Sunday, 30 March 2014

Kayak fishing - on your own

Best Fishing Kayak - Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 Angler Edition

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

Catch and release

Although most anglers keep their catch for consumption, catch and release fishing is increasingly practiced, especially by fly anglers. The general principle is that releasing fish allows them to survive, thus avoiding unintended depletion of the population. For species such as marlin and muskellunge but, also, among few bass anglers, there is a cultural taboo against killing fish for food. In many parts of the world, size limits apply to certain species, meaning fish below a certain size must, by law, be released. It is generally believed that larger fish have a greater breeding potential. Some fisheries have a slot limit that allows the taking of smaller and larger fish, but requiring that intermediate sized fish be released. It is generally accepted that this management approach will help the fishery create a number of large, trophy-sized fish. In smaller fisheries that are heavily fished, catch and release is the only way to ensure that catchable fish will be available from year to year.

Removing the hook from a Bonito
The practice of catch and release is criticised by some who consider it unethical to inflict pain upon a fish for purposes of sport. Some of those who object to releasing fish do not object to killing fish for food. Adherents of catch and release dispute this charge, pointing out that fish commonly feed on hard and spiky prey items, and as such can be expected to have tough mouths, and also that some fish will re-take a lure they have just been hooked on, a behaviour that is unlikely if hooking were painful. Opponents of catch and release fishing would find it preferable to ban or to severely restrict angling. On the other hand, proponents state that catch-and-release is necessary for many fisheries to remain sustainable, is a practice that that generally has high survival rates, and consider the banning of angling as not reasonable or necessary.[2]
In some jurisdictions, in the Canadian province of Manitoba, for example, catch and release is mandatory for some species such as brook trout. Many of the jurisdictions which mandate the live release of sport fish also require the use of artificial lures and barbless hooks to minimise the chance of injury to fish. Mandatory catch and release also exists in the Republic of Ireland where it was introduced as a conservation measure to prevent the decline of Atlantic salmon stocks on some rivers.[3] In Switzerland, catch and release fishing is considered inhumane and was banned in September 2008.[4]
Barbless hooks, which can be created from a standard hook by removing the barb with pliers or can be bought, are sometimes resisted by anglers because they believe that increased escapement results. Barbless hooks reduce handling time, thereby increasing survival. Concentrating on keeping the line taut while fighting fish, using recurved point or "triple grip" style hooks on lures, and equipping lures that do not have them with split rings can significantly reduce escapement.

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

Sunday, 17 February 2013

Meet Jamalludin at GFT

Visit GoFishTalk

New species of fish discovered in ocean trench near NZ

By James Ihaka Email James

Researchers (from left) Steve Bailey, Alan Jamieson and Andrew Stewart with deep-sea specimens. Photo / Malcolm Clark

An expedition to one of the deepest ocean trenches has discovered a new species of fish and another not previously caught in the southwest Pacific, giving scientists a better understanding of biodiversity in the deep seas around New Zealand.

Niwa scientists working with colleagues from the University of Aberdeen and Te Papa Museum discovered a new species of eelpout and new records of a rattail fish that has not previously been caught in the southwest Pacific on a recent voyage to the Kermadec Trench.

They also found a rattail that has not been caught in New Zealand waters for more than 100 years, a large deep-sea cusk eel and large numbers of amphipods, such as marine sand-hoppers.

Niwa principal scientist Dr Malcolm Clark said the voyage was part of a continuing series to investigate how the biodiversity in the trench differed from that at shallower depths and in other trench systems.

He said the international collaboration allowed local researchers to use scientific equipment they do not have and to sample places that would otherwise be inaccessible.

"The results from this deep exploration are giving us a much better understanding of biodiversity in the deep sea around New Zealand, and enable us to better assess potential risks to the ecosystem from future climate change and even human activities, which may include seabed mining," he said.

Voyage leader Dr Alan Jamieson, from the University of Aberdeen, said they had recovered a considerable amount of data, which would be added to information collected from the Kermadec Trench over three previous voyages on RV Kaharoa by the Aberdeen-Niwa team.

"A voyage such as this is testament to how feasible scientific research in the deep sea has become," he said.

