2012--GREAT MEMORIES OF GREAT FISHING

2012 was a fantastic year, far exceeding my wildest dreams with monster fish and exciting adventures to new destinations.  The season started in April with a return visit to La Zona for monster golden dorado.  This was my 6th year to this magical fishery.  Here, I have made many friends which will last a lifetime.  Our group shattered the lodge records with 4 dorado over 50lbs and numerous more over 40lbs.  This definately is a place to put on your to fish list!

Towards the end of July, I ventured into the remote Gulf Region of Papua New Guinea to battle the Papuan Balck Bass and barramundi.  Modern civilization have not come to PNG.  Headhunting still takes place in the remote villages up in the mountains.  I found the people of PNG to be very friendly and helpful.  The fishing was fantastic, far exceeding my expectations.  I was fortunate to land a 40lbs PNG bass which is the only fish I have battled with which brought me down to me knees during the strike.  Jason Yip broke the all world IGFA tackle PNG bass during my stay.  This is definately a place to visit before modern civilization sets in as most rivers have never seen a lure.

In September, I fished out of Gary LaRose's Pumice Creek Lodge which is on the Alaska Peninsula.  Here is the best silver salmon on earth.  This was my 24th straight year fishing for silvers on the Peninsula.

Later in September, my Dad and I went to Yellow Lake in Webster, WI for our annual walleye trip.  Fishing was good, but no monster walleyes were landed.

Hopefully 2013 is another exciting year with trips already planned.

Wish everyone a successful/ healthy 2013!

Good fishing, Bob Daly

FISHING INDIA

Francois Helias of www.anglingthailand.com recently had a successful few days of fishing in the Karnataka State of India fishing on the Cauvery River.  Francois was fortunate to gain the IGFA all world record for catches of a 5.96kg Deccan Mahseer and a 2.70kg Karnataka Labeo.  Francois says India offers many species possibilities.  As I have written in the past, Francois is the top guide in Thailand for a variety of monster fish!  Francois has single handedly put Thailand on the fishing map!  Make sure to check out Francois's site above or you can email him at fishasia@ksc.th.com for more information on Thailand fishing along with trips in Laos, India, Malaysia, and others.

LAST MINUTE XMAS GIFT FOR THE FISHERPERSON IN YOUR LIFE

Looking for some great, last minute Xmas gifts for the fisherperson in your life?  Well how about getting a few of the top bass and peacock bass lures made by Kermett Adams.  Kermett makes each lure out of eastern red cedar and hand paints each lure individually by hand.  His peacock ripper grandes and peacock ripper chicos are the best on the market bar none!  I have worked with Kermett to design some top of the line golden dorado lures such as the daly diver which have been productive in catching monster dorado at La Zona.  Check out Kermett's site at www.klures.com and give him a shout to get some great Xmas gifts!

ALL-TACKLE RECORD PNG BLACK BASS

The IGFA recently recognized Jason Yip's monster PNG black bass (Papuan Black Snapper) as the all tackle world record.  Jason's monster bass weighed in at 46lbs and was caught during early August while I was in camp.  This bass shatters the existing record landed by Len Bradica of 42 lb 5 oz landed in 1992! Jason has done much to promote the fisheries in the remote jungles of PNG.  Here, Jason says much larger PNG bass swim waiting to get landed.  With roughly 99% of the PNG wild rivers never seeing a lure who knows how large these brutes can grow!  Having had the opportunity to fish the top fisheries throughout the world for freshwater species, the PNG black bass has no seconds when it comes to battling with an angler.  Broken lines,shattered rods, stripped reels, pulled apart split rings, and destroyed lures are the norm when it comes to PNG fishing.  The rivers in the Gulf area have in recent years produced some monster bass and Jason knows exactly where, when, and how to land these monsters.  There is much more to do in PNG than fishing as Jason arranges for visits with local native villages during the trip which is an experience I will never forget.  Check out Jason's site at www.pngsportfishing.net or get in touch with

Steve Yatomi at www.adventuretravelalliance.com to have the opportunity to break Jason's record and put your name in the record books!

XMAS GIFT FOR THE FISHERPERSON IN YOUR LIFE

Looking the give the fisherperson in your life the fishing trip of a lifetime?  Look no further than STeve Yatomi at www.adventuretravelalliance.com.  Steve has numerous years of experience in dealing with fishing destinations worldwide.  He personally has visited these fabulous fisheries and can offer valuable suggestions.  He has a tremendous staff full of knowledge--including me on how to land the toughest freshwater fish on earth from tigerfish to golden dorado to Papua New Guinea black bass.

Check out Steve's site at and look at the numerous trips he can offer.  You can email him for more information at zato1@earthlink.net

VENCIE, LA REDFISH REPORT

Friend and avid bull redfish angler, Gary Clark, recently spent 3 fantastic days fishing for monster bull redfish out of Venice, LA with Capt. Keith Kennedy of Born To Fish Charters.  Fishing was extremely good as Capt Keith has located a new location full of monster bull reds.  In 3 days of fishing, Gary's group landed 85 reds up to 31 pounds.  The top lure was without a doubt the bomber mud minnow in black and chartreuse.  Fishing should remain good all winter so give Capt Keith a call.  I have fished with Capt Keith and highly recommend you book a trip as he goes all out to give you a great fishing adventure.  Everything is included in Keith's package even including your fishing license.
Keith has some top dates still open.  Give Capt Keith a call at (504) 908-3108