6th. January 2009

SCBI – Sportfishing Club of the British Isles

News and Notable Fish

Within this section we have brought together news, anecdotes, details of new tackle releases and topical stories not just of our members’ fish captures but those of significance, usually reported through American magazines or the IGFA’s publications. Also there’s information relative to EFSA – the European Federation of Sea Anglers, NFSA – the National Federation of Sea Anglers – and LTC – the Light Tackle Club.

Click on one of the month's hotlinks below to pick up details of notable fish captures, interesting news, etc.

Should you wish to view an updated listing of Notable Fish taken by Club members in 2004 click here, or the developing list for 2005 by clicking here. The listings are in pdf format and to view you will require to have the viewing software - Adobe Acrobat. If you don’t currently have this software on your PC it can be downloaded free through Adobe’s web site – www.adobe.com.

April 2005

Club member Terry Smith released an estimated 130lb Striped Marlin in the Sea of Cortez, Baja, Mexico in October 2004. In doing so Terry achieved the distinction of catching specimens from all nine billfish species recognised by the IGFA and, as such, was awarded membership of their Billfish Royal Grand Slam Club. Indonesia is not necessarily a venue many of our members would contemplate visiting I wanted to include images of some 'healthy-sized' Oilfish (Escolar) that acquaintances of David Irving caught. They were taken bottom fishing at night in about 650' of water and are effectively a variant of those our members have caught from Ascension Island, in the South Atlantic. Features a brief report on Robert Rein's trip to Mauritius. A bit like the Curate's Egg! Limited success with Billfish but some superb Skipjack and Dorado on the Fly. A range of photographs have been included. Guatemala. Opportunities to fish on the world famous Capt Hook with skipper Ron Hamilin during the peak month of May. Over 1000 billfish released this calendar year to date of which 180 have been taken on the fly. Photographs of a rare Cowtail Ray caught in Thailand's Bang Pakong river by a local guide. Images of some Wreckfish caught using specialised deepwater jigging techniques out by the Three Kings, off the north of New Zealand's North Island. have been included. Bones on the fly from Cuba, plus more besides - Permit (the usual frustration), Tarpon and Barracuda. We have included a report of Dave Dillistone's report to Las Salinas.

