Photo

Credit Clipart by Seamartini Graphics - http://clipartof.com/1064456

Hoa Binh’s farmer catches strange fish with “snake head, pig tongue”

VietNamNet Bridge - A farmer in the northern province of Hoa Binh caught a fish with a strange shape several days ago. Leading experts on freshwater fish said it could be an Ophicephalidae snakehead.

Early this week, Mr. Bui Van Nguyen, a resident of Don Village in My Hoa commune, Tan Lac district found an exotic fish under the mud while pumping water from a spring.

"The fish is very strong so I had to ask for help from my two neighbors. It took us 30 minutes to take the fish to the shore," Nguyen said.

The unknown catfish has a snake head while its body and tail look like an eel. It is 1.14m long and 4.2 kg in weight. The weird thing is that it has a pig tongue.

Many people in Don Village said they had never seen such a fish.

Dr. Nhezdoli, an expert of ichthyology, from the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center, was very surprised when he saw the picture of this strange fish. However, the world's leading expert on freshwater fish guessed that the fish may belong to the Ophicephalidae snakehead family.

"To determine the name and species I need a specific specimen," he said.

The snakeheads are members of the freshwater perciform fish family Channidae, native to Africa and Asia. These elongated, predatory fish are distinguished by a long dorsal fin, large mouth and shiny teeth. They breathe air with gills as well as with suprabranchial organs developing when they grow older, which is a primitive form of a labyrinth organ. The two extant genera are Channa in Asia and Parachanna in Africa, consisting of 30-35 species.

Source: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/odd-news/52230/hoa-binh-s-farmer-catches-strange-fish-with--snake-head--pig-tongue-.html

More Stories:   Gofishtalk

Gyro-stabilised thermal camera from Raymarine

By Grant Blair 04/11/2012

0 0

Raymarine’s new T470SC gyro-stabilised thermal camera provides perfectly stable clear images when they are needed the most: in rough conditions.
Using internal gyroscopes to automatically compensate for any movement, the T470SC’s active gyro-stabilisation ensures a clear, steady image even when seas are rough and there is little or no visibility.
The T470SC uses Raymarine-FLIR’s renowned thermal imaging technology and also comes equipped with a high resolution, long-range thermal imager and a colour low-light-visible TV camera with 10:1 optical zoom.
This means boaties can have the best of both worlds: the power to see small objects from great distances, and smooth imagery in open water.
The T470SC’s clever colour TV camera features a continuous zoom lens that automatically matches its field of view to that of the thermal camera, ensuring users do not get disoriented when switching between cameras.
The T470SC integrates seamlessly with Raymarine’s popular multifunction displays, including the new c-Series and e-Series with HybridTouch™. When connected with an e-Series display, the T470SC gives boaties simple touch screen pan and tilt control, as well as full access to all camera functions, directly from the e-Series interface.
Housed in a rugged, waterproof gimbal enclosure, theT470SC boasts continuous 360° pan and +/-90° tilt capability, providing horizon-to-horizon thermal imaging or low light colour camera coverage.
Raymarine’s new T470SC gyro-stabilized thermal camera is available nationwide through Lusty and Blundell’s network of leading marine dealers.

Source:  http://www.fishing.net.nz/gyro-stabilised-thermal-camera-from-raymarine/
More Stories:  http://gofishtalk.com/forum/topics/gyro-stabilised-thermal-camera-from-raymarine

Warm temperatures bring bizarre tropical fish to Bay of Fundy

CTVNews.ca Staff

Published Thursday, Sep. 13, 2012 11:50AM EDT 

Unusually warm temperatures in the Bay of Fundy are attracting exotic species that rarely venture so far north -- including a several-hundred pound flat fish that is often mistaken for a shark and can grow to be thousands of pounds.
The mola mola, or ocean sunfish, was spotted and recorded earlier this week by a tour operator who runs whale watching trips out of St. Andrews, N.B.
The fish often swims near the surface of the water, and has a large, triangular fin that resembles a shark’s. In fact, that’s what Nick Hawkins thought he was seeing at first. It wasn’t until he got closer and began recording the creature, that he realized it was something different.

Photos

The mola mola, or ocean sunfish, was spotted and recorded earlier this week by a tour operator who runs whale watching trips out of St. Andrews, N.B.

