Is there time for one more?!

At 6:30 on Saturday 7^th November 2020, Andre, Terence and I launched “Marakas” off Vidal. There was a 15 knot SW blowing, a few clouds around and a good N-S current… pretty much perfect conditions. The launch was a nonevent and soon we were on the live bait marks. There was a great showing, but nothing was eating. We scrounged around and eventually managed to get about 20 livies.

The current was pushing us south, into the wind, so I suggested we put out lines right from where we were. I headed out deeper and the lines were just when the far line went away, followed by the other surface line. I ran to the back and saw a big bull dorrie on the flasher. At the same time, it saw the close bait and absolutely crushed it! Terence and I kept our fish at a distance while Andre fought what turned out to be the biggest fish of the day. A good 12kg dorrie. Terence was next up and managed a big 10kg cow dorrie. Now it was my turn, the only problem was that my fish was on 3kg tackle. Eventually, one miss gaff and 15 minutes later, I had a nice 8kg dorrie in the boat. What a great start!

It took a while to rerig and bait up, but we were back in the game. I trolled shallower and just as we came into the same depth, another 3 rods went away with dorado. I turned the boat with the wind so that I could leave the controls then cleared the dead rod. As the bait came close to the flasher, another dorrie came flying in and grabbed it. 4 fish on! You just gotta love dorado fishing!!!

Some beautiful Dorado at Vidal

While the chaos reigned, the flasher stayed in the water and soon we were surrounded by dorado. I couldn’t help myself so put my rod down, pinned a livie and cast it out. Several fish went for it at the same time with the maasie jumping out the water to get away… real Nat Geo stuff. I went tight on a fish then passed the rod to Andre who already had a rod in hand. Before I grabbed another pitch rod, we loaded 3 of the 5 dorries. With 2 fish still on, there was place to pitch another few livies. On, on, on… back to 5 fish! It was insane. Eventually, when the dust had settled, the boat looked like a war zone. The live bait well was empty, burnt off lines fluttered in the wind, carpets were super slippery and tackle boxes were in a shamble. We took a moment to regroup and get to grips with what had just happened… It was one of those experiences that you never forget… and it was only 9:30am!

We slowly headed back to the live bait marks where we picked up a few more baits. While this was going on, I rerigged my 3kg setup which had not survived the onslaught. By 10:30 we were back on the troll but things were dead quiet. The wind had dropped and very little action was being reported. I suggested we head back to the beach and start the cleaning process, but I was interrupted by a pull on the 3kg. I hooked up and fought what turned out to be a 7kg yellowfin tuna.

That was our last fish and we happily returned to the beach. The staff at Cape Vidal were treated to a few fresh fish to thank them for their efforts.

Let the summer games begin!!!

On Sunday 1^st November 2020, At and I launched “Vamos” off Cape Vidal. There had been a few dorado around, so we were keen to get a few. The SW had been howling the previous day and the surf was really big. It took a while before we found the right gap and could get through safely. There were a few livies around so it didn’t take too long to start fishing.

I was busy letting out the first line when the spool sped up then stopped before I could tighten up. The next bait was just set when the reel smoked off. The fish was on 3kg line so I had to play it gently. Unfortunately, a few minutes in, the hooks pulled. I managed to get another line out and within a few minutes, we were on to a nice dorado. It was good to get a fish in the boat. Things went a bit quiet and we only had our next pull about an hour later. It was on the deep line that I was about to check. It made a short run, then it felt as if the hook pulled. At the same time, the 3kg rod went away so I put the one rod down and grabbed the other and tightened up. There was a commotion on the surface as a shark ate my fish. At started retrieving the other line and felt that there was still a fish on it. It turned out to be a small cuda, a welcome addition to the hatch. In the meantime, I parted off the line on the shark.

With the lined in, we headed back to the point. I was bust letting the bait out when the reel took off in my hands. I tightened up and hooked another shoal cuda. There was not much of a fight even though it was on the light line. There seemed to be a few fish in the area and soon the deep line went away. We assumed it was a cuda but it turned out to be another dorado. It had a follower which grabbed the close surface bait next to the flasher. Unfortunately, it pulled hooks after a short run.

Vamos on the beach at Vidal

At made another turn and soon we had another cuda on the deep line. Things were looking good despite the cold wind and odd rain shower. We had two other pulls, but they turned out to be a small bonito and a big garfish. We were at the point where we were ready to call it a day when another rod went away. Almost immediately there was slack line and a small cuda came flying in between the motors and under the boat, followed by a big zambezi shark. I hit freespool as the cuda tried to get away. It seemed like I had a chance, but then the cuda just stopped on the surface. The shark crashed onto it, white water and blood everywhere. I parted off immediately to save me any pain.

Both of us agreed that it was a sign that we head back to shore. That night we had the best fresh fish for supper.