220 meters, the serene sea and mild winds welcomed our crew. With minimal currents, the stage was set for an extraordinary angling experience. Armed with my trusty Evergreen Poseidon Slow pitch jerker 603-6 paired with an Ocea jigger 4000 HG, I opted for a 290-gram seafloor control arrow, a proven choice in recent trips.

As the jigging commenced, the thrill of a strike reverberated through the boat. Swift actions and strategic decisions unfolded as we reeled in long tail tunas, marking a promising start to the day. Worries of tangled lines were cast aside as each angler successfully landed their catch, a stark contrast to our recent outings.

Drifting for another round, I secured an average-sized long tail tuna, adding to my tally of four in the morning session. Intrigued by the prospect of underwater activity around buoys, we discovered evidence of Mahimahi indulging in a half-eaten Bonito, adding an unexpected twist to our adventure.

Returning to our jigging location, the captain suggested targeting red snapper with a slow jig. Adapting to the change, I switched to the Deepliner VB 250 grams, reeling in a Belt fish amidst the challenge. A brief break for food and rest reinvigorated our energy for the next phase.

Resuming our efforts, I switched to a fat jig from AliExpress, resulting in a much-needed nap that rejuvenated me for the subsequent angling endeavors. The remainder of the day unfolded with a series of successes, including landing a total of nine long tail tunas, contributing to a collective count of twenty-four tunas among all anglers.

While my personal best weighed in at 10 kgs on PE 1.5, the pursuit of a 25 kgs longtail on the same setup remains a tantalizing goal for future trips. As the year comes to a close, this adventure stands out as one of the highlights, offering a glimpse into the exciting possibilities that the next year holds. Grateful for the wonders of the ocean, we eagerly look forward to more thrilling exploits in the coming year.

Marine Chronicles: A Day of Mystery and Triumph with Captain Ali

 

This marks my second-to-last trip of the year alongside Captain Ali, and with 21 out of 22 trips booked, anticipation runs high. Having returned empty-handed on November 26th at Khorfakkan, the desire for substantial catches intensifies. Captain Ali, a few days before the trip, suggests packing 120-180 grams jigs for fast jigging and a 30 grams jig for casting with a light setup targeting long-tail tuna if there's topwater activity. He adds a twist, mentioning red snappers and the prospect of slow jigging.

Starting at the usual 5 AM, I'm armed with a 210 grams Nomad high ridge with zebra stripes jig for fast jigging at our initial spot. Upon reaching, Captain reveals the depth to be 140 meters, prompting a switch to a sea floor arc 310 grams jig. The first drift yields success—a fellow angler hooks an Amberjack after a spirited fight. Excitement courses through the group, setting a positive tone. We switch locations, reaching depths of 180 to 220 meters. Constantly changing jigs pays off, and after a few hours, I land a Belt fish with a 290 grams jig. Using the Poseidon slow jerker 603-6 with an Ocea jigger 4000HG reel, the Poseidon rig proves its worth. Success follows as I reel in a grouper and a sultan Ibrahim, culminating in a satisfying catch—a medium-sized long-tail tuna.

The highlight of the day unfolds when a monstrous fish takes a fellow angler's jig at 40 meters deep. Despite the reel pushed to its limits, the fish persists. Captain Ali takes over, suspecting a Huge Marlin or a large shark. Unlike typical Marlins, this one refuses to surface, adding an air of mystery. Unfortunately, the line snaps at the leader end, leaving us in suspense.

Undeterred, we try trolling with a buoy and small Bonitos, but luck eludes us. On the way back, spotting topwater activity leads to casting for small, long-tail tunas, yet the effort yields no catches.

Overall, it's been a remarkable day at sea. Captain Ali and I decide to plan future trips targeting sailfish and Marlin later in the year, promising more thrilling adventures on the horizon

Epic Jigging Adventure in Oman: Tuna Triumphs, Deep Sea Feasts, and Unforgettable Fights

 

Embarking on a journey into the heart of Oman's rich waters, I found myself entangled in the excitement of a deep-sea jigging trip with a seasoned angler, Dr. Angler, and a group of experienced enthusiasts. Despite my initial hesitation, the promise of a bountiful catch lured me into the adventure, setting the stage for an unforgettable day on the open sea.

