Over the years I've seen a bunch of cool locations, but there are a few (okay, maybe closer to a dozen) that have stuck on "The List" for me. In no particular order,,,
CHEOW LAN LAKE, THAILAND
Let's start by saying I have an unnatural obsession with snakeheads. I am actually going to Maryland on Friday until Sunday, and I might go out and try my luck again with them. No clue why I want to catch one so badly - but I do. And the northern snakehead on the Potomac are fun and all, but fishing for them in their own domain sounds far better. Cheow Lan is home to at least 4 snakehead species that are caught (giant, striped, cobra, and bullseye), as well as a whole gamut of other species - like hampala barbs, thai mahseers, and blue mahseers (hard-fighting carp-like fish that grow to about 2 feet long), asian redtail catfish, and the clown knifefish. Not to mention, there are Mekong Giant Catfish living in the lake that are some of the last remaining wild specimens - although I don't think people fish for them. The scenery is amazing here as well, and wild animals are all over the place.
RIO ORINOCO, COLOMBIA
Anywhere in the Amazon would be fun to fish - although the Rio Orinoco and its tributaries might be at the top of my list. Some of the good locations can hold four peacock bass species - the Three-Bar, Butterfly, Tucunare, and Royal. The Butterfly is the same species found in Southern Florida, and along with the Tucunare and Royal, they are normally under the 8 pound mark. However, the Three-Bar peacock can reach 30 pounds, and are absolute beasts - usually they are the target of peacock bass fishermen (other than the FL fishermen who only have Butterfly peacocks to catch). Along with peacock bass, there are tons of other fish to catch - fang-toothed Payara, barracuda-looking Bicudas, carp-looking Matrincha, mini-tarpon-like Sardinata, giant trashcan-lid-sized Pacu, and some more. Let's not forget some people's favorite part of the Amazon - the catfish. Species include Leopard Catfish that reach 3', Redtail and Tiger Shovelnose Catfish that reach 4', Jau Catfish that can reach 5', Dourada Catfish that can reach 6', and the infamous man-eater Piraiba that can reach 10' if given enough time.
WEST PAPUA, NEW GUINEA
New Guinea is home to perhaps the toughest fish in the world, one that might even surpass the GT in terms of bad-assery. That fish is without a doubt, the Papuan Black Bass. These guys are actually snappers, but they are normally found in estuarine rivers in New Guinea - and can reach about 50 pounds, although 40 pounds is a giant fish that will bring an angler to his knees. These fish break 50 pound braid like it's sewing string, and turn heavy jigging rods into donuts within seconds. Along with this species, large barramundi up to 60+ pounds can be found here, and species like mangrove jacks (also a snapper species), golden snapper (this one is actually a snapper too,,, go figure), and the weird-looking threadfin salmon. Plenty of other species have been caught on rivers here too, like Queensland Groupers and Giant Trevally that make their way up the rivers, presumably to feed. Doing battle with a big Black Bass would probably be one of the most thrilling angling adventures that somebody could partake in.
TANZANIA
There are two rivers in Tanzania that are commonly fished, I believe their names are the Mnyera and the Ruhudji. These hold a super-predator that is best described as a striped bass with dagger-like teeth - the tigerfish. These aren't the strain that you find in normal tigerfishing adventures (usually in the Zambezi River, sometimes in other local rivers), where anything above 10 pounds is a trophy. These are a different species - the Tanzanian Tigerfish (as opposed to the smaller Vittatus found across Africa, and the smaller Brevis and Forskhal's found in the Nile River), which average around 8 pounds and can be caught at 20 pounds or higher with some regularity. This is like catching a 10 pound largemouth, along with plenty of fish in the 4 pound class and up - on one day. These aren't the Goliath Tigerfish of the Congo that you see on River Monsters - you can fish for these, and they grow quite large (100+ pounds have been reported), however fishing for them is pretty iffy, and more than one fish a day is the experience of a lifetime. Along with the huge tigerfish, you can catch vundu catfish that reach 120 pounds and yellow-belly bream that are like bluegill that can reach 10 pounds and 2 feet long.
