2nd Annual Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna Blue Water International May 4-9, 2009 - Page 3 - Spearboard.com - The World's Largest Spearfishing Diving Boating Social Media Forum

BigMako · 10-08-2008, 07:08 PM

I have to add that although I was extremely disappointed in not being able to dive, I was in awe of the country, it's people and mostly the professional way in which the contestants were entertained and made to feel absolutely welcome. A great experience and I can't wait until April when I will be winging my way to this beautiful country again, both to see new friends and to battle Yellowfin. I highly recommend this tourney to all that can attend. You won't be disappointed. Look out Ryan, I'm after your record!

AJRABIE · 10-10-2008, 05:23 AM

Hi Guys
It’s time to start paying your entrance fee to ensure your booking for next year
Please pay up if possible by the end of November your teams R6000 entrance fee only.
(If you need more time to pay,just let me know, and fill in the admin page of the divers so atleast I have my documentation in order.
Fuel deposits will be handed in only at registration.
Sorry for the delay in sending out the invite
AJ

Wilddiver · 10-10-2008, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMako

Look out Ryan, I'm after your record!

Ha...didn't you find out last time...you're too old!

BigMako · 10-10-2008, 10:50 PM

I forgot. I'm not even a "golden Oldie," just old.

AJRABIE · 10-20-2008, 10:02 AM

Hi There
Let's have a break down.
You will need to pay your plane ticket to Cape Town if not form the Republic of South Africa. I'm not sure but from USA about $1500 per person.
Your entrance fee is about $600 per team for 3 that is $200 per person. This gets you a boat and skipper for 3 days and food for the duration of the tournament. Also we like to give a lucky packet of SA spices and goods like marmite and biltong. The accommodation will cost you between $500 minimum and a $1000 dollars max depending on your tipe of stay. Fuel deposit will be about maximum $200 per person, depending on the days dived. Beers with the present exchange rate is about 60 US cents for a beer.
So you are looking at about $2500 per person worst case.
PS, there is absolutely no profit incentive for the organizers, we do it for the sport and to basically provide a venue and infrastructure for international divers to come shoot a Big Yellowfin tuna, and meet some new friends and contacts while you are at it!
Cheers
AJ

BigMako · 10-20-2008, 06:15 PM

Very Highly recommended. It's a great event.

downandout · 10-24-2008, 06:40 PM

192 days, to get in shape, and until I am having a beer with my South African friends again. Can't wait! I hope the rest of you take this time to put on a couple of extra pounds over the holidays to give myself and my team an advantage next May.

See you all soon,
Jonathan

AJRABIE · 12-03-2008, 06:58 AM

Hi guys
So I went yellowtail hunting the other day and got a PB of 14 kg's
I added a couple of pictures. I got the R6000 deposit of the Langebaan team thx guys and glad to have you back for next year.

The ALFA banks is about 42 miles south of Cape Agulhas the southern most point of africa. This means about 2 hours and thirty minutes drive to reach you destination. But worth it! We shot 26 yellowtail with 6 fish weighing over 10kg's! I saw a couple of fish at close to 20 kg's. That's about 40 pounds I think. I'm going back as soon as possible to bag a 40 pound or bigger fish.
Will keep everyone updated

I've asked ryan to give us an update on the tuna ground.
Cheers
AJ

Wilddiver · 12-03-2008, 08:44 AM

Nice fish AJ. About to leave for a full month spearing in Mozambique getting in shape for Costa Rica, then off to Virgili's comp with Tommy and Zak immediately after that. Will keep you posted how things go over there.

RyanNienaber · 12-04-2008, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMako

You won't be disappointed. Look out Ryan, I'm after your record!

hey anytime your welcome to have it, id be only to happy to see someone else enjoy the privilege of spearing a tuna over 100kg's in my home ground off Cape Point, im not to fazed about records, just good times and seeing people catch and spear there first tuna, its always a special moment and its great to be able to make it happen for someone else, its all about having fun, thats why i love the sport.

RyanNienaber · 12-04-2008, 08:46 AM

Hi to all

AJ asked me to give you a little rundown on the tuna grounds, to what I can tell you since I returned from a month at the coral sea with martin cunningham in Australia in mid October, is we haven’t fished as hard as normal due to erratic weather conditions, in October I fished the end of the month doing 4 trips in the last week, working on a commercial vessel so there was no spearing unfortunately, catches were
24 longfin 1 yellowfin,
36 longfin 0 yellowfin,
5 yellowfin 19 longfin 2 yellowtail,
25 longfin 2 yellowfin,
the water conditions have been changing daily according to the wind conditions and maybe from flooding up country. We have had days with crystal clean water and 22’c temperature to days where the water is brown and down to 17’c.

