Phew Ht finally.I,ve been reading yr posts religiously and had you down as a 99% skipper.I was willing to bet that i could trust you at sea but for one thing.On the one post with pics i saw the okes drinking and i thought oh no.Now you,ve cleared the record,I'll take on any seas with you.Guys in my books what makes Ht a great skipper is NOT because he catches so many fish,but because he is painfully methodical.Everything on the boat has a place and everything is checked and checked again.That shows me he cares for himself his boat his family and his crew.I can confidently say I would be willing to place my life in his hands on his boat,even though i.ve never been on his boat.
I have often noticed that as I lower my bait
- Thread starter Johan
- Start date
Hammertime
Sealiner
Hah, when I posted those pics, it occurred to me that people may think just that, typical old school skipper, boozing it up behind the helm. Hell I don't even smoke - hows that for breaking the mould. I had to be the only commercial skipper when I was snoeking, that I know who doesn't smoke. Come to think of it I dont think Miles smokes - make that 2.
With Off-shore fishing the run is so long and often late into the night that I have a solid NO BOOZE policy for myself and the crew at all EVER!!!
In-Shore it is Windhoek Light at a massive 2% per dop and no more than a sixer. Every now and then the crew will bring a real beer and we end up breaking the packs down, the rest left in the car. The boat has never seen any form of hard dop and never will! I'm out there to fish not play.
Now I have been called a nutter - you know, branding each other with braai tongs and stainless hooks after many a dop around the fire, piercing the lads ears with hooks and tree bark, something my two boys learnt from my stunts and did to each other past holiday etc but the guys who have and do fish with me will know I am very paraat on board. I am completely at ease in any sea but ever aware that it could be my very last trip.
And if I go down it sure as hell is not going to be because we were joy riding on the alc fumes I can tell you. I feel strongly about this and have actually sent a crew member packing after he thought that the boat should party a bit more, especially in shore in the bay.:uziFired!
Also, remember I got a 70km tow back home after a day on the water so we only let the wheels come off the wagon once I squeeze Vixen in the driveway, miss the gate, the house wall, the flower bed and the chimney and deliver her to her kennel.
IvanJC - thanks for the kind words and for voicing your thoughts.
Just so everyone is clear, the rules for driving drunk etc apply to the ocean and the legal limit is set exactly as per the road.
With Off-shore fishing the run is so long and often late into the night that I have a solid NO BOOZE policy for myself and the crew at all EVER!!!
In-Shore it is Windhoek Light at a massive 2% per dop and no more than a sixer. Every now and then the crew will bring a real beer and we end up breaking the packs down, the rest left in the car. The boat has never seen any form of hard dop and never will! I'm out there to fish not play.
Now I have been called a nutter - you know, branding each other with braai tongs and stainless hooks after many a dop around the fire, piercing the lads ears with hooks and tree bark, something my two boys learnt from my stunts and did to each other past holiday etc but the guys who have and do fish with me will know I am very paraat on board. I am completely at ease in any sea but ever aware that it could be my very last trip.
And if I go down it sure as hell is not going to be because we were joy riding on the alc fumes I can tell you. I feel strongly about this and have actually sent a crew member packing after he thought that the boat should party a bit more, especially in shore in the bay.:uziFired!
Also, remember I got a 70km tow back home after a day on the water so we only let the wheels come off the wagon once I squeeze Vixen in the driveway, miss the gate, the house wall, the flower bed and the chimney and deliver her to her kennel.
IvanJC - thanks for the kind words and for voicing your thoughts.
Just so everyone is clear, the rules for driving drunk etc apply to the ocean and the legal limit is set exactly as per the road.
IvanJC
You have it spot-on! The one thing that struck me about fishing with HT is the fact that no detail is missed, at all. Equipment is prepped and ready, and safety drills are explained. There are no "afterthoughts" whatsoever, and nothing is left to chance.
I certainly felt very comfortable onboard knowing this.
Added to this, Junior Bob is also schooled in the "HT Way", which makes for safe and successful fishing.
You have it spot-on! The one thing that struck me about fishing with HT is the fact that no detail is missed, at all. Equipment is prepped and ready, and safety drills are explained. There are no "afterthoughts" whatsoever, and nothing is left to chance.
I certainly felt very comfortable onboard knowing this.
Added to this, Junior Bob is also schooled in the "HT Way", which makes for safe and successful fishing.