That's my list for freshwater fish. I've thought about adding in a trophy largemouth lake or a trophy sunfish lake, but I prefer to fish smaller ponds that are known to hold a single, smart trophy fish in it rather than a 20,000 acre lake that has millions of dollars worth of bass boats on it. It's more secluded, generally you're the only one out there, and it's a hell of a lot more fun, IMO.
I'll post the saltwater list at some point too.
we had a visiting physician from tanzania at the office for 6 months. it would be cool to visit!
Those would be amazing trips. I've done two exotic freshwater trips: (1) Mongolia where I fished for hucho taimen, the largest salmonid in the world. Taimen, called "river wolf" by the locals, feed on lemmings as well as other fish. It's more than a rush when a 50 or 60 pound taimen rockets out of the water to hit your floating hair bait on the way down. The world is just about out of taimen -- they've been fished out in Europe, and almost fished out in Japan and Russia -- but there is a fairly sizable population in Mongolia because Mongolians do not eat them. Fish are from the water world and people should eat things from the dirt world. I released all 5 of the taimen I caught in a week of fishing. My biggest was 58" long. (2) My other exotic trip was to Egypt to fish for Nile perch. Nile perch are closely related to barramundi and snook but get considerably larger. They have reputedly been netted as large as 400 pounds. I throughly enjoyed this trip and caught several fish -- the largest being 75# -- but don't think much of Nile perch: Their first run is long and fast, but then they give up. That could be because of the 90 degree water temperatures. I also managed to catch several Tigerfish, though the largest was only about 6 pounds.
Alright, here's my saltwater list thrown together. Enjoy the read, it's a longer one.
AITUTAKI, COOK ISLANDS
I can't remember for the life of me who went here one time, but the report was awesome. I'm pretty sure this was the one that inspired the list to be created, since it is the first one on there. The main attraction is, of course, Giant Trevally. In case I haven't said it before (I actually might not have), I feel very strongly that GT's are the most bad-#### fish on this planet. Aitutaki has GT's that average 30+ pounds, and they've been caught up to 50 kilos there, which is about 110 pounds. Alongside the GT's, there are two other giant fish that are of interest (to me at least) - the maori wrasse and the dogtooth tuna. Dogtooths are usually caught by casting poppers or jigging, and they're kind of like king mackerel that grow to 300 pounds, give or take a bit. They can be caught by trolling too, though - they're some of the best gamefish that the oceans have to offer. The napoleon wrasse (or maori wrasse, same fish) is another giant. These are more popular with divers than fishermen, but the fishermen that have caught them say that they're one of the toughest gamefish that they've caught. They're the biggest fish out of the three I have mentioned, and can grow up to 400 pounds with enough time (although 200 pounds is a giant). Getting one away from the thick reef structure would take a LOT of skill and a bit of luck.
Along with the three giant fish around Aitutaki (there are also pelagics like wahoo, yellowfins, and marlin but I don't have too much interest in trolling for them when I have giant reef fish around), there are plenty of smaller gamesters. Inside the lagoon, you can find smaller GT's alongside bluefin trevally, barracudas, and blacktip reef sharks. Smaller light-tackle opponents include queenfish, bonefish, and various smaller reef fish like groupers, snappers, and emperors (usually less than 2 feet long). As you can see, there's plenty to keep you busy here.
I chose Aitutaki because it's the perfect blend of the "South Pacific experience" and the "GT experience". Most places that are recommended for huge GT's are like Andaman Islands off of India, or Great Barrier Reef - but these places involve living on a stayaboard boat, which doesn't sound as appealing to me as an island resort.
