Kayak fishing - on your own

This month I was supposed to have been on a trip exploring Cuvier Island and the Merc’s to complement July’s article on setting up for mother-ship trips.
Unfortunately, Tawhiri (the god of weather) had other ideas and our trip was blown out. The resulting swells were too big to safely launch the kayaks to chase the hapuku and kingfish we wanted, so we’ll rebook and bring the mother-ship story at a later date.
This month I’m also setting up for something at the other end of the spectrum – going solo!
With breaks in the weather, but everyone else tied up at work, I’ll be taking the opportunity to turn the clock back 20 years and head out on several kayak-fishing trips on my lonesome. It’s a unique experience these days to hit the water and be the only kayaker around. But winter is definitely the best time for this, as there’s plenty of room to camp, there’s no other traffic to disturb the fish, and the angling north of the Harbour Bridge is nothing short of superb.

Paddling alone – safety considerations

Kayak fishing is a relatively safe sport, but when going solo a little extra care is required. The key consideration – especially during winter – becomes weather conditions (aside from making sure you have the appropriate paddling skills). Remember, the water is cold, so be conservative; it makes a lot of sense to paddle and fish well within your level of expertise and save the rough stuff for times when others are around to assist. (Besides, it’s fun sharing the thrills with buddies who’re out there enjoying them, too.)
The next concern is how to deal with the unlikely event of a roll over. When going it alone, our biggest potential problem is somehow becoming separated from our craft. Ending up over the side might be the result of rough conditions, taking good conditions too lightly (very embarrassing, but it happens!), or as a result of big, unruly fish. Heavy string pullers can drag us in after them or break the line while under pressure, causing us to flip back over the other side of the kayak.
For most of us, the best way to ensure we stay connected with our kayak is to use a good leash system for the paddle and rods. Generally speaking, as kayak anglers we have one or another in our hands most of the time; so long as we don’t let go while tumbling into the water, there’s very little chance of losing contact with our kayak. The key point to remember is that paddle and rod leashes serve two purposes: they keep your equipment attached to the kayak, but can also keep you attached to your kayak. So make sure they’re regularly maintained and inspected for any signs of wear, and replace them as necessary, especially when paddling solo.
Personal tethers are another option that’s been discussed on several occasions in the past. These can be a good option for experienced paddlers with the appropriate buoyancy vests and systems, who are also familiar with the risks of using them (entanglement, especially with other equipment, is an issue that makes it important to know what you’re doing when working with personal tethers). However, for most of us fishing coastal waters recreationally, using leashes on paddles and rods should provide enough security to prevent being separated from our kayak without the need for a personal tether.
Another area worth considering when paddling alone is terminal tackle. When running lures with multiple hooks or trebles, I like to close the barbs; there’s always the risk of a fish flailing free hooks around until they pin nearby flesh or clothing; ‘barbless’ hooks are much easier to extract. I also suggest removing terminal tackle from rods before returning to the beach, eliminating any chance of getting pinned if a tumble is taken while endeavouring to return to dry land.
Another safety pointer to consider involves preparing all baits before heading out on the water. When fishing solo, I’m often staying away from areas where buying bait is possible. At such times I like to convert fresh-caught kahawai, trevally and mackerel into strip or butterfly baits – but choose to do so before launching to minimize any risks with using knives in kayak cockpits. It’s not that I consider it likely I’ll cut myself, it’s just that relatively minor incidents like this take on greater significance when there’s no one else around to lend a hand (for example, a cut finger or hand may make paddling difficult or even impossible).

Communication

To my mind, communication is one of the most important things a solo paddler can put in place; let someone know your intentions, keep them updated, and let them know what to do if you don’t report back by a certain time. After all, while we don’t want to dwell on the negatives of going it alone, it’s also important to minimise the potential risks these adventures entail. This can be very inconvenient, especially when in remote areas, but having someone keeping watch means the alarm will be raised in a timely manner if you can’t initiate it yourself. In part, this is also out of respect for those who may have to come looking for you, with a starting point helping to ensure a rapid and favourable search result.
Having a VHF radio will help you to stay in contact with the coastguard and is critical to communicating effectively with other boating traffic in the area. Add a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) to the mix and you’re doing the best you can to being able to raise the alarm if needed. It’s also a very good idea for solo paddlers to carry a strobe and flares so they can be seen as well as heard.

