Monster GTs in Southern Oman with Ocean Active

Nick Bowles · March 21, 2012, 10:06:57 PM

I arrived back from the Sportsfishing Festival in Japan and had a day in Dubai to prepare for our upcoming trips to Hallaniyat Islands Southern Oman. Luckily the first trip was with very good friends and clients AJ Pretorius, Jaco Scheepers and Riaan Botha. Being South African the guys had sorted all of the food and logistics this included a new Braai (BBQ), portable ARB fridge/freezer full of meat, snacks, charcoal etc. So from the beginning I new this was going to be a trip to remember! Little did I now it was going to be a trip of a lifetime!

We all agreed to meet up on the Al Ain highway to Southern Oman. We were going to drive down so we could take all of our toyz plus extra! I think we had more equipment than most tackle shops! We took a leisurely drive through the Omani desert with several stops along the way for fuel, coffee or just to chat about the fish we were hopefully going to catch in the coming days.

One of the petrol stops in the desert.

We finally arrived after about a 10 hour drive in Shuwaymiyah Southern Oman at about 15.00pm and by this time the excitement was overwhelming and everyone had a serious case of verbal diarrhea. We were early enough to be able to get one of our boats to take us across to our island villa so we could get straight into the fishing early the next morning. It was good to meet up with Capt Saoud again and catch up on all the gossip and happening while I had been away. There were a few stories of big fish which was a good sign. We unpacked the cars and loaded the boat up full with all the gear and left for 5 days of some of the best GT fishing that I think anyone could ever experience!

We arrived on Hallaniyat Island at our marina and were greeted by all of the team on the island. It is amazing straight from the start you feel like you are in another world on the island almost a lost era of hospitality and generosity. The guys are falling over themselves to help you and carrying bags, loading trucks, offering coffee and tea. Really makes you feel good and food for the soul! We finally loaded the trucks with all of the gear and drive the 100m to the villa. We did not even make it into our rooms and all the tackle started to come out and be set up. We thought it was a good idea to go down to the point of the island and throw a few poppers for GTs off the beach but we did not manage to raise any fish, but it was a great end to a day that started in busy Dubai. We watched the sun dip behind Soda Island and new that we were in for an adventure for the next 5 days.

A lot of gear plus the braai (BBq)

Unpacking and rigging starts

In true South African style the guys had the braai (BBQ) fired up on the upper deck overlooking the sea and a few big steaks on the go. We had a great first meal on the island and after finishing setting up the equipment were ready for the first days fishing.

Our 2 x 39ft Center Consoles in the marina, ready for action!

Jaco with the first fish of the trip

Not sure about the outfit, but if it works for you why not!! And it did work.....

Bending on the EP

Revenge is sweet

Loved this fish

We carried on fishing and Jaco got another good fish and AJ hooked and landed a smaller GT. An Amazing start and the fish were very aggressive, if they were missing the lure they would come in repeatedly, we saw some of the most amazing hits. I was again on the stern of the boat casting on the EP when a monster came out of the water about 2ms from the boat and absolutely smoked my OA Skipjack lure. I almost got pulled into the water and managed to find my feet, hit the fish several times and the game was on. We were in 9ms of water and I was putting as much pressure as possible with PE6 and the EP. After the initial run I got the fish under control and slowly worked the fish to the boat. When we got the fish to the boat I could not believe my eyes, the fish was massive! It took 3 people to load the fish into the boat and when we measured the fish it was 143cms and round like a barrel. We put the fish in the 57kgs mark. A truly amazing fish on the Endless Passion 85/36! This really made my trip and we were only on the first morning!!! We got a few pictures and released this beauty to fight another day!

Jaco bending

Big fish

AJ with a smallie