BOCA GRANDE, FLORIDA
Of course, I've got to start it out with the tarpon. They run through the pass during something like April to August, and of course hooking a 200+ pound tarpon is a lot of fun - catching one is even more fun. I've heard that they're usually 100+ pounds when they run through the pass, so even if you only get one or two fish a day, you'll be getting quality fish. But the shark fishermen in me likes what's following these tarpon a bit better - the giant hammerhead and bull sharks. Hammerheads to 1,000 pounds and bulls up to 500 don't sound appealing to some anglers, and to that I respond "You are crazy". Hooking into a beast like that has got to be fun, and just seeing an animal that size (a grander hammerhead would be at the very least a 12' fish, probably closer to 13-14'). And then you've got the goliath grouper in Charlotte Harbor, those have got to be fun to catch. I've always wanted to try a handline for them, maybe I'll try for one the next time I go to Sarasota. Aside from the fish in the 100-1,000+ pound class, you've got another gamester that's one of my favorites to catch when we make trips down to Florida - snook. The best part about Boca Grande is that EVERYONE is targeting the tarpon - and overlooking the snook. These are no tiny fish, either - 20 pounds and up is very possible, even multiple of those fish per day. And while you're at it, big jacks are usually out as well, which everyone loves to catch. I've only caught one BIG jack before - and it's so much different than the 1-5 pound fish (mine was 16). If you're fishing for bait, ladyfish and bonito are always fun fish to catch on light tackle, and make great shark, grouper, tarpon, and snook baits.
SEWARD, ALASKA
I've always wanted to go to Alaska - but during the summer, since I hate the cold. 50-60 degrees is doable for me, if it means good fish. And that's what Seward looks like - great fishing. Nothing I can write too much about here, although barndoor-sized Pacific Halibut, King Salmon bigger than myself, a dozen or more species of rockfish, and the occasional pink and/or coho salmon show up during the summer. These would be fun to catch and all, but eating them - sounds almost better than fighting them. Although doing battle with a 50-pound salmon or a 200-pound halibut does sound pretty fun....
akfish, those sound like some awesome trips. If I were in Africa, I'd rather be catching tigers than nile perch, personally - but a tussel with a big nile on light tackle does sound fun.
If I were a fly fisherman - taimen would probably be top of the list (maybe under a pissed-off mako). I don't think anyone does anything other than fly fishing for them though.
I want to go to a Alaska and fish halibut.
That's on my list too David :)
I'll post the rest of mine tonight or tomorrow.
One checked off, and hope to do again....
Off to Spanish Wells, Bahamas for bonefish and pelagics in a couple weeks.
Actually, I caught most of my taimen casting plugs. I was fishing from the bank and the good water was always too far away to reach with my fly rod. It might have been possible with spey rod but I didn't (and still don't) have a spey rod.
I have caught Tarpon in Bocca Grande, 13 in one night when in my 20's, over a hundred in about a 5 year period 1967 to1973.
My first Bucket List item was to catch a River Monster before I got too old to do it. Checked that box. ;D
After that....can't think of any other place I want to go besides where I've been going the last 18 years ...Southeast Alaska!
Checked that box 19 times now. :D ;D :o :D
Go on a 16-17 day trip to cow town on the Excel.
Go to the Amazon for Peacock Bass.
Go to Ascension Island in the south Atlantic for big YFT.
Heck, I want to come try and catch that bass out of that pond behind your work!!
Steve I love you but I hope the kids took after the gar :)
Quote from: thorhammer on April 14, 2017, 01:55:01 AM
Steve I love you but I hope the kids took after the gar :)
That's what she.....oops 12 year old rule...
The air temp was 110F that day and the water was either 89 or 90F ...so after the tug of war we were both hot and tired. ;)
The Big Mama Gar was 7 feet 200+ pounds to my 6'2" 170#.... I think it was a tie.
The 6 footer I'm holding kicked my rear end. She actually drug me standing up down the bank 6-7 feet with the drag locked down tight for the strike. Had to back off the drag or swim.
Sorry to disappoint, but my kiddos are turning out better than me. 3 more not pictured.
Back to the topic!
Kamchatka Penninsula...what Alaska was like over 60 years ago. Big and wild, unspoiled. Crazy good fishing.
Loving the dream trips I've been hearing. I posted three of my saltwater trips a bit up, here's the rest:
NOT REALLY SURE WHERENo clue on a location for this trip - I've got it down to about 12 different places though, pretty sure across 7 different states. Candidates are:
- North Carolina: Outer Banks
- Maryland: Chesapeake Bay
- New Jersey: Barnegat Bay, random spots along the coast
- Massachusetts: Martha's Vineyard, random spots along the coast of Cape Cod
- New York: Fisher's Island Sound, Gardiner's Island
- Connecticut: Thames River, random spots along the coast
- Rhode Island: Narragansett Bay, random spots along the coast
Once the spot is decided upon for this trip, the other fish species can be decided upon. However, two species determined these locations to be added to the list - bluefish and stripers. The goal with this trip would be to catch gorilla bluefish and some lunker striped bass. In general, those locations have some species in common - like black drum, flounder, croaker, mackerel, seatrout, false albacore, black sea bass, and tautog. While those fish would definitely be fun to add in to the mix, the main goal here is gorilla blues and lunker stripers, though.
