Well, A few of you may have seen some earlier post
- Thread starter ripplefisher
- Start date
ripplefisher
Senior Member
As a few guys who have seen this thread may know, I have set myself a personal goal (amongst other fishing challenges) to catch ten wild-caught freshwater fish species over the 100 lb/45 kg mark.
I managed alligator gar to 206 lb's and short-tailed river ray to 240 lbs (estimated, based on diameter etc) in 2013. In 2014 I was lucky enough to catch Nile perch to 160 lb's, Piraiba catfish to 150 lb's, and arapaima to 240 lb's. 2015 saw my get my best accomplishment of this challenge thus far - a 130 lb goonch/giant devil catfish and a 300lb plus giant freshwater stingray in the first 6 months of the year - photo's all in this thread and earlier posts.
in Mid-2016 I had another trip lined to target white sturgeon in the US (not Canada, my hunch was I knew a few rivers with fish just as big as well as less fishing pressure). Sadly, upon arrival there was a severe drought in the region, and they had closed the sturgeon fishery in the stretch of the river where the true giants live (below a dam), to ensure they don't suffer mortality. I must say, despite the obvious disappointment I do respect the US authorities for making such decisions, and preserving their aquatic resources. Theoretically the high temp's make the fish more likely to suffer handling stress and they had already encountered some 'unknown mortality' in their sturgeon population, so decided it a wise move to make the call for an emergency closure to the fishery.
We had to console ourselves with fishing a lot further downstream, essentially an area where numbers of fish are up, but size is way down on average. This proved to be true as you could notch up 20-30 fish days (sturgeon!) but they would average 20-50 lb's - juveniles by sturgeon standards.
Despite the many small fish, my girlfriend and I managed to take some semi decent fish - my biggest at around the 150 + lb mark - taping out at about six and a half to seven feet. By no means what I could call the size class of fish I wanted, but hey, it was 'number 8' on my list so mission accomplished (although I feel the need for a return trip on this one to get a true monster).
Some photo's;
A bonus catch - a far rarer species - the green sturgeon;
I managed alligator gar to 206 lb's and short-tailed river ray to 240 lbs (estimated, based on diameter etc) in 2013. In 2014 I was lucky enough to catch Nile perch to 160 lb's, Piraiba catfish to 150 lb's, and arapaima to 240 lb's. 2015 saw my get my best accomplishment of this challenge thus far - a 130 lb goonch/giant devil catfish and a 300lb plus giant freshwater stingray in the first 6 months of the year - photo's all in this thread and earlier posts.
in Mid-2016 I had another trip lined to target white sturgeon in the US (not Canada, my hunch was I knew a few rivers with fish just as big as well as less fishing pressure). Sadly, upon arrival there was a severe drought in the region, and they had closed the sturgeon fishery in the stretch of the river where the true giants live (below a dam), to ensure they don't suffer mortality. I must say, despite the obvious disappointment I do respect the US authorities for making such decisions, and preserving their aquatic resources. Theoretically the high temp's make the fish more likely to suffer handling stress and they had already encountered some 'unknown mortality' in their sturgeon population, so decided it a wise move to make the call for an emergency closure to the fishery.
We had to console ourselves with fishing a lot further downstream, essentially an area where numbers of fish are up, but size is way down on average. This proved to be true as you could notch up 20-30 fish days (sturgeon!) but they would average 20-50 lb's - juveniles by sturgeon standards.
Despite the many small fish, my girlfriend and I managed to take some semi decent fish - my biggest at around the 150 + lb mark - taping out at about six and a half to seven feet. By no means what I could call the size class of fish I wanted, but hey, it was 'number 8' on my list so mission accomplished (although I feel the need for a return trip on this one to get a true monster).
Some photo's;
A bonus catch - a far rarer species - the green sturgeon;
ripplefisher
Senior Member
This year I went across to fish with a French friend on the 'petite Rhone' - the aim was to try and tick off 'number nine' on the list - the European or Wels catfish.