Let’s go fishing

Okay, enough of the serious stuff, what about the fishing? I start with selecting a ‘relaxed’ launching spot, one where I have easy access to the water and where I’m not confronted with a serious surf transition. Personally, I’d rather paddle a little extra distance from an easy launch area than sweat it getting the kayak to the water, especially if I then have to transition through some rough stuff. Yes, I’m there for an adventure, but I also want to enjoy myself.
Northland, Coromandel, the Bay of Plenty, and East Cape all have many spots with good access and shelter from varying wind directions and conditions. This is one of the big advantages of kayaking: our craft are so easy to transport, we can rapidly relocate to find shelter if the weather doesn’t play ball. If prepared to travel, there are few periods where a sheltered area to launch and fish from cannot be found.
In angling terms I find the only real difference between fishing solo and heading out with mates is making sure you have absolutely everything you need before leaving the beach. It’s definitely worthwhile taking a bit more care when preparing, paying particular attention to nets and/or gaffs, as there won’t be anyone to lend a hand with that big one. Nor will there be a mate to sponge tackle off if something important has been left behind. It’s often the ridiculously simple stuff that catches us out: hooks, pre-tied rigs, swivels, clips, jig heads, jigs, rigging tools (like your trusty braid scissors), so check the lot.

Don’t forget the camera!

This is something I’ve been guilty of in the past: having so much fun I forget to take the photos. I then cop it from mates when telling tales of high adventure and big fish, “If it’s not on film, it never happened!” Even if you don’t have a waterproof camera, or one in a dive housing, most of us have a mobile phone in a dry bag capable of taking reasonable images (and you should have it with you anyway as part of your communication kit).
Another bit of gear I’ve found invaluable when going solo is a tripod. Having one has enabled me to take many self-portraits with my catch over the years, adding the personal touch to mark successful trips. Tripods range from the little travel models with bendy legs easily carried aboard the kayak to the more traditional extendable-leg models grabbed from the car and set up to record the event afterwards. These offer a greater range of perspective and also make it much easier to collect low-light or flash images.

This is the time to explore new spots; you have the coast to yourself, with clear blue water and big fish (though this time I had my mate Milky there to snap the photos).
Remember to get photos however you can. If out there alone, don’t be shy about flagging down a boat and getting them to snap the shot; most are more than willing, and it’ll give you a chance to show off too.

Turning the clock back 20 years to when catching snapper from kayaks was so unheard of no one believed the writer’s success. Here he used the butt end of a fence post to support a camera, in lieu of a tripod.

If your mates reckon it’s too cold, leave them behind and go solo – the rewards speak for themselves.

Paddle and rod leashes: these are more than just a means of keeping equipment attached to the kayak, they also keep your kayak within reach if you end up in the water. Make sure they’re regularly inspected and kept in good condition.

Tripods, cameras and accessories; take the time to get stills and video of solo exploits. After all, ‘if it’s not on film it never happened…’

- See more at: http://www.fishing.net.nz/index.cfm/pageid/56/view/yes/editorialID/1396#sthash.mQo6Uvzr.dpuf

When You Want Tips On Hobbies

When You Want Tips On Hobbies, They're Here

Author: Sumner Rooney |            

            

You'll learn a lot and expand your skills. Lots of hobbies may be converted into profitable businesses. If you want the ideal hobby, this piece is for you.
Fishing can be quite a fun hobby to have. Fishing is a hobby that never gets old. It is something that has been around forever. You do have to use patience, but the excitement of catching a big fish is worth it. Either chow down on the fish or toss it back.
Taking up a good hobby can help reduce stress and anxiety in your life, especially after having worked all day. Understand that hobbies do not have to be taken seriously like your job. As long as it is something you love to do, and does not harm others, it is a great thing to do.
Combine weight loss with your new hobby. Why not try training for a marathon, or learning to swim with the children. Doing exercise as your hobby is good for your general health.
Riding a horse is a hobby that can be done outdoors. When riding, you can explore unmarked trails, find new animals, and get a glimpse of the great outdoors in a way you never have. Additionally, your horse can become a good friend and bring you much closer to nature.
Be sure your hobby doesn't take up all of your time. It is great to have a hobby of course, but you need to make sure that you have time to do the things in your life you have to do. If activities related to your hobby are hindering other areas of your life, then it is time to reduce your involvement.
If making money in a hobby is important, think about the unique things that you love to do. What can you do that nobody else can do? Write down your ideas of things that others don't like to do, but you do. This is the perfect start.
Stargazing is a great hobby to get involved with. Star gazing is cool because you get to experience outer space in a way that goes beyond a normal glance at the night sky. You can expand your mind to include thoughts of creation and existence. You simply need dark and a telescope.
Sewing is a wonderful hobby to undertake. You can make anything from pillows to dresses to hair bows. Sewing allows you to create items that you will enjoy for years to come.
Think about taking up collecting as a new and rewarding hobby. Today, the Internet can help you determine value, so you can find out what you need to get the most return on any investments. Use eBay and other similar sites to sell your items for the highest price.
Bring someone along with you as you enjoy your hobby. When you set a time to enjoy your hobby with another, you will be less likely to neglect it. It also allows you to bond with others that have the same types of interests as you.
You see how easy it is to come up with a hobby that the family can indulge themselves in. Use these tips to get a hobby for your family. Have fun, and always keep these tips close by for great ideas about hobbies that anyone can use.