"The technological challenges of the past no longer exist, and shouldn't limit our responsibility to learn about and understand the deep sea to help ensure the long-term health of the deep oceans, one of the largest environments on earth."

In seven days of sampling, the scientists - who used landers with cameras attached that free-fall to the seafloor, as well as baited fish traps - caught more than 100 fish and took more than 6500 photographs.

They covered waters well below the depth that light penetrates, sampling depths between one and six kilometres on the edge of the Kermadec Trench - one of the deepest places on Earth, with depths exceeding 10km.

The new specimens will be held at the National Fish Collection at Te Papa while the amphipod samples will be registered in Niwa's invertebrate collection.

Dr Clark said a further expedition to the New Hebrides Trench was planned for October.

By James Ihaka Email

Full Article: nzherald

More News: GoFishTalk

Hobie Kayak Owners Manual, part 2 of 2

Hobie Kayak Owners Manual, part 1 of 2

Friday, 15 February 2013

Riviera 41

RIVIERA REFINED

The Riviera 40 was the boatbuilder’s former top seller, but the new 41 is one of the most sophisticated of its type and looks set to reclaim top billing, writes David Lockwood

Everyone liked the Riviera 40 – a flybridge cruiser that had enough waterline length to be comfortable at sea, ample accommodation and amenities to disappear for a week, and a user-friendly size to drive and maintain. Nearly 300 were sold over six years.

The new 41 has big shoes to fill and, as to be expected, it is more contemporary than the 40. The new model has a naval architect-designed hull courtesy of Frank Mulder, with prop tunnels to reduce shaft angles from 14 degrees to 11 degrees, improving the transfer of power and underwater exhausts. Standard power comes from twin fully electronic, 460hp C7 Caterpillar diesel engines that live in an engine room with fully moulded liner.

There are the latest electronic gizmos, like a neat ($14,224 option) telescopic crane that’s way better than the two-stage davits, a fresh interior with improved finish and seriously big dinette, a cockpit that’s truly mindful of the serious game fisher, and many other refinements.

Engineering improvements

Riviera has invested considerably in the engineering of the new 41. It begins with the underwater hull, built from hand laid GRP with a balsa-cored foredeck and cabin structure. The hull shape is a modified 40 with bigger chines, prop tunnels, a three-quarter keel in the Riviera style, changed strakes and a squared off transom – all to provide more lift.

Compared with the 40, the 41 is 8cm shorter in length overall, courtesy of a new bowsprit with integral anchor, but has a 10cm longer moulded hull length which is what matters most. The 41 is also 3cm wider, 150kg heavier due to more gear and a second head, 8cm shallower on the draft thanks to the prop pockets, and carries 210 litres more fuel (or more again if you choose the optional forward tank). There is the same 460 litres of water with room to fit a desalinator.

With its moulded liner, the engine room makes the 41 more refined from an engineering viewpoint. A new, neater and more easily accessible main breaker panel is at the entrance with all the emergency engine-start switches and override switches back aft where you can get to them in a hot engine room. The wiring is simpler and neater, and the engines easier to service. The coolant bottles, Racor fuel filters (including that for the 9.5kW Onan generator, mounted forward), sea strainers and freshwater tap are all back aft.

Part of the reason for more engine room space is the creation of a huge utility room under the galley floor where a wide hatch and short ladder lead down to a huge amount of storage space. You will also find the hot water service here, all the boat’s main plumbing manifolds, the battery charger, inverter (fitted to this boat for generator-free AC for the LCD television), and, should you choose, an optional washer-dryer.

The AC/DC panel on the 41 is more refined with a residual current device, a digital volt gauge, and a lighting and plumbing plan on a ship’s outline that, at a glance, alerts you to what’s running. Way better than the old warning lights above the saloon windscreen (Riv’ owners will know what I mean).

Designs on the outdoors

While essentially the same size as the 40’s, the cockpit is more mindful of game fishing boats but better protected by the extended flybridge overhang, which, with the seating farther aft, not only ensures a good view of the cockpit but allows for a bigger dinette in the bridge. However, the first thing I noticed when I set foot aboard was the new dot-pattern non-skid (deck) that will be easier to clean than the old moulded pattern.