RIO INDIO, NICARAGUAI guess I shouldn't put this one in with the saltwater, since it's a good bit of estuary/river fishing. Oh well, it's in with the saltwater stuff now. This trip would involve fishing for tarpon that average 60-80 pounds outside of the river mouth - and when it's nice out, it doesn't seem uncommon to land several fish per day, and to jump at least a dozen more. Aside from these bruisers, big jacks and snook can be caught going futher into the river - and another species of snook known as the fat snook is also caught (these are smaller than the common snook, though). Once you get into full freshwater, you still have snook to catch - but you've got other fish that would be far more fun to try and catch. Mostly cichlids, the main target would be the rainbow bass, or the wolf cichlid/dovii as it is known to aquarium keepers. These aggressive cichlids can reach about 8 pounds, and they're tough customers, often straightening hooks and breaking people off by running to structure. Best caught on light or medium light tackle. For the ultralight rod there are smaller fish, like the blackbelt cichlid and jaguar cichlid. There is one other fish, known locally as the machacha (I don't know of a name for it outside of it's latin name). These are relatives of pacu and piranhas, but are a bit more elongated and carp-looking. They seem to be fun fish to catch on lighter tackle.
KEY WEST, FLORIDANot sure how, but I have never been to the Keys. I have this one planned out pretty well. It would be a 5-7 day long trip, and lodging would be at the Sunset Key Cottages. Why? They have a private beach, which has a private pier - and I don't see anybody saying not to fish off of it. I have a day-by-day fishing plan made up. This trip would be with friends (more than likely), and would involve a gentlemen's bet over who can catch the most species over the duration of the trip. The plan of where/when to fish is:
- Self-guided kayak fishing in the mangroves, with lighter setups for snapper and heavier ones for sharks
- Chartered reef fishing trips to target things like grouper, yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, jacks, triggerfish, hogfish, barracudas, cero mackerel, bonito, and whatever other reef fish are out there - two days of this could take place if the fishing is good, since fishing around reefs can offer up tons of species
- Chartered backcountry fishing trip to target species such as redfish, snook, trout, jacks, ladyfish, and anything else that will bite
- Chartered offshore fishing trip to target kingfish, sailfish, dolphin, and blackfin tuna
- Chartered flats fishing trips to go for a flats grand slam (bonefish, permit, and tarpon); if there's multiple people, it would be split up with one person and one guide to a boat; and if it's necessary, this could be done over two days to give two shots at a grand slam
Since the resort has a pier, fishing on it could be done every night - probably ultralight fishing for porgies, snappers, and grunts. While those fish are getting hauled up (and hopefully bringing up the species count), a few could be cut up and thrown out to see if any sharks are swimming around outside of the pier. This might be my favorite trip on the whole thing, along with the Amazon one and the Cook Islands one.
GORDO BANKS, BAJA CALIFORNIAThis is probably the best big-game fishing experience I have come across, at least for variety and for the species that I am interested in. The main reasons I want to go are the striped marlin, roosterfish, and mako sharks - but there's more to be caught. MUCH more. You've got sailfish. You've got wahoo, sierra mackerel, dorado, and yellowfin tuna. You've got jack crevalles, african pompano, amberjack, yellowtail, bonito, plus scalloped hammerheads. And you've got bottom fish as well - pacific red snapper, pacific dog snapper, yellow snapper, colorado snapper, barred snapper, and leopard grouper all come to mind as common catches from this region. Not much left to say about this one - only thing left to do is to go and fish it.
CAIRNS, AUSTRALIAThis should take pretty much no explaining. Cairns = big marlin = big fun. November, December, or January is the time to go, as the blues and the blacks are there at this time. 2/3 of the grander black marlin that have been caught were from here. I remember hearing one time that 1 in 10 blacks caught out of Cairns is a grander. One charter website talks about how you go out in the morning to catch narrowbarred mackerel, mahi, wahoo, giant trevally, and various tuna - to use as bait.