                                                                               

                               

About the author:Reaching your objectives is actually possible when you have a background in awards, and the basic understanding of principles that are relevant. And if you would like to procrastinate, it will have a similar ill effect. If you really would like thing

Article Source:  ArticlesExpert

Live Bait - The Terminal End

Taken out of context, this title may seem redundant. To a fisherman however, it has a special

meaning. There are really two ends to a fishing line. One end is fixed to the reel, rod, and the anxious fisherman. The other end, the terminal end, is the one that is supposed to catch the fish. The terminal end however, will not catch fish unless it has some sort of hook, lure, bait, etc.. These additions are referred to as terminal tackle. The "terminal end" is most important to the fisherman but is often overlooked! Regardless of the investment in boats, rods, reels, time or effort, if terminal tackle is not appropriate to the job at hand, then all of that investment is wasted.

Live-bait fishing for trophy stripers is one of my favorite kinds of fishing. I have specialized in this type of fishing for many years. I have had the opportunity to try all types of tackle and terminal gear. In the course of this investigation I have had many successes and failures, all of which have led me to the combination that works most effectively. This is a natural process, and I am sure that I will continue to experiment to try to improve or adapt to changes as they come. When live-bait fishing, a well balanced, quality rod and reel is an important consideration. I am using a Penn Power Stick, with a Penn 535 graphite Reel, spooled with 25lb Ande line. This combination is light and sporting and yet powerful enough for the biggest of bass. One very important rule I believe in firmly is, "SIMPLE RIG-SHARP HOOK!". What does this mean when it comes to live-bait fishing? It means that the bait itself attracts the fish. Anything else that may distract the attention of the fish will reduce the chance for a pick-up and a hook-up! Keep the rig as basic as possible and always check and sharpen your hooks when necessary.


I do most of my live-bait fishing around the Fire Island Inlet on Long Island in New York. I use a very simple but effective terminal rig. I clinch knot a 3oz. drail to my 25lb line. I tie a double surgeon’s loop at one end of a four foot leader of 50lb mono and clip it to the snap swivel at the trailing end of the drail. I clinch knot the leader to a 6/0 - 8/0 live bait style hook and the rig is complete. The loop at the drail end of the leader allows for a quick replacement when necessary. The only variation to this rig might be an increase or a decrease in drail weight to match the current conditions and water depth. The change that might be required in drail weight is a simple one to accomplish. Simply go up or down by one ounce increments until just enough weight is present to maintain the bait within a few feet of the bottom. If you can lift the rod tip then quickly drop it and feel the drail touch bottom, the weight is sufficient. The most common baits used in live-bait fishing for striped bass are bunker and eels. When fishing eels I use only one type of hook in all situations, a short shank live bait style hook in 6/0 or 7/0 size. These hooks are very strong and usually quite sharp right out of the package. Don’t forget to check the point and put a file to it if it isn’t needle sharp. To hook the eel, the hook is run into the mouth and out an eye socket. This placement of the hook gives it a sure hold in tough tissue and also allows the eel to continue to pass water through its mouth and stay healthy and lively.

Fishing live bunker or any other live, hard bodied baitfish, requires more consideration. In the past, most anglers fished bunker using a 4/0 size treble hook. One point was inserted through the lower jaw, a second point through one nostril and the third remained unattached. This method is no longer acceptable as it results in many gut hooked fish that will not survive when released. A treble hook is almost impossible to remove cleanly once it has been swallowed beyond the narrow throat. In these memorable days of a revived striped bass fishery with size and bag limits, many bass must be returned to the water so that they may survive! The use of treble hooks is therefore not in the best interest of the sport. Considering an alternative to using treble hooks, I tried experimenting with single hook arrangements. I found that when hooked in any body part other than the head, the bait did not swim correctly in a hard running tide. I was not getting many pick-ups due to its unnatural action. I then tried hooking the bait in a non-vital part of the head. The action improved, and I was getting lots of pick-ups. However, due to the tough tissue in the head region of most baitfish, the hook would not pull free from the bait. I was getting pick-ups but pulling the hook on most fish.

