Pike found choked on zander in Netherlands

 

By Patrick Jackson BBC News

Mr Spaargaren found the fish near his home

Anglers are scratching their heads after a pike was found dead with a zander - a fish of similar size - jammed in its mouth in the Netherlands.

Rene Spaargaren, from Almere near Amsterdam, noticed the dead fish locked together in water near his home and dragged them out with a boat hook.

"It was clear that the pike had bitten off more than it could chew - or swallow, rather," he told BBC News.

British angling expert Charles Jardine said the event was "really unusual".

"What on Earth possessed the pike to take on prey that size?" he asked. "Gluttony just killed that fish."

Mr Spaargaren reported his find to the Dutch nature conservation news website Natuurbericht, which published the story and one of his incredible photographs.
'Not a python'
He came across the fish while doing some work by his jetty this week.

The pike was unable to release its catch once it had bitten

Having calculated roughly that the pike measured about 1m (3.2ft) long and the zander about 75cm (2ft 5in), with a combined weight of about 15 kilos (33lb), he threw them back in the water.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Jardine explained that the zander, sometimes known as the "pike-perch" because of its similarities to the two other species of fish, was an unusual choice of target for a pike.

"A pike is not an alligator or a python - it will not accommodate similar-sized food," he told the BBC.

"Because the teeth on a pike go backward, it would have been unable to release its grip on the zander. It was a death grip for the fish."

Mr Jardine, who champions angling among schoolchildren for the Countryside Alliance Foundation, added: "I have seen Victorian pictures of such things, done with artistic licence, but nobody gave them much credence."

A similar phenomenon was reported in Suffolk, England, in October 2011, when a pike was found dead with a carp in its mouth.

However, that pike was more than four times the size of its prey, according to an article in the UK's Daily Mail newspaper.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20971848

Review: Native Watercraft "Slayer 12"

Written by Mark Watanabe

 

While in Virginia Beach, VA for the Columbus Day Boondoggle, I got to meet Woody Callaway from Liquidlogic Kayaks. Strapped to the trailer of the Liquidlogic RV was their newest kayak: the Native Watercraft “Slayer”. I jokingly asked Woody when I would be fishing out of the Slayer, and without hesitation, he said, “Tomorrow!”.

Initial impressions: The Native Watercraft Slayer 12 is clean and uncluttered - everything had its purpose. The overall lines on the kayak are very sleek with everything recessed nicely.

Portability: The Slayer 12 is listed at 70 lbs., but felt lighter. This is probably due to all the handles being solid, allowing you to control the kayak much more easily. All Slayers come equipped with the “Tag Along Wheel”. I tested it at the launch with the kayak fully loaded with gear. The Tag Along Wheel made the move from the car to the launch a breeze. The solid bow handle positioned horizontally made controlling the kayak extremely easy. This was the first stand-out feature of the Slayer that sets it apart from other similar kayaks.

Performance: On the water, you quickly feel like you’re paddling a much skinner kayak. The Slayer handled well in both stand up paddling and standard sitting paddling. The raised seated position felt tippier than the lower seated position, but this is the case with all kayaks.

The second stand out feature was the High Low First Class Seat. Switching between the high and low seated positions was very simple. Native uses bungees to hold the seat in place, so a simple lift and scoot allowed me to move it between positions without having to undo straps or clips. I did initially have concerns over the seat only being secured this way, but Native did a great job of molding the seat pan area to allow a nice, snug fit. The seat never felt loose or unsecure in either position, and was extremely comfortable.

Another positive was an extremely shallow draft. There are several sandbars out at Lynnhaven Bay that were no deeper than 6 inches, and I was able to paddle across them without issue.

Standability: I have yet to stand in a 31” wide kayak that felt this stable. The deck is very flat; I always had a stable position for my feet. The deck is right at or slightly below the waterline, which gives the kayak extra stability. One issue with the deck being this low is with the scupper plugs removed, water does come in slightly. I also feel the Slayer would benefit from adding a strap towards the bow to help in standing from the lower position.

