Sunday's fishing with Pran.

[Mack The Knife]

Pran and I made the trek to Forbes this Sunday past fully expecting to be soaked to the bone because that is what the weather forecast said. Instead, we got ourselves baked good and proper.

Herewith a few of the pictures taken.


Forbes Sagar as seen from the highway.



The first murrel of the day caught within the first few casts.



Pran opened his account soon after...


Since I had to buy myself a baitcaster from Cabelas, I added a weighing scale to the order as well. However, since I have not used one in three years of fishing, I completely forgot about it. We measured the next four fish and I must say that my estimates to date, sans scale, have been pretty accurate, which is more than what I can say for a few other anglers I know. Beware the BS detector!



Before murrel number three was hooked, we saw this little fellow going out for a stroll. I hope he survived the experience because there were a couple of eagles hovering around.



Murrel number three.




Pran then gets himself a couple more.


Post lunch, or should I say, post tea and biscuits (Pran thought I was bringing lunch - har har har...) we catch up wih this fellow handlining for tilapia. We confiscate his 'tackle' and send him packing. Not one to miss a trick and being a opportunistic so-and-so, Pran changes his terminal tackle and uses the poacher's earthworms to catch a few tilapia. Much to my delight, he gets buggerall.



We return to fishing but by then the Sun is really begining to take its toll and we head off for the opposite end of the lake to ledger for mahseer from some shade.

Apart from this small blighter, we did not have any more luck though I did miss striking on a good tug whilst lighting up a fag. Yes, as usual....


The drive back was pretty uneventful (even though it was Mickey behind the wheel! ) but we then spent exactly one hour to cover about 300 metres due to severe flooding near Bangalore University. The muck that was thrown up from the sewers had to be seen to be believed.

Next week Inder is coming along and you can be sure there will be atleast one major bloomer. Remind me to tell some of you guys about the spot bill duck incident....in private.

[TenX]

The 'small blighter' looks like it was caught during daylight. Did'nt you guys fish till dark and after?

[viper]

Nice Murral ....Guys..

Good to hear that its sunny in WASI ,though it would have been pouring there,

will try to visit soon for some Murral Action

[Mack The Knife]

The 'small blighter' looks like it was caught during daylight. Did'nt you guys fish till dark and after?

These days it does not get dark until it's almost 7 p.m. and as per the new rules, fishing from the coracle is not permitted after this time.

We normally catch a few mahseer before 7 p.m. but not this time. I also switched to plugging for mahseer as I was more interested in playing with the new baitcaster.

BTW, can you drop off your rod and replacement guide at my place soon? Would like to fix it before our next trip.

[TenX]

Coming Sunday 1830 onwards, I'm free ... for awhile
Will surely drop in on Monday after another confirmaton call ...

ACK

[Ranjeet Singh]

Since I had to buy myself a baitcaster from Cabelas, I added a weighing scale to the order as well.

Hey Mack The Knife

What did you zero on, for your baitcasting stuff, Ever since I've seen the Ambassadeur baitcasting reel at your place, and the demo you gave to me, I've been reading about it quite a lot. (Monkeysee has some decent videos on that )

Let us know what you got for yourself.

Cheers
Ranjeet

[Mack The Knife]

Ranjeet,

I bought an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C3 6501 (left hand retrieve version of the 6500). http://tinyurl.com/6o2mf5

I had ordered it well in advance but only got to use it on Sunday. If I had to order again, I would order a low profile baitcaster if the reel was only going to be used for crankbaits, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, frogs, etc. for murrel and not very big mahseer (say under 20 lbs.)

Nothing wrong with the C3, it's just that a smaller and lighter reel would be easier on the wrists for repeated casting and I am thinking of selling this and buying a Daiwa Exceler 100HL. Ideally, I would have prefered a Daiwa Advantage Supertuned HSTA but the bally thing is tres expensive, especially after Cabelas has added 45% of the item value as shipping cost. Not to forget the duty at our end either.

Actually, I could cast all day with the C3 if I could do it standing and had enough space around me. It's the sitting and casting from odd angles from a coracle that somehow makes it a bit uncomfortable after a couple of hours.