November looked more promising towards the end of the month, and looks like the water is settling into a more stable condition, but it is’nt called the cape of storms for no reason and we have still had many days of strong wind and big seas. I fished the deep 10 days in November, with mixed results, 2 of these days was in a fishing competition and the balance was on a commercial day vessel. My catches were
0 longfin, 1 yellowfin, 15 yellowtail,
26 longfin 6 yellowfin,
3 longfin 0 yellowfin – competition day
2 longfin 1 yellowfin – competition day
17 longfin 3 yellowfin,
31 longfin 2 yellowfin
3 longfin, 7 yellowfin, 28 yellowtail, 2 dorado
5 longfin 7 yellowfin
5 longfin 12 yellowfin
0 longfin 0 yellowfin

I have been fishing on a smaller day vessel but some of the larger boats had days where 20 yellowfin have been caught.

Unfortunately iv been working so haven’t done any tuna spearing lately, although there were some days when we had close to ten yellowfin swimming alongside the vessel on many occasions. We have also seen large numbers of yellowfin jumping out the water after baitfish.

Two other days of particular interest, is when we found a massive floating log that was covered in barnacles and surrounded with yellowtail, dorado and tuna, unluckily we weren’t the first boat there and the log had already been worked hard.

The other day, 28 November 2008, a broadbill swordfish (150 - 200kg) was sighted by a number of boats swimming on the surface between the vessels for sometime, this fish was docile and unfazed by anyone and seemed to be sunning itself. One boat trolled passed it and hooked (fowl I think) it but lost it after a short fight, unluckly there were no spearos near by to take care of him.

So far December has been pretty windy, some of the large deck boats left last night so we will see what they have caught on there return..

I will probably be out there early next week weather permitting and will keep you all posted if you like.

ryan

BigMako · 12-04-2008, 05:57 PM

If you're going to shoot a Swordfish, be sure to have a buddy ready with another gun. They will attack. They have really foul temperments and have been known to attack boats.

RandyMan · 12-09-2008, 03:53 PM

anybody need a third for the tournament? None of my friends seem to have the time or the cash, I'm out in California with the LA Fathomiers and am used to shooting yellowfin in Mexico. Looks like fun! PM with a reply
RandyMan

RyanNienaber · 01-20-2009, 09:08 AM

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a couple yellowtail Aj, myself, steven and jaco shot this past week.

average weight 11.5kg

AJRABIE · 01-28-2009, 04:20 AM

Hi guys
Craig has asked me to post this letter to get some responce from everyone
Thx
AJ

To: All Spears
Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna International
4 - 9 May 2009

From: Tournament Co-ordinators
Cape Boat & Bellville Underwater Club

The committee felt it important to send this notice out about the current lack of Yellowfin Tuna in our waters for the past and current season.

The Yellowfin Tuna season has been the worst in years, although we hope and believe it will pick up from March and peak in May [May is normally the best month, weather and fish wise]. Just to give you an idea, the week before the spear fishing tournament is the Gordons Bay Classic and the week after is the Nationals Tuna Tournament. These competitions are on the SADSAA calendar and are going ahead.

The concern we have is the cost factor for the international competitors to come all the way and not get the experience of shooting a Yellowfin.

Can we get some feedback from you, the competitors – Should we move the tournament to May 2010 or go ahead with the current dates?

I have had several meetings with the boat owners and they are all keen to make their boats available, so from our side the competition will be run as professionally as in May 2008, if not better.

Please let us have your feedback so a decision can be made.