Being determined I finally came up with a variation that has proven to work extremely well. I use a large #56 Berkley double-lock snap. I attach the small side of the snap to the eye of a single 7/0 or 8/0 live bait hook. This must be done in an orientation that sets the open large side of the snap turning opposite to the bend in the hook. I then use the hook or a needle to make a small hole in the tough head or nose tissue of the baitfish. The point of the large side of the snap is then passed from the top of the head or nose, through the hole, out the mouth and snapped closed. The hook remains free swinging along the side of the head. Fish caught with this rig are almost always mouth hooked meaning they may be released relatively unharmed. One additional hook arrangement should also be a part of the live-bait fisherman’s arsenal. Big bluefish have a nasty habit of attacking a bait from the tail and are therefore rarely hooked. Even if they do manage to get hooked, they almost always chew through the mono leader and are lost during the fight. For such situations I have devised another little addition to my tackle box. I prepare tail hooks on a short piece of vinyl coated braided or single strand wire. I make them about six inches long with a barrel swivel at one end and a 7/0 hook at the other end. If the bluefish show up I can quickly add the tail hook to my double-lock snap and use a rubber band to fasten the hook to the tail of the bait. I can then have fun catching and beating the bluefish at their game.

One additional point to consider for the safe release of fish in the spirit of conservation or when tagging, gaffing a fish that is going to be released is not acceptable! Fish that are to be released should be carefully netted and handled gently while onboard. Even netting is detrimental to the fish as it removes some of the natural protective slime from the body. When it is possible I use a device called a "BogaGrip" that locks onto the jaw of the fish. I simply lean over the side of the boat while holding the leader and lock it on the lower jaw. I can then remove the hook while the fish is still in the water or gently bring it aboard. It works quite well and it also has a built-in accurate scale for weighing your trophy. If the fish is brought into the boat, a wet towel placed over the head and eyes will keep it calm. Remember to return the fish to the water as soon as possible and not to handle it by the gills. Placing your hand in the gill slits can cause irreparable damage to the fish.

The "terminal end" is a critical part of fishing tackle. I have spent much time developing and perfecting terminal rigs that are effective. I have found this both challenging and rewarding. Experimenting and being innovative is part of what makes fishing so much fun! I hope my suggestions will work well for you.

Good Fishing, Capt. Al Lorenzetti Copyright: Al Lorenzetti ©1990 Published in "The Fisherman" 1990

Mazoney arif di perairan Pulau Kapas

Oleh Osman Lisut

TEKONG yang bagus ialah mereka mahir dan berilmu pengetahuan menjejak lubuk ikan, mengetahui bacaan arus air, masa sesuai untuk memancing, pakar mengenai laut serta memahami kehendak pelanggan, pemancing. Di samping, mampu memberikan perkhidmatan terbaik dan hasil tangkapan lumayan setiap kali menganjurkan trip memancing.
TEKONG yang bagus ialah mereka mahir dan berilmu pengetahuan menjejak lubuk ikan, mengetahui bacaan arus air, masa sesuai untuk memancing, pakar mengenai laut serta memahami kehendak pelanggan, pemancing. Di samping, mampu memberikan perkhidmatan terbaik dan hasil tangkapan lumayan setiap kali menganjurkan trip memancing.

Bagaimanapun, hasil tangkapan tidak menjadi masalah kepada pemancing kerana mereka faham serta akur setiap rezeki datangnya daripada Allah. Walaupun sudah berusaha untuk mendapatkan hasil tangkapan lumayan, namun kalau yang Esa masih enggan memberinya, pemancing reda.

Pada masa yang sama, tekong yang ramah, bertanggungjawab dan mudah berurusan sering menjadi rebutan kaki pancing, memandangkan mereka lebih senang berkomunikasi sama ada di darat ketika membuat tempahan, mahupun di laut ketika turun memancing.

Bagi Mazoney Mohd, 36, (gambar) berkata, pemancing umpama taukeh di atas bot dan apabila tempahan sudah dibuat, menjadi tanggungjawab tekong membawa mereka ke lubuk yang dikehendaki, di samping menyediakan peralatan tambahan seperti yang dikehendaki.

“Menjadi kebiasaan, saya akan bertanya terlebih dulu apa yang ingin dipancing pelanggan. Saya akan mencadangkan masa dan lokasi yang sesuai. Jika ada pemancing mahupun mereka dibawa ke tempat lain, saya akan mengikutnya.

“Namun, pemancing juga perlu akur dengan nasihat tekong dan mengetahui keadaan air terlebih dulu sebelum menempah bot. Jika tidak, sia-sia saja trip yang disertai dan jangan dipersalahkan saya kerana sebelum ini nasihat sudah diberikan,” katanya.