We had a bit of a mixed week weather wise which did mean slowish fishing, but luckily I managed to get a couple of semi decent specimens. the biggest went about 45 and 60-65 kilo's respectively - 1.9 and a little over 2.1 meters long.
bigger fish;
Bonus catch whilst taking time out for lunch. I am not really a carp fan, but getting these on a light spinning set-up / 2000 size reel with 15lb braid was quite fun.
Making good progress on that 'top ten' - only one more species/specimen to go and I have a few ideas for this. Admittedly I would like to try and improve upon some specimens size wise, but overall pretty happy.
Tight lines to all.
RF.
We had a bit of a mixed week weather wise which did mean slowish fishing, but luckily I managed to get a couple of semi decent specimens. the biggest went about 45 and 60-65 kilo's respectively - 1.9 and a little over 2.1 meters long.
bigger fish;
Bonus catch whilst taking time out for lunch. I am not really a carp fan, but getting these on a light spinning set-up / 2000 size reel with 15lb braid was quite fun.
Making good progress on that 'top ten' - only one more species/specimen to go and I have a few ideas for this. Admittedly I would like to try and improve upon some specimens size wise, but overall pretty happy.
Tight lines to all.
RF.
ripplefisher
Senior Member
DocPhil wrote:
Hey,
Well, all the 'really big and easy to catch' (relatively speaking!) species I have caught - now need to look to medium size species which have the potential to hit the 100lb mark.
Redtail and Jau catfish are definite possible's - I will head to Colombia to fish for Jau (and payara) in January so I am in with a shot on that trip. Kaluga sturgeon, despite being very rare are another possible (in Russia). Surubi catfish - especially the 'pintado' or spotted variety, can reach those weights in certain rivers in Argentina.
Hey,
Well, all the 'really big and easy to catch' (relatively speaking!) species I have caught - now need to look to medium size species which have the potential to hit the 100lb mark.
Redtail and Jau catfish are definite possible's - I will head to Colombia to fish for Jau (and payara) in January so I am in with a shot on that trip. Kaluga sturgeon, despite being very rare are another possible (in Russia). Surubi catfish - especially the 'pintado' or spotted variety, can reach those weights in certain rivers in Argentina.
Dr halibut hoffman
Moderator
Epic..
"Sorry, you already added to the mana of ripplefisher."
Looking forward to your next installments, that's for sure..
Did you think you'd get so close to your goal in such a relatively short space of time when you came up with it? Brilliant stuff BTW.. Also BTW, what is your biggest barbel? Ever thought about completing your challenge on home waters? You could put the cherry on top with a yellowfish or barbel WR?
I've seen a barbel over 100lb in a large urban lake, that one had a name and was seen every now and again so they are out there..
"Sorry, you already added to the mana of ripplefisher."
Looking forward to your next installments, that's for sure..
Did you think you'd get so close to your goal in such a relatively short space of time when you came up with it? Brilliant stuff BTW.. Also BTW, what is your biggest barbel? Ever thought about completing your challenge on home waters? You could put the cherry on top with a yellowfish or barbel WR?
I've seen a barbel over 100lb in a large urban lake, that one had a name and was seen every now and again so they are out there..Dr halibut hoffman
Moderator
jaybennie wrote:
http://wrec.igfa.org/WRecordsList.aspx?lc=AllTackle&cn=Yellowfish,%20largemouth
I see that the WR is not too big, any very big one will take it on IGFA legal setup and a way to verify the mass, I've seen records of specimens from the orange well over 100lb, that WR is a baby! There isn't an all length record claimed as yet so just releasing a large or small fish on the correct gear and correctly documenting it would give you a WR. Anyways, don't discount the orange..
Yeah that..
http://wrec.igfa.org/WRecordsList.aspx?lc=AllTackle&cn=Yellowfish,%20largemouth
I see that the WR is not too big, any very big one will take it on IGFA legal setup and a way to verify the mass, I've seen records of specimens from the orange well over 100lb, that WR is a baby! There isn't an all length record claimed as yet so just releasing a large or small fish on the correct gear and correctly documenting it would give you a WR. Anyways, don't discount the orange..
ripplefisher
Senior Member
Dr halibut hoffman wrote:
Yup - definitely considered the largemouth yellow and barbel - in fact did a trip to Van Der Kloof for both last year with a South African mate. Had yellow's up to 20.5 lb's - 1/2 lb or so under the IGFA record, which I agree is not a hugely difficult one to crack. Barbel - we had fish to 46 lb's (my PB though is only 36 lb's - Rudolph got the better specimens) - on lure though - I am sure on bait you would get bigger in the river itself.