“We saw a fin come up and when we approached it was a mola mola, which is a really bizarre looking fish,” he told CTV Atlantic. “This certain one was actually a small mola mola because they can get very large. I’d put this one at about three or four hundred pounds.”
Considered the largest bony fish in the world, the mola mola is typically found in warmer waters, but with temperatures in the Bay of Fundy becoming more temperate in recent months, unusual species have begun to appear, said James Upham, a public programming interpreter at the New Brunswick Museum in Saint John.
He said the mola mola is a fascinating fish to see in the wild because of its flat shape, unique swimming style and its tendency to stay close to the surface.
“They get the name (mola mola, or sunfish) from hanging around on the surface of the water during the day, they sort of bask and you can see them pretty easily,” Upham said.
Hawkins said he was excited for the rare opportunity to see the fish, and quickly tried to capture the moment.
“The mola mola happened to be close to the boat which is hard to do, often you’ll catch a glimpse of them and then they’re gone but it stayed up for us and we got the pole into the water and got some really good footage of it,” he said.
According to National Geographic, ocean sunfish live in tropical and termperate waters, and can reach up to 14 feet vertically and 10 feet horizontally. The largest specimens have weighed up to 5,000 pounds.
They feed on jellyfish, small fish and plankton and algae.
“They are harmless to people, but can be very curious and will often approach divers,” said an article on nationalgeographic.com.
“Their population is considered stable, though they frequently get snagged in drift gill nets and can suffocate on sea trash, like plastic bags, which resemble jellyfish.”
With a report from CTV Atlantic's Ashley Dunbar.

Read more: ctvnews
More Stories: http://Gofishtalk.com

Photo

Life Jacket GS4800Y G.S.E

New Life Jacket

Harga RM180(baru)
Berminat call 0133084254-hilmi@shout dalam blog ini

Berkeupayaan terapung dalam air sehingga 72 jam

ciri-ciri
*420D Yellow/ Blue color (outer shell), Netting Black mcolor (inner shell)
• With Headrest/ Collar
• 1 safety Belt for Collar
• 1 waist Belt for extra security
• Reflective Straps on chest, Headrest & collar for mmaximum visibility
• S.O.S. Whistle
• GSE 'Classic' Badge
* Good for Fishing, Kayaking & on board use

Source:  http://joranharian.blogspot.sg/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=46
Read More: http://gofishtalk.com/forum/topics/life-jacket-gs4800y-g-s-e

Video

http://gofishtalk.com/video/ebek-blackboxfishtalk-blogspot-com

Tasik Kenyir

Tasik Kenyir
Lokasi	Terengganu
Koordinat	5°00′N 102°48′EKoordinat: 5°00′N 102°48′E
Jenis tasik	Kolam air
Aliran masuk	Sungai Kenyir
Aliran keluar	Sungai Terengganu
Negara cekungan	Malaysia
Kawasan permukaan	260 km²
Pulau	340

Tasik Kenyir

Tasik Kenyir yang terletak di hulu Sungai Kenyir, Terengganu merupakan tasik terbesar yang pernah dibina oleh manusia untuk menjana kuasa elektrik di Asia Tenggara. Tasik ini seluas 2,600 km persegi dan mengandungi 340 pulau kecil.
Semenjak kewujudan empangan di sini, kawasan sekitarnya terutama Kuala Berang telah mula dikenali oleh orang ramai baik dari dalam mahupun luar negeri. Tasik ini merupakan tempat pelancongan popular di Terengganu semenjak kewujudannya. Ia siap dibina pada 1988.
Tasik Kenyir telah menenggelamkan beberapa buah kampung dan juga hutan. Banyak haiwan liar telah diselamatkan semasa pembinaan empangan ini. Pembinaan empangan ini telah mewujudkan pulangan ekonomi kepada penduduknya yang majoritinya adalah petani. Secara tidak langsung, penduduk di sini dapat menaikkan taraf sosial masing-masing. Kedatangan pelancong ke sini yang terkenal dengan jagung manisnya telah menaikkan nama bandar Kuala Berang di mata pihak luar yang sebelum ini dikenali sebagai 'bandar mati'.

Simpang ke Tasik Kenyir

Ikan Naga

Pada 28 Jun 2008, Timbalan Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim mendapat maklumat bahawa tasik ini mempunyai ikan Naga merah/Arapaima Gigas yang beratnya 30 dan 50 kilogram. Ikan yang berasal dari Amerika Selatan mungkin dilepaskan di tasik buatan manusia ini.^[1]

Article Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/
More Stories: http://gofishtalk.com/forum/topics/tasik-kenyir

Find more photos like this on GoFishTalk

NZ Fishing News December 2012-11-12

By Grant Blair 21/11/2012

0 0

Catch this year’s big one

With summer upon us and Christmas just around the corner, December is our bumper issue for the year.
At a massive 228 pages, the December edition covers a lot of bases.
Included in this month are…

Snapper

Workup Madness – Paul Senior is driven insane by Hauraki Gulf workup action
Getting the Hump – snapper physiology with Sam Mossman
Charter Connection – Mark Kitteridge targets snapper and kingfish aboard Spot On in Bream Bay.

