Andaman Trip

**Indian Angler** · 07-11-2005, 09:16

Hi,

Just returned from a fishing trip in the Andamans. Things went pretty well considering this was our first sea fishing trip. The high lights of the trip were a 35lb grouper, 30lb GT and a 27LB Wahoo. We caught an assortment of other smaller fish. Used every possible method.... trolling, casting with spinners, spoons and plugs and hand lining with bait. We drew a blank when it came to jigging. Guess we weren't in the right waters.

A bit difficult to access and it takes sometime working things out with the local fishermen. Once they figured out what we had in mind thigs went pretty well. Alas even a week is too short in the Andamans. Planning on going back as soon as I've saved enough for a ten day trip.

Would be glad to answer any queries

Regards,

Indian Angler.

**garyagreen** · 07-11-2005, 09:24

sounds like a good trip mate welldone tight lines gary

**PanamaJack** · 07-11-2005, 09:26

Hi Indian Angler
Well, congratulations! And what are your impressions of those fish compared to Mahseer? I suspect the Wahoo were a tad faster and the Grouper somewhat stronger, but what about the GTs?
Kindest regards
Dave

**Indian Angler** · 07-11-2005, 09:51

Originally Posted by PanamaJack

Hi Indian Angler
Well, congratulations! And what are your impressions of those fish compared to Mahseer? I suspect the Wahoo were a tad faster and the Grouper somewhat stronger, but what about the GTs?
Kindest regards
Dave

Hi Dave,

Very difficult to compare Mahseer fishing to the kind of fishing we were doing in the Andamans. If it all boils down to fighting power, then the sea fish win hands down. I am in the process of compiling notes on the trip, which has suddenly become quite difficult. I will start to post details as soon as I get things in order. Thanks for all the inputs..

I'm afraid my trolling lures bombed totally

Nothing touched them. Guess I'll have to refine them and rework the whole concept. We managed to catch the GT on a home made popper.

Finally the GT's were in a different league.We caught the GT and the blue fin Trevally, which is quite a beautiful fish. The interesting thing is that the shimano beastmaster uptide 96610 was very impressive when it came to stopping larger fish.

I am off to Bhavnagar( Gujarat) on the 14th of nov and will be out fishing for barramundi. Apparently there's some good barra fishing there and I have no clue what to do!! Will have to read up some more I guess.

We've had a terrific monsoon here and the Mahseer fishing will only start by mid december.... looking forward to that.

Regards,

Indian Angler.

**PanamaJack** · 07-11-2005, 19:56

Hi Indian Angler
Certainly looking forward to the reflections on your trip when you have the opportunity to bring them together.

I agree with your observations regarding Bluefin Trevally - they're a magnificent creature. And that's where my nom de plume, 'Panama Jack', actually comes from. Occasionally they're referred to as Cobalt Jack and that, I guess, says everything about their colouring - that on their pectorals and the shading and spots on their flanks.

Given the limited amount of time before your next trip I won't bombard you with information on Barramundi - suffice to say they're aggressive members of the Perch family and they'll jump. As well as fishing livebaits you'll also get tremendous strikes for them on surface poppers.

If it's of any interest there's a picture of a small one on our Club's web site. Just follow the link through from this url - http://www.scbi.org.uk/pages/News_WhatsNewNfc200404.asp to Geoff Flores 2003 trip to Cape York (Australia). As well as the Barramundi he also caught a small crocodile!

Wishing you every success on your next trip. You're starting to make me quite envious!

Kindest regards
Dave

**Indian Angler** · 08-11-2005, 12:14

Hi,

I went a bit haywire trying to gather info on my lat trip to the Andamans!! Going to take it easy for the next trip. Plan to make some spinners, which apparently the barramundi take. First time I've heard of that!! Will rely on my hosts tackle box this time!!!

**Rock Goby** · 11-11-2005, 10:20

Hello Indian Angler,
I went to India 6 Years ago and am dying to go back,this time with fishing tackle!!!
Generally I like to go shore fishing and was wondering if you Know any parts were it is worth a chuck.Also,where did you fish in the Andamans???I know Port Blair and Havelock Island.Cheers Rock Goby.

**Indian Angler** · 11-11-2005, 13:27

Originally Posted by Rock Goby

Hello Indian Angler,
I went to India 6 Years ago and am dying to go back,this time with fishing tackle!!!
Generally I like to go shore fishing and was wondering if you Know any parts were it is worth a chuck.Also,where did you fish in the Andamans???I know Port Blair and Havelock Island.Cheers Rock Goby.

Hi Rock Goby,

Firstly its a good idea to carry a rod with you when you're travelling.

I am basically a freshwater angler. Most of my fishing is on the Cauvery river after mahseer. I ocassionally head into the Nilgiris( tamil nadu) after trout. My last trip was to the Andamans, which was my first sea fishing trip. A whole new world is slowly opening up.....

I have now begun meeting up and talking to more people who go out sea fishing here in India. Its very different from the kind of fishing I've been used to. Now the hassle of investing in new tackle, has cropped up and I've been trying to gather as much info as I can about sea fishing here. Its a bit difficult as many guys aren't too helpful when it comes to giving hints, tips and locations.

My next trip is to the north western state of Gujarat. Apparently there's some great barramundi fishing there. That's about all I know, guess I'll figure things out once I am there.

Have you been to the Andamans? I did most of my fishing off Havelock. Mail me back and let me know.....

Regards,

Indian Angler.

**Ian Houlton** · 11-11-2005, 19:22

i may be wrong here, but is it worth pointing out that a lot of the people on the andemans are very private people and maybe this needs to be taken into account while there?

**Indian Angler** · 12-11-2005, 11:03

Originally Posted by ian houlton

i may be wrong here, but is it worth pointing out that a lot of the people on the andemans are very private people and maybe this needs to be taken into account while there?

Hi Ian,

Which part of the Andamans did you visit? Many of the islands are off bounds to visitors, both from India and abroad. But some islands like Neil Island, Havelock etc are open. Tourism is just starting to pick up again after the tsunami and some of the islands were hit quite badly. Since tourism is the mainstay people were quite happy to have us around.

They were of little help when it came to fishing and giving us advice, but once our boat was organised things went off pretty well. We also did not advertise the fact we were out there only to fish. We more or less kept to ourselves and were out on the boat most of the day.

Since the islands are small and word gets around pretty quick we saw to it that we did not attract too much attention.

Cheers,
Indian Angler.