Mewarisi pengalaman daripada bapanya yang juga seorang nelayan bubu suatu ketika dulu, Tekong Mazoney amat arif mengenai perairan Marang terutama di sekitar Pulau Kapas dan Pulau Gemia yang terkenal dengan spesies aruan tasik, jemuduk, ebek dan kerapu.

Walaupun ikan berkenaan tidaklah bersaiz mega berbanding perairan lain, namun aksi ganas aruan tasik dan ebek sudah cukup meletihkan kaki pancing yang baru-baru berjinak-jinak dalam hobi berkenaan.

Mazoney berkata, walaupun tugasnya sepenuh masa adalah memasang bubu di perairan berkenaan, namun jika ada tempahan atau rakan memintanya membawa kumpulan pemancing, beliau tidak akan menolaknya.

“Itu juga rezeki... kalau hendak harapkan hasil tangkapan bubu kadang kala tidak mencukupi. Lebih-lebih lagi musim tengkujuh di mana nelayan tidak turun ke laut dan menghabiskan masa di rumah memeriksa dan membaiki bubu atau jaring rosak,” katanya.
Selain menggunakan peralatan moden untuk mengesan ikan di dasar laut serta kedalaman air, Mazoney dapat menggunakan gerak rasa dan hati untuk mengesan sesuatu sama ada buruk atau baik yang bakal berlaku. Ini satu rahsia baginya yang tidak boleh dikongsi dengan orang lain.

Beliau berpegang kepada amalan merendah diri dan bertanggungjawab ketika berada di laut. Sikap begini sekali gus memberi kepuasan kepada pemancing dalam semua aspek sambil terus membantu tekong untuk mendapatkan lokasi yang terbaik.

Mereka yang ingin merasai pengalaman memancing di sekitar perairan Marang (Pulau Kapas) boleh menghubungi 019-9637879.


Source:   Joran

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/

Tekong muda dirasuk cahaya lampu

Oleh Nuri Angkasa

KALI ini, kita mencungkil pengalaman seorang tekong veteran nelayan laut dalam di Kuala Terengganu...
KALI ini, kita mencungkil pengalaman seorang tekong veteran nelayan laut dalam di Kuala Terengganu yang cuma mahu dikenali sebagai Tok Wan yang kini sudah berusia 72 tahun. Beliau cuma sesekali saja turun ke laut untuk mengisi masa lapang.

Menurutnya ketika ditemui di Jeti Pulau Kambing, Kuala Terengganu, baru-baru ini Tok Wan masih terus percaya bahawa beberapa tempat di sekitar perairan pulau di sini terdapat kawasan keras (ada penunggu) yang kita tidak tahu atau tidak dapat melihat makhluk halus yang mendiami kawasan berkenaan.

Ceritanya sebaik saja menghabiskan sebungkus nasi dagang dari warung Mek Yam, bahawa satu rombongan pemancing dari Temerloh, Pahang yang diketuai oleh Haji Salim yang dibesarkan dalam keluarga nelayan di Sungai Pahang. Ketika itu, beliau berusia dalam lingkungan 45 tahun. Namun kedewasaan beliau sudah dapat memberikan kepercayaan oleh rakan pancing untuk melantiknya sebagai ketua kumpulan itu.

Kumpulan sepuluh orang itu dianggap sebagai team lasak di laut mahupun di sungai, tasik atau lombong tinggal di hutan belantara. Ekspedisi tiga hari dua malam kali itu menggunakan khidmat tekong muda berpengalaman luas di laut sebelah sini. Lokasi bakal diteroka ialah di Pulau Bidong tapi pilihan bukan di situ saja kerana karang atau unjam yang berselerak pastinya menjadi pilihan untuk memburu spesies ikan gred A.

Mereka meninggalkan Jeti Pulau Kambing selepas solat Jumaat dengan membawa bekal sotong segar yang dibeli dari nelayan pukat jerut yang baru pulang dari laut. Namun sotong yang disauk atau dicandat pada waktu malam tetap umpan paling digemari oleh spesies ikan di laut sebelah sini.

Selepas dua jam perjalanan, unjam pertama ditemui. Pancing apollo diturunkan untuk mendapatkan ikan segar sebagai umpan. Tekong Wan Nik Su turut membantu dengan menggunakan apollo 50 mata. Dalam tempoh yang singkat, tong nelayan berwarna merah sudah hampir setengah penuh isi ikan umpan. Mereka kemudian berpindah ke kawasan karang semula jadi untuk memancing ikan kerapu dan tambak.

Malam itu cuaca gelap. Bintang tidak ada di langit. Angin bertiup lembut tetapi sesekali bagaikan terdengar bunyi suara berlagu nyaring di kejauhan. Sambil itu keadaan sekitar kawasan itu bagaikan ada pesta dengan lampu berkelip sana-sini.