Setting Sail at Dawn:

With only five anglers on board, all seasoned veterans, we set out from my home at 1 AM. After a border crossing at Kathm, a brief hour of sleep recharged our spirits as we eagerly anticipated the adventures that awaited us. The boat beckoned, and as dawn broke, we were ready to tackle the challenge that lay ahead.

Jigging at Shinas:

Our destination was Shinas, a promising spot where Yellowfin Tuna were rumored to be just 80 miles away. The first fishing spot, a mere 25 minutes from the shore, delivered quick successes for fellow anglers with long-tail Tuna. Equipped with a Seafloor Control Arc jig, I cast my line into the depths, initially without success. Frustration mounted as the lean patch continued, but the allure of the deep kept me focused.

Persistence Pays Off:

Switching to a Deepliner Spy jig as we ventured into deeper waters, my luck remained elusive. However, the tide turned when I opted for a Seafloor Control Arrow, recalling its success with groupers on previous trips. The anticipation heightened as I felt a subtle tug, set the hook, and reeled in a prized long-tail Tuna—a moment I had long awaited.

Feast on the High Seas:

As midday approached, Yus suggested a break, and we indulged in a feast of freshly caught Greater Amber Jack, skipjack, and red tail scad. With Yus's culinary skills, a delectable fish curry complemented the meal, a true testament to the ocean's generosity.

The Resurgence of the Current:

Revitalized after lunch, I resumed jigging in the face of varying currents. Adapting to the challenging conditions, I switched between jigs, from 400 grams to the reliable Seafloor Control Arrow. The fish responded, and the fight intensified. Amidst the tumultuous currents, I proudly landed a Big Eye Snapper, capturing the essence of the diverse marine life beneath.

The Thrill of the Fight:

The increasing current added a new dimension to the battle with the long-tail Tuna. Their resistance seemed doubled, harnessing the current to resist capture. Engaged in a captivating struggle, I learned to leverage the ebb and flow, savoring every moment of the exhilarating fight.

A Day Well Spent:

Returning to port, our day culminated in a well-deserved meal at a local restaurant, where BBQ camel meat and burgers became the perfect finale to a remarkable fishing adventure. With the camaraderie of a seasoned team, I reflected on the day's triumphs and the shared joy of a day well spent on the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea.

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.

"Casting Dreams: A Thrilling Inshore Fishing Expedition at Jebel Ali, Dubai"

Dubai, with its glittering skyline, is also a haven for fishing enthusiasts seeking the thrill of the catch amidst the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf. This narrative unfolds during an inshore fishing expedition at Jebel Ali, a day shared with fellow anglers under the guidance of Captain Michael from Zaya Fishing. The journey promises not just the joy of angling but the discovery of the diverse marine life that graces the waters off the Dubai coast.

The day commenced with a promising weather forecast – a slight breeze that hinted at an ideal day for casting. Captain Michael set the tone, assuring the crew that the sea was teeming with active fish. The plan was clear – a day filled with casting for the eager anglers, each hoping for a personal fishing triumph.

Equipped with a brand-new Daiwa Outrage 76-2 casting rod paired with a Shimano Stradic 3000 reel, the protagonist prepared to face the challenge. A Rapala suspension lure, secured with a metal wire to thwart any ambitious kingfish, dangled from the line. Additionally, a Shimano Grappler light jigging rod with an Ocea Jigger 1000 F custom reel stood ready for a change in tactics.

The first spot revealed a spectacle of frenzy on the water's surface. The cast was met with immediate success as a queen fish took the bait. The excitement built, but a delayed gaff retrieval resulted in the queen fish slipping away. Despite the initial setback, the angler found solace in the joy of the strike, setting the tone for the adventure ahead.

