Porto Rotondo Big Game - 2010

Started by The_Gaffer, June 18, 2010, 10:50:31 CET

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baghira

Dont' give up guys.
Hope tomorrow is a better day.
Good luck to you .
Ear Pain aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

The_Gaffer


As CaptanJr said...todays tournament was cancelled. Wind was NW blowing at 45knts. We still went it with
Luhrs....amazing boat!. We were doing 28knts in F8 winds. Tomorrow promises to be better with NW winds of 14knts. We'll see tonorrow . A detailed post will follow once we get hold of a PC.
Beneteau Antares 9.80 - Powered by twin Volvo Penta D4 225HP
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Moonwalker

Wow - 28knts in F8 wind! I want one of those boats.
Petecraft 20 - twin Mariner 150HP EFI

busumark

that would be good for us moonwalker. than we could compete with our friend

Tatanka

I am sure you will do well , good team & dedicated to fishing so keep your hopes up.

Good Luck on the weather & the toght Lines.

Galia 440 outboard 40 Tohatsu

EmicMalta

this is what I hate about competitions but like this everyone gets out all his knowledge. It s easy to fish in calm sea, but when its rough, tension comes high with consequence of mistakes.

Guys hope that today was better

clutch_kick

Well, it is in times like these that the real fishermen shine out above the rest.  If you have faith in what you are doing, you will do well.  I am sure our team have gone prepared. Last April during the Jigging competion in Sardegna we were fishing in 1.5m swells, rain and F4 wind, couldn't really stand up properly but we managed to catch an Amberjack and placed 3rd overall in the first day,  we eventually finished off 6th, on the final day.

I'll see you guys later in Naples ;)
Official Molix, Major Craft, DUO and SeaSpin agent for Malta.

clutch_kick

... and with a stroke of luck ... the boys are back lol
Official Molix, Major Craft, DUO and SeaSpin agent for Malta.

skip

We're back thanks to Charles and today's Captain on the Air Malta flight from Naples to Malta - thanks to you both for that one guys :)

Sadly whilst our rods made it back, our luggage didn't! So all our clothes, reels, lures and the various other bits of fishing equipment are somewhere at Naples Airport (need I say more!!).

It was one hell of an experience, certainly I think the team can all confirm that it was an experience of a lifetime, if nothing else I reamined in awe that a 36 foot boat can handle Force 7-8 winds with relative ease. Whilst the boat was getting soaking we were all able to stand up without being thrown around as this battlewagon destroyed the waves ahead of it and pushed its way through. Twin 450hp mighty Catepillar Diesels providing the propulsion.....the noise was awesome! I might add that the skipper thought we were crazy when we asked to go out, but given that there were no refunds for the charter we figured may as well go out and see what's what. Cadrick and Gaffer did in fact try some Sibiki rigs for a bit trying to catch some bait and we then trolled inshore for a couple of hours with 3 rods mostly so that we could see the boats pressure wave, the black spots it created etc.

Sunday, well less wind at Force 4-5 but with a restricted fishing area with a max of around 14nm offshore it was extremely tough fishing, out of the 40 boats that took part only 2 had valid catches (1 Pastardella at 22.xkgs) and a 5.xkgs dentex, the other two pastardella that were caught were undersized for the competition rules. I think (stand to be corrected) that 5 boats managed to land 1 fish each and the other 35 got nothing including us. We tried everything we could but we werent lucky enough to find any fish.

More to follow later.....

Kaptan Jr

Thanks charles for your help mate because we hardly made it here!!! I can confirm that although we didn't have any strike at all it was an unforgettable experience seeing and meeting all the pros of sardegna!!!!!!!! and Btw we were a massive team guys :-)
Katpan 15ft, Cuddy cabin and powered with twin 50hp TLDI Tohatsu outboard engines

shanook

Good to hear that u enjoyed it although the weather wasn't helpful.
Looking forward to hearing a full report on the event and what u guys learned from the adventure.if u have any picts they will be appreciated by all MFF members.

caldaland

we are proud of you! start planning for next year!

twoutes

Glad you had a great time and made it back safely....That's the most important thing of all :)

Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done about the weather, or even the fishing for that matter. But at least you can say that you went and gave it your best shot, and hopefully learnt something from the experience.
I can just imagine the 'BUZZ' at the marina, with all the teams fine tuning things in their boats with all the equipment and fishing gear. Checking drags, hooks, etc, etc.
I would have to say that the social side of large tournaments outweigh any fish caught on a given day, and hopefully you got a feel for this.
Remember that there will always be other tournaments, and as they say 'there's always next year'.
At least you will all know what to expect and perhaps be just a bit more prepared.
Kudos to you for having a go....l look forward to some pics, and all the juicy details.
Well done guys!



This is what the 'Cairns Marlin Marina' looks like during a tournament.