To top this off, you can fish the Great Barrier Reef if you get tired of marlin. You've got various snappers, emperors, groupers, mackerels, trevallies, queenfish, and wrasses to catch on artificials out there.
HAWAIIThis trip would be three different islands - the Big Island, Maui, and Oahu. I'd stay in the Mauna Lani hotel on the Big Island for a few days, and fishing would be done out of two locations. One, out of Kona for giant blue marlin (and surely the dorado, yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, and wahoo would show up as well). And when i'm not targeting big game offshore (although it's not really offshore, their giant blues are normally caught within sight of land), I'll be species-hunting around the beach. There are over 1,200 species of marine fish in Hawaii, catching 100 of them is do-able. Think about adding 100 species of fish to your list in just a few days - to me, that sounds pretty fun.
After that, I'd stay in Maui for a day or two, to see the Maui Ocean Center. Again, I am a HUGE aquarium nut and this is probably my favorite aquarium in the world (even though I've never been) - the only one that can compete is the Georgia Aquarium. I'd probably try and add a few species to the list on this island as well, but I wouldn't be charter fishing here.
Finally, I'd stay on Oahu at the Marriott, where they have massive saltwater ponds for sharks. No charter fishing here either - just species hunting.
These trips might not have to be at the same time - this could be two, or even three, separate trips. Although spending three days on the Big Island, and then a combined four days on the other two (probably three on Oahu and one on Maui) would be a whole lotta fun.
That's my list. I think it's got a total of 13 destinations on it - 5 of which are in the United States, only three in the continental. A few in Central/South America, few in Africa, few in Australia/Oceania, and one in Asia for good measure.
Swami, I'd love to catch that fish too :)
I'm in my hometown of Maryland now - I might go back to my great grandmother's farm ponds to see if I can get a few bass from there. This is where I caught my first fish ever - so back to my roots for me.
Beautiful gar, Steve. I have been thinking about buying a baby and growing it out for one of my ponds. If I can find a solid food source, I'll do it. We've got a new seafood market opening, maybe I'll see if I can get the scraps.
Dream trips ??
1. Point Lake Northwest territories-- Huge lake trout to more then 55 lbs check
2. un named( but known) lake in adirondacks of NY for lake trout so big it broke the salmon net (est 40 lbs) check nope not gonna tell where
3. Tuna fishing in Hudson canyon during a wide open bite and no limit on fish check
4, (10) 15 day trips on American angler from San diego to Clarion Island or hurricane bank for finest yellowfin fishing in the world. check
5. Oswego River, Ny for steelheads from drift boat when 15 lb fish refused to stay off the line check
6. Tasmania for swordfish on a 4/0 tank by sal/lou/ted maybe next year if im on the green side not checked yet
At my age not much sense of having a big bucket list, so i dont but i have a big list of ex bucket list items accomplished
I swore I was going to go to Alaska for my 50th birthday. I'm 62.
(https://img.clipartfest.com/caead8bec78c470c2d6fda05229da251_a-big-catch-fish-clipart-1-man-fish-clipart_4536-2878.jpeg)
Tight Lines !
For some reason I dont have ambitions to go to exotic fishing locations to catch special fish. I think our fishing here is good enough to keep me satisfied.
What may attract me though is to be able to go where I can get away from all the hords of people that have taken over all my favorite fishing places.