Hammertime
Sealiner
At the end of the day, the best fishfinder is the guy behind the wheel who reduces speed in the middle of nowhere, smells around, looks to port and starboard, grunts a few hmmns and aaaghs out and then tells the crew - lines in here. zzzzzzz - vas!!!.
With all the requests for specifics nowadays it seems that anglers are falling into the same trap that the kids of today have. So busy smsing and mixiting that they have forgotten how to hold a normal conversation. I fear anglers are taking the same approach with fishing. Must have - why get on my bike and go visit Jim when I can just mixit.
Has anyone wondered how us anglers from yesteryear found fish. We had no GPS, no echo and yet we fished right on top of the reef, not blind and man did we catch fish.
Hell I remember dragging the marker bouy sinker and feeling it bite. That's how we found reefs in 50 fathoms.
Strange how we all supposed to have the SAN chart on board for our area but no one really studies it. Sure it's not 100%, but most of those pinnacles and drop offs on the map are there give or take a few 100 meters. That's how we knew where to begin looking. Then we worked the compass hard.
I'll say it straight cos that's how I am.
WE WERE PREPARED TO HUNT FOR IT. Took my old man and I 6 years to find a wreck on the north coast that we had heard of but never actually had proof of, or seen anyone fish.
It seems that with guys nowadays the old saying of the journey is half the fun is no longer. Makes me really sad! Too easy come easy go.
With all the requests for specifics nowadays it seems that anglers are falling into the same trap that the kids of today have. So busy smsing and mixiting that they have forgotten how to hold a normal conversation. I fear anglers are taking the same approach with fishing. Must have - why get on my bike and go visit Jim when I can just mixit.
Has anyone wondered how us anglers from yesteryear found fish. We had no GPS, no echo and yet we fished right on top of the reef, not blind and man did we catch fish.
Hell I remember dragging the marker bouy sinker and feeling it bite. That's how we found reefs in 50 fathoms.
Strange how we all supposed to have the SAN chart on board for our area but no one really studies it. Sure it's not 100%, but most of those pinnacles and drop offs on the map are there give or take a few 100 meters. That's how we knew where to begin looking. Then we worked the compass hard.
I'll say it straight cos that's how I am.
WE WERE PREPARED TO HUNT FOR IT. Took my old man and I 6 years to find a wreck on the north coast that we had heard of but never actually had proof of, or seen anyone fish.
It seems that with guys nowadays the old saying of the journey is half the fun is no longer. Makes me really sad! Too easy come easy go.
Hi NeilG,
Agree with yr statement about okes not using their charts.In Cape Town at certain times we get a lot of mist at sea which can be scary.Now I have a GPS on board and a compass so should be prepared.Yet if I am going to make a trip to sea which involves going around a lot of headlands etc, and I know the forecast or probability of mist is high,then the previous evening i get out the chart for the area and:
1.Plot my course on the chart with waypoints and magnetic bearings,
2.Write this info down in a book with headings,distances etc
3.Make sure i take this info to sea with me because:
The GPS could break,
The batteries could conk out
The mist catches you.
To me this is simply a back up because being at sea in the mist is scary.You can,t see a thing and you lose all sense of direction.Having this info on board at least gives me a bit of a breather, because I can then ride on compass.The other reason is that I have a GPS(Sonar/map) which actually gives you the direct headings.It is not a chart plotter where you can see the obstacles and avoid them.Yes I can set up a series of trails on this GPS and follow that, but I am still cautious because what if the damn thing breaks.The Guy (Capt Du Plooy) through who I did my skippers and coastal skippers course, drummed this into us.I reckon those were wise words
Agree with yr statement about okes not using their charts.In Cape Town at certain times we get a lot of mist at sea which can be scary.Now I have a GPS on board and a compass so should be prepared.Yet if I am going to make a trip to sea which involves going around a lot of headlands etc, and I know the forecast or probability of mist is high,then the previous evening i get out the chart for the area and:
1.Plot my course on the chart with waypoints and magnetic bearings,
2.Write this info down in a book with headings,distances etc
3.Make sure i take this info to sea with me because:
The GPS could break,
The batteries could conk out
The mist catches you.
To me this is simply a back up because being at sea in the mist is scary.You can,t see a thing and you lose all sense of direction.Having this info on board at least gives me a bit of a breather, because I can then ride on compass.The other reason is that I have a GPS(Sonar/map) which actually gives you the direct headings.It is not a chart plotter where you can see the obstacles and avoid them.Yes I can set up a series of trails on this GPS and follow that, but I am still cautious because what if the damn thing breaks.The Guy (Capt Du Plooy) through who I did my skippers and coastal skippers course, drummed this into us.I reckon those were wise words
Hammertime
Sealiner
Agreed 100%.