We're here for a good time...Not a long time

The_Gaffer

#73
The Big Game Porto Rtondo Fishing Experience

Well, what can I say....as Skip wrote further up, it was on hell of an experience.  From the moment we stepped onto the Airmalta flight on Thursday, down to the rush we had at Naples airport coming back, laughter was and still is the best medicine, and believe me, we were overdosed on that!

Thursday evening, Olbia in Sardinia.

On arrival, we get VIP treatment, our oversized luggage (11 rods packed into  two 5" drain tubes, were hand delivered to us by a courteous ground handler.  Great, we all agreed - this is a good start.  Picked up the Mercedes Van, and our dedicated driver - Nick il-Palmier - drove us off to our accomodation.  The place was to die for.  Set on the hills overlooking Olbia harbour, our villa had breathtaking views of the valley beneath us, and the picturesque port of Olbia.  We quickly unpacked, arranged sleeping quarters, and off to Auchan supermarket to stock up on foodstuff and goodies.  Then, by 8.30pm, we made our way down to Porto Rotondo.  This is where the real fun started.  On arriving at PR, we quickly discovered that this is a true gem of a place on the Costa Esmeralda.  Full of superyachts and designer finished boats, this was no ordinary marina.  Then we glimpsed the sport fishers, magnificent battle wagons, all geared up for big game fishing, no amount of $$$$ spared, Bertrams, Rivieras, Vikings, Tiaras, Cabos, Luhrs, Pursuits, Storm all in the 40 to 70 foot range.  Big game rods and either Shimano tigra or Alutecnos reels all spread on on the rocket launchers, flanked by massive double set outriggers, and centre rigger, all electronics which can aid the angler available and switched on for show - some of them equipped with 37 to 40 inch LED screens watching TV or news updates - Simply out of our world, ....with all their soft cockpit lights on, underwater LED's in either blue, white or red...the place looked like a complete spectacle set for the rich and famous.  From the flags they were all flying on their outriggers, it became obvious to us that this was our competition.  Though we were all dead tired from the days' travelling and excitment, we could not bring ourselves to leave this place.  Never before had any of us witnessed in real life such a scene before us.  One thing which immediately struck us was the way the marina and indeed all of PR is well kept, clean and simple.  The marina path is dotted with fine gourmet resturants, all specialising in Mediterranean cuisine, small caffees and ship chandleries.  The people in their hundreds, walk past the boats, looking, admiring, some commenting....Time for us to get back to the villa...its already 11.00pm, and my feet are killing me.

Friday Registration and fishing tackle scrutiny day.

We all wake up to a sizzling breakfast prepared by none other then our resident chef Antoine (Alfa Delta) nothing beats an english breakfast except for the concerto of sunbeams dancing over Olbia harbour as the sun was rising...we got to enjoy both!!.  

Nick drives Cadrick (CaptanJR) and myself down to PR to enable us to register the team and tackle for the upcoming event.  The place is buzzing with activity...People running around with rods and reels, registering, chit chatting to the judges.  We complete registration, and are handed our boat number, T-shirts and caps, and wrist bands.  Nick drives up to the villa again to transport our rods down to PR.  Unfortunately, on Friday, the Sardinia farmers and animal breaders decide to vehemently protest against the EU on the grounds that the open market is destroying their business, and they close off access to PR.  We're in a fix - I ask the organising committee when do they think the road will be opened again, and they say well, it could be late afternoon...we say our rods and the rest of the team are caught outside the barricade...they say well in that case we trust you to tell us what you have....great people...we register 8 30lbs rods and 2 50lbs rods.  This is what a friendly competition is all about, organised by gentlemen for gentlemen...they take our word for it.  at 2.30pm I recieve a call on my mobile from Cap. Giovanni, the Luhrs 36 skipper...he's coming into port and wants to know where to berth?...I inform the marina authorities...a place is already reserved...in she comes...here twin CATs turning over at idle revs...meanwhile, Nick manages to get through, and we still display our rods to the judges for scrutiny in time.  I feel a slight breeze hitting my neck...could be nothing...but that breeze picking up as the sun is going down spells trouble for me at this time of the year.  We all walk past the competing boats, taking in the scene, we decide its NO COMMENTS.  That breeze I was telling you about earlier on has picked up, and the flags are now flapping away...I mention nothing to the team, but I can already see and hear comments from other teams that Saturday's event may be cancelled due to a NW'ly wind which is steadily picking up.  By 8.30pm, we leave PR and head back to our villa for a spaghetti marinara with prawns, mussels and fresh calamari in ink sauce, and of couse, washed down by a chianti classico.  Splendid, we all hit the sack by midnight..as we need to wake up at 4.30am.  Did I mention the laughs and more laughs we had during the day?...

