THAILAND "HOME OF THE MONSTERS"

Most all have heard in the news about the terrible flooding taking place in Thailand. The flooding took place mostly in the northern Thailand. The government did a great job to stop the Savarnabhumi Airport from flooding and to have the tourist areas around Bangkok to remain dry.

Now would be a great time to take advantage of the numerous cancellations by fishermen due to the reported flooding which allowed the majority of the fisheries to remain unfished for some time.

Thailand is a very long flight from the United States. The majority of flights go through Seoul, Korea or Tokyo, Japan to Bangkok Thailand where you will be met by your fishing guides.

The majority of fishing in Thailand is in private ponds where many monsterous fish live. Numerous species such as Arapaima, arawana, alligator gar, amazon red tail catfish, black pacu, giant snakehead, giant stingray, Julian's golden prize carp, Mekong catfish, Siamese carp, sorubim, barramundi, plus numerous others reach monsterous sizes and are waiting to be caught.

The majority of fishermen, veteran or first timers, will likely catch the largest fish of their lives in Thailand. The majority of fishing is done from the bank unless you venture into the wild jungles.

Thailand is a very friendly, crime free country. The food and hotels are outstanding. Bangkok also is world know for it's nightlife which I can attest to!

So, if your looking to catch the fish of your dreams, look no further than Thaland for your next International fishing destination.

The top outfitter I have found is Francois Helias who can be reached at fishasia@ksc.th.com Make sure to check out his informative website at http://www.anglingthailand.com/

I am making a return trip shortyly so watch for updates on this blog and facebook!

TACKLE FOR MONSTER TIGERFISH

Giant tigerfish, especially those of the Mnyera and Ruhuji Rivers, are one of the toughest freshwater fighters I have experienced. These tigerfish jump often to toss hooks, have a very bony mouth preventing good hook sets, and are as fast as lighting.

On the Mnyera and Ruhuji Rivers, which are located in Tanzania, the tigerfish can exceed a whopping 25lbs.

Casting to structure is a key to land these monsters. Log jams and rocks are excellent spots to make multiple casts.

Since these rivers enforce the use of single barbless hooks finding the right hook is a key. The hooks must be strong as steel and razor sharp. I had excellent results using the Owner AKI hook. Numerous hook sets are necessary to drive the point into the tigers mouth.

Double split rings are necessary to have the single hook ride true. Those made by OWNER or SPRO are excellent as the eye of the AKI hook is too small for the triple coiled spilt rings by Wolvernine tackle.

Minnow baits such as saltwater Rapala X-Raps in gold were excellent along with OWNER Cultiva Minnows and Savoy Rads. Large spinnerbaits such as the extra strong models made by SOB caught numerous tigers.

If you are planning on heading to Africa for the amazing tigerfish, be prepared to battle one of the most ferocious beasts that swims!

La Zona Reports for October

Friend Steve Cihat led a group of 4 to the Uruguay River in seach of monster golden dorado. Steve fished during October 14-17. The fishing was absolutely fantasic as Steve landed his personal best, a monster 50lbs dorado which was caught on a Rapala Shad Rap. He also caught a 46lbs while another in his group landed a 48lbs. The water levels were slightly high so the topwater action was off.
During October 21-24, friends Dr. Gary Clark and David Fields took their turn for giant golden dorado. This was Dr. Clark's 2nd trip while a first time adventure for David. The water levels were again high with much rain the last 2 days. However fishing was excellent with Dr. Clark landing his personal best at 40lbs on his homemade doradokiller spinner bait! David topped off at 37lbs.
Both groups are planning at least 1 trip next season.
As you might know, La Zona is indeed the "Home of the Monster Dorado". This should definately be on every fisherman's "wish list". I can vouch for this fisery as I have visited it 5 times and will make a return trip in April, 2012.
For booking information on this "dream trip", contact
Steve Yatomi
zato1@earthlink.net
www.adventuretravelalliance.com
18002543474
Book soon as this trip is in much demand and fills rapidly!

The following is from my peacock bass friend on hook strength testing. For golden dorado I have had great success with the Owner ST-66 which was not tested.

I tested 13 hooks in total.

Owner ST-76TN 5X 3/0 (0.305 Oz.)

Owner ST-66TN 4X 3/0 (0.245 Oz.)
Owner ST-66TN 4X 2/0 (0.170 Oz.)
Owner ST-66TN 4X 1/0 (0.115 Oz.)
Owner ST-66TN 4X 2 (0.080 Oz.)

VMC 8527PS 6X 4/0 (0.185 Oz.)
VMC 8527PS 6X 3/0 (0.140 Oz.)
VMC 8527PS 6X 2/0 (0.125 Oz.)
VMC 8527PS 6X 1/0 (0.095 Oz.)

Daiichi Bleeding Bait 7X 4/0 (0.185 Oz.)
Daiichi Bleeding Bait 7X 3/0 (0.140 Oz.)
Daiichi Bleeding Bait 7X 2/0 (0.125 Oz.)
Daiichi Bleeding Bait 7X 1/0 (0.095 Oz.)

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Testing Method:

I kept things simple ... I tested all hooks at my max testing weight of 110 pounds of pull (except for the 1/0 sizes which were done at 90lbs) on a non-reinforced hook on the treble. What I mean by non-reinforced is each treble may have one or two of its hooks that is welded on and not part of the steel that is used to make the eye. I assume this to be the weakest hook and tested that.

