12 August - Croatia

Over the years there have been several reports of Great White Sharks from the Eastern Mediterranean.  And I even recall, some years ago, seeing a photo of one such BIG fish taken off the Turkish coast.

It might interest you to know that a German aquaintance of mine – Olaf, some of you will remember him from Ghana or Ascension - who's currently fishing from Croatia reported the commercial capture, in early August, of a 7 metre, 2 tonne Great White.  I know the dimensions don't quite tie up - I would have thought one of that length would have been somewhat heavier - but certainly puts you off swimming! 

So what are they feeding off?  Is it the schools of Bluefin Tuna that they're focused on?  I doubt whether it's the isolated pockets of Monk Seals - currently rated as critically endangered.  Or could it be dolphins and small whales?

28 August – Croatia

Dieter Hasselhorst – a Club member - spent a family holiday in Croatia during August.  There was masses of bait present together with reasonable numbers of Bluefin Tuna.  This year the season appeared somewhat earlier than normal – the fish aren’t normally present in numbers until September/October.  The largest caught during his stay was a fish of 727lbs (330kgs) taken on 80lb test. 

Dieter however decided to fish 30lb test and, using a Cape Fear Bluewater stand-up rod, took a superb fish of 218lbs (99kgs).  For most of the 3hour 20 minute fight the fish stayed relatively shallow and its first blistering surface run was close to 500 metres.  As with any 5 to 1 Tuna on light tackle a tremendous achievement, and a new Club record.  Well done Dieter!

As well a friend Dieter’s also caught a 120lb Broadbill on 30lb test, fishing a deep bait – down around 260’.  And Dieter also fishing a deep bait on 50 had an hour long battle with and released a, fairly hooked in the mouth, Sunfish (Mola mola)!   That’s certainly the first I’ve ever heard of.  He also lost another Bluefin on 30 after an hour long battle.

As well as having shares in two of the boats currently in Ascension – Shy 3 and Andromeda – Dieter also has a 29’ Phoenix based in Croatia.  He will charter it to Club members for 350 Euros a day – a very reasonable rate for what is literally big game fishing on our doorstep. 

In addition to the Broadbill and Bluefin  there were also some reasonable-sized Dorado around, in the 20lb range, and as also the biggish Blue Sharks – 200 to 250 pounders.