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Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: Adrian Watt on February 08, 2009, 05:01:47 PM

Title: GT Release Mat
Post by: Adrian Watt on February 08, 2009, 05:01:47 PM

I have been experimenting with mats / materials to lay over the teak transom covering board to protect GTs when we take the hooks out. The best thing I have found so far is an old cut up wetsuit.
Anybody got any better ideas ? I'm on a remote Fijian island  ;D so I can't pop round the local tackle shop.... >:(

Title: Re: GT Release Mat
Post by: Travis Heaps on February 09, 2009, 09:13:55 AM

We just use an old towell wet in the sea water and laid over the seat.

Title: Re: GT Release Mat
Post by: Adrian Watt on February 09, 2009, 11:44:55 AM

Hi Travis,
Do you find it takes off some of the GT's slime protective coating ? or no ?

Title: Re: GT Release Mat
Post by: Travis Heaps on February 09, 2009, 12:00:31 PM

I think it would Adrian but it does seem to be pretty good.  If the fish is coming out of the water for a photo I think it's just about inevitable that it will lose some slime coating along the way.

Title: Re: GT Release Mat
Post by: Sheldon Chee on February 09, 2009, 12:25:37 PM

Linoleum mats? They can be bought in the metres and cut up to suit.

You can even drap it over the transom when you really need to drag the fish up. Not in use, just roll it up. The wetsuit's neoprene will be more 'abrasive' as slime sticks more to the material. Hope this helps.

Title: Re: GT Release Mat
Post by: Andre van Wyk on February 09, 2009, 11:54:19 PM

How about a combonation of the two?

Get a 1.5 metre by 1metre section of Neoprene, without the fabric obviously, just pure neoprene, and then maybe stick some lino or smooth plastic onto it with contact adhesive or similar.... this would create a nice slick mat, so long as you wet it first, as well as some cushioning with the neoprene.... perhaps two sheets of 10mm neoprene would be best....

As mentioned by Sheldon, you could then just roll it up and stash it.... and could also use it as a slide up the back swim platform to get those big mamas up outta the water onto the transon.... then slide back in...

Title: Re: GT Release Mat
Post by: Adrian Watt on February 10, 2009, 09:15:51 AM

Thanks guys, all good ideas.
The problem is you want something 'grippy' so the fish isn't sliding around (love the linoleum slide onto the marlin board idea) whilst you de-hook and deckwash but anything grippy like a wet towel might take off slime coat.
Can't win I guess !

Title: Re: GT Release Mat
Post by: Greg Burt on February 10, 2009, 05:10:19 PM

Andre, what about Beni's[Tongan Terror] Kingi sling, should be OK for GT's

Title: Re: GT Release Mat
Post by: Andre van Wyk on February 10, 2009, 07:44:13 PM

Great idea Bun...also be able to get a weight of the ish at the same time....