Surfcasting

Ninety Mile snapper Bonanza – a contest preview from Bruce Basher
Targeting Shy Fish – Andy MacLeod recommends a stealthy approach
Make and Save – Part IV of Bruce basher’s DIY for Surfcasters series

Gamefishing

Battling Bluefin – reader Mike Humphries tangles with a tonne of muscle in Canada
Keep Those Baits Fresh – tease and switch tips from Geoff Lamond
Rigging Lures – the first of a two-part ‘how to’ feature from Bonze Fleet.
Summer Speedsters – Adam Clancey has fun with the smaller tuna species
Are Yellowfin Gone for Good? – Scientist Dr Shelton Harley gives his spin on the situation
Freshwater
Monster Perch – Paul Embling highlights some coarse action close to home
Finding Undisturbed Trout – flyfishing with Tony Orman
Five Trout Tips – Peter Langlands offers a handful of tricks to ensure success

Offshore

Frustration in Paradise – Grant Dixon records action from the Vava’u reader’s contest

Kayaks

It’s the Little Things…Stephen Tapp says it is the small essentials that can make a difference
Fishing the Wash – Aaron Styles gets up close and personal from his kayak

Diving

Lights, Action, Camera – Part II of Steve Hathaway’s feature on capturing the action
Are You Reader for Summer ? – Darren shields ponders the question
Send Us Your Cray Pics – readers get a chance to win a full set of Pro-Dive gear

General

Enjoy Your Charter – Mark Kitteridge explains how you can get the best from your trip
A Rod for All Occasions – Saltfly exponent Craig Worthington sings the praises of 10 weights
Poppers v Stickbaits – Ben Pokaia shares his thoughts on what works best, when

Reviews

Blackdog Cat 550 SS trailerboat
Extreme Game King 7.5
Fin-Nor Troppo Stick rod range
Mustad circle game hooks
Shimano Chronarch baitcaster/Status rod combo
Spot X Fishing Knowledge Books
Fish Filleting DVD
All of the above plus all the usual columns and comments in your December issue of NZ Fishing News – out now!

Source:  http://www.fishing.net.nz/nz-fishing-news-december-2012/
 

European perch

European perch
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Percidae
Genus:	Perca
Species:	P. fluviatilis
Binomial name
Perca fluviatilis Linnaeus, 1758

Perca fluviatilis, commonly known as the European perch, is a predatory species of perch found in Europe and Asia. In some areas it is known as the redfin perch or English perch, and it is often known simply as perch. The species is a popular quarry for anglers and has been widely introduced beyond its native area, into Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. They have caused substantial damage to native fish populations in Australia.
European perch are greenish with red pelvic, anal and caudal fins. They have five to nine dark vertical bars on their sides.
European perch can vary greatly in size between bodies of water. Perch can live for up to 22 years, and older perch are often much larger than average; the maximum recorded length is 60 cm (24 in). The British record is 2.8 kg (6 lb 2 oz), but they grow larger in mainland Europe than in Britain, and to as much as 9 kilograms (20 lb) in Australia.^{[1][full citation needed]} As at Nov 2010 the official all tackle world record stands at 1.5 kg (3 lb 5 oz)^{[clarification needed]} although individual records from various areas record larger fish.^[2][3]
The perch spawns (in the Northern Hemisphere) at the end of April or beginning of May, depositing the eggs upon water plants, or the branches of trees or shrubs that have become immersed in the water; it does not come into condition again until July. The eggs have been known to stick to the legs of wading birds and then transferred to other waters that the birds visit.^{[citation needed]}

Taxonomy

The first scientific description of the river perch was made by Peter Artedi in 1730. He defined the basic morphological signs of this species after studying perch from Swedish lakes. Artedi described its features, counting the fin rays scales and vertebrae of the typical perch.
In 1758 Carl Linnaeus named it Perca fluviatilis.^[4] His description was based on Artedi's research.

Fishing

Baits for perch include minnows, or brandling, red, marsh, and lob worms, shrimps and artificial lures. The tackle needed is fine but strong. Artificial lures are also effective, particularly for medium-sized perch.

Aquarium care

Keeping of perch requires a large tank and a suitable diet. The tank needs to be thickly planted with plants such as Elodea, Egeria and others. Perch can be kept in ponds with other appropriate fish; as with most fish, larger ones may consume fry if they are available. A suitable diet is earthworm, flakes, silversides and frozen foods such as blackworm. If fed properly Perch tend to phase away from small fish.^{[clarification needed]}

Relation to the yellow perch

Because of their similar appearance and ability to cross-breed, the yellow perch (Perca flavescens) has sometimes been classified as a subspecies of the European perch, in which case its trinomial name would be Perca fluviatilis flavescens.

White perch

Article Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/
More Stories: Gofishtalk

Subhanallah! Ikan Keli Gergasi (5 Gambar)

Seekor ikan keli bersaiz gergasi seberat lebih kurang 2000kg telah berjaya ditangkap di Mukah Sarawak. Jom kita tengok gambar ikan keli gergasi yang ditangkap itu.

