Group Trips Summer '08

[skip]

Hi All,

Its been briefly mentioned before but would be great if this summer we manage to organise ourselves to fish as a group of forum boats, and go out on trips together.

We are definately planning a big whammy extended fishing trip to Lampedusa and it would be fantastic if we could arrange a group forum fishing trip with as many vessels as we can get together. For those who have slightly smaller boats, safety in numbers should help alleviate some of that worry, and if your fuel tanks lack the range for the trip, some of the bigger boats may be able to carry extra fuel for people.

Plus if we manage to get a few boats together we can fish in a staggered line or inverted V, we'll cover far more fishing ground and attract fish to the area due to all the lures in the water etc.

We were thinking of something like a departure 5.30am on a Friday from Cirkewwa, running at 20 knots for 2 hours to get 40nm offshore (it's also an economical speed for most boats, except sailing), then running at 5-6 knots for the rest of the day trolling another 60nm (12hrs) taking us almost to Lampedusa by early evening. There fishing around Lampedusa is amazing, and I would propose we spend a night drift fishing, and then continue trolling on Saturday say till midday around the area and then heading towards Malta for the rest of the afternoon. Saturday night drift fishing arriving back to Malta by Sunday evening.

This agenda is not set in stone but its along the lines of what we are thinking about. It is all weather dependant of course, and so far we've ear-marked the 13th - 15th of June as thats good Tuna season.

We could try a test trip if a group of boats are interested and not go out so far, say 50nm and only spent one night out.

If this concept is interesting to people, please let's hear from you, and if you could indicate:

Home Port
Boat Size
Boat's Economically Cruise Speed in knots
How much fuel you carry in litres
If you know your fuel burn at cruise and troll, please include
Nav Lights (Yes/No)
VHF (Yes/No)
GPS (Yes/No)
No. of ppl you can carry day trip
No. of ppl you can carry overnight trip
Toilet on board (Yes/No)

Regards,

Skip

[skip]

'Never Say Die' (9H-8460)

Xemija
31 feet
20 knots
750 litres
Cruise (50 litres per hour), Troll (6.5 litres per hour@5.5knots)
Nav Lights: Yes
VHF: Yes
GPS: Yes
6 Day Trip
4 Overnighters
Toilet: Yes

Skip

[dcassar]

Hey Guys...would this be open to people who do NOT have boats - i.e. we can go on someone elses boats if they can take more people (against payment of course) - if so I would be interested as my little 13 foot with a 9.9 on the back isn't taking me anywhere!!!

djc

[skip]

Hi DJC,

That's the theory, which is why I asked people to indicate how many their boat can carry. If anyone has a permanent crew number, like the boat takes 6 but they are always 3 as a permanent crew it would be useful to perhaps indicate that was well.

Skip

[busumark]

i dont now how much you will spend on fuel and food and drinks but i think that it will be more worth it that you charter a boat for 14 people to take you to lampedusa and if you have an experienced skipper he will take you in good sites for bottom fishing there. they used to organize these fishing trips but i dont know if they do them anymore

[skip]

I guess for those who have gone there alot its not worthwhile, but I've never been that way with the boat and would really like to explore the fishing offshore from Malta heading towards Lampedusa. Most of the action is likely to be in troll over there, as opposed to doing bottom fishing etc. For that it then would be cheaper to fly to Lampedusa and get someone to take you out bottom fishing!

Nonetheless a group charter on a big boat is something I wouldnt pass up either. If people are interested we can enquire and see if something can be organised.

[shanook]

I am more interested to go there with our boats than to fly or charter a boat to go there. the fun part i think is trolling all the way to lampedusa. I never been more than 35miles off Malta.   IF.. we can make it we will be on a 32ft but we have a full crew so sorry guys cant take anyone with us..... Will be able to confirm our participation later on....

[busumark]

skip i like bottom fishing more than trolling and those who i know that went there they told me there are lots of big sargi tennut pagri vopi and even klamari if they take on a good reef

[skip]

Busumark, one day you will have to let me take you out on the boat and perhaps you can show me bottom fishing, as I am totally clueless about it

[visa]

hi all,
please remember that "S" boats cannot fo out more than 12 miles out of teritorial waters so that counts me out with my boat although i have a 24 foot boat and can take six persons (not sleeping) so that although its a great idea i think most members are all S regestered.

another thing skip, can we open a topic where we ( the members ) of the forum post interesting websites where one can visit for fishing/boating accesories such as www.cabela.com i know members post these but if they are all in one place it would be interesting for members.

[busumark]

skip, i think you went shore fishing for klamari with your friends and you met a person from my work. if you have an eletric reel and know the right places where to go you will have more fun than trolling for sure and you can go all year round for deep-sea fishing. unfortunatly i dont have one(for now). when we go deep-sea fishing we go with my friends boat with long lines because he has a winch on his boat but with the eletric reel you will have better results. i will post pictures of the cipilazz we caught last monday when my friends sends them to me because i didnt have my camera with me.

[skip]

Concerning the 12 mile limit for S registered boats, the thought had crossed my mind, however there are special execptions. I will make some enquiries but I believe you can obtain special permission from the MMA if you are going out as a group of boats for a specific occasion. Depending on the numbers involved we may be able to get this exception, under the umbrella of The Malta Fishing Forum annual trip or something similar. I'm guessing that each persons marine insurance policy would need to endorsed for those few days to cover the trip. I will try and find out more info as indeed you're right, due to license fees, probably most boats are S registered.

[skip]

skip, i think you went shore fishing for klamari with your friends and you met a person from my work. if you have an eletric reel and know the right places where to go you will have more fun than trolling for sure and you can go all year round for deep-sea fishing. unfortunatly i dont have one(for now). when we go deep-sea fishing we go with my friends boat with long lines because he has a winch on his boat but with the eletric reel you will have better results. i will post pictures of the cipilazz we caught last monday when my friends sends them to me because i didnt have my camera with me.

Yes I was with TOFTOF who I work with and his friend who I believe you work with. Sadly it wasnt a productive evening but very enjoyable and a good evening out. For the time being don't have an electric reel and I doubt I can afford one this season, but perhaps will save for the '09 season

Skip

[DJS]

Great idea Skip, can only imagine how productive those underfished Lampedusan waters would be. Unfortunately, Like Visa my boat is both 'S' classed and it is also under 6m, so its unlikely MMA would give me permission. Maybe we could organise a group fishing area within the 12nm zone as well this summer.

[skip]

Certainly up for a 12nm trip, though I think you'll find you can venture further without issues. I've met tiny S registered boats 20/30 miles out. I very much doubt a patrol boat would say boo either if you were 12nm+ especially if you were a group of boats. The issues start if you get in trouble and need assistance and then find yourself beyond 12nm!

But certainly we can and should arrange something closer. In the meantime I will try and check with MMA, unless you have some contacts there Dave?