Transitioning to jigging, the group reeled in various species, with a small Barracuda making my way into the mix. An Orange Spotted Trevally (OST) became a live bait, leading to the capture of a colossal grouper. My persistence paid off as me too secured a grouper on the jig, using a Tungsten Jigpara 40 grams by Major Craft.

The day took an exhilarating turn when Captain Michael noticed frenzies at a distance, signaling the presence of kingfish. After a couple of false alarms with queen fish, the real monarch of the sea, the kingfish, emerged. I got the thrill of catching a kingfish on top water after a two-year hiatus. . When I strike the second king the leader got cut. This was in spite of having titanium wire. I quickly rigged a new lure. This was also Rapala sinking one. I continued to get 3 more kings. 

Amidst the frenzy, two sizable queen fish engaged in a spirited battle, adding a delightful challenge to the day. The Captain signalled end of trip and I was reflecting on the satisfaction derived from an action-packed day on the Dubai waters

My recent exploits in Dubai waters leave them eager for more. With visions of yellowfin tuna trips in Oman dancing in my mind, the prospect of future expeditions in this vibrant fishing hub becomes an exciting promise, ensuring that the thrill of the catch continues to cast its spell.

Jigging trip to Khorfakkan with Capt. Ali 29 Oct 2023

 

                                                                        

This was a planned trip. We were six anglers as usual. The trip was after the cyclone. Two days after heavy rain. It was full moon as well. The captain called two days before and confirmed the trip. The weather was perfect as we expected for jigging. Water was crystal clear. We could see the jigs swimming its was for may meters deep. Well, I was believing most of this will work in our favor.  The captain again called on Saturday and said the fishing was not so great. So, he had a plan to keep us in less depth in the morning hours and gradually go into deep waters.

When we reached our first location, I dropped a sea floor control rector 270 grams. On the second lift something large took my jig. I screamed “fish on” and the next moment did not feel anything. I lost the jig. When I reeled the PE braid was cut. My heart sunk. Probably it is due previous damage, I think. We did three drifts there and moved to many other locations. The captain mentioned that although radar shows fish, they are not active. I changed jigs to seafloor control Slow legend, arc and Abyss. Also, I switched to Deepliner spy, VB, CX-B. After many location changes one angler got a long tail tuna hooked on the tail. He got a Trevally as well. Now everyone wanted to know what jigs he was using. He was proud to talk about those Indonesian jigs probably bought in Malaysia. I managed to get two smaller gropers.

We kept jigging and it was time to pack up. It was hard luck. Many say that full moon is not the day for fishing. Some called me personally after the trip to emphasize the fact that full moon is not productive for jigging. I have mixed results on full moon days. Should I restrict my bookings to new moon.?

Hope I will find answers one day!!

Jigging Trip with Capt. Ali 14 Oct 2023 at Khorfakkan

Due to work I had to pull out from the fishing trip on 8th October. On Tuesday a Chinese friend invited for a trip with Capt. Ali. I immediately accepted the offer. It is way too long to wait for the next planned trip on 29th Oct. 

Usually, I take the motion sickness medicine when I leave my home usually around 3 am. Last few trips I have started feeling nausea around 11 am. During summer the waves have been high and the boats rocking. The medicine apparently is effective for 6 hours only. So, I had the medicine 30 minutes before the trip. When the boat ride started, I took a comfortable space and had a nap until we arrived at the first location. The Sun was just coming out. 

The depth was 105 meters. I felt the waves were slightly higher than expected. It was windy as well. I was expecting the boat drift to be higher than normal so dropped a 320 grams seafloor control Arc. I was using evergreen Poseidon slow pitch jerker 603-6 with Shimano oceajigger 4000HG spooled with sunline ULT PE 1.5. I jigged up to 20 meters and dropped back. When I was lifting through 2 meters, I felt the jig was taken. As I tried to set the hook the fish was not there. I was just slow pitch jigging and again the fish stroked.  It was a good strike and the fish started taking few meters line. All were shouting AJ! they usually fight hard in the beginning trying to run into the rocks. As this one stopped taking line too quickly, I thought it may not be an amberjack. Well, I was reeling, and the fish was too soon near but below the boat. We could not see the color. But when the fish finally appeared it was Red Red. Yes! The Red snapper. This was my first original red snapper. I have got Pinjalo snapper many times. But deep red color on the scale was amazing!!