The boarding platform is smarter too, with an integral grab rail so you can hang off the back (also handy for tying off toys) and the swim ladder has a hatch catch allowing you to reverse without it flipping up. The Plastimo hand-held hot/cold deck shower near the marlin door (which seals better than before) is a neat fitting.

Depending on your boating bent, the mid-transom live-bait tank with double hatches is either a fantastic place to keep slimy mackerel or a useful party icebox or bin for the empties. You should also note the hatches are injection moulded on this boat, thereby saving weight, as is the new flybridge hardtop that aims to be half the weight of the old model. Less weight up top is great on any boat.

The moulded steps in the cockpit leading to the sidedecks are less obtrusive and the walkarounds have been widened to improve access to the bow. The Australian-made, 200kg-lift telescopic ADC crane on this boat is a beauty. It has the scope to put a 3.4m Zodiac RIB with 15hp outboard on the foredeck.

Storage space is generous in the cockpit with side lockers, twin long underfloor fish boxes, including macerator pumps, and a tightish lazarette for access to the steering gear but not much else. There is provision for mounting a game chair if that is your thing, plus new toe-under cutouts so you can lean outboard while fighting fish and get support on your thighs rather than stubbing your big toe.

Back under the flybridge overhang is the usual insulated eutectic cool box – this has been extended outboard so you get more internal volume. The sink is on the opposite side to starboard, behind the outward opening saloon door and designed to maximise saloon space. And there is a remote for the Clarion sound system, plus the usual raw and fresh water taps and dockside connections.

Bigger flybridge

The new ladder and aperture improve access to the flybridge with more floor and living space than before. The forward portside lounge can seat two but the L-shaped lounge opposite is a beauty that can accommodate four adults. Add a small fold-up table for cocktail hour – I’m told Riviera might offer such a thing soon – and go for the optional infill that lets you create a double bed in the bridge.

A new angular dash has been designed so you can mount Palm Beach-style split throttle/gear levers either side of the solid Edson wheel, as is often preferred on serious fishing boats. The module also makes better use of space with plenty of room for flush mounting two 15” electronic screens (one Raymarine C120 and ST6002 autopilot are fitted to this boat).

Indoor living

Things have changed dramatically indoors with contemporary saloon lounges that are lower and squarer than the old curved ones with ruched or pleated infills; a much bigger, raised and dedicated dinette to starboard; lovely high-gloss natural cherrywood joinery, thanks to the new varnishing plant; and a more modern, light and spacious look from cream liners.

The small hard-wearing Amtico floor panel as you step inside the saloon is a good thing to cut down on wear. The saloon door opens outwards so it doesn’t get in the way of the wetbar with combo fridge/icemaker, usefully big servery, bottle locker and drawers, plus the AC/DC panel with generator control.

The L-shaped lounge opposite, finished in cream or bone-coloured leather, can seat four or be used by two as a day lounge or bed. Better still is the optional trundle bed that boosts your sleeping capacity by two. And when it’s raining or mid-winter, that trundle bed makes a great place from which to watch videos. Meanwhile, in the ceiling liner is a pushbutton rod locker so you can carry all your fishing gear aboard without hearing “get those rods off the bed!” – another nice detail.

The windows are deeper, letting in more light, and the huge aft window is actually the same size as that on a 56. There are new blinds and an LCD television stand before the dinette to port. Located on a raised section of Amtico flooring that won’t stain, the dinette is huge and able to comfortably seat four for a real sit-down dinner with great views. The table is on a gas pedestal, so even big blokes will fit under it, and there is the option of an infill to create a daybed or second kiddie’s bed.

The galley opposite is still on a mezzanine level, but it’s only one step instead of two from the saloon allowing better discourse between chef and crew. It also features a massive amount of Corian food-preparation space. Amenities range from a recessed two-burner Ceran hob which will let you cook in pots without worrying about spills, to a convection microwave oven, deep sink with separate filtered drinking-water tap, to a quieter extractor fan and a NovaCool bench-height fridge with separate vertical freezer.

Accommodation

It’s a treat getting two cabins and two heads on a 41-footer – the layout is ideal for living aboard with family and/or friends. I’m not sure how many you want to sleep on your Riviera 41, but with a bed in the bridge, trundle bed in the saloon and infill for the dinette all optional, and the standard accommodation layout as tested, you could sleep 11.