I would like to spend a day fishing anywhere with both of grandfathers, who have both passed away many years ago.....Bill
Quote from: biggiesmalls on April 13, 2017, 02:42:41 AM
BOCA GRANDE, FLORIDA
Of course, I've got to start it out with the tarpon. They run through the pass during something like April to August, and of course hooking a 200+ pound tarpon is a lot of fun - catching one is even more fun. I've heard that they're usually 100+ pounds when they run through the pass, so even if you only get one or two fish a day, you'll be getting quality fish. But the shark fishermen in me likes what's following these tarpon a bit better - the giant hammerhead and bull sharks. Hammerheads to 1,000 pounds and bulls up to 500 don't sound appealing to some anglers, and to that I respond "You are crazy". Hooking into a beast like that has got to be fun, and just seeing an animal that size (a grander hammerhead would be at the very least a 12' fish, probably closer to 13-14'). And then you've got the goliath grouper in Charlotte Harbor, those have got to be fun to catch. I've always wanted to try a handline for them, maybe I'll try for one the next time I go to Sarasota. Aside from the fish in the 100-1,000+ pound class, you've got another gamester that's one of my favorites to catch when we make trips down to Florida - snook. The best part about Boca Grande is that EVERYONE is targeting the tarpon - and overlooking the snook. These are no tiny fish, either - 20 pounds and up is very possible, even multiple of those fish per day. And while you're at it, big jacks are usually out as well, which everyone loves to catch. I've only caught one BIG jack before - and it's so much different than the 1-5 pound fish (mine was 16). If you're fishing for bait, ladyfish and bonito are always fun fish to catch on light tackle, and make great shark, grouper, tarpon, and snook baits.
Sounds like a description from the 60's or the false tourist bureau claims! The Jewfish are that big, a huge tourist draw and new money for the transplant guides. Big tarpon and ones in any number are rare anymore. Those huge shark are not as numerous now either. Snook is so so at best anymore, we suffer from massive amounts of poaching. I miss the huge schools of Jacks and forget everything else when they were once around. Commercial fishermen dessimated them a long time ago for dog food and fish meal destined for Africa.
Nice thread guys. I don't really have any dream "Fishing Trips" I want to take but I do want to fish some of the place I dream of visiting. 1. Fiji, 2. Hawaii, 3. Alaska, 4. Great Barrier Reef yada yada yada.
Quote from: Steve-O on April 14, 2017, 03:22:04 AM
Kamchatka Penninsula...what Alaska was like over 60 years ago. Big and wild, unspoiled. Crazy good fishing.
X2 ...or, Sakhalin Island
but, to be honest, I like to wet-wade, so my dreams don't include any locations where my cojones could freeze, boil in sweat, or get pumped full of potent venom/neurotoxin from some undetectable aquatic SOB... so, bye-bye Arctic Circle, S. Asian lowlands, Amazonia, Great Barrier Reef, etc.
for sheer obscurity, I'd love to chase this barely known F/W beastie, before it's extinct:
http://roughfish.com/content/anyone-ever-heard-luciocyprinus-strigatus
all of the rivers in its Lao range are preceded by "Upper", so it should be cool enough for my delicate constitution :D
Philaroman, that's a pretty sweet looking fish - some kind of mahseer?
One of my current fishing "goals" is to fish with Steelfish in the northern Sea of Cortez and to catch a sierra.
Quote from: biggiesmalls on April 13, 2017, 02:42:41 AM
Alright, here's my saltwater list thrown together. Enjoy the read, it's a longer one.
SEWARD, ALASKA
I've always wanted to go to Alaska - but during the summer, since I hate the cold. 50-60 degrees is doable for me, if it means good fish. And that's what Seward looks like - great fishing. Nothing I can write too much about here, although barndoor-sized Pacific Halibut, King Salmon bigger than myself, a dozen or more species of rockfish, and the occasional pink and/or coho salmon show up during the summer. These would be fun to catch and all, but eating them - sounds almost better than fighting them. Although doing battle with a 50-pound salmon or a 200-pound halibut does sound pretty fun....
Crag/Klawalk or Sitka has better fishing with fewer people. Lower your king salmon goal to 40# and you might do it, I had 2 over 50# on my boat in the 15 years I lived in SE Alaska, none on my rod though....42 pounds is my largest king salmon. If you do land a big hen butt, most Pacific halibut over 60# are hens and the big girls lay far more eggs than smaller ones and , it is a good idea to let them go to make more halibuts.
My dad had a small water bottling plant and fruit orchard in N. Thailand and his large "pond" was full of snakeheads and some barimundi.
Quote from: Keta on May 17, 2017, 01:35:11 PM
One of my current fishing "goals" is to fish with Steelfish in the northern Sea of Cortez and to catch a sierra.
.....................................................