While I was fighting the red snapper a fellow angler got a strike and he pulled a magnificent Diamond Trevally. It was the biggest diamond trevally I have seen.

After few drifts of no strike, we moved. At around 9 am the wind reduced, and the current was close to zero. I was dropping 200 grams and 270 grams changing jigs as many times possible. I was desperate to get some strike. At around 12 pm I got a strike. Mid way I saw the head shaking and guessed it was a long tail tuna. When close to the boat I lost the fish. an hour later I got another strike but a small one. This was around 200 meter deep and pulled a belt fish. Thanked it for not taking my jig. I

We continued to change location with no luck, finally we reached the submarine. Three drifts and no activity. We reached shore by 4 pm. 

With the red snapper in my bag thanked the ocean for the great day!

Jigging trip in Khorfakkan with Captain Ali date 10th Sep 2023

 Two days before the trip I called the captain to know how the activity is. He said that the previous week he did not go fishing and he will be going out on Saturday which was previous day to our trip. He said expect no red snappers as the season is coming to an end. However, he said he will go to the snapper location to check if there are any schools. On Saturday he sent a picture of the trip with full of Pinjalo snappers. He mentioned that he could got two amber jacks on jigging, but the clients wanted to go red snapper bottom fishing because they were not getting any strike. Ans after a two hour wait for the first strike, they got continuous hooks of snappers. So, the plan for us was similar. Jigging for first few hours and then reach snapper spot.

We started a bit late, but ride was fast to the first location. It was 100 meters deep. Fellow angler got a strike and reel was screaming. It was obvious amberjack. After a few meters of reeling, he lost the fish. we had hope and did two drifts but there was no other strike. We moved to our next location. It was 140 meters deep. I was using a deepliner spy 400 grams as the wind was slightly high and the boat was drifting fast. There was no strike after few drifts we moved to a location 200 meters depth. I was now using a seafloor control arc 450 grams on my Poseidon high pitch jerker. I use this rod whenever the current or wind is high, and I need to use heavy jig. This was paired with an Ocea jigger 4000HG with sunline PE 2. When I was jigging few meters above the bottom, I could not feel the jig. I reeled in fast and set the hook. As I was reel, I could not feel the fish. It was coming up quick and we knew it was a Tuna. It was a decent size long tail tune. Some hope after a few hours of jigging. Then later an angler got a Belt fish. I got another belt fish in the next drift. Captain decided we should now go for the snappers.

The captain anchored the boat at the location. We decided that only four anglers will drop the sabiki with squids. There was too much line tangling if more than for were dropping the sabiki. I waited for my as one got a beautiful Pinjalo snapper. One more got a Trigger fish with a grouper together. I got my turn to drop the sabiki. I enjoyed the fight of Pinjalo snapper. We got total of nineteen Pinjalo snapper with me getting three of them. As the day progressed the waves was rocking and as usual, I felt nausea. I started sleeping in the scorching heat. I need to buy the wrist band which helps preventing motion sickness.

A thoroughly fun trip. Enjoyed. Thanks to the ocean.

Sharks and Sharks ! Fishing trips with unanswered question

 

I was back from a short trip to India. I got the chance for a Dubai fishing trip. It is an expensive trip but i wanted to try this charter as i ahve always seen them post big Cobia sand  king fish.

From my previous trips experience in Dubai at 25 meter i setup jigs from 30 to 60 grams. All small short profiles. When we got the boat there were few experienced anglers. I saw one of them pull out 120 gms jigs long profile and other slow fall. I thought it is way too high for 20 to 35 meters jigging depth. 80 grams small profile and a medium profile was the biggest i was carrying. I cursed myself for leaving all my other jigs at home.

we were told that they have information that there was king fish activity at the location we were heading. when reached there we could see two commercial fisherman trolling. we started jigging. and slowly we started noticing top water activity here and there. no big schools but one or two fishes here and there. we were casting and sometimes jigging. The master angler got the strike and it was kking fish. he used a long profile. i was using a 40 grams and slow jigging. I had two strikes and lost the jigs. By this time two anglers got king fish. one of them advise me to start fast jigging. I never do fast jigging. it is not that i did not get strike but lost two jigs. I continued to change jigs and but no luck.