Fishability: The Slayer is equipped with recessed groove tracks on the stern, midship and bow. This made it very easy for me to quickly add a couple of Scotty mounts and my YakAttack “Panfish”. There is also a small console designed to store your battery, and also mount any electronics you like to a groove track. The model I used had the groove track mounted directly to the console but Woody told me that the new models with have the track recessed like all the others.

The foam padding around the cup holder, accessory tray, and rod tip rests is a nice touch. The rod tip rests fit my bait casters, but didn’t fit my spinning rods very well; the larger guides on the spinning rods didn’t allow the rods to rest properly.

While on the water, I didn’t even notice the Plano box storage on the side of the seats. This would have made changing out tackle much easier with my Plano boxes right next to me.

While anchored or staked out, the Slayer would benefit greatly from an anchor trolley. I also noticed the Tag Along Wheel knocking with the side to side movement of the kayak. I mentioned this to Woody, and he said that it was an easy fix. I also missed a paddle keeper, there are no paddle keepers installed by the factory so you will have to add them yourself.

The final stand-out feature is the Slayers stability. I was able to fish all day in the kayak, turn around and grab tackle out of my crate, and access my gear in the bow without issue. When we got back to the launch, several others tried out the Slayer. People who have never stood in a kayak easily stood and paddled the Slayer.

Summary: I believe the Native Watercraft Slayer 12 will be in the running for next year’s KACA’s as Kayak of the Year. It’s stable, tracks well, is quick and nimble for a wider kayak, is easily moved using the Tag Along Wheel, and has a seating system that allows you to move from high to low seating positions with ease. When I’m in the market for a new paddling kayak, I’m almost positive it will be a Slayer!

Boat Specs	Boat Features
Length: 12' Width: 31" Weight: 70 lbs Capacity: 400 lbs	Groove Track High/Low First Class Seat Electronics Console Cup Holder Open Bow Hatch w/ Scuppers Quiet Stable Hull Tag Along Wheel

 

 

 

Full Article: http://www.yakangler.com/fishing-kayak-reviews/

Offshore kayak set up

It’s Lightline Time: Safety in the Night

 Written by Ben Hoover    

There’s nothing like the feeling of creeping under the darkness of a bridge to see a group of stripers stacked like cordwood, picking your target, and hooking up. As temperatures drop around the Mid-Atlantic, stripers are gravitating to lighted structure, creating some of the best fishing of the year for kayak anglers.

Catching these fish is usually simple, but it’s easy to forget the dangers lurking in the dark: wind, weather, waves, and powerboats, among others. This is a simple primer on the incidentals of lightline fishing, beyond the catch; anglers far better versed than I have covered these topics in extensive detail.
*The opinions expressed in this user-submitted review are those of the reviewer, and do not necessarily reflect the view of YakAngler.com.
A lightline trip begins with a last-minute check of the weather and tides to ensure that we’re not heading out into the proverbial washing machine, or worse. Some chop is good, as it seems to fire up the fish and keep the crowds off the water. A placid night can turn in an instant, so keeping an eye or ear on your phone (http://www.yakangler.com/blogs/user-blogs/item/1675-there-is-an-app-for-that) or weather radio is wise, though somewhat difficult with the promise of more fish under the next span. Some of us just rely on the forecast and avoid truly questionable nights.


At minimum, a good, bright, white light on a tall lightpole is essential if you want to avoid becoming roadkill. The lightline concentrations of fish draw plenty of attention and there are too many people zooming around without regard for their surroundings. The “VISICarbon Pro” from YakAttack is quite popular, and there are many other viable options, including building your own setup from PVC. Reflective tape, strategically placed on your boat and paddle, is likewise a good call. Many lifejackets and marine coats have reflective patches, and it’s easy enough to add them—cheap life insurance. Top it all off with a quality headlamp. If you really want to go all out, you could run this setup and pimp your ride, http://www.yakangler.com/forum/21-look-what-i-did/20870-did-anybody-spot-this-at-the-boondoggle-last-night, or buy a glow-in-the dark boat, http://www.yakangler.com/forum/20-water-cooler/20859-if-you-paddle-alot-at-night. Lights and reflectors are the first line of defense before our whistles or airhorns come out.