By Huzaifah Al-Selangori

Melayukini.net – Subhanallah! Ikan Keli Gergasi (5 Gambar) | Seekor ikan keli bersaiz gergasi telah ditangkap oleh nelayan di Mukah, Sarawak. Berita tentang ikan keli gergasi ini telah menggemparkan bukan sahaja penduduk tempatan tetapi seluruh Malaysia. Ikan pelik yang mempunyai berat lebih kurang 2 tan (2000kg) itu dikatakan tersesat dan mati di tepian sungai. Seorang pemborong ikan cuba mengangkat ikan keli tersebut dengan menggunakan kren tidak berjaya. Dia hanya berjaya mengangkat ikan keli gergasi itu hanya selepas menyiat kulit ikan pelik itu. Daging ikan keli gergasi itu dikatakan dipotong-potong dan dijual dengan harga RM6 sekilo. Satu kampung boleh kenyang kalau buat kenduri ni. Mari kita tengok gambar pelik ikan keli gergasi yang terdampar di Mukah Sarawak ini. Jom!

Sumber:  http://melayukini.net
More News:  http://Gofishtalk.com

Photo Light Pluggin

Farmed sturgeon 'only hope for caviar'

Mid-size beluga sturgeon like this are rarely seen (Image by Hans-Jurgen Burkard/Bilderberg) By Alex Kirby  BBC News Online environment correspondent in Atyrau, Kazakhstan A fish that can live for 150 years and grow to six metres (19 feet) in length appears doomed to extinction. The fish is the beluga, one of the seven species of sturgeon living in the Caspian Sea. It's pointless to imagine any longer that the sturgeon can survive here naturally Abish Bekeshev Environmentalists say there is no hope that any sturgeon can survive in the wild. But they say farming them for their caviar carries great risks. An estimated 95% of the world's caviar comes from the Caspian. But the problems besetting this landlocked central Asian sea are multiplying. It used to be shared by the Soviet Union and Iran, but the end of the Cold War saw Soviet control parcelled up between Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. The sturgeon poachers' secret world Since the Soviet break-up, poachers have taken increasing numbers of sturgeon, including many immature fish. The rush to exploit the Caspian's massive oil reserves puts all the sea's wildlife under growing pressure. And the problem is being compounded by the arrival in the Caspian of an alien species, the comb jellyfish Mnemiopsis leidyi, which competes for food with the sprats (kilka) on which the sturgeon depend. The sturgeon are remarkable fish in their own right, apart from their value as producers of caviar for the luxury trade. They swim up to 1,500 km (950 miles) upstream to spawn. Belugas can weigh up to 1,200 kg in maturity. Abish Bekeshev used to head the natural breeding department at the Sturgeon Research Institute here. He said: "The biggest sturgeon I ever saw was 840 kg, about 3.4m long, and 56 years old. "I did hear of one 70-year-old beluga weighing 2,560 kg, but that may have been a legend. Either way, it's pointless to imagine any longer that the sturgeon can survive here naturally." Hatched to breedBeluga, the sturgeon most prized for its caviar, becomes sexually mature when it is about 12 years old. But most beluga caught nowadays are younger and have not spawned. Conservationists promote alternatives from paddlefish, wild Alaska salmon and whitefish (Image by Bill Reese) The two Atyrau sturgeon hatcheries release 6-7 million young fish (known as fingerlings) annually, when they are two months old and about 10 centimetres (6 inches) long. They estimate that 0.8-1% may survive. The proportion of artificially reared fish looks set to spiral if the caviar industry's plans are realised. An official at the fish cannery in Atyrau explained their ambitions. He said: "From 2003, instead of releasing the sturgeon we rear when they're fingerlings, we'll keep them to breed from. We'll make the beluga pregnant at seven years, the other sturgeon species at four. Odd fish"That way we hope to get 23-25 tonnes of caviar annually. I think it will taste different, though." He says international controls on selling wild-caught caviar will not apply to farmed fish.Abish Bekeshev says the whole concept is flawed anyway. "The female fish are given hormone injections to encourage them to become pregnant," he explained. "We should use sturgeon hormones for this - but we don't have enough sturgeon to provide them, so we use hormones from other species. "It's the same with the sperm: the fish are made pregnant using different sorts of sperm. There's now a tendency towards more hybrids than real sturgeon - they're mutants, freaks."  Source:   http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2528557.stm More Stories:   Gofishtalk

Okuma Reels

by: theangler

First let me start by telling you a little story about one of my fishing trips. My friend (Dave) and I decided to do a little fishing one Wednesday in August. I had never been fishing in his bass boat before and I was looking forward to it all day Wednesday. He had all of the equipment, and said to me "All you need to bring is a pop and a smile!", So that is exactly what I did. He had told me all about these new Okuma reels, (new to me). He said, "You get the quality of the 'higher end' model reels for about half the price." Let me tell you, he was right!