After several changes i picked the jig with orange stripes slow fall. on the drop i got a Barracuda. Account was opened but was disappointing to have a small barracuda. when i dropped again  i got a strike. This time reel was making the pleasant sound. I had set two kilos drag as the depth was low. I didn't want line to snap due sudden impacts.  when reeled found it was a Golden Trevally. This was my first one ever. Glad. and again on the next drop it was little more scream of the reel. got a slightly larger Golden trevally. now understood this jig was working, I started getting fish.

Later when I was jigging the fight was good and the fish was moving horizontally. I thought it was a Cobia. But when I reeled it closer it was a Shark. As usual the sharks fight very well. I got total five sharks. Deep inside i wanted to hook a king fish as others but I was getting Sharks. 

I got some queen fish, some sprangled emperor, a small red Grouper. Although the day was full of fish I was unable to get the King. The lesson was big kings and Cobia like longer profile jig. I have ordered few long and light weight jigs. will book a trip once they reach and try both slow pitch and fast jigging. 

It was a great trip but I still need to find some answers !!!

Fishing trip Khorfakkan 06 Aug 2023

 

This was a planned trip with Capt. Ali. We were six guys. Two days before the trip Captain advised the weather Is ok but may be with larger waves. On the day of trip when I checked it was showing 0.6-meter wave. We met at 0430am and left the port at 0515 am. The ride was slow due to the waves. Water was splashing all over us. We reached our first spot in about one and half hours.

Our first spot was 170 meter deep. We were barely able to stand as the boat was rocking. Capt. asked us use 300-350 grams jigs. I started with a 350 grams jig. As dropped the boat was drifting a lot and the jig was moving far. No way to maintain vertical fall. Keeping the jig vertical is the most important factor for slow pitch jigging. When I hit the bottom and started jigging, I could feel the action was not so great. I quickly retrieved the jig and the captain said we drift again. I changed to 450-gram sea floor control arc. As was jigging with heavy I was able to remain vertical for some time. But I felt the jig was falling too fast. I am still not sure if that fast fall is good to give a chance for the fish to strike.

Later we moved to the second spot. It was 180 meters to 200 meters. I still continued to use the 450 grams. I felt that that jig continued to fall fast. I was using the Poseidon high pitch jerker paired with Ocea jigger 4000HG spooled with sunline 2 PE. I changed to 400 grams. Still felt falling fast. When I changed to 350 fall was ok, but verticality was not maintained. I am assuming that the current in the waters was less. But the boat was drifting faster. I was continuously changing jigs and different weights. I kept changing between Slow pitch jerker and the high pitch jerker too. There was no luck. 

Other angler got a small barracuda, a very small grouper and one guy hit a decent long tail tuna. I did not get any luck. Until 12 Pm. The captain suggested we do some bottom fishing for red snapper (Pinjalo Snapper). So, we started moving towards the red snapper spot. It was 140 meters. We used squid as bait. On the first drop onwards, we continued to get red snappers. We also got few Koffer fish. We got about 20 pieces of red snapper. 

We had continuously action until we left around 1615. It was great fun. Thanks to the sea.

Amazing slow pitch jigging deep sea fishing trip to Fujairah 30th July 2023

Weather during July has been windy. The waves in Gulf seas have been large. Most trips have been cancelled. Our 23rd July trip was cancelled and postponed to 30th July. Four days before the trip Captain said that we would cancel the trip, we were disappointed as summer is the only time, we could get some red snapper (Pinjalo Snapper) in Fujairah. However, two days before the trip date weather improved and the trip was reinstated. little did not realize that this was going to be one of the best fishing trips of the year. you can watch above video to see highlights of the catches.

