Introductions :: Who Are You?

[Ben Yeo]

Hi Guys,

I am Ben from Singapore.

Learnt a heap from this forum... many thanks.
Relatively new to GT popping, thou been fishing since 7 and i am 48 years young.

Cheers
 

[Justin Nye]

Hi all,

I'm Justin, relatively new to GT popping... however been popping for Kingies and a number of other species for many years.
Lived in Hervey Bay all my life, where I have been heavily involved in sport and Flyfishing... Mainly flats fishing the western side of Fraser Island.

Some of my gretest captures have come from less than 6ft of water.... Black Marlin, Cobia 50kg+ Longtails, Golden Trevally and many more....

Last January I moved to Tannum Sands, and since then my addiction to GT Popping has grown immensley.... due to the vast number of basically untouched areas by this sport.

[Nicolas Lim]

Hi All,

I'm Nicolas. Based in Ireland but originally from Singapore. I've been tropical popping for the last 2 years. Unfortunately not as often as I'd like seeing that Ireland isn't exactly tropical. However, I've been going to the Maldives, Oman, the Andaman Isles and thinking of exploring bits of Africa but the pee-rats are holding me back.

The pictures of trips to New Caledonia have got me really interested. Maybe sometime later in the year. :-D

[Brandon Khoo]

I don't think you'd get much use from your popping gear in Ireland!

[Mark Harris]

LOL.

However... and in all seriousness.....

Bluefin Tuna.

There is an established monster Bluefin fishery in southwestern Ireland. I am completely out of touch these days with European fishing, and have no idea if anyone has ever tried casting sticks for these, but the "fishing in a chair guys" have caught monstrous fish here up to 400 kgs! And I know guys who have cast flys for them from a trolling boat putting out teasers.

So there's a challenge for someone - popping gear and stickbaits for massive Bluefins in Ireland!  Just remember to wrap up warm  .

[Brandon Khoo]

I was told that this fishery was very much one of the past. Is that the case of have they made a reappearance like in Canada?
These would be thunnus thynnus - the biggest bluefin of all. I don't think that spinning reels come in the requisite size yet, lol!

[Ben Furness]

When is Shimano releasing the Stella 50000?

[Mark Harris]

Is that recent info Brandon? My knowledge is from 8-10 years ago. Just had a quick check and the record Irish Blue Fin (or Tunny as they often call them) is 436 kgs caught in 2001.

I know guys that caught much smaller Bluefins and lots of Albacore on fly 3 or 4 years after that in Donegal. So it was still going until 2005 at least. Maybe since then it has died?

[Luke Wyrsta]

When is Shimano releasing the Stella 50000?

Stay tuned

[Brandon Khoo]

I don't know, Mark. I know the fishery died in Canada and then came back two or three years ago with a vengeance. I had heard it was the same across Europe. They have bought in really strict rules in Canada which are intended to protect the fishery.

We'll wait for Luke to report back - he must have something planned 

[Dustin Foo]

Hi everyone..

Thanks for putting up this really informative Forum.  Lots of very solid info which I look forward to reading and absorbing at length.  I work in London, UK but go fishing every chance I get.  About 99% of my fishing revolves around marlin but a day will come when my employers realize my job can be done more cheaply in India or in China and when that day happens I'm going to need to have a little knowledge of popper and jig fishing. I've tangled with the GT on a few occasions in Indonesia and in Phuket and I must confess I'm now more interested in the water reading and boatmanship aspects of GT fishing than reeling them in, formidable critters! 

About the Irish bluefins mentioned in the posts above - I was fortunate enough to visited Donegal in the northwest of Eire in 2003 and 2004, fishing with Adrian Molloy who had more success in that fishery than anyone. Adrian was very kind to me and I was amazed to see tuna of such size rolling and later jumping clear of the surface while feeding. They are spectacular creatures, but unpredictable weather (Ireland isn't green because it's sunny) and the fishery becoming more difficult over time stopped me from returning. He has spent less time on the water in the last few years but has still managed to spot some schools.  They are probably too unpredictable to book for in advance, but if you're based in the UK and especially in Eire and can get over at short notice you may have a chance.  I still have Adrian's contact details and am happy to pass on enquiries.

cheers
Dustin

[Brandon Khoo]

thanks Dustin
I don't know if anyone from downunder is going to be rushing to Ireland to fish for bluefin but it is great to know there is still a fishery

[Mark Harris]

Hey Dustin, that is really good to know and thank you.

Brandon, don't forget that GTPopping has a number of Euorpean-based members!  If you hit it right, this monster Bluefin fishery would have to be the best fishing anywhere in Europe.

[Brandon Khoo]

True but if I was going to fish for these, I'd need a Stella 50000 with a Yumeya 100000D spool, a very good harness and five volunteers to take turns in fighting the fish!   

[Nicolas Lim]

Or you could go back to the old skool broomsticks with 1000m of 50lb mono... :-D

Dustin, would you send me on the contact for Adrian? I'll get in touch and see what the fishing is like. Even a 5kg tunny will give the gear a run.