[size=3]10 months ago an idea was hatched after a

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MantaRay

New member
10 months ago an idea was hatched after a great day’s  drop- shot fishing in Munster on the Natal South Coast .The boys were going on a fishing trip in May 2010 ,admittedly not just any fishing trip , but a journey of a lifetime – or for me at least. I was being invited to join the crew on an adventure to the infamous Bassas Da India. It took a few days to sink in and then the magnitude of what was happening began to dawn on me, what on earth do I know about catching large pelagic fish? So it was off to my local tackle store in Durban and one times copy of the DVD Hennie Papenfus Bassas Da India tour later, I arrived home. Boy oh boy I could barely wipe the smile off my face, absolutely insane fishing. My brain went into information mode and I knew this was going to be a costly exercise when it came to buying the equipment needed to land that GT of a lifetime but more of that will follow later. For anyone that does not know much about Bassas I have taken the liberty in including a few facts and history in this pre report.
 
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MantaRay

New member
Bassas da India is 2 days sail due East of Vilanculos approximately 500 km off the coast of Mozambique. The atoll rises up 3000 meters from the ocean bed and is approximately 15 km in circumference. Common fish species caught include Grouper, Parrot Fish , GT’s  ,YFT’s , Snapper , Wahoo ,Job Fish , Shark ( Whites ,Oceanic White Tip , Bull ) etc etc Brief History Bassas da India was first recorded by Portuguese explorers in the early sixteenth century. It was first named Baixo da Judia, Shoal of Judia. Judia was the name of a Portuguese ship that ran aground on this reef. This ship was named Judia (Jewess in Portuguese), because its owner was a Jewish trader from Portugal. The name became Bassas da India due to transcription errors by cartographers. It was also discovered by the Europa in 1774, hence the name the Europa Rocks The Malay was lost July 27, 1842, on Europa Rocks in Mozambique Channel. In 1897 it became a French possession, later being placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in Reunion in 1968. Madagascar continues to claim sovereignty over the islands.
 

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MantaRay

New member
The charter we have decided on using is yacht Sarah, a beautiful Leopard 45 blue water cruising catamaran. She has 4 double cabins with en suite head and hot water showers , flat screen tv ( not that we will be using that too often )a  sound system  and 2 ice makers ( sheer luxury).Yacht Sarah is owned by Craig whom we finally met up with 2 months ago whilst Sarah was being spruced up in Durban. Sarah is kitted out with all the necessary safety equipment for blue water cruising Sat phone, Furuno Radar, vhf , ssb  ,gps  life raft etc  the list is endless. For more info on this lovely lady you can navigate to the following url  http://www.islandcastaways.net.
 
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crackerkid

Member
yip definitely on my to do list, cant wait for your report.If it was me going I would only go big those gts are nasty,good luck and happy hunting.
 
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MantaRay

New member
Bennie this answer was quicker than the original one :)

Thanks but no thanks . I cant wait to report back on all

catches made using demon tackle gear only 2 weeks to go !!
 
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Timothy Scriven

New member
Please don't stand on an urchin!
we'd all hate for your foot to hurt as much as our jealousy right now!

:cry1:cry1

hope you catch a monster GT
 
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benniejordaan

Sealiner
Ray,
I'm meeting up with Nico tomorrow night. I got a crate full of wood and iron for you mate! Nico is going to give you a call soon to come round!
 
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Sparky69

New member
Ray, i just checked the long range weather forecast for your trip. Bouys weather predicts some serious storms heading that way over the next 2 weeks.

Sorry mate:cry1..... You'll just have to stay here with us plebs watch the soccer world cup and fish here. Good news though, sardines will be here soon....
 
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nicos

Senior Member
A picture of MantaRay's journey (check the two popping rods hanging off the side, still trying to get GT's in the shorebreak):

perfect_storm_1-796069.jpg
 
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MantaRay

New member
Geez thanks Bennie !! and here I thought you were worried about the ous drinking beer and trawling stukkend for 2 days.
 
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Sparky69

New member
MantaRay wrote:
Looks like my last launch at Umkomaas :ssswim::ssswim:
Click to expand...
Atleast the guys on that boat know to stay on board and not pull superman stunts in the mid-break. next time i think we should attach a rod leash to you:lol:1 and tie you down.
 
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benniejordaan

Sealiner
Sparky69 wrote:
MantaRay wrote:
Looks like my last launch at Umkomaas :ssswim::ssswim:
Click to expand...
Atleast the guys on that boat know to stay on board and not pull superman stunts in the mid-break. next time i think we should attach a rod leash to you:lol:1 and tie you down.
Click to expand...
This sounds like a good story. Got pics? I'll buy them.

Ray, I dug around last night, you got enough jigs? I packed a few extras. Also got some TW jigs lying around here. On the way to you today! Do you want a jigging rod to test? Got a Stella 20k PG bolted onto it, can borrow that too??
 
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