Crag/Klawalk or Sitka has better fishing with fewer people. Lower your king salmon goal to 40# and you might do it, I had 2 over 50# on my boat in the 15 years I lived in SE Alaska, none on my rod though....42 pounds is my largest king salmon. If you do land a big hen butt, most Pacific halibut over 60# are hens and the big girls lay far more eggs than smaller ones and , it is a good idea to let them go to make more halibuts.
My dad had a small water bottling plant and fruit orchard in N. Thailand and his large "pond" was full of snakeheads and some barimundi.
Thanks for the info. Perhaps I should change the destination to one of those, they all look like great spots. A summer trip there seems promising!
In no particular order:
Ascension Island
Mauritius
Alaska (Halibut and Rockfish)
Australia (all coasts)
15 day San Diego long range
Bermuda
PEI
Now if I can only hit a winning lotto ticket.
Quote from: biggiesmalls on May 17, 2017, 10:41:21 AM
Philaroman, that's a pretty sweet looking fish - some kind of mahseer?
it's a cyprinid like mahseers, but seems to be even more predatory & more endangered; only one other smaller species in the genus
Luciocyprinus ...very little info:
http://fishbase.org/summary/Luciocyprinus-striolatus.html
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/summary/181350/0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgg_KayK_NY
I would love to fish the Galapagos! I know of a gentleman the captains and mates there and great fishing is within minutes of the dock. Chances are it may not happen but its on the Bucket list just in case.
................Lou
Quote from: philaroman on May 18, 2017, 02:13:46 AM
Quote from: biggiesmalls on May 17, 2017, 10:41:21 AM
Philaroman, that's a pretty sweet looking fish - some kind of mahseer?
it's a cyprinid like mahseers, but seems to be even more predatory & more endangered; only one other smaller species in the genus Luciocyprinus ...very little info:
http://fishbase.org/summary/Luciocyprinus-striolatus.html
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/summary/181350/0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgg_KayK_NY
That's an awesome looking fish
the guy in the video seems to be somewhat of an expert on your beloved snakeheads, as well... check out his other vids
Wow, how times have changed. I can honestly say I think I'd grow sick if I did all the traveling I once talked about doing! I can narrow my list down by quite a bit now:
1. Aitutaki, Cook Islands (giant trevally and bonefish)
2. Nicaragua (tarpon, snook, and rainbow bass)
3. Gabon (tarpon, cuberas, jacks, barracudas, etc from the surf)
4. Freshwater safari (Colombia for peacocks and payara, Tanzania for tigerfish, New Guinea for barramundi and black bass, and Argentina for dorado)
5. Florida (self-guided inshore stuff, doesn't have to be a huge trip, could even just be a weekend)
Lots of my trips I posted about a while ago don't sound appealing to me now. Driving a boat in circles for billfish just doesn't sound appealing, especially if it's going to cost me a few thousand a day. Snakehead don't appeal to me as much anymore, I can go to the Potomac if I really want them - way cheaper than Thailand. Trolling and bottom fishing in Alaska doesn't sound all that appealing to me either.
I can do the 5 above over my lifetime and be good for life. I'd need absolutely nothing else in life.
Drew
I am very much a traditionalist on this; would love to have a month to hit all the classic rivers, streams and lakes in Yellowstone Park.
If I really want to get crazy, I would like to go to a place like the Falkland Islands or Greenland, where you can fish in a place that is about as wild and as close to nature that is possible anywhere on Earth.
Frank
Hit Yellowstone in September, absolute best time of the year.
My bi-monthly charters are starting real quick, I'm already twitching. Nothing fancy, just a day at the local islands fishing for calico bass. Pretty much the same crew of anglers as last year, lots of talent, feel very fortunate to catch on with them. Think that's my favorite fishing.
Done a bunch of 16-21 day long range trips so I think I've scratched that itch for a lifetime.
The one place I'd like to hit before I croak would be New Guinea, Take in the whole place, gotta be some good fishing there.
One truism about fishing is it's usually best in pristine beautiful places.
Quote from: Gfish on April 13, 2018, 02:48:12 AM
Hit Yellowstone in September, absolute best time of the year.
Would tend to agree; I think the actual fishing is probably best in May or early June, but the bugs suck then and I've been snowed on there in June and not just a dusting. Less crowded in Sept. too.
Frank
somewhere untouched by human civilization... with lots of salmon and huge macks....
no idea where though