We started off at 5 am. Reached our first spot. I was slow pitch jigging with Evergreen Poseidon slow pitch jerker 603-6 paired with an Ocea jigger 4000HG. The PE braid was Sunline 1.5 PE ULT and leader Seagaur no 12. The captain suggested to used 200 grams jig. I dropped a Deepliner spy 200 grams zebra pattern jig. We removed the bottom as the captain suggested due to heavy snagging in the area. I know we could have lost some fish if they had taken the jig on the drop. With cost of jigs so high we need to save the jigs and loose fish if required. However, after three drifts and no action we moved to our second location. 

I was dropping seafloor control rector, Deepliner spy of different weights and at the next spots. We were unlucky. There was not a single strike until 930 am. 

We reached another jigging area and found three other boats already jigging. We heard some happy voices from one of the boats landing a long tail tuna. My hope to get fish came back. I was jigging with a seafloor control arc. Suddenly I felt my line was loose. I reel in fast and set the hook. I was reeling and when the fish reached almost the boat it shook its head and I felt it unhooked. I enjoyed the reeling though. 

I dropped the same jig again. I could feel somebody took the jig. I set the hook and the reel was screaming. The fish was taking line and I knew it was an Amberjack. Wow what a feeling when a large fish takes line. I was thumbing to increase the drag and turn the fish head. Slow started reeling the fish. was so happy to have the amberjack on boat. The first fish of the trip on the boat. After few drips again I change a to a glow jig. To everyone’s surprise I had a strike. This time fish was coming up fast and all knew it was a long tail tuna. The tuna was small size but was fighting and refusing to come up when it saw the boat. After letting the fish run its circles few times, I slowly pulled the fish up. The second fish was on the boat.

Later the boat Capt. went to get a huge Amberjack and Trevally. Then we moved to new spot. When a fellow angler was reeling in line, he had strike on the fish. he was tired and asked me to retrieve the fish. I started retrieving and saw a splash of water. We understood a shark was trying to take the fish. as I was reeling, I felt there was no fish and thought the shark had eaten the whole fish. but we got half eaten Mahi Mahi fish.

We decided to go to red snapper spot and start some bottom fishing with squids. After the first 15 minutes all five anglers had continuous strikes of ren snapper (Pinjalo snappers). These snappers fight hard, and it is so much fun to land them. 

It was a great trip. Enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks to the ocean.

Dubai Deep sea fishing trip 29th july 2023

On Wednesday I got a call from Capt. that the weather for the weekend looks bad. There could be large waves. Jigging and anchoring for bottom fishing for Pinjalo Snapper (Red snapper) may not be possible. We cancelled the trip. Then I was looking for any Dubai trips as the weather on this coast was ok.

I booked on a sharing trip. We were six guys. The boat was forty-nine feet and was looking spacious.  I was carrying 20-100 grams jigs. The jigging depth was 20-30 meters only. I was with Grappler light jigging rod power two with an Ocea jigger F custom 1000 HG. It was spooled with sunline 1.5 PE ULT line. The line was from my jigging reel.

When we reached the first spot, I used a 40-gram jig. One fellow angler was using squid as bait. he started getting the sherries back-to-back. It was followed by another guy using the same bait. he was also getting strikes of Sherries. I was getting bit frustrated as jigging next to bait was not so effective. However, I got a strike with a small sherry. Happy to see something and then released the same to the waters. Catch and release is always fun.

As I was jigging felt 40 grams was falling too fast. Then I changed to twenty grams. Twenty grams was taking too much time to hit the bottom. But I continued to use it see how effective it was. I was getting one spot snappers. I got two small red groupers (Hammour). I released then safely to the waters. Later at a location we started getting small barracuda. the Barracudas were a little over feet long. They were damaging the leaders but not cutting them. I wanted to try metal leader and see if they changed my chances of getting fish. After the change in leader, I was not getting any fish. Metal leader does hinder with jig action???

Overall, the trip was continuous action filled with small fishes. Great entertainment. Enjoyed the trip. 