I fished with the Okuma Avenger spinning reel attached to a Shimano pole. I am not an experienced fisherman, but he has participated in quite a few tournaments, so

he is teaching me. Before I met him I used whatever reel and pole I could get my hands on, put some lead weights on the line and just used a worm on a hook as bait. Hey now, it has always worked for me in the past! Anyway, he showed me how to use lures of different types, lures such as Rapala Risto rap shad pattern, Alrons black and blue 11" worm, and kalins smoke sparkle 1/8 oz jig head. Some of these took me a couple of casts to get it down, but I figured it out with a little bit of coaching from Dave.

Okuma Avenger spinning reel

Anyway, there we were in Dave's bass boat on the reservoir fishing for Large Mouth and Walleye. Dave had already caught a monster Walleye before I had even gotten there!

Man, work gets in the way!

He tells me to check the livewell...

My mouth dropped to the bottom of the boat. That Walleye was about seventeen to eighteen inches long. Ok, Ok, so you have seen a bigger one, but I haven't.

Anyway, we started with the Rapala Risto rap shad pattern and Dave caught four Large Mouth on it and of course he released them, because they are his tournament fish. They were around two pounds each, some a bit more, some less.

How did I do?

I caught one good sized Large Mouth on the same lure. I'm still learning here!

The evening marched on and Dave explained to me that, they had had a fairly strong wind come through there the night before so many of the fish were probably in deeper water and thus, more difficult to find. We traveled along the bank of the reservoir fishing as we went, and Dave pulled out a couple more smaller Large Mouths. I must have bounced off of every log there. Dave told me if the line tightens and doesn't pull back not to set the hook. Logs don't fight very well, but they do hold quite strongly onto lures, or so I am told. I didn't actually get snagged on a log, but it came close a couple times.

Dave started complaining, and when I asked him what the problem was. He told me that some one had moved into the spot he planned to go to next. He had every right to complain, because when I looked across the way, I saw them pulling fish after fish out of the water! Oh well, that happens some times I guess. We circled around back to were we were fishing earlier, and decided to troll down the middle of the reservoir on the way back to the boat launch. Guess what... Dave caught another Walleye!! I got excited, because my line was very close to where he caught his. I don't think they liked my bait. I caught some nice weeds though. You're laughing aren't you?

We looked up and noticed that it was getting dark fairly quick, so we decided to head back. So we did about mach 10 back to the boat launch. We loaded up Dave's boat and headed out.

I guess I still need quite a bit of practice in the art of fishing, but I will get there. Anyway I wanted to explain a bit more about the reel that I used on this fishing trip. The Okuma Avenger spinning reel was a smooth reel, but there are much better reels offered by Okuma. I'm talking about reels that the pros have used for YEARS. You may not have known it, but Okuma was an OEM reel manufacturer until only a little while ago. Okuma reels have been run through vigorous testing and abuse. I have read reviews about some of these reels having a bit of a squeak after having been drop in water and dust. All you have to do to fix that is add a dropped or two of lubricant and you're back in action. These reels are meant to last! Try one today.

Article Source: http://www.bigfishtackle.com/fishing_articles/Fishing_Tackle_Reviews/Fishing_Reels

/Okuma_Reels_725.html
More Stories:  http://Gofishtalk.com

Jom Ngail Part 2

Jom Ngail Part 1

Scorpion 610 Maxifish

Originally a retailer of existing brands, Sportcraft began to design its own aluminium boats with features and prices to suit its market. The boats were then built under contract in Morrinsville and Rotorua. Sportcraft established the successful Scorpion marque and purchased rights to the brand name ‘Bluefin’, designing yet another new range of hulls.

Starting with a yard in Morrinsville, Sportcraft opened a second outlet in Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui, in 2001. This was outgrown in a couple of years, and the company soon moved to new premises in the same road. Sportcraft do their own fit-outs and finishing, and have produced over 300 of their popular 610 hulls in various forms. The six-metre 610 Maxifish is a new configuration of this hull, designed to be roomy, stable, easy to fish from and affordable. In late April I travelled to Tauranga to check out this new Scorpion offering.

Construction

The Scorpion 610 hull features 5mm bottom plates and 3mm sides. The cuddy cabin (and seat pedestals) are moulded fibreglass for smoother lines and permanent colour, and this also cuts fabrication times considerably. The cuddy is then bolted, glued and sealed to the alloy hull.
Chine and keel construction uses strips of aluminium extrusion into which side and bottom plates are slotted, before being fully seam-welded inside and out. Lengthwise, there are six bearers plus a keel bar, while laterally there are three full bulkheads plus 11 supports under the fully-sealed deck.
Reserve buoyancy is 140kg, and the chamber is pressure-tested before it leaves the factory.

