TOP REELS FOR LAU LAU

One of the decisions I had before heading to Suriname was finding adequate reels to handle monster Lau Lau.  For the adventure, I settled on using both Daiwa's Opus 5500 spinning reel and a Fin-Nor Marquesa 30T conventional reel.
The Daiwa Opus is an amazing reel for a very low price.  It features a bite and run ability in which turning the handle takes it out of the baitrunner mode and into main gear.  The 5500 model holds lots of heavy braid and has a powerful drag.  I found this reel to be very great value capable of handling a Lau Lau.  I ordered about 5 of these reels and plan on using them on my next visit to Thailand for huge Mekong Cats at Bung Sam Ran!
The Fin-Nor Marquesa 30T is amazing.  It has an adjustable lever drag which lets you crank up the pressure for maximum stopping power when the Lau Lau takes off.  It has a 6:1:1 gear ratio and picks up 51 inches of line with a single handle turn.  The "T" model comes with a top bar and adjustable clicker which is perfect for live bait fishing.  It has a max drag of 40lbs of which all was needed to stop the Lau Lau runs.
S0 if these reels can handle monster Lau Lau, I would try them on any species which swim!

SURINAME FOR MONSTER LAU LAU

Had the opportunity to fish in Suriname with 4 good friends under the guidance of Paul De Boer.  Paul picked us up in Paramaribo, Suriname for a drive to his favorite monster Lau Lau river.  Lau Lau or better known as the piraiba which has been reported to grow over 10ft long and weigh in access of 350 pounds.  Paul has guided numerous anglers to monster Lau Lau and knows the best rivers and times to increase your odds.

Our "home" for the week was a small houseboat complete with 2 bunk beds, a freezer, and small stove.  I found this to be very comfortable and sure beats sleeping on a hammock in the jungle. The meals were delicious consisting of a variety of rice dishes created by Chef Paul.
There is not much wildlife observed during our stay.  A few parrots and macaws are seen and heard each day.  We fall asleep and are awaken each day by the noise of howler monkeys.
The temperatures in the rain forest are extremely hot and humid so a mid day rain shower feels very refreshing.  Paul provided numerous bottles of water and soda for us to prevent dehydration.
Live bait is the best for tempting Lau Lau and nets are placed out each evening.
On the second day of the trip I land a bonus 6ft tarpon, but this is not what I came all the way to Suriname for.  Before the weeks end, all of us land monster Lau Lau so our dreams of monster fish once again come true with the largest Lau Lau going 7ft 2 inch, 6ft 7in and 6ft 6in.
Lau Lau are extremely powerful as evident by screaming drag runs.  I had to put my reel  in "full drag" which is about 45lbs pull and it still screamed!  The guides quickly maneuver the boats toward the midd

le of the river once a big Lau Lau is hooked to keep it from running into the shoreline snags.  Photos are quickly taken, all Lau Lau are revived then released to catch another day.
Paul De Boer is definately the go to guy for monster Lau Lau.  You can check him out on Facebook

International Tackle

Each time I head out on International Fishing Trips, one of my goals is to try and visit a local tackle store. Often, these stores have some great lures which we do not have access to here in the USA.  For example, I recently visited Fish Finder in Suriname.  The store was loaded with fantastic fish mounts such as giant wolf fish and golden dorado.  Also there were numerous aquariums stocked with monster peacock bass and others.  On the shelves were the Marine Sports TNT chopper which is my favorite to fool giant golden dorado over rocks.  Peacock bass anglers would definately find this lure interesting.  Also I found the Rapala Giant Shad Rap in Peacock Bass colorationZuri hydro magnums were available as I cannot find them anymore in the United States.  I have landed my 3 largest golden dorado on these lures so far.  So, when you have a layover overseas, try and visit a local tackle store and you might be surprised on the quality of tackle available.

. I use the Giant Shad Rap for numerous species, but have never seen it in this coloration.  In addition, the Yo-

ARMED AND READY TO GET FISHING

Lots and lots of preparation takes place when travelling to exotic destinations.  For my upcoming trip to Suriname I probably have repacked at least 10 times.  The first item was to find an adequate means of transporting about 8 rods.  Many airlines have limitations on weights and total size of checked baggage.  Suriname Air allows 1 piece weighing 50 lbs max with a total length x width x height at a max of 62 inches.  Normal rod tubes could not meet these restrictions so I was able to use a Plano rifle case.  I was able to stow all rods and most of the groups sinkers in the case.  2 piece rods are now necessary on these trips along with travel rods which are normally 3 to 5 pieces and can get packed in your carry on bag.  Trips to the jungle do not require much packing in means of clothes.  Remember you will normally be without modern appliances such as washing machines, etc so clothes and yourself are washed in the river.  For this particular trip only a few lures were necessary to catch bait for the cats.  Normally I carry on all lures after I remove the hooks.  Sometimes reels with line are not allowed so always check before your taking line off in front of the customs representative.  Sunscreen is a must along with a good pair of sunglasses.  Always make sure to charge a few camera batteries as electricity is not a given in some of the remotest camps.  Last of all, make sure your passport is current and make sure you know whether a entry Visa is required months in advance.  I have seen numerous times throughout the years, guys not being allowed entry due to not having a Visa or their passport had less than a year left on it (normally most countries require at least a year left on passports.  Cannot wait to get into the jungle and hopefully catch the largest catfish of my life!  Cheers!
Bob Daly

SHIMANO ALDEBARAN 2015

New for 2015, Shimano has come out with the ALDEBARAN casting reel. This reel weighs a mere 4.7 ounces which makes it the lightest in its class. The small palming body makes it perfect for bass guys to pitch and flip. It comes with a gear ratio of 6:5:1 and has 9 + 1 bearings. The max drag comes in at 10lbs. It has a light weight magnesium frame which makes it perfect for both saltwater and freshwater anglers. The retrieve is 25.5-29.1 in. It hold 100 yards of 10lbs mono. Tom Ashby of www.americanlegacyfishing.com has a few of these reels in stock. Give him a call toll free at 1-877-402-6350 for more info.

STURGEON SPEARING ON LAKE WINNEBAGO

The 2015 sturgeon spearing season ended this past Saturday, Feb 21. On the Lake Winnebago system, a total of 2,158 sturgeon were harvested making it the 6th highest harvest on record. The largest sturgeon of the season was a monster weighing 137.5lbs. Lake Winnebago is located in Wisconsin near Fond Du Lac. Thousands of ice houses are present during the annual spearing event and all members of families participate. Roads are constructed through the snow and "cities" of ice houses pop up everywhere. The DNR places harvest caps each season and all sturgeon are tagged and registered with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Great ice action at the Giant Goose Ranch

Had the opportunity to fish a few ponds at the Giant Goose Ranch which is located near Canton, Illinois on Saturday, Feb 22. The Giant Goose Ranch is owned and managed by the Herman Brothers. The Goose Ranch lays on 8.8 acres of land with access to 52 lakes and ponds which are loaded with monster fish species such as bluegills, perch, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and many more. During our trip we I fished along with a good friend plus guide Todd Kent and his 4 clients. Bluegill action was insane at the first pond we fished. I figure everyone in the group landed at least 200 bluegills each which is well over 1,000 gills!!! Sounds crazy but true as your jig was not down for over a minute without a big gill being on the end of the line. Later in the day, we moved to a perch pond and all landed some monster perch and more gills. Guide Todd Kent does a fabulous job of putting clients on non stop fishing action. I highly recommend taking a guided trip with him for some of the best fishing you can imigine! Todd has a great facebook site so look him up and contact him with questions on the Goose Camp and other fishing opportunites in the Canton area.