“Wah! Kita dah ada kawan!” Seorang pemancing bersuara.

“Jangan tegur. Itu bukan lampu biasa,” Haji Salim menjawab dan serta merta lampu yang bagaikan pesta itu hilang daripada pandangan.

Sesuatu sudah dirasakan berlainan terutama angin yang bertiup dan desiran air laut yang mula menggoyangkan bot besar yang mereka naiki, cerita Tok Wan yang diceritakan kepadanya oleh seorang pemancing dalam kumpulan dari Temerloh itu.
Keadaan menjadi kelam kabut apabila tekong Wan Nik Su cuba mengekori sebuah cahaya lampu yang kelihatan agak jauh di tengah laut. Kononnya, cahaya lampu itu adalah petanda lubuk ikan paling banyak. Justeru, tekong Wan Nik Su bagaikan terpukau memandu botnya menuju arah lampu yang bertambah jauh.

Haji Salim menyedari bahawa tekong Wan Nik Su sudah dirasuk. Namun sukar untuk tekong itu dipulihkan serta-merta. Bagaimanapun, dia mesti diselamatkan sebelum keadaan lebih buruk.

Bot tambah kuat bergoyang ketika Haji Salim memulakan bacaan ayat suci al-Quran dan pilihan pada ayat tertentu dalam surah ayat al-Qursi.

Beberapa kali Haji Salim menghembus ke muka Wan Nik Su tetapi dengan garang tekong itu melawan dengan bola mata merah menentang.

Haji Salim terus membaca ayat tertentu lalu menyembur air dari mulutnya ke muka tekong Wan Nik Su yang sudah mula lemah namun masih belum mahu menyerah kalah. Haji Salim terus berusaha. Dan akhirnya, tekong muda itu menyerah kalah lalu pulih dalam keadaan yang masih lemah. Namun keadaan masih belum selamat kerana tidak jauh di hadapan bot sudah menunggu sebuah pulau berbatu besar yang tentunya bakal menghancurkan bot mereka. Maka dengan pantas Haji Salim sekali lagi bertindak sebagai tekong. Enjin bot diperlahankan lalu memutar arah kemudi dan bot selamat daripada merempuh pulau berbatu besar itu. Semua menarik nafas dan bersyukur kepada Allah.

Tetapi yang aneh apabila tekong Wan Nik pulih sepenuhnya, tidak ada pulau berbatu besar pun dalam kawasan itu dan kelip-kelip api yang memukau beliau ketika dirasuk adalah petanda paling buruk bagi trip memancing kali itu dan bagi tekong Wan Nik Su juga.

Walau apa pun adalah baik jika dalam setiap trip memancing disertai sekurang-kurangnya seorang yang kuat pada agama untuk menguruskan sesuatu keadaan yang aneh dan pastikan membaca ayat Qursi sebagai satu amalan harian.


Source:   http://joran.bharian.com.my/Current_News/Joran/News/Misteri/20071112140759/Article/index_html

Ghani pandai memasak, tahu lubuk karang

Oleh Nuri Angkasa

BAGI anak kelahiran Kampung Mukut, Pulau Tioman, Dazali Abdul Karim, 50, atau lebih dikenali sebagai Tekong Ghani, beliau tidak menolak hakikat bahawa laut banyak mengajarnya menjadi manusia sejati yang tabah menghadapi sebarang cabaran.
BAGI anak kelahiran Kampung Mukut, Pulau Tioman, Dazali Abdul Karim, 50, atau lebih dikenali sebagai Tekong Ghani, beliau tidak menolak hakikat bahawa laut banyak mengajarnya menjadi manusia sejati yang tabah menghadapi sebarang cabaran.

Beliau yang membesar dalam keluarga nelayan ketika kecil bersama adiknya, Rosli yang juga tekong menjadikan pantai dan laut Kampung Mukut serta Kampung Asah sebagai padang permainan sekali gus tempat mencari rezeki.

Ghani yang memperoleh ilmu laut daripada orang tuanya, sanggup berdepan dengan cabaran seperti angin kencang, ribut dan gelombang besar bagi mengejar cita-cita untuk menjadi seorang pelaut yang terkenal.

Berkat ketabahan dan kecekalan, Ghani kini mampu menarik nafas lega kerana beliau antara tekong yang disegani di perairan Pulau Tioman dan Pulau Pemanggil. Sebagai tekong, keselesaan pemancing yang dibawanya serta menjaga keselamatan mereka perlu diutamakan.