Power and performance

The recommended power range for this hull is 90-115hp, and the test boat was fitted with a standard Mercury 90hp two-stroke swinging an 18-inch stainless Vengeance prop. Top-end performance was 65.9kph (35.6 knots) at 5600rpm with two adults on board. Maximum revs for this engine are listed at 5500rpm, so the engine was over-revving slightly. (Sportcraft has since changed the prop to a 20-inch pitch model, dropping the maximum revs by 100, and the top speed slightly to 62kph.)
This is a very good performance from a 90hp outboard on a 6m hull, and certainly all the average fisherman needs. At more reasonable and economic cruising revs of 4200rpm, we were running at 44kph (23.8 knots).
With a 17-degree deadrise at the transom and plenty of beam (2300mm), the large wetted area allows the hull to plane at low speed – seven knots – which certainly proved handy on test day. Although there was little wind, a heavy run-out tide at the Tauranga entrance was opposing a big incoming swell, creating an ugly, steep, three-metre sea under the Mount. The Maxifish handled this easily, with the low planing speed allowing us to pick our way through the sea comfortably, but with plenty of grunt when needed.
The ride was pretty good, considering the conditions, the boat landing softly and taking little spray – although to be fair, there was not much wind. Although the deadrise is modest, the downturned chines help in this regard.
Fuel is carried in two 25-litre tote tanks that fit under the transom; there is space for two 45-litre tanks if more capacity is required. Steering was a basic cable unit, but quite adequate for the task.

Anchoring

The easy access to the bow is through the hatch in the cabin top. With a short, fairly high cuddy, it is easy to duck under. A decent-sized hatchway, a chequerplate platform for the bowman to stand on, and a flat bulkhead face to brace against, make pulling the pick relatively easy. A reasonable-sized (unhatched) anchor well is set into the bow, and it is an easy reach to the fairlead set out on the fibreglass bowsprit (part of the cuddy assembly).
Full aluminium bowrails could make it a little more difficult to pass a bigger anchor (such as a grapnel) under – I am a fan of split rails myself – but a tie-off cleat is fitted and an anchor winch can be added if required.

Layout

The concept of this hull is a 6m day-fishing boat at the best possible price. Consequently, construction and layout are kept simple. Sealed chequerplate decks run right through the hull, draining to a sump under the transom, from where any water is drained by an 1100gph bilge pump.
No space is wasted on a cabin and berths; instead, there is a short stowage section in the bows, with a pipe rail that stops items stowed there from sliding back while under way (doubling as a foot rest). There are two side-shelves in this section.
The cuddy is topped by a polycarbonate ‘screen with a soft-top canvas canopy above. The ‘glass topsides give the boat’s looks a lift and are designed to flush-mount a sounder (a basic but functional Garmin 140 was fitted), a VHF (GME GX600), switching, and a set of ‘retro’ white Merc gauges. There is space enough for a GPS, although there was none on the test boat.
Seating was two upholstered plastic bucket seats on ‘glass pedestals with internal stowage space. Two large sidepockets run the cockpit’s length and are wide enough to accept dive tanks. The battery (with isolation switch) was mounted up on the transom shelf inside a strapped-down battery box, behind a domed-down cover.
The only non-standard items in the test boat were a pair of insulated plastic fish bins with upholstered tops, which double as bench seats and can be placed wherever you need them in the cockpit. Wide coamings provide additional seating.
Grab-rails run over the stern corners double as tie-off points. Over the transom wall is a chequerplate boarding platform with your choice of an ‘H’ or ‘T’ boarding ladder.
The bulk of the hull’s length is invested in cockpit, which with a 2.3m beam equates to an extensive, open, work space and is largely a blank canvas.

Fishability

A decent fishing platform at a reasonable price is what this boat is all about. Beamy and with a modest deadrise, this is a reasonably stable hull, and the chequerplate deck gives good footing and a heap of work space. Flat gunwale faces give good mid-thigh support and modest toe room.
The two optional fish bin/seats offer plenty of space to stow the catch, and a removable bait-station is mounted mid-transom. The side pockets will take rods, gaffs, poles etc, and are wide enough to accept dive tanks. Further rod stowage is in two foam rod racks under each side pocket. Six nylon through-gunwale rod holders are fitted along each side and there is provision for boarding divers.
A good, if basic, fit-out for coastal diving, bottom fishing and light trolling, and plenty of potential for an owner to set up a fishing layout to suit any further requirements.

Trailering

The standard trailer is from Sportline Trailers of New Zealand. It is a cradle A-frame design, single axle, un-braked, with four wobble rollers per side. Suspension is zinc-protected leaf springs, and other fittings comprise a wind-down jockey wheel, LED submersible tail lights, and a dual-ratio manual winch. The rig came on and off easily at the ramp; tow weight for the rig is a reasonable 960kg.

All in all

This is a lot of boat for the price. It has 5mm bottoms, travels well, seems solidly built, and has plenty of space. The layout is simple and basic, but this is reflected in the price – there are not many 6m rigs, ready to go, for under 35 grand. A good, basic, no-frills fishing boat you can afford.