Lol - fishing for a 'named fish' in a pond - sounds like carp fishing in certain European lakes - not my cup of tea...!
Yes, I do consider myself fortunate to get most of the list done in under 4 years. Mind you, I also almost completed all the nine billfish species in less than 4 years as well - only one left on 'each list' to go.
Interesting forum name - I was also fishing for Halibut over in Alaska last year - good fun on light jigging outfits;
Sadly the skate would also put in an appearance at times - quite tough to lift on the light gear..
Epic..
"Sorry, you already added to the mana of ripplefisher."
Looking forward to your next installments, that's for sure..
Did you think you'd get so close to your goal in such a relatively short space of time when you came up with it? Brilliant stuff BTW.. Also BTW, what is your biggest barbel? Ever thought about completing your challenge on home waters? You could put the cherry on top with a yellowfish or barbel WR?
Yup - definitely considered the largemouth yellow and barbel - in fact did a trip to Van Der Kloof for both last year with a South African mate. Had yellow's up to 20.5 lb's - 1/2 lb or so under the IGFA record, which I agree is not a hugely difficult one to crack. Barbel - we had fish to 46 lb's (my PB though is only 36 lb's - Rudolph got the better specimens) - on lure though - I am sure on bait you would get bigger in the river itself.
Lol - fishing for a 'named fish' in a pond - sounds like carp fishing in certain European lakes - not my cup of tea...!
Yes, I do consider myself fortunate to get most of the list done in under 4 years. Mind you, I also almost completed all the nine billfish species in less than 4 years as well - only one left on 'each list' to go.
Interesting forum name - I was also fishing for Halibut over in Alaska last year - good fun on light jigging outfits;
Sadly the skate would also put in an appearance at times - quite tough to lift on the light gear..
Dr halibut hoffman
Moderator
"quite tough to lift on the light gear.."
Hehe yeah I'm sure.. Sheesh you get around mate, your passport must look pretty interesting Never caught a halibut myself, on the bucket list for sure, a fakkin' huge one!
Also well done, impressive barbel for lure, a 20kg whiskers must hit you like a sack of bricks..better than my PBs bait or lure haha..good luck bro, go get those fish!
Hehe yeah I'm sure.. Sheesh you get around mate, your passport must look pretty interesting
Never caught a halibut myself, on the bucket list for sure, a fakkin' huge one!Also well done, impressive barbel for lure, a 20kg whiskers must hit you like a sack of bricks..better than my PBs bait or lure haha..good luck bro, go get those fish!
ripplefisher
Senior Member
DocPhil wrote:
Hey DocPhil,
Yup - taimen are 'on the list' - not the 'big freshwater fish list' but another 'target list' I have...lol..!
I must say I would not choose to target them on fly though - bigger fish are easier to take on lure or, even better, live bait although its banned in Mongolia.
I was thinking about a trip for taimen next year - but not Mongolia, rather Russia which I think has better numbers of good fish. Sadly I wont have enough weeks leave from work to fit it in - so it will probably have to wait until 2018.
Sadly despite their fairly substantial size, I understand from friends who have caught them that they are not great fighters.
Hey DocPhil,
Yup - taimen are 'on the list' - not the 'big freshwater fish list' but another 'target list' I have...lol..!
I must say I would not choose to target them on fly though - bigger fish are easier to take on lure or, even better, live bait although its banned in Mongolia.
I was thinking about a trip for taimen next year - but not Mongolia, rather Russia which I think has better numbers of good fish. Sadly I wont have enough weeks leave from work to fit it in - so it will probably have to wait until 2018.
Sadly despite their fairly substantial size, I understand from friends who have caught them that they are not great fighters.