Great to see a fixed or optional opening portlight (for which I would want a reed switch and light on the dash letting me know the port’s been left open) in the standard guests’ cabin. At the time of writing the cabin had two single beds and a transverse pullout overhead berth. At least one Sydney dealer said he would prefer to see just two single berths and no overhead bed, plus an infill to make a double, thereby creating more headroom around the beds.

The communal head/guest’s en suite has a new and improved floor with gutters to maximise drainage, a classy semi-recessed porcelain basin, stylish bathroom fittings and Vacuflush loo. Extractor fans and opening hatches assist with ventilation too. There is a lot more floor space in the owner’s en suite to port, which features a lovely separate shower stall.

The stateroom in the bow has the trademark Riviera Island double bed with innerspring mattress. The new bed has squared off corners making it a tad smaller but easier to get aboard. Storage in the stateroom was in side lockers, a hanging locker and wardrobe, plus drawers and a big space below the lift-up bed.

As ever, there were classy bedding packages using neutral and natural hues, nice man-made suede liners and sophisticated fabrics. The blue LED lights are special at night and, from what I could tell, noise levels inside appear to be reduced when running and, I’m guessing, with the generator going too. Not that these are noisy boats.

Offshore test

The C7 Caterpillar engines have an eagerness, responsiveness and a real throatiness that is music to the ears. Top speed (WOT – 2800rpm) was 29.5 to 30kts depending on tide and wind. So consider this a 30-knot boat or, if you’re like me, a 28-knotter by the time you put a shed full of gear aboard.

Cruising figures at 2200rpm are 19.5 to 20kts for 100ltr/hr on both engines, giving a safe range of 360 nautical miles, with 10 per cent of the fuel supply in reserve. Optimum cruise is around 2450rpm and 23.5 knots for 120lt/hr and a range of about 350-plus nautical miles. At 2600rpm the Riviera 41 was doing 26kts with the Cats consuming 135 litres for a 340 nautical-mile range. So, fast or slow, there’s not that much in it. I’d go fast!

Offshore the boat did, as intended, run flatter and it seemed really nice and smooth with no thumping in the abating conditions. The hull pushes a fair bit of water off its bow, perhaps running a degree too flat, but more fuel will right that (it had just a quarter of a tank of fuel). The spray also tended to stay outboard and not end up on the clears. By the end I came away impressed by the ride.

Looking back, the 40 was Riviera’s biggest-selling boat but that spot is now filled by the more-than-a-million-dollar Riviera 47. But, with the advancements in engines, electronics and ergonomics, the 41 could just regain the top spot.

Specifications Riviera 41 Flybridge Convertible (Platinum)

Construction: GRP hull, cored decks and hardtop

LOA: 14.03m

Beam: 4.57m

Draft: 1.13m

Weight: 13,650kg dry w/std motors

Fuel: 2000lt

Water: 460lt

Holding tank: 150lt

Engines 2 x six-cylinder Caterpillar C7 (fuel injected, turbocharged and aftercooled)

Rated HP: 460 @ 2800rpm

Gearboxes: Twin Disc 1.75:1

Props: Four-blade bronze

Price as Tested $973,414 w/ twin C7 Caterpillar diesel motors and options

Priced From $861,479 w/ twin Caterpillar C7 460hp diesel engines

Full Article: The Fishing Website
More News: GoFishTalk

Fishing Fun

Photo Credit: Google Images

Hobie Mirage Sport Fisherman

The Hobie Mirage Sport Fisherman was designed for youth and adults who are smaller in stature or the six-footer who's looking for an extremely light-weight pedaling kayak. Move the seat forward and adjust the Mirage Drive to accommodate users as small as four feet. Pedal it, paddle it or sail it … it's the mini-SUV of the Hobie kayak family.

Features & Specifications

Specifications

Length:9' 7"
Width:19 1/2"
Weight:45 lbs. (Add 6.6 lbs. for MirageDrive)
Capacity:245 lbs.