In the early season, clothing is really a no-brainer, but when the air and water temperatures really drop, clothing can make or break a nighttime assault. It almost goes without saying, but this type of fishing requires a comfortable lifejacket that you’ll wear at all times. For an outer layer, most go with a dry top and a pair of waders, or a full-on drysuit. It’s best to turtle-test this outfit under controlled conditions before it becomes truly cold. Underneath the outer shell, layering is key: wicking garments, some wool or fleece, good socks, a hat, and you’re good to go—no cotton! A good pair of wool or neoprene gloves completes the outfit.
“When you’re fishing the lightlines, make sure your head is always on a swivel.” This is perhaps the most important piece of safety advice I’ve received, and it came from a great lightliner, Jeff Greendyk, of Orvis Richmond. For that matter, I typically use the buddy system, so someone is watching my back and ready to help at a moment’s notice. A pair of radios is helpful for calling your buddy if you’re separated by more than a few sets of pilings.
It can get crowded, it can get crazy, and the conditions can be brutal; nevertheless, with a bit of preparation, there’s no better place to be on a cold winter night than under the darkness of a bridge span, hooked up.

---

About the Author: Ben is an avid kayak angler who plies the waters of Hampton Roads, Virginia with fly and light tackle. A transplanted Yankee, he developed a true taste for the salt after moving south of the Mason-Dixon. He remains loyal to http://www.flyfishersparadiseonline.com/, his employer throughout college. Ben can be found on the water under cover of darkness, waving a stick in a plastic boat.


Full Article:  http://www.yakangler.com/kayak-fishing-techniques/

Kenali kawasan sekeliling di lokasi baru

Oleh Nuri Angkasa

Photo Credit:  Google Images

SEBAIK tiba di lokasi memancing yang belum pernah diteroka sebelum ini atau dalam erti kata lain anda baru pertama kali turun memancing di kawasan itu maka kumpulan anda dinasihatkan supaya tidak terburu-buru mahu terus melakukan aktiviti memancing.
SEBAIK tiba di lokasi memancing yang belum pernah diteroka sebelum ini atau dalam erti kata lain anda baru pertama kali turun memancing di kawasan itu maka kumpulan anda dinasihatkan supaya tidak terburu-buru mahu terus melakukan aktiviti memancing.

Sebagai tempat baru, anda atau ketua kumpulan harus mengenali tempat itu terlebih dulu. Ini kerana dibimbangi kawasan berkenaan adalah perkampungan makhluk halus yang tidak mahu diganggu. Apa yang terbaik boleh anda dan kumpulan lakukan ialah dengan menunaikan solat sunat mohon perlindungan Allah daripada sebarang gangguan. Ialah, dalam perkara sebegini maka hanya kekuasaan Allah saja yang dapat menyelamatkan keadaan atau melindungi kita.

Di samping itu, kita harus meneliti atau meninjau keadaan sekeliling dan tidak merosakkan tumbuhan yang sedia ada dengan sengaja. Atau jangan sekali-kali mengeluarkan kata-kata yang tidak sopan ataupun celupar. Begitu juga dengan lokasi di laut yang kita sedia maklum bahawa laut adalah tempat buangan hantu syaitan, justeru pantang larangnya adalah ebih besar berbanding di darat.

Di laut, membuang sisa tulang ayam mahu pun saki baki makanan adalah dilarang mengikut petua adat resam orang tua terdahulu daripada kita.