If you are refering to the Steve Chaconas videos on MonkeySee, then I have seen them. Infact, they were partly responsible for teaching me the use of the baitcaster along with a few videos from You Tube and written material from a few other internet sites.

Here's a link to all of Steve's videos on Monkey See that also deals with using a spinning reel and some fishing lures. http://www.monkeysee.com/channel/show/89

[Ranjeet Singh]

Thanks Mack The Knife

After seeing the demo at your place, I read quite a bit and understand your choice of the C3, lots of line capacity, proven stuff.

I've read about low profile, low line capacity, but fits in palm ..

Actually this was what I was keen on understanding whether you had gone for a low profile or a round one.

As for me I was looking at this combo(in the combo section on cabela):- 5500-C3 and the Tourney Trail 6'6'' 2 pc MH rod.

I was also wondering if you had gone for 5500 or 6500 series, Also the one that you had shown to me, was it 5500 or 6500, I remember it was a RH retrive.

I was not sure if 6500 would be too big.

how do you rate the Cabela's Prodigy™/Fish Eagle® II Casting Combos in the low profile reel.



Cheers
Ranjeet

PS- 2 more ballistol on its way. August 2nd if you are free will call and come over and discuss more.

[Mack The Knife]

Ranjeet,

If you are thinking of using either combo choice on the JL&R stretch for mahseer then neither is the right choice. For that matter, the rod and reel I have would not suffice either if a big one hits the bait.

The C3 is currently loaded with 170 yards of 20 lbs. Berkley Trilene Big Game and is meant for the WASI stretch because it will still take a few years for the mahseer on this stretch to become big enough to break the line or strip the spool bare. I will upgrade to 25 lbs. Trilene Big Game when I feel the need for it and still have 135 yards of line but after that I will switch to my Salt Striker 7' boat road (rated for 40 lbs. mono and 6 oz casting weight) and Shimano 6500 BTR with 40 lbs. Trilene Big Game or something else. I will not take a chance with braid on the WASI or JL&R stretch when it comes to mahseer.

If I had to select between your two choices it would be the Prodigy and Fish Eagle II combo. The Prodigy is definitely a rebadged Daiwa and most probably the Daiwa Exceler I am currently contemplating. I would go for the 7' GC702-2 rod instead of the 6'6" version. I would load the reel with 15 lb mono if you are fishing in line breaking waters for not very big fish or spool up with braid (anything from 20 to 50 lbs.) for clear waters.

The old Abu you saw was a 6000 size and is more or less similar in size to the 6500 I have. Will put up a pic showing them side by side.

Thanks for the Ballistol. 2nd August is a Saturday. Fat chance of me being at home! Tell you what, if Asif isn't in Bangalore on the 2nd and I don't HAVE to stay at home you come with me to Forbes.

[Ranjeet Singh]

I would love to join in to Forbes with you, keep me posted on how things shape up for Aug 2nd, though I would prefer Aug 3rd, Sunday to Forbes. Saturday normally something or other comes up.

We'll chat on the baitcasting tackle anway.

Some lures also on its way as well with the ballistol. Here's a pic of the lures that's coming. Want to wet them as soon as possible.




Cheers
Ranjeet

[Mack The Knife]

I am sorry but the 3rd may not be possible. I will keep you informed.

[Ranjeet Singh]

2nd is good too.. do keep me posted...

Cheers
Ranjeet

[Pran]

Thanks for the report, Mack The Knife.

Pran changes his terminal tackle and uses the poacher's earthworms to catch a few tilapia.

Time you learned 'Jilebi' The ghillie told me to bait Murrel with earthworm.

Remind me to tell some of you guys about the spot bill duck incident....in private.

Mack The Knife,

I liked the baitcasting outfit you were using-- one can cast farther with lesser effort. But was unable to figure why you had problems casting from the coracle.

Pran

[TenX]

Ah.. The man speaks...

[viper]

Hey Guys....whts the size & when was the Biggest murral u guys have caught in WASI lakes & the bait used...
As I have observed that average size of murrals have reduced to 1 -1 1/2kg. .in a span of 1 yr.I guess its becoz of the high price for murral & also members removing all the Large Murralls
....was also told that few members wanted all the murrells to be removed from both the lakes to encourage Rohu game ...i .guess fishing using Spinners & froggin days are numbered, ..any comments on this.