But my point is this. If you want to know where reefs / wrecks etc are. There's your answer look at your chart.
We didn't have all the gadgets or a Sealine to ask for marks. We Hunted.
To be honest I think it a bit of a cheek to expect guys to just hand over marks because of the price of petrol. Hell we been paying to find those places for years. Welcome to the pain and pleasure of angling.
Asking for info on how to rig, troll etc - sure I'll give you the shirt of my back so to speak. But I have seen a few posts now of lads wanting marks and where must I go - and I must say I think that kind of goes against all the old school blood in my body.
Take for example the commercial snoek fleet. All the recreationals follow the fleet to find fish and YES it's easy. BUT there is some respect needed here. One boat - one able skipper found those fish and called a few of his commerical mates over. So my point is this - don't you all want to be able to find the fish on your ace. Hell I almost always fish on my own. Finding the fish is not something you can be told, it is something experience teaches you.
If I sound like sour grapes here, it is not meant to be. I am in love with the whole boating process. From servicing my wheel bearings, wiring up my own tailboards, servicing my yammies, building my own t-tops, rods lurest etc.
I think by wanting all the answers to the adventure part of fishing off a boat guys are selling themselves short and using rising fuel costs as an excuse. I don't buy it!
But my point is this. If you want to know where reefs / wrecks etc are. There's your answer look at your chart.
We didn't have all the gadgets or a Sealine to ask for marks. We Hunted.
To be honest I think it a bit of a cheek to expect guys to just hand over marks because of the price of petrol. Hell we been paying to find those places for years. Welcome to the pain and pleasure of angling.
Asking for info on how to rig, troll etc - sure I'll give you the shirt of my back so to speak. But I have seen a few posts now of lads wanting marks and where must I go - and I must say I think that kind of goes against all the old school blood in my body.
Take for example the commercial snoek fleet. All the recreationals follow the fleet to find fish and YES it's easy. BUT there is some respect needed here. One boat - one able skipper found those fish and called a few of his commerical mates over. So my point is this - don't you all want to be able to find the fish on your ace. Hell I almost always fish on my own. Finding the fish is not something you can be told, it is something experience teaches you.
If I sound like sour grapes here, it is not meant to be. I am in love with the whole boating process. From servicing my wheel bearings, wiring up my own tailboards, servicing my yammies, building my own t-tops, rods lurest etc.
I think by wanting all the answers to the adventure part of fishing off a boat guys are selling themselves short and using rising fuel costs as an excuse. I don't buy it!
Response to HT
I will try not to be too long winded. Is HT being sour grapes or is there another spin on this.Firstly he is right because it has taken him years to find those marks.Let me approach this from another angle.I have some marks on my GPS which I won,t give out because It took me long to find and that particular reef is just too productive to give out.I don,t mind giving general directions,search area etc.Also if I give out this one reef I don’t know into whose hands it will fall. By that I mean the guy getting the marks, can he handle it. This one reef in the wrong sea conditions is just downright dangerous. Therefore do you have the experience to assess wether you can fish it or not. This is rather the route to go.Say I ask HT where are the South West reefs off Cape point.He could tell me it is on a magnetic heading of say 030 and say 12 miles out. Now I know these reefs exist so I am not asking for state secrets. Now what should my response be? Run out there and catch fish? No. The first thing I will do is plot this info on a paper chart.Now I start asking questions .Are there any navigational hazards (blinders etc) to consider. Can my boat handle the trip? Do I have enough fuel to get out there, troll around and get back. What if the sea gets up?( I have had the sea turn on its head in ten minutes)Where is the closest place or bay to run to if I get into trouble. Do you see the train of thought that a skipper needs to take? Yah, so I agree with HT.Some answers are not cut and dried.