Specifications

Configuration: cuddy cabin
Material: aluminium hull/glass cuddy
LOA: 6.01m
Beam: 2.30m
Bottom: 5mm
Sides : 3mm
Deadrise : 17°
Tow weight : 960kg
Recommended HP : 90-115hp
Test engine : Mercury 90 two-stroke
Prop : 18° Vengeance
Price as tested : $35,260
Key-turn rig : $34,500 (90 Merc)
Test boat : Sportcraft Boats

	This article is reproduced with express permission of NZ Fishing News written by Sam Mossman - 2011 Re-publishing elsewhere is prohibited Originally published in New Zealand Fishing News

Source:  http://www.fishing.net.nz/index.cfm/pageid/51/view/yes/editorialID/1161

Photo

Fishing Basics: How to Hold a Spinning Rod

by Todd Kuhn

After spending years working in a field specializing in the study of how human beings interact with machines, I’ve made a couple observations on the way most fishermen interact with their spinning combos. In particular, how the average angler holds a spinning rod.

For most, the traditional reel-post-through-the-middle-finger-and-ring-finger grip is standard fare. While this may seem quite natural, it is the worst possible way to hold a spinning combo from a biomechanical standpoint because it precludes you from being able to grip the rod in a fist-like manner, which is the strongest and most natural grip. In addition, putting a bulky reel post between your fingers causes undue fatigue and pain. The pain is caused when casting as the reel’s hangs under the rod, working directly on your hand.

Try gripping your spinning rod with your fingers forward the next time out — with your entire rod hand in front of the reel post. This accomplishes two things: First, this provides a strong, steady grip when setting the hook and muscling fish from cover. Secondly, it allows you to fish for hours pain-free. You’ll be amazed at how much more comfortable you will feel when you remove that reel post from between your fingers.
I'm confident you'll see how much better this is over your tired old grip.

Source:  http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gone-fishin%E2%80%99/2012/08/fishing-basics-how-hold-spinning-rods

Shark Ray (Bowmouth guitarfish)

Bowmouth guitarfish
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Subclass:	Elasmobranchii
Order:	Rajiformes
Family:	Rhinidae J. P. Müller and Henle, 1841
Genus:	Rhina Bloch & J. G. Schneider 1801
Species:	R. ancylostoma
Binomial name
Rhina ancylostoma Bloch & J. G. Schneider, 1801
Synonyms
Rhina cyclostomus Swainson, 1839

The bowmouth guitarfish, mud skate, or shark ray (Rhina ancylostoma, sometimes misgendered ancylostomus)^[2] is a species of ray related to guitarfishes and skates, and the sole member of the family Rhinidae. It is found widely in the tropical coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific region, at depths of up to 90 m (300 ft). Highly distinctive in appearance, the bowmouth guitarfish has a wide, thick body with a blunt snout and large, shark-like dorsal and tail fins. The line of its mouth is strongly undulating, and there are multiple thorny ridges over its head and back. It has dorsal color pattern of many white spots over a bluish gray to brown background, with a pair of prominent markings over the pectoral fins. This large species can grow to 2.7 m (8.9 ft) long and 135 kg (300 lb).

Strong-swimming and demersal in nature, the bowmouth guitarfish prefers sandy or muddy flats and areas adjacent to reefs, where it hunts for crustaceans, molluscs, and bony fishes. Reproduction is aplacental viviparous, with recorded litter sizes ranging from 4 to 9. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed this species as Vulnerable; its sizable pectoral fins are greatly valued as food and it is widely caught by artisanal and commercial fisheries. Its thorns and propensity for damaging netted catches, however, cause it to be viewed as a nuisance by trawlers. Habitat destruction and degradation likely pose an additional, significant challenge to this species' survival. The bowmouth guitarfish adapts relatively well to captivity and is displayed in some public aquariums.

Taxonomy and phylogeny

German naturalists Marcus Elieser Bloch and Johann Gottlob Schneider originally described the bowmouth guitarfish in their 1801 Systema Ichthyologiae, based on a 51 cm (20 in) long specimen collected from off the Coromandel Coast of India, which has since been lost.^[2][3] In his 1990 phylogenetic study, Kiyonori Nishida concluded that Rhina and Rhynchobatus are the sister clade to all other batoids except for the sawfishes.^[4] John McEachran and Neil Aschliman (2004) found that, based on morphological characters, Rhina is the most basal member of the Rajiformes.^[5] Systematists have variously classified the bowmouth guitarfish with the family Rhinobatidae (which was polyphyletic prior to recent revisions), Rhynchobatidae, or in its own family; the last was the arrangement recognized by Joseph Nelson in Fishes of the World (4th edition, 2006), as it has phylogenetic support.^[5][6]

Distribution and habitat

Widely distributed in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans, the bowmouth guitarfish is found from KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa northward to the Red Sea, including the Seychelles. From there, its range extends eastward through the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, including the Maldives, to as far north as southern Japan and Korea, and as far east as Papua New Guinea and northern Australia, where it occurs from Shark Bay in Western Australia to Sydney in New South Wales.^[1][7]

The bowmouth guitarfish inhabits coastal waters over a depth range of 3–90 m (10–300 ft). It is typically encountered on or near the bottom, though on occasion it may be seen swimming well above it. This species favors sandy or muddy habitats, and can also be found in the vicinity of rocky and coral reefs and shipwrecks.^[8][9]

Description

With a broad, rounded head, thick body, and large fins, the bowmouth guitarfish has a distinctive profile.