Fishing Kayak Features

Rotomolded Polyethylene Hull with Color-coordinated Molded-in Graphics
Color Choices: Ivory Dune and Olive
Note: Ivory Dune and Olive Boats Feature Fish Graphics
Hobie Mirage Drive Mechanism
Spare Rudder Pin In Aft Hatch Lid
Steering System with Kick-up “Twist and Stow” Rudder
Rear Cargo Storage Area
Deluxe Lumbar-support High-profile Plug-in Seatback with Detachable Pack
Deluxe Two-piece Paddle
Gear Bucket
Adjustable Seat Positioning to Accomodate Full Range of Kayakers
Scuppers Accept Plug-in Kayak Cart
On-Deck Receptacle with Cap for Sail Mast, Dive Flag, etc.
Cassette Plug for Drive Well
Molded-in Drink Holder
Molded-in Fishing Rod Holders with Caps
On-hull Paddle Storage
Mesh-covered Stowage Pocket
Bungee® Tie Down Straps for Rear Cargo Area
Padeyes
Bow and Stern Carrying Handles
PCB Water Bottle

The Mirage Sport Package also includes

Two round "Twist and Seal" Storage Hatches
Mid-Boat Carrying Grip
Molded-in Utility Trays

Hobie Mirage Sport Fisherman - $1699.00

Full Article: Backyard Boats

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

What Makes the Trout in Ecuador Look Like Salmon?

Billboards and advertisements depicting huge and beautiful rainbow trout announce to travelers in much of the Ecuadorian Andes that fishing is one reason to come here. Photo by Alastair Bland.

A crisp, clear stream flows out of Cajas National Park on a 20-mile circuitous route down to the town of Cuenca—but few fish live in these wild waters. Yet the Quinuas River Valley it forms is a hot destination for sport fishermen. They come by the hundreds each weekend, mostly from Cuenca, seeking the most popular game fish in the world: the rainbow trout.
“What kind of trout live in here?” I ask a young man who serves me coffee at Cabana del Pescador, the campground where I have stayed the night. I am only curious how locals refer to the species Oncorhynchus mykiss, which is native to North American and Siberian streams that enter the Pacific but has been introduced to virtually all suitable habitat on earth. In Ecuador, the species first arrived in the 1960s.
“Normal trout,” he says.
I aim to catch a few fish today and have them for dinner, but I move on, up the road, looking for a happier place to fish. The pond here is muddy, surrounded by concrete and a chain-link fence. Trouble is, I won’t find much better. This valley, though populated by a few wild trout in the streams and lakes of Cajas National Park, is a busy center of aquaculture. Trout farming is generally considered a clean and sustainable industry, though it isn’t always pretty. For a stretch of seven or eight miles downstream of the park, nearly every roadside farm has a handful of concrete-banked pools on the premises, fed by stream water and swarming with trout about 12 inches long.

The trout ponds at Reina del Cisne restaurant and fishing club. Photo by Alastair Bland

Up the road, after passing a half dozen possible fishing sites, I pull in to one called Reina del Cisne, at kilometer 21. It is a restaurant and sport fishing “club,” as the sign tells visitors. I have coffee—Nescafé, as always—inside. When I am finished, I ask if there is an opportunity to fish here, and the teenage waiter beckons me to follow. “It’s 50 cents to rent a pole,” he says. “Then, we weigh the trout, and you pay $2.25 per pound.” The biggest fish in the ponds out back are more than ten pounds, he tells me.
He pulls one rod from a heap of several dozen—a broomstick-like pole with a stout line tied to the end and a silver barbed hook at the tip. He quickly mixes up a bucket of bread dough to use as bait, drops a hunk into a shopping-style woven basket and hands me my tackle.
“What kind of trout are these?” I ask, still fishing for local lingo.
“Salmon trout. They have red meat,” he says. He adds, “Good luck,” and returns to the restaurant.
For an angler who has fished in the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada and Alaska and New Zealand, this is a sad comparison, and I feel a strange desire to either cry or laugh hysterically. This would make a perfect opportunity for kids, but I know what real fishing, in real waters, is. Here, I have three ponds to choose from—two of them rectangular, concrete basins, the other a muddy, oval-shaped pool 30 feet across with grassy banks. I flick a piece of dough into this most natural-appearing of the options. Several trout dart from the murk as the white ball vanishes in an instant. I bait my hook and fling it into the middle of the pond, slightly embarrassed that I am participating in what locals advertise as pesca deportiva—or “sport fishing.” A similar flurry of fish attack and strip the hook. I re-bait and try again and this time hook instantly into a feisty rainbow. I drag it in and onto the bank, whack it cold with a stick and drop it in my basket. One down, and in another five minutes I have a second fish. I could take more but, frankly, this isn’t fun or engaging. A year ago exactly I was cycling around New Zealand, casting flies at wild trout six times this size and immeasurably more thrilling to catch—wary, elusive, picky and beautiful. The challenge of enticing one to strike made success an accomplishment. Best of all was the experience of being there, fish or none, standing in crystal clear waters surrounded by green meadows and the tall peaks of the Southern Alps. Indeed, fishing is largely about interacting with the environment, and if one catches no trout on an expedition into the mountains, something else is still gained.
But no matter how big a fish one may pull from a concrete-lined pond, using dough balls for bait, the experience feels as hollow as shopping in a supermarket. While I’m here, I hope I might tangle with an eight-pounder, but no such beast shows itself. I wonder if perhaps they tell all guests that giant trout live in these ponds to encourage business. But back inside the restaurant, my hosts show me the de-boned meat of a 14-pounder caught the day before. The meat is thick and heavy and a delicious-looking salmon red. I ask what the trout eat. “Natural food,” owner Maria Herrera tells me.