Tindakan sebaik-baiknya ialah sisa makanan disimpan dalam satu bekas plastik (bukan dibuang ke laut) dan buang plastik itu sekembalinya ke daratan ketika kita pulang daripada aktiviti memancing.

Menyedari betapa pentingnya perkara yang dianggap remeh di kalangan generasi muda hari ini yang gemar pada aktiviti memancing maka adalah menjadi tanggungjawab bagi Pak Nuri untuk mengingatkan bahawa apa jua boleh berlaku jika ada unsur-unsur pantang larang dilanggar dengan sengaja.

Apapun, menidakkan pantang larang pada zaman moden ini tidak boleh dilakukan 100 peratus kerana ia masih berkait dengan makhluk halus dan syaitan. Justeru, langkah terbaik ialah menyerah diri kepada Allah (bertawakal) sambil mengharap petunjuk daripada-Nya.

Berdoalah dan minta perlindungan Allah sebaik tiba di lokasi sama ada di darat (hutan) mahu pun di laut, kerana sesuatu yang berlaku itu adalah atas izin-Nya juga. Jadikan doa dan solat sunat hajat sebagai petua yang harus diamalkan oleh kaki pancing sebaik tiba di lokasi memancing.


Full Article:  http://joran.bharian.com.my/

Technical Long Sleeve Sublimated Zip Tee

Features

• UPF Protection
• Wicks moisture and antimicrobial
• 1/4 zip front

Full Article:  http://fish.shimano.com/

 

 

 

Chinese Expert Calls for Fishing Moratorium and Halt to Yangtze Dam

By: Katy Yan

Research staff members monitor the health of endangered finless porpoises at the Tian-e-Zhou Oxbow Nature Reserve.

Photo: Keen Observer9 via Flickr
 

After years of overfishing and rampant dam-building, a senior fisheries expert with the Chinese Academy of Sciences has spoken out against the ecological threats facing the Yangtze River by calling for a 10-year fishing moratorium and joining environmentalists in decrying the proposed Xiaonanhai Dam.
In an article published in Oriental Outlook and translated by chinadialogue, Cao Wenxuan expounded on the importance of key Yangtze River fish species for the entire basin ecosystem and warned against what might happen if fisheries declined even further. His solution is a 10-year moratorium on fishing in the Yangtze so that fish numbers can recover. (This is not the first time scientists have called for a 10-year moratorium; just last year, two other fisheries experts made the same proposal.)
In the article, he and fellow fisheries expert Weng Lida, formerly head of the Yangtze Water Resources Protection Bureau (a body under both the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Environmental Protection) go on to warn against the Chongqing government’s plans for building Xiaonanhai Dam on the Upper Yangtze River and the impact that the Yangtze dam cascade, which includes Three Gorges Dam, has had on fish numbers. He also strengthened the position of environemntal activists by joining them in their critique of proposed fish passages and tunnels, which activists see as an ineffective solution to mitigating the negative impacts of the dam.

Dam cascade contributing to rapid decline

The Yangtze River is China's biggest freshwater fishery, accounting for 56% of all catches. But fish numbers are dwindling.

Photo: Qiu Bo (Greenpeace)
 

Cao and his colleagues are not alone in doubting the efficacy of fish passages. A recent publication by a host of fish migration professionals concludes from their global experience, “We have learned that it is always better to remove barriers because in this way we can revitalize our rivers. It is almost always cheaper than building a fish pass, and removal has multiple benefits for river naturalization – all aquatic and riparian flora and fauna will benefit! Such solutions can address a range of problems, of which fish migration may be just one” (Executive Summary, From Sea to Source).
[UPDATE: A new study published in Conservation Letters on Jan 16 reported that fish-passages built into dams on three major rivers in northeastern US have failed to allow migratory fish to pass through, raising questions for all the dams being proposed worldwide.]
Here is an excerpt from the article describing the severity of the decline in fish numbers as a result of dam construction on the Yangtze (emphasis added later):

Observations by the Chinese Academy of Sciences found that, before the dam at Gezhou was built, fish eggs and fry from spawning grounds upstream in Chongqing, Wanxian and Zigui would float down to the middle reaches of the river before hatching and growing. Gezhou is a “run-of-the-river” hydropower dam, and most of the eggs and fry which pass through the sluice-gates do survive. But bubbles of gas are found in the bodies of some of the fish, which do not survive.