Mahi Mahi Adventure

 

Mahi Mahi Adventure 9th July 2023

 

I just came back from vacation on Saturday. This trip was planned on Sunday. It was a sharing trip. It was supposed to be 7 anglers for the Mahi Mahi adventure. One Angler did not turn up, so we ended being six. I was happy as more space on the boat.

Usually, the charter arranged plenty of live bait for Mahi trips. But this time they mentioned we may need to get live bait during our trip but luckily, they got 50 pieces last evening and was available.

Mahis usually hang around structures and anchored ships. Our first location was to a Buoys. Just before we reached it, we found some top water activity. It was long tail tuna. I was casting a 30 grams jig. The rod was Shimano Nexawe with Stradic 3000 reel. It as a light setup for fishing at Fujairah Sea. I got the strike on the first cast. You can see the video here. Small long tail tuna.

All tuna suddenly disappeared and after a brief wait the captain suggested we move one. We reached the Buoys and saw some top water activity. The fish was shining we understood the Mahis were there. We started casting I was on the same setup. The Mahis were small, so I wanted to try my light setup. I got a strike and landed a bull. Small one but did fight well. I understood that Mahi could really tire us if they were big.

One thing about Mahi Mahi was it is amazing to see it jumping. It jumps high when the hooks are set. When it reaches the boat, it tries to run as much as possible still jumping. It Makes such a show that we get mesmerized by the beautiful color and action. Sadly, they lose the color so quickly when they are out of the water.

Later we moved to live Bait. I started using my Ripple fisher aquila rod with Shimano stella 8000. I have to agree that it was too heavy setup for these small one. But I have to wait until September for the bigger ones to enjoy this setup.

Overall, a great trip. Enjoyed every bit of this five-hour adventure on the Fujairah seas. Thanks to waters.

Trip to Khorfakkan 18th June - with amber jacks and Red snappers ( Pinjalo Snapper)

 

We were six anglers ready to take this trip. When I called the captain to check how the trip looks he raised a concern on the weather dur to the typhoon. However later he confirmed we can go and try. We planned to jig all day with finishing with bait fishing for last two hours due to Pinjalo snapper season.

 

We all assembled at 0445am. The boat departed at around 5 30 am. When we reached our first location I got the first strike followed by three more strikes. The fight was good and appeared different. The location is famous for Amberjack. But I knew this was not AJ. We a good size trevally. This was followed by two more trevally to the boat. One angler was fighting hard and he landed his first AJ.

It was a great start, and the next drift was similar. There were Trevallies and amberjack. After around two hours we had two drifts with no fish and thought time to move to other locations. Next location I got a long tail tuna. We did not expect a long tail tuna at this season. As the fish was coming to the surface faraway, we thought it could be a Cobia. Never mind I had good fun landing the long tail. Later a fellow angler landed an AJ.

Then when we move to other location it was dry and the summer heat was taking toll. The captain went past out red snapper location and found a big school on the sonar. We decided to anchor the boat and start bottom fishing.

He had 4 kilo of frozen squid. We got the rigs from captain. We used no 16 weight sinkers. The sabiki was with three hooks. I was lucky to get a rainbow runner on bait. We had many Pinjalo snappers back-to-back.

After the anchor I started feeling nausea and after two fishes had to rest for some time. After few hours of getting Pinjalo snapper we moved to our first spot on the way back. We got few more AJ’s. I did not get any strike. I felt nausea and went to sleep.

It was great day of fishing. We had the best catch this season. Although the weather was bad fishing was great. Thanks to the sea

Trip to Khasab, Musandam targeting Giant Trevally

 

I accepted this trip on short notice and was excited as this was my first trip to Khasab, Musandam targeting Giant Trevally. I had bought a Ripple fisher Aquila rod 82 2/4 for light games as in Musandam. I had bought few poppers, and some 160 grams jigs as the field depth was less than 100m.