Saturday day 1 of the competition

Skipper's briefing at 7.00am, wind is NW blowing at 30knts, gusting at 40 to 45 knts...its not looking good...we are advised that another briefing will be held at 8.00am.  The wind speed is showing 45knts...Briefing is short and crisp...todays event is being cancelled...too much wind...the judging committee make a good call, they need to think of the worst case scenario, we have '2' 28foot Pursuit boats taking part, sea conditions are not acceptable....its all gloom and doom...what about tomorrow....various opinions are flying...the wind is suppose to drop tomorrow...the locals intervene...we know this place...if the wind drops, then we can have a reduced fishing area, and the competition can go ahead...we'll see.  Walk back to the team to relay this unfortunate detail...the guys are dissapointed...we already have a contract in place for the boat, we're paying good money to have the boat for the weekend...someone suggests we call the boat owners and try and get a partial refund for today...I do just that..they answer is no...quick discussion...and we all decide to go out and try he boat...hmmmm, out in Force 7 to Force 8 winds, gusting now at 50knts...the boat skipper is not that happy...his idea was to get the day free and head back home by car.  No way mate, we paid for today, and by hook or by crook we're going out.  We leave our mooring, and head out of the marina.  The waves are lapping against the Luhrs bows...but she does not even move...what is this battle wagon?...I ask the skipper to increase speed, he opens the throttles and gets her on plane.....the boats CAT's burly engines, all 900HP of them...are now playing music to my ear...OK, its heavy metal with a blast, however you can tell that there's massive power on these engines by the sound they make as they pick up revs...its like well, the CATs full throttle is 2800rpm, she planes off at 1200rpm, by that time she's doing 10knts...skipper, increase the speed...we're up to 15knts, the sound resembles the gates of hell just opening...we're up to 1800rpm....increase the speed please...the skipper takes her upo to 22knts, CATs are turning at 2200rpm...2mtr waves are smacking the port side of the hull, and the Luhrs doesn't even move....Geez, impressive...Nick asks what her speed at WOT...skipper says when she's clean, 32knts, right now we can get 30knts...what about the sea conditions...skipper just smiles...great, I get the message - I ask everybody to hold on, we're going wild....the CATs are now screaming holy blue murder, sea spray is washing up and over the bows, and we're all huddled inside the cockpit...the Luhrs now is speeding at 28.9knts, CATs are turing at 2700rpm, and we're flying past 2mtr waves and wind gusts of 45+knts....impressive?...thats just being modest...to use a yank's expression, this was just bloody AWSOME!!!!...we continued like this for about 20minutes, and we said to ourselves...I WANT THIS BOAT!!!!!....pull back on the throttles, and we decide to test the spread, look at the wave patern, and do some trolling...no problem...the Luhrs comes down of the plane like a real pro landing a aircraft...no after wave, no rolling and pitching...just down and smooth.  Do some troilling, taking in the scene which is unfolding before us...the islands, the heavy sea...look guys-Antoine points out to a phenomenon none of us had ever seen before....sea spray over the waves...it happens when the wind is gusting way above the highest wind speed over the area...so you get to sea the huge waves, and right aboove that....a mist of sea spray just skimming the surface...what can In say...unbelieveable until you actually sea it.

Back to port, people are looking at us, we're all smiles...we've braved the sea conditions, we've been out, and we went WOT in F7 to F8 seas.  6.00pm is the briefing, and we get the idea that the event might take place tomorrow as the wind forecast is looking good after 4.00am...it should drop to about 15knts by 7.00am, making it possible for a slightly late start.  We're optimistic, in high spirits, and hungry as a dogs!!!

Back in the van, a quick discussion about whats for dinner.  Its already 8.45pm, we decide on chicken + mushrooms with white souce served with pasta....we race back to the supermarket...its closed..Antoine and myself sneak into the supermarket via the employee's door, we're in, an attendant holds me up, we're closed...I argue, and Antoine escapes hidding among the market's isles.  I plead with the attendant that we only need a few things, she argues that my friend has already escaped (of course he has, that was the idea stupid)...she's in a hurry to go home..and leaves me standing there. Off I go in search of Antoine, we meet up, and Antoine's arms are full of shopping items...hmmm, we need a trolley and some directions...another attendant is pushing a series of trolleys down one isle, I ask about some foodstuffs, he answers we're closed, I say I know, and could I please borrow your trolley - the attendant doesn't even know what hit him, he looks at me as if I was a fart in a space suit...he lets go of the trolley, and I whizz past him in seach of Antoine again!!!...Team work at its best, ALA Maltesers!!!
We finally sit down to a scrumptious dinner of chicken pasta with mushrooms, and washed down by our favorite chianti!..Our midnight prayers are dedicated to the our Lord to intervene and calm down the wind, and with that, we get some much needed sleep.

Sunday day 2 of the event.

Will follow shortly......
Beneteau Antares 9.80 - Powered by twin Volvo Penta D4 225HP
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shanook

thanks mate a real treat............anxiously waiting for the next........so if i might ask when did u say u are getting ur LUHRS boat..?!?!?!?!