And at the Three Gorges Dam, where in June 2003 the reservoir was filled to a depth of 139 metres, the majority of the fish passing through the sluices are believed to die as a result of nitrogen poisoning.

In 2007, the reservoir was filled to 156 metres, and 98% of the 316 million fry passing through the dam died. Many of the 912 million fry of the “four farmed fish” passing through in 2008 also died.

Cao explains that a dam changes the natural flow and rise and fall of the water, and this – especially the filling of a deep reservoir – affects the local climate and reduces the river’s ability to cleanse itself. Large quantities of harmful substances are produced, affecting the food chain.

“In the cold water of reservoirs like Anjiang and Danjiangkou, the methylation of heavy metals creates organic substances, which are absorbed by plankton and enter the human food chain and damage health,” says Cao.

“The water flow at Gezhou isn’t bad. The Three Gorges is a bit worse, and then Xiluodu and Baihetan are worse again. And it’s not just methylation. The vegetation at the bottom of the reservoir becomes methane, which is a greenhouse gas – that means carbon emissions.”

The implications of this final remark by Cao is also important given the debates that have raged on over Weibo (China’s Twitter) about whether hydropower can be considered a clean and green source of renewable energy.

Xiaonanhai “in breach of regulations”

The twice-redrawn boundaries for the Upper Yangtze Rare and Endemic Fish National Nature Reserve

The reserve boundaries were redrawn twice from 2005 to 2011 to make way for hydropower development. “It’s as if national nature reserves are optional,” says Cao. “It’s unacceptable. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about fish or about people – you’ve got to obey the law.”Cao also went on to explain why environmental groups and experts oppose the Xiaonanhai Dam on the Upper Yangtze, which has been avidly promoted by the Chongqing government, despite the location of the dam and its reservoir in the Upper Yangtze Rare and Endemic Fish National Nature Reserve. According to China’s Nature Reserve Regulations, no “production facilities” can be built within the core or buffer zone of a nature reserve, while in the surrounding area, no production facilities are allowed which pollute, damage resources or spoil the appearance of the reserve. “So building this dam, which obviously affects the aquatic ecology, is in breach of this regulation,” says Cao.
In addition, preliminary construction at the dam site began as early as March 29, 2012 despite the lack of an approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and wide-spread criticism from experts and the general public. The resettlement process has also begun for the 200,000 people that would be affected, and there are already reports of unfair compensation and lack of prior and informed consultation.
While the project remains on hold, a coalition of environmentalists and activists has called on the public via Weibo to fight the project through the EIA process. They are also calling on the Chongqing government to respect the 18th Party Congress’ commitment to an “ecological civilization,” where economic growth should not be pursued at the expense of biodiversity and livelihoods. It remains to be seen whether the Chongqing government will commit to environmental protection, or whether it will opt for pursuing energy projects that promote polluting growth targets.

Full Article:  http://www.internationalrivers.org/blogs/

How I Build a Boat in One Week

Mokhtar tawar pakej ke OFB

Oleh Tamizam Abd Karim

APABILA disebut OFB, ramai pemancing kurang arif atau tidak tahu apa maknanya. Tetapi dengan menyebut Rumah Api - One Phantom Bank (OFB) - Permatang Sedepa maka pasti ramai yang tahu mengenainya. Rumah api ini yang berada di tengah laluan kapal kira-kira 27 batu nautika dari jeti Pelabuhan Klang menjadi nadi pergerakan kapal yang menyusuri Selat Melaka.
APABILA disebut OFB, ramai pemancing kurang arif atau tidak tahu apa maknanya. Tetapi dengan menyebut Rumah Api - One Phantom Bank (OFB) - Permatang Sedepa maka pasti ramai yang tahu mengenainya. Rumah api ini yang berada di tengah laluan kapal kira-kira 27 batu nautika dari jeti Pelabuhan Klang menjadi nadi pergerakan kapal yang menyusuri Selat Melaka.