Of note, the Owner Hooks are not of comparable sizes to most manufactures, they must use a different standard than the VMCs or the Diiachis. I assume them to be conservative and rated them at least one to two sizes larger than stated. You can also see this by their weights listed above.

===============
Results:

See for yourself in the photo linked below:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/20111017026.jpg/

The two 3/0 Owner hooks are beasts, but I really think they should not be considered for even the woodchopper front hook, due to their weights. The ST-76TN in 3/0 size did not even deform at all at 110lbs, while the ST-66TN had a slight visual deformation, but it was not permanent. BTW, they don't make the ST-76TN in sizes smaller than their 3/0 size.

I do like the Owner ST-66TN 2/0 treble. It had only a moderate deformation at full pressure, and only a slight permanent bend. It is a tiny bit shorter than both the VMC and Daiichi 4/0 trebles, but hook size seems a bit bigger than the VMC and Daiichi 3/0s (So i might call it a 3.5/0). It is light and strong ... good hook in the comparable 4/0 or 3/0 range and can be considered for the front hook on a full size woodchopper. Only con is it is the most expensive treble of its size you will likely find.

That's all the love I'll give for Owners. The 1/0 and 1 sizes failed miserably w/ heavy to extreme permanent bends.

Both the VMCs and the Diiachis are EXACTLY the same weights ... EXACTLY the same dimensions ... and have the EXACT same cone cuts on their tips ... If I was just judging by how they look under very close examination, I would say they are 100% the same hook ... just one was painted red. I tried to find some evidence that they could in reality be the same hook, where one brand was licensing it to the other, or they are related companies, but I didn't see anything obvious on that. Maybe they just use the same type of equipment .. who knows.

However, there was some slight differences in results. The 4/0 sizes came in about the same, but they rest of the smaller sizes were in VMCs favor ... but only by a bit (you can see that in the photo linked above).

Final Recommendation:
If price is not an issue and you need a large and light front lure hook, go with the Owner ST-76TN in size 2/0, otherwise go with the VMCs in any size. You could chose the Diiachi 4/0 for a front hook if you think the red color can help in attracting strikes, but otherwise VMCs are better and cheaper.

I did sneak in a test of the VMC in size 1, and it did surprisingly well with a 90lb force.

Split Rings

A peacock bass friend of mine recently preformed numerous tests to find the strongest split rings and hooks. With his permission I will give a recap of his findings on the strongest split rings.
The rings tested were
1. Owner Hyperwire Size 6
2. Joe Butcher Outdoors Super Strength Size 5
3. SPRO Power Size 5
4. Lure Parts On-Line 3x Super rings size 5

The results are as follows:
Owner Hyperwire Size 6 held up to 60lbs
Joe Butcher Outdoors Super Strength Size 5 held up to 70lbs
SPRO Power Size 5 held up to 80lbs
Lure Part On-Line 3x Super Size 5 held up to 100lbs

I sent my friend a few of my Size 6 Wolverine triple coiled rings to compare to the Lure Parts On-Line 3x rings size 6.
http://imageshack.us/f/32/splitringtest.jpg/
The Wolverine rings held up to his testing max of 120lbs while the Lure Parts On-line started to come apart around 110lbs.

I have used the Wolverine triple coiled rings for years catching monster golden dorado. I highly recommend anyone targeting "tough" fishing fish to switch over to the best rings in the world, Wolverine triple coiled rings!

VENICE REDFISH REPORT FOR OCTOBER 14TH

Friend and longtime redfish fisherman, Gary Clark led a group of three to tremendous non-stop bull redfish while fishing out of Venice, LA. Gary fished with Capt. Keith Kennedy who runs Born To Fish Charters.

Clark's group landed 41 big bull reds up to 30 pounds with all the reds being over 20 pounds. Many doubles and triples were reported by Gary.

To get into this amazing fishery where big bull reds are caught everyday, contact

Capt. Keith Kennedy at (504) 908-3108

FISHING OF DAYS PAST

Recently, I was able to get a box of "The Fisherman" magazine from 1955 and 1956. The magazine was published monthly by Fisherman Press out of Oxford, Ohio. The issues I have sold for 35cents!

The magazines are full of very interesting stories such as "How to select a spinning reel", " Spinning will make you an expert", and many more stories on breakthrough fishing tackle.

The magazine also features many interesting ads such as Kiekhaefer Mercury Motors, U.S. Line Co., Freeland Metal Boats, AlumaCraft Boats, Mepps, Jitterbugs, Pflueger, Penn, Shakespeare Spin-Wondereel plus hundreds of others which are out of business. Back in 1955 the Shakespeare Spin-Wondereel sold for $17.95 while a Pflueger Supreme went for $35.

If you had money, a Johnson Sea-Horse 10hp went for $321 while a Javelin 30hp (electric start) went for a whopping $582

These were the days before modern depthfinders, GPS units, electric trolling motors, lake maps, braided lines,laser sharp hooks, boga grips, big bass boats were around. It is amazing these "early" day fishermen were able to catch anything. Today, I figure most would be lost without their depthfinder, graphite rods, casting reels, braided line, or GPS unit.

I found it fascinating reading the breakthrough articles which paved the way to our modern fishing.

I have a gigantic collection of "IN-Fishermen" and "Fishing Facts" magazine which are still great informative reading even today.

I suggest putting away some of your current fishing magazine and am sure you grandson's and their sons/daughters will be amazed at our out of date techniques and wonder how we caught any fish!!