“Jangan sesekali berjanji dengan laut. Sebab itu, saya sentiasa memberi ingatan kepada pemancing supaya mengutamakan keselamatan,” kata Ghani sambil mengakui bahawa pemancing yang dibawa ada bermacam ragam. Namun sudah menjadi tanggungjawabnya memahami dan memberi teguran ketika mereka berada di atas bot demi keselamatan.

Tekong Ghani, seorang yang pendiam tetapi tidak lokek dengan ilmu laut dan sering membantu pemancing dalam semua hal.

Selain itu, beliau pandai memasak. Sesetengah pelanggan yang dibawanya menggelarkan beliau sebagai Chef Ghani, tukang masak nombor satu ketika di laut dan tekong cemerlang kerana bijak mencari lubuk atau karang semula jadi yang tiada bertanda.

Beliau melakukan pendekatan berpindah jika lokasi tidak dapat memberi kepuasan pemancing selepas 30 minit bot berlabuh.

“Kita kena cari lubuk atau karang yang ada ikan sampai jumpa untuk berlabuh,” kata beliau membuat pengakuan yang sekali gus mencerminkan keikhlasan hati yang tentunya dapat mengikat kepercayaan pemancing.

Kepada pemancing yang berminat untuk mendapatkan khidmat Tekong Ghani boleh menghubungi: 013-6094623


Source:  http://joran.bharian.com.my/Current_News/Joran/News/Tekong/20080314092024/Article/index_html

Bait fishing from a kayak

 

Certainly when I was land-based fishing this was one of my favourite catch cries. There was nothing like lobbing monster baits into the berley trail and letting the pickers have a field day, while in turn their thrash-and-slash activity attracted the attention of resident moochers.
However, although I started with this big-bait habit when I got into kayak fishing, I soon developed a little finesse with the forerunner to the ‘swimming pillie’ rig I wrote about last month.
When fishing around the coast during the colder months, I discovered great fishing by finding sheltered nooks to take a rest in (somewhere out of the wind and chop to catch my breath) and drifting a few baits while there. Many of these spots weren’t much bigger than my kayak, but allowed me to park without anchor or drogue, and all it took was the occasional dip from the paddle to stay in the shelter.
While resting up I could never resist the opportunity to float cut baits from the side of the kayak, or lob them a few metres away so they wafted out into the wind and wave action stirring the water.
In these situations baits need to have durability to survive the ravages of shallow water pickers. Pilchards, with their thin skins and soft texture, disappeared almost instantly, leaving bare hooks that looked so clean they could have gone back in the packet!
Cut baits of mullet, kahawai, or trevally were the only way to keep resident pickers occupied until snapper lurking in the shadows shouldered in and snaffled the offering.
As already mentioned, I stuck with the philosophy that bigger was better initially, and any fish eating the monster baits was likely to be a worthy opponent. Then the finesse bug bit deep and I began to experiment by trimming my baits into strips and applying some of the techniques I was learning from swimming pillies to mimic live baits.
So began the next stage of my kayak bait-fishing education, and while the techniques mentioned here will be familiar to many, it’s worth covering them again in a little detail. In this day and age of artificial lures and new technology, some of the old techniques can become lost in the magpie effect of acquiring anything that’s new and glittery.

Stink baits – no way, I’ll stick with my softies!

I have to chuckle at this comment, it’s one I hear almost every time I bring up bait fishing amongst a group of anglers. My chuckle is that I can spend a day fishing cut and strip baits, and arrive back on the beach with hands and gloves far less odorous than if I’d been exclusively dipping soft-baits out of a pot. And since I’m landing fish on the kayak to bring home for dinner, there’s no difference with the mess being created there. To my mind, if anglers are complaining about the smell of bait fishing, they’re not using the right bait.
Over the years one of my core secrets to catching good fish has been using the best possible bait. Fresh or frozen, perfect baits should be good enough to eat – in other words, food grade. This is even more critical when considering baits like pilchards, which quickly lose their shine and can become soft and unusable when not stored correctly. With cut baits any ‘stink’ means they’re not fresh and long past their use-by date!
In fact, I rate this so highly when purchasing frozen baits, the first thing they have to pass is the whiff test! Any bait that smells straight out of the freezer doesn’t even get a look, and only those that pass get a closer inspection to check if there’s freezer burn or other damage. In reality the whiff test is usually enough; baits with a scruffy appearance rarely smell good enough for me to use.
I know some will find this harsh for selecting what will simply become bait, but I’ve caught most of my PBs fishing natural baits, and I put much of my success down to selecting product that’s virtually good enough to eat. I believe the ‘fresh is best’ adage is far more critical than ‘big baits equal big fish’. I’d rather leave a bait shop empty handed and head for the fish mongers (or supermarket) than put up with inferior bait that smells less than appetising – there aren’t any ‘stink baits’ on my kayak!
Of course the ultimate solution is to catch your own fresh bait. Trolling lures out to many fishing destinations will deliver a kahawai or two, perfect for conversion to strip baits. Also, lots of coastal and harbour areas have spots that can produce mackerel or trevally on small metal jigs and sabiki rigs. Or, for the really dedicated, a pre-dawn swim with a baitfish net should produce enough baits for a day on the water (but I, for one, am rarely keen enough at this time of the year for that sort of lark!).
The other solution is to prepare and store your own bait from one trip to the next. Kahawai, trevally, jack mackerel and koheru all work well. Summer-caught skippies also make fantastic winter baits. The key is to treat them exactly as you would valuable table fish. Land and dispatch them as quickly as possible, then get them into insulated storage or iced down to keep them in top notch condition until they’re processed.
Once home, I like to prepare these fresh-caught fish into baits, and vacuum bag them for freezing rather than leave them whole. This ensures rapid freezing and minimises the degrading effects of freezer burn and other damage. Dating the packs and keeping them small makes it easy to grab what you need for the day without excessive wastage, and ensures older stock is used first. Having the bait pre-prepared makes thawing them much easier, and as there’s no need to drag out the bait board and knife, rigging up is a breeze.