March 2005	An interesting report on the capture of a huge 166lb Catfish taken by UK angler Eric King from Thailand. Plus updates on Ascension Island and Great White Sharks from South Africa. A report of Greg Roskell's trip to Struissbaai in South Africa. As well as releasing a huge Great White Shark estimated at 2200lbs Greg also released a 450lb Sand Tiger Shark whilst surf fishing at night - definitely not for the feint-hearted! He also caught a very creditable Kob - a 102 pounder - whilst bottom fishing. Makos in UK waters? There's circumstantial evidence of increasing numbers of shark attack on porpoise in the North Sea. Inital examination of bite wounds suggest they are Makos. A report on Mike Dicken's annual pilgrimage to the River Tyne. It resulted in a 16lb fresh run Springer.
February 2005	An update on Venezuela. Phil Cobham's trip to Los Roques and La Guaira in pursuit of Bonefish and Blue Marlin. Members' reprts from Malindi, Kenya. A fascinating report, with photographs, of Neil Cunningham's trip to Pinas Bay in Panama fishing, as a guest, aboard Texas IGFA rep John Richardson's mothercraft operation - Mamo Nido and the 43' Merritt Picaflor. As well as details of the fishing with Yellowfin up to 200lbs there's also a history of that classic sportsfisherman. It was the last of the 43s that Buddy Merritt build, originally named Caliban 2. Jaap Tuit's trip to Ascension Island fishing aboard Harmattan. Billfish, including a boat Grand Slam, a 1000lb plus Six Gill Shark and catches of Yellowfin Tuna and other species power-jigging.
January 2005	Sun Glasses Bob Burchett recomends some reasonably priced polarised prescription sun glasses - under £120, inclusive of Postage & Package. They appear ideal for this country and Flats fishing. SCBI AGM A brief summary of events - showing the composition of the new Committee, Trophy winners, static subscription levels and a proposed trip to Costa Rica in April has been added. A Great White off Ullapool? Access this report taken from the International Big Fish Network's web site. It was reported by a holidaying Marine Biologist in July 2004. SATA, a Portuguese carrier, is to initiate weekly flights - every Tuesday - from London Gatwick to Ponta del Garda on Sao Miguel in the Azores. Onward travel to Faial is through their Azorean-based network. Ascension Island update - interestingly, on the mooring SHY 3 took a 57lb Yellowfin Tuna on fly fishing gear. And Harmattan released a 1000lb Six Gill Shark that bore an earlier tag, one 'planted' by Olaf in 2003.
December 2004	Rok-Max web site has gone on line. Their free 2005 catalogue, which will be available from 10th December, can be ordered through their site. Kenya - Just how big are the Broadbill off the Kenyan coast? Read an interesting snippet submitted by Kingfisher Boats. Ascension Island - A brief update has been added, together with a link to Olaf's personal web site which is updated daily with details of fish captures. The updates reflect Olaf own 'unique' style! Records broken in Guatemala - the Pelagian breaks its own record for the previous calendar year with 2716 releases, the bulk of them Pacific Sailfish, with a smattering of Blue & Black Marlin. A report of David Irving's trip to Phuket Island, Thailand - fortunately 10 days before the devastating tsunami. It includes photographs of a deepwater Barracouta and 100lb Sailfish. Update on Eric Roberts Barbel 'campaign' to-date. 10 double figured fish from the Upper Severn and St Patrick's Stream (Reading) topped by a fish of 13lb 8oz. A photograph of the big fish is included.
November 2004	What is just, at this stage, a taster for Bob & Vee Carlson's trip to Thailand. 'Hot off the Press' . Vee's capture of a 117lb Giant Mekong Catfish. Photograph included. Also Trevor Gunning's 'whistle-stop' trip to Watamu, Kenya. A 100lb plus Sail - a BIG fish for that part of the world - and a BIG Coiba that might have been. The Thailand Sequel - Bob gets a Striped Catfish of 35lb 10oz, just 8oz under the World record! Report of the commercial capture of a huge Blue by a commercial canoe (yes, canoe) off Ghana. Reported by Johan Zietsman. There're also links to web sites with details of big Marlin and world record-sized Yellowfin and Big Eye Tuna. Details of Terry Smith's trip to the Sea of Cortez, Mexico - includes image of 50lb Dorado. Plus concerns over concerted attempts by commercial interests to dilute planned legislation and allow longlining activity within 30 miles of the coast.
October 2004	Kevin Justice catches five 40lb plus Carp from France in literally a matter of weeks, the largest a Mirror of 47lb 2oz - a new Club record. A picture of the largest fish is included.
September 2004	Tales from 'North of the Border'. Stan Massey's Club record wild Brown Trout and an interesting 'brush' with a voracious Pike. Then there's David Irvine's trip in Taiwanese waters - deep water jigging. And a report on the Club trip to the Dever Springs trout fishery in Hampshire. Four doubles were landed, the largest Terry Davy's Rainbow - 21 1/2lbs. Kenya - details of September's activities from the Kingfisher fleet have been added. Despite lack of charters, September is typically a quiet period, there've been some excellent catches of Sailfish. Best one day catch 22!
August 2004	The start of the Croatian Bluefin season. Olaf releases two 200lb Blue Sharks and another skipper gets a 220lb Bluefin. Report of a 979lb Blue Marlin from the Azores. The Yellowfin Tuna have arrived in numbers off the Kenyan coast - reports of a 219 pounder, an All Tackle record, to a 16 year old and a one day catch in excess of 2300lbs. Followed by one of 216lbs - a potential 'All African' 130lb class record. An image of that fish is included. A further update from Olaf on the Croatian season. It includes images of a 200lb Blue Shark and 300lb Bluefin Tuna. And they catch yet another Sunfish (Mola Mola) fairly hooked in the mouth whilst deep baiting. A further report from Croatia including images of a 189lb Broadbill and 66lb Spearfish.