We were three anglers. There was plenty of space to cast. We were casting for first two hours. One of the anglers got on to a GT. It gave some hope for us. We were casting for some time. The captain suggested we start jigging as there was no top water activity.  By then I had a missed strike.

We changed location and started jigging. The depth was 60 meters. Suddenly I felt the line light and then the reel started screaming. Wow, what feeling when you here such a scream. We immediately knew it was a GT. Being the first one I wanted to Land it safely. I was holding and started to reel in slowly. It was fighting from right from the bottom and all the way up. When landed it I was so happy. I was always thinking GT means popping and a top water game. Slow pitch jigging can get any fish throughout the water column. All GT’s were released back to the sea after few clicks. It was a pleasure to see them dive into the waters and swim away

I went on to hook 4 GT’s. Then we changed location and were jigging at 30m depth. Understood that it was not a great feeling to jig there. Could feel that jig was dropping too soon. But I did get some Sheri’s. we continued to change location and got a red grouper which I released promptly.  Got a Naiser, spotted snapper. So colorful the fish was I released it after a picture.

While lifting one of the sherry the capt used the rod and the tip broke. Unfortunately, it was Poseidon 603-3 and expensive rod. I have it for repair, probably the tip will be shortened. It may now be called 603-4 😊

 Overall, a satisfied trip and learning to handle slow pitch jigging rods. Thanks to the sea.

Amberjack on slow pitch jigging Fishing trip 04 June 2023

 

We were six anglers and started at 0530 with Capt. Ali Naqbi the “shark master”. The forecast was low wind. We were looking forward to a very hot and humid day. We first hit an inshore spot and had plans to move to a long tail tuna spot which had some top water activity the previous day.

First strike was a Barracuda to a fellow boat man. I got snagged to reef. Usually, I quickly reel up 3 rotations as soon I touch the bottom. I don’t realize how I got snagged. I could feel the jig on the other end indication probably it was due to the lower assist hooks. The captain had warned not to use the lower assist hooks. While I was setting up my gear, the captain’s reel drag was screaming indicating an amber jack.

Initially I was using a seafloor control arc and I was not getting any strike. I changed to Deepliner spy. On the same drop hit an amber jack decent size. There was a slight current. So, I used a high pitch jerker and gave punchy lifts. clearly spy floated much longer than any other jig. I believe that is the advantage of spy. It gives more time for the fish to bite. But if we do not use heavier and or high current or drift condition vertical jigging may be difficult

Later we started moving towards the tuna spots. We stopped at two locations in between but did not find anything. When we reached the spot, we could see dolphins everywhere. Looked like it was a dolphin home. They were just playing around. No serious movement. So, we thought maybe they are not chasing them and started waiting for some activity. After a long wait we decided we should do something else. However, the depth there was over 400 meters. We were discussing how to jig at that depth and what kind of fish would be available and then I decided to drop the jig. With no top water activity seen that was the best time to explore such depths. I dropped Seafloor control SL 700gms. It took a long time to reach down. It was like pulling a very hard rubber band. I was trying one rotation retrieval but could not feel the jig. Line slack was too much. I did two rotations retrieving and jigging and tried three drops. With no action decided to wind up as we drifted more.

 

Again, after some time we were at a location with 325 meters (1000 feet) depth. I decided to drop. While jigging 20 meters from the bottom I had a strike. It was hard to reel then. I continued reeling after about hundred meters reeling was hard, but the fish did not fight on pull the line. I believe it is due to the weight of the jig and should be a small fish. I kept reeling while my forearm was cramping. Finally, I was surprised with an EEL. None of the anglers wanted the EEL in the boat. Captain unhooked the Eel just outside the boat.

 

After few hours of waiting, we decided to head back home and stopped in a few places and got nothing. When we jigged in the same location where we got the amberjacks captain got a strike and missed. Barracuda took my jig again. While I was making my line Capt. got his third Amberjack. Someone got a bonito and few other fishes. I hooked up a barracuda and safely landed. When it was the last drop, I hooked on to a long tail tuna. Once it reached the boat it started running. Took a few minutes to land it.

It was great day at the ocean. It was a blessing.