Maria Herrera, in the dining room of her restaurant Reina del Cisne, stands with a young employee and the de-boned meat of a 14-pound trout taken from the stocked fish tanks in back. Photo by Alastair Bland.

Down the road, at kilometer 18, I visit a government-run fish hatchery. I roll down the dirt drive, across the stream on a wooden bridge and up a short rise to the facility. I introduce myself to two men in yellow slickers, ankle deep in a muddy concrete basin full of thrashing foot-long trout. The station director, Lenin Moreno, tells me that more than 8,000 adult fish live here. He and his colleague, Ricardo Mercado, are currently trying to get an exact head count in a tank swarming with, they guess, about 300 fish. They take a break and show me to the laboratoria—the hatchery. In the trays and tanks of this covered, concrete-walled facility, 1.3 million juveniles are produced each year and sold to aquaculture operations in four provinces, Moreno tells me.
Outside, they show me a rectangular basin teeming with huge rainbows, green-backed, red-sided beauties that remind me of the two-foot-long giants of New Zealand. Visitors may come here to buy these trout, Moreno tells me. The fish go for $1.50 per pound.

Five- and six-pound rainbow trout cruise through the waters of a 6- by 30-foot concrete basin at a government trout hatchery and farm at kilometer 18 on the Cuenca-Cajas National Park highway. Photo by Alastair Bland.

I ask if the meat is red like salmon. “No—it’s white,” Moreno tells me. “But at the fish farms they feed the trout pigment.”
This doesn’t surprise me. The rainbow trout I grew up on were generally white-fleshed fish. Only occasionally on family camping trips as we cleaned our catch would we discover with excitement that the trout had natural pink meat, which tends to be richer and fattier than paler flesh. But in Ecuador’s many fish markets, I have not yet seen a trout fillet that wasn’t colored like salmon, and I’ve suspected all along that this attractive color (which I’ll admit has drawn my wallet from my pocket more than once) was artificially induced. I recall seeing the fillet of a trout caught in New Zealand just outside the outflow of a Chinook salmon farm that was clearly affected by such pigment—probably either synthetic astaxanthin or canthaxanthin, both used in most commercial salmon farming operations (and the latter of which may cause retinal damage). The trout had presumably been eating pellet feed that escaped from the salmon pens, and the meat was partially colored, patchy red and white like a tie-dyed shirt. Yuck.
I poached my farm-caught trout in cheap Chilean Sauvignon Blanc at my hostel in Cuenca, just off the main street of Calle Larga. The meal was fine and exactly what I had been aiming for when I plunked that ball of dough into the pond at Reina del Cisne. But the fish didn’t quite taste up to par. Because although pink-fleshed trout are a sure catch in the mountain fishing ponds of Ecuador, something else, less easy to describe, native to places like Montana and British Columbia, may evade you with every fish landed.

Neither native nor wild, these small rainbow trout were pulled from a stocked pond in Ecuador, where the species was introduced in the 1960s. Photo by Alastair Bland.