The bowmouth guitarfish is large and heavily built, measuring up to 2.7 m (8.9 ft) in length and weighing 135 kg (300 lb).^[10] The head is short, wide, and depressed, with a broadly rounded snout; the anterior portion of the head, including the eyes and large spiracles, is clearly distinct from the body. The nostrils are elongated and oriented nearly crosswise, with well-developed flaps of skin that separate each opening into inflow and outflow apertures. The lower jaw has three protruding lobes that fit into three depressions in the upper jaw.^[7][8] There are around 47 upper tooth rows and 50 lower tooth rows; the teeth are ridged and arranged in winding bands.^[10][11] The five pairs of gill slits are positioned underneath, close to the lateral margins of the head.^[8]

The body is deepest in front of the two dorsal fins, which are tall and falcate (sickle-shaped). The first dorsal fin is about a third larger than the second and originates over the pelvic fin origins, whereas the second dorsal is located midway between the first dorsal and the caudal fin. The pectoral fins are broad and triangular, with a deep indentation between their origins and the sides of the head. The pelvic fins are much smaller than the pectoral fins, and the anal fin is absent. The tail is much longer than the body, with a large, crescent-shaped caudal fin; the lower caudal fin lobe is more than half the length of the upper.^[7][8][12]

There is a thick ridge running along the midline of the back, bearing a band of massive, sharp thorns. More thorn-bearing ridges are found in front of the eyes, from over the eyes to behind the spiracles, and on the "shoulders". The entire dorsal surface has a granular texture from a dense covering of dermal denticles. The coloration is bluish gray above, lightening towards the margins of the head and pectoral fins, and light gray to white below. There are prominent white spots scattered over the body and fins, a white-edged black marking above each pectoral fin, and two dark transverse bands atop the head between the eyes. Younger individuals are more vividly colored than adults, which tend to be more brownish with a fainter pattern and proportionately smaller spots.^[8]

Biology and ecology

The bowmouth guitarfish is an active species with a shark-like swimming style. It is most active at night, and is not known to be territorial.^[13] This species has crushing dentition and feeds mainly on bottom-dwelling crustaceans, such as crabs and shrimp, though molluscs and bony fishes are also consumed.^[1][9][10] The bowmouth guitarfish is known to fall prey to the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier).^[14] The thorns on its head and back are employed in defense (including butting).^[10] Parasites that have been documented from this species include the tapeworm Tylocephalum carnpanulatum,^[15] the trematode Melogonimus rhodanometra,^[16] the monogeneans Branchotenthes robinoverstreeti and Monocotyle ancylostomae,^[17][18] and the copepod Nesippus vespa.^[19] There is a record of an individual being serviced by bluestreak cleaner wrasses (Labroides dimidiatus). This species is aplacental viviparous, with the developing embryos being sustained by yolk. Michael (1993) reported the litter size as 4 and the birth size as 45 cm (18 in), while Last and Stevens (2009) noted a female specimen pregnant with 9 mid-term embryos, measuring 27–31 cm (11–12 in) long. Males attain sexual maturity at 1.5–1.8 m (4.9–5.9 ft) long.^[8][9]

Human interactions

"Sweet Pea", a female bowmouth guitarfish at the Newport Aquarium, Kentucky, United States.

Throughout its range, the bowmouth guitarfish is captured intentionally and incidentally by artisanal and commercial fisheries, using trawls, gillnets, and line gear. The pectoral fins are exceedingly valuable and usually the only part brought to market, though the meat is sometimes also sold fresh or dried and salted in Asia for human consumption.^[1][10][12] Larger bowmouth guitarfish are considered a nuisance by trawl fishers, as their rough skin and thorns make them difficult to handle and may damage the rest of the catch.^[8] In Thailand, the enlarged thorns of this species are used to make bracelets.^[20]

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the bowmouth guitarfish as Vulnerable; it is threatened by fishing and habitat destruction and degradation, particularly from blast fishing, coral bleaching, and siltation. Its numbers are known to have declined in Indonesian waters, where it is targeted by guitarfish gillnet fisheries. The bowmouth guitarfish has been assessed as Near Threatened off Australia, where it is not a targeted species but is taken as bycatch. The installation of turtle excluder devices (TEDs) on some Australian trawlers has benefited this species.^[1] The bowmouth guitarfish is a popular subject of public aquariums and fares relatively well, with one individual having lived for 7 years in captivity.^[8][9] Rare and facing many conservation threats, it has been called "the panda of the aquatic world".^[21] In 2007, the Newport Aquarium initiated the world's first captive breeding program for this species.^[21]

Bleached corals

Healthy corals