Strip baits or big chunks?

This has been an interesting journey for me. As I mentioned earlier, I started off with the ‘big baits’ attitude, but soon refined what I was doing upon fishing more often with pilchards and other small, whole baits. Basically, this involved my fishing all baits (including cut baits) more actively, considering them as much a lure as a simple piece of meat. It didn’t take long to realise that properly prepared and presented strips of fresh kahawai and trevally were just as effective as pillies when targeting reasonable snapper.
However, there are still times when I’ll lob out big baits, especially when leaning back into my seat to enjoy a relaxing moment. The big advantage is their ability to survive the ravages of pickers until something more desirable comes along. Big baits are at their best wafting in the current, generating their own berley trail and allowing the activity of pickers to help attract larger fish.
Personally I can’t sit ‘resting’ for long though, and the call of the hunt beckons. In pretty short order I am back sounding for the next fish mark to present a bait to.

Preparing baits

As cut baits need a little more effort when preparing them for the hooks than whole baits like pillies or lures and soft-baits, I’ll do this before heading out on the water whenever possible. As mentioned, preparing them prior to freezing is an excellent option. When using frozen whole fish, I like to slow thaw them overnight (in the garage during winter is good enough, in the fridge during the summer – remember, these aren’t smelly baits so they won’t stink out the garage or fridge!). Slow thawing helps stop baits going mushy.
Once thawed, or if using fresh fish, it doesn’t take long at the water’s edge to scale and break large fish into strip baits. It’s far more convenient to do this before heading out (even in the dark) and, once prepared, baits can go into plastic bags for easy use on board. Scraps and leftovers can be taken offshore for berleying or disposal.
When preparing baits on board the kayak, a small amount of forethought and organisation will keep everything clean and tidy. First, I make sure I’m carrying a cutting board and razor-sharp bait knife. The centre-well cover of my kayak has a built-in baitboard that’s conveniently placed as a work platform, but since this has become a mounting area for essential equipment and takes longer to clean, I carry a separate board in the pocket of my rear insulated cover. Here it’s easily accessible and can be moved to where I need it.
The bait knife I use is big enough for a 2kg kahawai, but not so big it becomes unwieldy in the confines of the cockpit.
The critical factor is that it’s razor sharp. This allows me to cut and trim baits easily without using force (also one of the reasons I believe it is essential to thaw baitfish before taking them on board kayaks), considerably reducing any risk of cutting yourself or slipping and damaging equipment on deck.
By making sure fresh-caught fish have been dispatched and left for at least half an hour before processing, any blood produced will be minimised. Simply scale them over the side, remove the fillets, and divide each fillet down the centreline. If fillets are thick, I give them a quick trim so no part is more than 20mm thick. After this, cutting long tapered strips ready for baiting up becomes straightforward.
Clean-up is equally simple: the prepared baits go into a bag kept ready for the purpose, the baitboard and knife are easily rinsed over the side before being stowed away, and any blood dribbles are easily rinsed away with a couple of splashes. No mess, no fuss, and certainly no ‘stink baits’ as some might have you believe, just brilliant fresh baits ready to go.

Source: http://www.fishing.net.nz/index.cfm/pageid/56/view/yes/editorialID/1232
Read More: http://gofishtalk.com/forum/topics/bait-fishing-from-a-kayak