This is a discussion on Fishing Trip to Spratlys - 29 March to 5 April 2009 within the Offshore Fishing forums, part of the Fishing Destination Report and Tips category; Originally Posted by stickbom! Just got back from Spratlys yesterday and am rushing off to Aloha Changi now In short, ...
FAI D ONLINE LA.........Originally Posted by stickbom!
Just got back from Spratlys yesterday and am rushing off to Aloha Changi nowIn short, I feel the trip was a blast and we had close to 30pcs of Trevally up to 20+ (Giants & Blue fins) on top water plugging gear alone and almost 20pcs of Dogtooths up to 30+ on jigs/bait. Will post photos and more details when I get back from Aloha Changi in a few days time.
Here's a brief summary of my trip
POPPING
When I first signed up for the trip, my trip leader and some of the other guys who have been fishing Spratlys regularly told me that popping was more of a side show and very few fishes have been caught on poppers so far (Not exactly the most encouraging piece of information huh!) Thankfully things got a little more optimistic just a few days before I set off for the trip when the first group of anglers returned from Spratlys with reports of good results popping one of the reefs we would be fishing at in less than a week.
With renewed enthusiasm I borrowed the Anglers Pro Shop prototype popping rod "710" and packed several assorted types of assorted topwater plugs into my luggage. However, the pessimistic side of me told me to bring a light plugging outfit along just in case-
1. the reefs wasn't firing when we got there
2. fishes were there but just too small for big topwater plugs
3. the smaller boats that would bring us closer to the reefs were too unstable to fling big plugs from.
*My light plugging outfit consisted of a Major Craft Off Blow 70ML (16lb stick) paired to a Van Staal 150 (loaded with Pline 15lb nylon)
I'm very glad to say that other than moderate winds and the occasional larger swells, the fishing at two different reefs I visited during the trip was pretty awesome. Although no monsters were encountered, the number of ferocious strikes we encountered during the 2-3hr Dawn & Dusk visits to the reefs more than made up for the lack of record size fish. We must have made a total of at least 6 visits to two different reefs and not a single trip went without at least a couple of strikes from either GTs or Bluefins. I had a wonderful time fishing my light plugging outfit during the 3rd and 5th visit to the reefs. It was red hot, heart-stopping action with almost 10 strikes in 2hours with at least 5-6 fishes landed. I even had one fish swallow my 130mm Bassday Range Popper whole! The two largest GT that I caught during the trip were only about 35-40lbs but it was a little tricky to land them as we were often swept onto the shallow reef by large swells where large coral bommies were clearly visible right under our boats. Initial drag setting had to be around 10kgs (measured with a digital scale) in order to prevent cut-offs and it was quite a challenge trying to stand upright on a small rocking boat and an angry fish struggling at the end of your line! I was really glad Randy passed me the "710" popping stick because the rod is amazingly light, easy to cast and had plenty of power in the butt section to turn stubborn fish yet forgiving on the angler (otherwise I would have got yanked off the boat!). I was effortlessly casting at least a good 10-25m further than any of the guys with the "710" using swimbaits and other surface plugs around the 100-130g mark. With the extra distance, I could reach the inner reefs more often than the other guys which was probably why I had more strikes and landed more fishes. Hell I'll even call it an unfair advantage! Big thanks goes to APS again for letting me fish the "710"
Some plugs that worked really well for me during the trip were- Saurus Toby Pen 100g (absolute killer!), Saurus Magnum Rex 30g, Halco Roosta 47g (absolute killer!), BassDay Range Popper LC 30.5g (absolute killer!), River 2 Sea Dumbell 200mm (absolute killer!)
Does the Ocean Revolution cast well? Lighter than Carpenter SP?
Mark the OR 710 definitely casts like a dream and is lighter than most rods I've used so far. Imagine a UFM tip with a Smith butt section. Wonderful combo!
I will second Mikey in calling this a good popping trip. Nothing huge but the number made up for it. The killer popper for me was the Yozuri GT bull, both the big and the small ones. Imagine I could lose all four of mine on this trip.
Biggest GT landed by kaki was over 20kg on a Carp BC60M and Saltiga Game3500. Guess the line strength for that outfit was max 30lb. We will have to see whether the kaki wants to post his handsome photo.
My only regret for this trip was re-using my avani GT pe5 line and not getting the new avani GT smp line. I would have landed a similar size if not bigger specimen.
Total fish landed for me was 7 GTs and 3 Bluefins, all between 3 - 8 kg. Lost at least a similar number due to the fragile avani GT line. Drag was lowered from the initial 14lb to 10lb, yet the line still broke. Reel used was the sw10000XG.
How
Which reefs did you guys visit?
Think it was Dallas n "Mari-something-valas"... hard to remember the names!
Tuna-San, I think line less than PE8 is a little too fragile and can't handle the rigors of casting large plugs. I'll be fishing PE8 or any 80lb Yankee Brand in future. Losing that Fisherman Long Pen hurts! hahaha seriously I don't really mind the cost of losing it but having a plug with bite marks which brings back fond memories of past fishing trips is simply PRICELESS.
Here's some photos
Bro...........next years dont forget to bring me there........
Bro! Never see you online recently! How's the fishing in Macau? Hey I'd love to go fishing with you too! Maybe we can go to the HK oil rigs together?
Glad you guys enjoyed the trip!
Was afraid that it might not meet your high expectations. Must say your work rate was fantastic! Jigging away when most have given up due to slow bite. Your reward was the title of angler with the most variety of fishes caught/jigged!
I just went to fish one time since i talk with u last time.
Weather in macau is no stayble thats why i didnt join any oilrig trip.
How is your majorcraft?
Alan, this was definitely one well-organized trip (we definitely have to thank you for doing all the planning, budgeting, scheduling and coordination inspite of your busy schedule).
Expectations were more than met. Came back with my right wrist aching and left palm/last 2 fingers bruised.... (and my largest doggie was only 10kg....
The sea chicken fish frenzy was interesting during the morning. One drop one hit.
By the way, Eugene was just joking that we need to invent a machine that shoots out a net to catch the flying fish for the doggie bait.....Both of us were terrible at catching the fishing fish for bait when the expert Kenny had to rest....
Alan, while we were on the flight home, I came up with 3 titles for Alvin, Eugene & myself. Alvin, who is always blessed with good fishing luck, is now known as AH HENG (Heng = Lucky). Eugene, who caught the largest dogtooth during our trip, is AH GAO (Gao = Dog
Naza, the MC Offblow Casting is a wonderful rod!! You must try it sometime
Hey Tuna-San, remember that fierce little bugger that crashed my Toby Pen really near to our boat? hahaha! If only we had that captured on video! Either the fish was really hungry or the Toby Pen must have really irritated that fish!
Good catch... but still thinks you look better without the hair. hehe
hahaha!!! thanks man... at least I know now that when I start balding someone out there will still think I look good.
For those of you who are into light luring here's where you can get hold of BassDay range poppers-> https://www.eastackle.com/bassday-ra...115-p-410.html
The range popper probably caught more fish than any other plugs during my recent trip to Spratlys and I'll definitely have some in my tackle box for all future plugging expeditions.
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