G'day to all our lures and bait's board visitor's..<br><br>A brief note to let you know that I have just returned from a fishing tournament in the Western Pacific.<br><br>How did we do? Our team came 4th out of 23 competing teams. <br><br>Not bad and would have been a lot better had I not lost a 35 kg sailfish on 10 kg line after 2 hours and 5 minutes in an unusually rough sea with with a 7 foot swell, 20 knot westerly, and more backing up on this fish than you can imagine. <br><br>As I understand it, he would have also qualified as a local record and potential international record on this line class. <br><br>Had I been able to land him then we would have placed 2nd given that an hour before this fish we had had hooked up on a small blue marlin that was subsequently tagged and released. <br><br>Hey that's fishing for ya! Why did I loose the Sailfish? Only one simple answer and that is personal fatigue, extremely rough sea conditions at the time, and a lapse in concentration. <br><br>Given that this was a totally stand up competition, I got tired and for a brief moment took my eye off the ball (fish). The rest is now history. <br><br>Even so, I consider 5th a very respectable result considering the number of teams, level of experienced teams participating, and the conditions which were unusually rough outwide for this time of the year. <br><br>It was also our first time in these waters so I am not going to be too hard on myself. Three days of self flagilation over the loss of the Sailfish has probably been enough I think. <br><br>I should also add that our team took out the Champion "Mahi Mahi" category for the tournament as well and that our Okuma reels performed flawlessly over the 4 days of competition. <br><br>All round, a pretty good result. <br><br>A full report link and pics as soon as they are available (or as soon as I unpack, get the pics developed and make the time to write up the article). <br><br>I am going to try and do that over the next two days and before I am officially due to return to the board here. <br><br>Stay tuned for more. <br><br>Burnin Thumbs!<br><br>Steve B <br>Moderator Lures/Baits Forum<br><A HREF="http://www.demonjigs.com" target="_new">http://www.demonjigs.com</A>
Nice work, Steve...too bad that possible record got away but, on the bright side, that's a great reason to head back there again next year :-)<br><br><br>Jerry Vovcsko<br>Moderator: Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island Forums<br>
G'day Capt. Dan<br><br>I agree, gotta love fishing even with heart breaking moments like those mentioned above. Learnt a lot, had a great time and met some fantastic people. <br><br>Will definately be going back next year as well. Anyone want to join us? There is a direct flight from LA to Apia that will drop you right on the spot. <br><br>Burnin Thumbs!<br><br>Steve B <br>Moderator Lures/Baits Forum<br><A HREF="http://www.demonjigs.com" target="_new">http://www.demonjigs.com</A>
G'day Anon<br><br>Unfortunate that your cousin did not like Western Samoa. I thought it was fantastic for a range of reasons, including the place, the sea, people and climate. <br><br>Loved the lot. <br><br>Burnin Thumbs!<br><br>Steve B <br>Moderator Lures/Baits Forum<br><A HREF="http://www.demonjigs.com" target="_new">http://www.demonjigs.com</A>
G'day to all Lures/Baits Board visitors and lurkers. <br><br>Here is the link to part one of my report. Note that this is a work in progress and will add pics, plus fine tune facts and events, as they come to mind. <br><br>Suffice to say, it contains all the elements of fishing a tournament, including both the joy and heartbreak that angling brings with it. <br><br><A HREF="http://www.demonjigs.com/samoaresults.html" target="_new">http://www.demonjigs.com/samoaresults.html</A><br><br>Feel free to ask Q's, or post comments as they come to mind. <br><br><br>Burnin Thumbs!<br><br>Steve B <br>Moderator Lures/Baits Forum<br><A HREF="http://www.demonjigs.com" target="_new">http://www.demonjigs.com</A>
Hey MJB. Glad to have you back man, sorry to hear 'bout that Sail, I know only too well about the sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach.Just remember this was a new circuit and chalk it up to experience.<br>As for your seasick mates, it has happened to me on a couple of occasions, I now carry a supply of a tablet called Dramamine which has the desired effect.<br>Can't wait to see those pictures man!<br><br>
Thanks for the welcome Neil.<br><br>Yep, that's fishing and it was a powerful learning experience. One of those once only mistakes that never gets repeated. Even so, and as mentioned in my online report, the Sail deserved to win.<br><br>The seasick mates had all the meds in the world. <br><br>Unfortunately, they made no difference although repeated exposure proved to be the answer for one of our female team members who despite not being able to swim, and had never been on a boat before let alone outwide. Persistent courage overcame he problem.<br><br>Can't wait to go fishing again (real soon).<br><br>Burnin Thumbs!<br><br>Steve B <br>Moderator Lures/Baits Forum<br><A HREF="http://www.demonjigs.com" target="_new">http://www.demonjigs.com</A>
Thor thanks for the welcome back. <br><br>Taken a while for the dust to settle and for me to get back into the work routine. <br><br>Your right about it being quiet and even more so over the past few weeks what with Sept 11 and people needing some quiet time too I suspect. <br><br>How's the fishing, been out recently?<br><br>Burnin Thumbs!<br><br>Steve B <br>Moderator Lures/Baits Forum<br><A HREF="http://www.demonjigs.com" target="_new">http://www.demonjigs.com</A>