Yours in Spear Fishing

Craig Hagan & AJ Rabie


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10-08-2008, 07:08 PM	#31
BigMako Keith Simmons Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mobile, Al Age: 65 Posts: 991	Re: 2nd Annual Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna Blue Water International May 4-9, 2009 I have to add that although I was extremely disappointed in not being able to dive, I was in awe of the country, it's people and mostly the professional way in which the contestants were entertained and made to feel absolutely welcome. A great experience and I can't wait until April when I will be winging my way to this beautiful country again, both to see new friends and to battle Yellowfin. I highly recommend this tourney to all that can attend. You won't be disappointed. Look out Ryan, I'm after your record! __________________ De inimico non loquaris sed cogite Knowing nothing is much better than "Knowing it all"

10-10-2008, 10:50 PM	#34
BigMako Keith Simmons Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mobile, Al Age: 65 Posts: 991	Re: 2nd Annual Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna Blue Water International May 4-9, 2009 I forgot. I'm not even a "golden Oldie," just old. __________________ De inimico non loquaris sed cogite Knowing nothing is much better than "Knowing it all"

10-20-2008, 10:02 AM	#35
AJRABIE Cape Town, South Africa Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Melkbosstrand Posts: 86	Re: 2nd Annual Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna Blue Water International May 4-9, 2009 Hi There Let's have a break down. You will need to pay your plane ticket to Cape Town if not form the Republic of South Africa. I'm not sure but from USA about $1500 per person. Your entrance fee is about $600 per team for 3 that is $200 per person. This gets you a boat and skipper for 3 days and food for the duration of the tournament. Also we like to give a lucky packet of SA spices and goods like marmite and biltong. The accommodation will cost you between $500 minimum and a $1000 dollars max depending on your tipe of stay. Fuel deposit will be about maximum $200 per person, depending on the days dived. Beers with the present exchange rate is about 60 US cents for a beer. So you are looking at about $2500 per person worst case. PS, there is absolutely no profit incentive for the organizers, we do it for the sport and to basically provide a venue and infrastructure for international divers to come shoot a Big Yellowfin tuna, and meet some new friends and contacts while you are at it! Cheers AJ __________________ IRON-BAIT RULES Last edited by AJRABIE; 10-22-2008 at 08:27 AM.

10-20-2008, 06:15 PM	#36
BigMako Keith Simmons Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mobile, Al Age: 65 Posts: 991	Re: 2nd Annual Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna Blue Water International May 4-9, 2009 Very Highly recommended. It's a great event. __________________ De inimico non loquaris sed cogite Knowing nothing is much better than "Knowing it all"

10-24-2008, 06:40 PM	#37
downandout Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 696	Re: 2nd Annual Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna Blue Water International May 4-9, 2009 192 days, to get in shape, and until I am having a beer with my South African friends again. Can't wait! I hope the rest of you take this time to put on a couple of extra pounds over the holidays to give myself and my team an advantage next May. See you all soon, Jonathan Attached Images Last edited by downandout; 10-24-2008 at 06:58 PM.

12-03-2008, 06:58 AM	#38
AJRABIE Cape Town, South Africa Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Melkbosstrand Posts: 86	Re: 2nd Annual Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna Blue Water International May 4-9, 2009 Hi guys So I went yellowtail hunting the other day and got a PB of 14 kg's I added a couple of pictures. I got the R6000 deposit of the Langebaan team thx guys and glad to have you back for next year. The ALFA banks is about 42 miles south of Cape Agulhas the southern most point of africa. This means about 2 hours and thirty minutes drive to reach you destination. But worth it! We shot 26 yellowtail with 6 fish weighing over 10kg's! I saw a couple of fish at close to 20 kg's. That's about 40 pounds I think. I'm going back as soon as possible to bag a 40 pound or bigger fish. Will keep everyone updated I've asked ryan to give us an update on the tuna ground. Cheers AJ Attached Thumbnails __________________ IRON-BAIT RULES Last edited by AJRABIE; 12-04-2008 at 06:37 AM.

12-03-2008, 08:44 AM	#39
Wilddiver Daryl Balfour Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 513	Re: 2nd Annual Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna Blue Water International May 4-9, 2009 Nice fish AJ. About to leave for a full month spearing in Mozambique getting in shape for Costa Rica, then off to Virgili's comp with Tommy and Zak immediately after that. Will keep you posted how things go over there. __________________ Safe, Selective, Sustainable Seafood! www.wildphotossafaris.com www.diving-action.com