I will try not to be too long winded. Is HT being sour grapes or is there another spin on this.Firstly he is right because it has taken him years to find those marks.Let me approach this from another angle.I have some marks on my GPS which I won,t give out because It took me long to find and that particular reef is just too productive to give out.I don,t mind giving general directions,search area etc.Also if I give out this one reef I don’t know into whose hands it will fall. By that I mean the guy getting the marks, can he handle it. This one reef in the wrong sea conditions is just downright dangerous. Therefore do you have the experience to assess wether you can fish it or not. This is rather the route to go.Say I ask HT where are the South West reefs off Cape point.He could tell me it is on a magnetic heading of say 030 and say 12 miles out. Now I know these reefs exist so I am not asking for state secrets. Now what should my response be? Run out there and catch fish? No. The first thing I will do is plot this info on a paper chart.Now I start asking questions .Are there any navigational hazards (blinders etc) to consider. Can my boat handle the trip? Do I have enough fuel to get out there, troll around and get back. What if the sea gets up?( I have had the sea turn on its head in ten minutes)Where is the closest place or bay to run to if I get into trouble. Do you see the train of thought that a skipper needs to take? Yah, so I agree with HT.Some answers are not cut and dried.
Had it far too often where we have given a guy some good marks, just for him, next time down, he has a mate and the mate brought his boat so he gave them etc etc. Next thing the whole F#cking world is fishing the secret mark I gave one guy. he didnt work hard to find it, so felt nothing to give it out.
I have poured thousands of rands of petol into the sea looking for my marks and get pissed off when others get upset when I wont hand over. The worst is when you fighing fish and someone races up to you, hits save on the gps and pisses off again. had that often. usually the copper marks are tiny bumps where the fish congregate, a few m off and you get zip. Too many guys you dont know expect you to give info for free re reefs. No way. As Ht says, most will give freely of advice, tips etc, but reefs etc are like my wife, I dont share and get angry if you ask.
I have poured thousands of rands of petol into the sea looking for my marks and get pissed off when others get upset when I wont hand over. The worst is when you fighing fish and someone races up to you, hits save on the gps and pisses off again. had that often. usually the copper marks are tiny bumps where the fish congregate, a few m off and you get zip. Too many guys you dont know expect you to give info for free re reefs. No way. As Ht says, most will give freely of advice, tips etc, but reefs etc are like my wife, I dont share and get angry if you ask.
Hammertime
Sealiner
Hmmmn looks like those fish were on the rise:spite
Hammertime
Sealiner
he he. Can see them plain as daylight rising on your echo.
LOVE IT MAN LOVE IT. BLOOD BOILING FOR THOSE SICKLED SEA MONSTERS!!!!
LOVE IT MAN LOVE IT. BLOOD BOILING FOR THOSE SICKLED SEA MONSTERS!!!!
carcharias
Sealiner
[color="#ff6633"]Hammertime[/color] wrote:
There was one particular crew that were drinking hard at the 21 species comp. I sat and watched these okes until about 1 am. They then left the club and went into town to a nightclub to continue.
Needless to say, they caught a doughnut the next day.
One more 2c to add to this. Ive seen , too many times, guys paty up a storm and then go to sea the next day. They are still intoxicated!
There was one particular crew that were drinking hard at the 21 species comp. I sat and watched these okes until about 1 am. They then left the club and went into town to a nightclub to continue.
Needless to say, they caught a doughnut the next day.
[color="#ff6633"]Hammertime[/color] wrote:
Care to explain that HT? Also, what is going on close to the surface and where is the bottom? Can you zoom in with that fishfinder?
Hammertime
Sealiner
Fishing tuna you only need the top 60m. The bottom could have been anything from 450-1800 METERS below Miles, dependining on where he was. Tuna and the bottom - not a concern. Rarely will you raise fish under 40m without lots and lots - say 12-15 5kg boxes of chum Guys like miles take 35 boxes.
Nothing to explain one look at the trail of fish on the pic Miles put up here shown the fish in front are on the up as the arcs go below on the tail. Not sure if he was working the chum there but I would say he was as they are rising for sure.
Surface looks more like interference than any major bait ball to me, but hey it's not my finder. But on the marks at 20-28 - that is rising tuna my friends and that is when you strip line as fast as your in my case little arms can strip.
Just looked at the photos again - correct me if I'm wrong here Miles but those were baitfish taken on the chunk yeah?
Nothing to explain one look at the trail of fish on the pic Miles put up here shown the fish in front are on the up as the arcs go below on the tail. Not sure if he was working the chum there but I would say he was as they are rising for sure.
Surface looks more like interference than any major bait ball to me, but hey it's not my finder. But on the marks at 20-28 - that is rising tuna my friends and that is when you strip line as fast as your in my case little arms can strip.
Just looked at the photos again - correct me if I'm wrong here Miles but those were baitfish taken on the chunk yeah?