July 2004	Update on Simon Williams Tope season - shallow water dingy fishing in Caenarfon Bay, North Wales. A superb 12lb 10oz Zander taken 'on the fly' by Ron Yee, fishing the Upper Severn. Includes photograph. Marlin World Cup - 4 members try and fail, just! Read about Denis Froud's 1043 pounder (includes photograph) hooked 11 minutes after 'lines out' in Ascension Island. And of course his Grand Slam. Further details have now been added of Denis and Jaap Tuit's trip to Ascension. It makes impressive reading! Apart from Denis' big Blue there were nine Yellowfin in excess of 200lbs, a 1200lb Six Gill Shark and a potential World All Tackle record Galapagos Shark. That fish, caught by Denis, weighed 310lbs. Danny Vokins catches two Thresher Sharks from the Isle of Wight. And fellow 'Islanders' - Dave Moore and Mark Jones - fish Cuba.
June 2004	A superb 8lb Brown Trout from Dorset's River Piddle caught by John Reynolds. Includes photograph. A brief update from Dieter Haselhorst summarising Andromeda's first season in Cape Verde. Details of Billy Furnish's trip to Cape Verde - 700lb Blue Marlin and a 249lb Yellowfin Tuna. The latter is a Cape Verdean and Club record. Includes photographs of Yellowfin Tuna. Also details of Phil Cobham's trip to Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands. Another 700 pounder released, a fish estimated at 750 on 50 stand-up tackle. Includes photograph of boatside release. Details of Mullock & Madeley's next fishing-related auction to be held on 3rd July added. Clive Williamson's quest for a Baltic Sea Trout from Denmark. Includes photograph of a near 20 pounder. Peter Gurd and former Club member Harry Marshall competed in the St Martin's Billfish tournament. Update on chartering of SHY 3 and ANDROMEDA in Ascension and Cape Verde respectively over the next two seasons. Update on tagging activity in Kenya during the last season. Details of items from the May/June edition of the the IGFA's publication - International Angler.
May 2004	Details of Eric Roberts trip to Seychelles. Includes photograph of 77lb Dog Tooth Tuna taken on 30lb test. Also Peter Gurd's and Clive Taylor trip to the Cape Verde Islands - 16 Blue Marlin from 30 strikes in 6 days fishing - and a 'double header' on 700 pounders! (It gets better! There's a short note from Berno Niebuhr - owner of the Happy Hooker fleet - who describes seeing 16 Blues in one day, getting strikes from 14 but only releasing 3!) And Neil and John Cunningham's trip to the Baltic - trolling for Atlantic Salmon. John gets his first! Including photographs from the trip. Russell Brumby competed, as part of a Kenyan team, in the prestiguous Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship fished out of Cabo san Lucas. A voracious Bonefish from Barbados on, of all things, a 28gm Toby Spoon! One of Clive Williamson's holiday interludes. Terry Smith records a brace of 30lb Carp from a French lake.
April 2004	Details of Geoff Flores trip to Cape York, Northern Queensland, fishing with a mothercraft operation - Carpentaria Seafaris have been added. What a variety of species! Photographs from this and Geoff's 2003 trip are included on supplementary pages. Then a report on Dave Dillistone's (one of the Wiltshire gamekeepers) trip to Panama - Isla Coiba and Lake Gatun. Photographs from the trip are included on a supplementary page. Details of six new species added to the IGFA's Line and Tippet class World records have been noted. The species are Golden Trevally, African Cubera Snapper, Bonnethead Shark, Oxeye Tarpon, Kob (Mulloway) and Giant African Threadfin.
March 2004	Details of the Irish Central Fisheries Board site added. Change of address for Rok-Max (UK) - moved from Brixham to Truro in Cornwall. Update on John Goddard's huge fly-caught Barracuda from the Seychelles. 'Wot, NO wire trace'! Including photograph of the Barracuda. A further Club trip to Ascension - 12 Blue Marlin and tales of broken rods! Photographs included on a supplementary page. Details from Florida Sportsman of successful prosecution of importers of undersized and egg-bearing Spiny Lobsters from Honduras Draws link to decline in Florida commercial fishery. Details of a potential All Tackle World Record Giant Grouper - 395lbs - from the Pemba Channel Club, Shimoni, Kenya. Photograph included.
February 2004	Club Members - Ascension Island Updates (plus photographs) & participation in this year's 4th July Blue Marlin Championship World Cup. Mullock & Madeley's March fishing tackle auction. IGFA Handbook review. Includes details of members trips to Ascension Island, Panama and Costa Rica.
January 2004	Club Members trips - Kenya, Namibia (plus photographs of big shore-caught Bronze Whaler Sharks) and Ascension Island. Notes from IGFA's International Angler - Jan/Feb 04 edition. Fishing for Records with Braided Lines. IGFA's rejection of All-Tackle claim for Largemouth Bass record.
December 2003	Club Members trips to Ascension Island (inc photographs). Bluefin Tuna landed at Plymouth - commercial capture.
November 2003	Geoff Flores trip – light tackle fishing from a panga - to Puerto Vallata, Mexico. Notes from IGFA’s International Angler – Nov/Dec edition - Dieter Hasselhorst and Steve Collins appointed IGFA Representatives. It also includes confirmation of World record status of Dave Huckle’s three Nile Perch taken in March 2003 from Lake Victoria, Tanzania.
October 2003	Record Irish Albacore, taken 50 miles south-west of the Blasket Islands, Co. Kerry. Blue Shark tag return – released off Pembrokeshire coast 2002, recaptured by Spanish long-liner west of the Azores.
September 2003	Update by Dustin Foo on trip in pursuit of Irish Bluefin Tuna.
August 2003	Dieter Hasselhorst’s trip to Croatia – Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish and a Sunfish. Plus a report, again from the Adriatic, of a big, commercially caught Great White Shark.
July 2003	Jumping Tope! An update on Simon Williams’ season – shallow water dingy fishing out of Caernarvon Bay.