12-04-2008, 08:46 AM	#41
RyanNienaber Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cape Town Age: 41 Posts: 23	Re: 2nd Annual Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna Blue Water International May 4-9, 2009 Hi to all AJ asked me to give you a little rundown on the tuna grounds, to what I can tell you since I returned from a month at the coral sea with martin cunningham in Australia in mid October, is we haven’t fished as hard as normal due to erratic weather conditions, in October I fished the end of the month doing 4 trips in the last week, working on a commercial vessel so there was no spearing unfortunately, catches were 24 longfin 1 yellowfin, 36 longfin 0 yellowfin, 5 yellowfin 19 longfin 2 yellowtail, 25 longfin 2 yellowfin, the water conditions have been changing daily according to the wind conditions and maybe from flooding up country. We have had days with crystal clean water and 22’c temperature to days where the water is brown and down to 17’c. November looked more promising towards the end of the month, and looks like the water is settling into a more stable condition, but it is’nt called the cape of storms for no reason and we have still had many days of strong wind and big seas. I fished the deep 10 days in November, with mixed results, 2 of these days was in a fishing competition and the balance was on a commercial day vessel. My catches were 0 longfin, 1 yellowfin, 15 yellowtail, 26 longfin 6 yellowfin, 3 longfin 0 yellowfin – competition day 2 longfin 1 yellowfin – competition day 17 longfin 3 yellowfin, 31 longfin 2 yellowfin 3 longfin, 7 yellowfin, 28 yellowtail, 2 dorado 5 longfin 7 yellowfin 5 longfin 12 yellowfin 0 longfin 0 yellowfin I have been fishing on a smaller day vessel but some of the larger boats had days where 20 yellowfin have been caught. Unfortunately iv been working so haven’t done any tuna spearing lately, although there were some days when we had close to ten yellowfin swimming alongside the vessel on many occasions. We have also seen large numbers of yellowfin jumping out the water after baitfish. Two other days of particular interest, is when we found a massive floating log that was covered in barnacles and surrounded with yellowtail, dorado and tuna, unluckily we weren’t the first boat there and the log had already been worked hard. The other day, 28 November 2008, a broadbill swordfish (150 - 200kg) was sighted by a number of boats swimming on the surface between the vessels for sometime, this fish was docile and unfazed by anyone and seemed to be sunning itself. One boat trolled passed it and hooked (fowl I think) it but lost it after a short fight, unluckly there were no spearos near by to take care of him. So far December has been pretty windy, some of the large deck boats left last night so we will see what they have caught on there return.. I will probably be out there early next week weather permitting and will keep you all posted if you like. ryan

12-04-2008, 05:57 PM	#42
BigMako Keith Simmons Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mobile, Al Age: 65 Posts: 991	Re: 2nd Annual Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna Blue Water International May 4-9, 2009 If you're going to shoot a Swordfish, be sure to have a buddy ready with another gun. They will attack. They have really foul temperments and have been known to attack boats. __________________ De inimico non loquaris sed cogite Knowing nothing is much better than "Knowing it all"

12-09-2008, 03:53 PM	#43
RandyMan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Palos Verdes Ca. Posts: 112	Re: 2nd Annual Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna Blue Water International May 4-9, 2009 anybody need a third for the tournament? None of my friends seem to have the time or the cash, I'm out in California with the LA Fathomiers and am used to shooting yellowfin in Mexico. Looks like fun! PM with a reply RandyMan

01-20-2009, 09:08 AM	#44
RyanNienaber Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cape Town Age: 41 Posts: 23	Re: 2nd Annual Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna Blue Water International May 4-9, 2009 a couple yellowtail Aj, myself, steven and jaco shot this past week. average weight 11.5kg

01-28-2009, 04:20 AM	#45
AJRABIE Cape Town, South Africa Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Melkbosstrand Posts: 86	Re: 2nd Annual Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna Blue Water International May 4-9, 2009 Hi guys Craig has asked me to post this letter to get some responce from everyone Thx AJ To: All Spears Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna International 4 - 9 May 2009 From: Tournament Co-ordinators Cape Boat & Bellville Underwater Club The committee felt it important to send this notice out about the current lack of Yellowfin Tuna in our waters for the past and current season. The Yellowfin Tuna season has been the worst in years, although we hope and believe it will pick up from March and peak in May [May is normally the best month, weather and fish wise]. Just to give you an idea, the week before the spear fishing tournament is the Gordons Bay Classic and the week after is the Nationals Tuna Tournament. These competitions are on the SADSAA calendar and are going ahead. The concern we have is the cost factor for the international competitors to come all the way and not get the experience of shooting a Yellowfin. Can we get some feedback from you, the competitors – Should we move the tournament to May 2010 or go ahead with the current dates? I have had several meetings with the boat owners and they are all keen to make their boats available, so from our side the competition will be run as professionally as in May 2008, if not better. Please let us have your feedback so a decision can be made. Yours in Spear Fishing Craig Hagan & AJ Rabie __________________ IRON-BAIT RULES

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