Rumah api berfungsi sebagai pedoman kapal dagang supaya tidak tersasar di laluan yang salah. Di kawasan rumah api OFB terdapat sebuah bangkai kapal karang yang tersadai di beting pasirnya. Kawasan itu dikatakan tumpuan ikan selain di sekitar tiang konkrit rumah api itu sendiri.

Menyedari ramai pemancing bermasalah untuk mengunjungi rumah api ini, Mohd Nazami Mokhtar Abdul Aziz (gambar), menyediakan pakej memancing ke OFB sejak beberapa tahun lalu. Beliau yang lebih dikenali sebagai Tekong Mokhtar menawarkan perkhidmatan membawa kaki pancing berkunjung ke rumah api berkenaan. Bot gentian kaca 42 kaki itu mampu membawa 10 pemancing biasanya mengambil masa sejam 15 minit untuk tiba ke tempat terbabit. Sampan gentian kaca jenis pancung itu boleh bergerak dengan kelajuan maksimum 25 batu nautika sejam.

Selain rumah api, kapal karam menjadi destinasi pilihan tekong Mokhtar untuk membawa kaki pancing menduga ikan di kawasan itu. Antara ikan yang lumrah ialah talang, alu-alu, jenahak dan kerapu di samping tenggiri, gerepoh dan aruan tasik yang kadang-kadang turut menjadi habuan pemancing. Waktu malam pula sambil memancing, pengunjung berpeluang mencandat sotong yang gemar bermain cahaya dari rumah api berkenaan.

Bagi kaki yang tidak tahan mabuk laut, OFB adalah tempat yang sesuai bagi muka baru berjinak dengan aktiviti memancing di laut. Selain itu ikan selar, tamban dan cencaru turut digemari kaki pancing menggunakan set mata apollo yang di pancing dari rumah api. Selain ia dijadikan umpan hidup pilihan, ikan-ikan ini turut popular sebagai ikan hidangan. Sambil menunggu ikan besar menyentap umpan, hasil memancing apollo turut memberi kepuasan buat pengunjung.

Bagi tekong seperti Mokhtar, beliau biasanya akan memberi tunjuk ajar dan nasihat kepada pemancing mengenai peralatan dan program memancing ke OFB ini. Persiapan seperti bekalan makanan, minuman, perubatan, keselamatan dan peralatan memancing boleh dirujuk kepada beliau jika pertama kali ingin mengunjungi lokasi cukup popular di kawasan Lembah Klang ini. Tekong Mokhtar boleh dihubungi: 019-3477766.


Source:  http://joran.bharian.com.my/

Albino barra takes expert by surprise

 

This 1.16m albino barramundi was caught and immediately released in the Proserpine Dam by Rod Sherrif while on charter with Lake Proserpine Fishing Charters. Contributed

AN EXTREMELY unusual 1.16m albino barramundi was caught and released in the Proserpine Dam by Rod Sherrif while on charter with Lake Proserpine Fishing Charters.

Mr Sherrif was visiting the Whitsundays from Groote Eylandt (a small island off the Northern Territory).

Local charter guide and barramundi expert Lindsay Dobe said that after many years fishing the dam, he was very pleased there were still fish in the dam that could surprise him.

"It's very unusual to find a white fish this big, as they don't normally make it this size."

"They are very white so predators tend to find them a lot easier," Mr Dobe said.


Full Article:  http://www.whitsundaytimes.com.au/