2019: Kuria Muria Hallaniyat Expedition preparation

For this time, will bring 6  popping rods, 1 casting rod and 1 jigging rod.

Rod                                  Reels                                      Lines                                    Lures

F3711/402013                  Stella14000XG                       Ori Spool PPro80lb             γ160, SF120, Hustlepop 130

Faube77 M+                    2013Stella18000HG               Ori Spool PPro 100lb          HH E-cup. D-cup, GT2 150

SP80M/43                        2008Stella10000HG               SOM0816000 PPro100lb    SF120, D cup, Napalm 220
EP82/42 KLL                  2013 Stella 14000XG              SOM 08 16000 PPro 80lb    γ140, BF140, Bigfoot 140
TBL80/40                        2008 Stella 10000HG             SOM 08 16000 PPro 100lb   γ160, Bigfoot 180
PJ710/37                          2008 Stella 10000HG            SOM 08 16000 PPro 80lb     GeNei 120,                                                                                                                                                                                                          Maihime 120, γ120, BF120
BC73MLR                       TwinPower 5000HG                Tufline 20lb                           Pintail 40
Takamitechnos MOZ LM522 + SOM L30 +PE2

Carpenter HustlePop 130, Seafrog Twinhooks 120, Nativeworks Napalms 220 n 250. Hammerhead E n D cups, Hots Keiko RV, Amegari Urpekari 220, Craftbait GT2 n GT3

Carpenter Gamma 160 n 140, Maihime 120, GeNei 120, Bluefish 120 n 140, Orion Bigfoot 100, 140 n 180, Amegari Lingo, Hammerhead BorderChaser

Disclaimer
I do not claim to be an authority in the field of the rod, lure and equipment testing and the use of any information on this site are at the user’s and buyer's own risk.  All of the above writing is just my feedback and opinion.  Please browse official sites for more accurate explanation and description. While I make every effort to provide accurate and complete information, I provide no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any information on this site. I welcome suggestions on how to improve this site’s content and correct errors. I am also NOT ASSOCIATED with any brands and/or promoting any brands.
Lure MAX and line MAX and notation of drag value are reference level. Please consider casting methods and fighting methods etc. as it changes with the person who uses it.
Those who are expert the basics of loading method properly can use bigger lures and even use thicker lines.
Rod weight is a numerical value when measuring the prototype rod. Please acknowledge that there are some errors at the time of the product.
Rod Specifications Parts are subject to change without prior notice for improvement. Please note that.

Oman April 13-22, 2018: NOUKHADA FISHING CHARTER

For our trip this time, we opt to get services from Noukhada Fishing Charter Oman.  From browsing, we found the http://noukhadaoman.com/

After few correspondents with Owner Mr Ali Dashti and Noukhada Management Mr Hamad Al Roumi, , a date April 13-22, 2018 was agreed.  I also was introduced to a wonderful Captain Swabir Adi Shee of Noukhada.

7 Angler Garage crews includes myself, Eidi, Master MO, Syakri, Pak Tam, Aidil and youngest Master Love Uddin-san gathered at KLIA ~ 5pm.  Our journey starts from KLIA Friday 13th April 2018 flight QR849 Qatar Airways with duration 7h 45m to Doha, Qatar.  We reached Hamd International Airport, Doha at 11.05pm local time and have connection time of 3 hours for Flight QR1142 3.00am bound for Salalah International Airport, Salalah, Oman.  Doha's Hamad International Airport is a world class airport.  Good food and many smoking rooms :).

Doha airport

We landed at 6.35am in Salalah.  After a hassle free immigration and customs, we were greeted by Captain Swabir and Captain Jamil of Noukhada.  Since we arrived too early and Lulu Supermarket open at 9.00am, I just gave Capt Swabir a shopping list of food and extra groceries for him to buy at Lulu eg. breaded Chicken Drumstick, Redbull Energy drinks.  Very short list since everything else about food & drink is ready for us at Noukhada Lodge in Shuwameyah.

We took the 12 seater van for travelling to Ash Shuwaymiyyah while our baggages handle by Swabir 4x4 Toyota.  Journey of 282km to Ash Shuwaymiyyah will take ~ 3.5 hours via beautiful coastal road of Mirbat, Sadah and Hasik.  After few stops for breakfast and scenic photography, we reached Noukhada Fishing Charter Oman lodge.

pittstop at Wadi near Hasik

Our van parked in front of lodge.

38 footer 2x300hp = 4 person popping

32 footer 2 x 250hp = 3 person popping

many Jamals!!

Wow!!! That is the first word came out of my mouth!!! 7 buildings + 5 boats + huge land areas!!!
So we greeted by our host and lead to guest the house.  HUGE!!!!!  There are 8 rooms that can accommodate 16 anglers...easily!!!

Very spacious living hall!!!

Another living hall!!!

fully air-condition

Eidi with his whale bones

Noukhada Fishing Charter  small gift of T-Shirt, buff, Waterproof Bag, Hat, Towel with Noukhada logo

AG's crew 1st lunch at Noukhada Lodge

After lunch...dreaming about 50kg GTs!!

Good food!!!!!

Each angler has he's own port!!!

AG crew show-off their sunnies

very spacious for popping

next door got high-end tackleshop !!!

crew with Captain Swabir, Captain Jamil and Mr Hamad

to be continue.....

Oman April 13-22, 2018: Trip Preparation

Big trip this year to Khuria Muria Islands of Sultanate Of Oman.
This archipelago is a group of five main islands in the Arabian Sea, 40 km (25 mi) off the southeastern coast of the Sultanate of Oman. The islands form part of the province of Shalim and the Hallaniyat Islands in the governorate of Dhofar.
Five main islands namely Al-Hasikiyah, Al-Sawda, Al-Hallaniyah, Al-Qibliyah and Qarzawit. Al Hallaniyah ( الحلانية) is the largest and only inhabited of the Khuriya Muriya Islands, which belong to Oman. It is located in the center of the group, eight kilometers east of Al-Sawda, the closest island, and the second largest of the group.  Please refer to Google and Wipedia for further infomation.

Our route this time via Qatar Airways i.e. Kuala Lumpur-Doha-Salalah due to the  upgrading the Salalah airport to International status. Standard check-in luggage weight is 30kg. We did buy extra 5kg for peace of mind purpose.  Transport is provided for us to travel from Salalah to Shuwaimeyah which takes ~ 3.5 hours to cover 334km.

We will be staying in Noukhada Fishing Lodge in Shuwaimeyah with 6 days of GT popping with optional camping in Al-Sawda for 3-4 nights.

As Jan 2018, visitors are required to apply online E-visa from Sultanate Of Oman.  4 documents are needed i.e. your recent photograph, copy of passport, copy of arrival and return ticket and invitaion letter from the fishing operator.  Please apply visa at https://evisa.rop.gov.om/

Although this is a GT popping trip, amberjack jigging is an option for us, thus 3-4 fast sinking jigs are also included in our checking baggage.

This will be my 3rd visit to Khuria Muria Islands which gives me some sort of advantage on where and what lures to use for the GTs.  Simple answer is big lures = big GT!!!!  Big mouth chuggers are always preferable to call them.  Big stickbait between 140-200grams also will entice the GT.  This time i will come with minimal lure quantities but proven action.  Chuggers included Adhek Cuttle, HeammerHead E, D, C cups, Craftbait GT2 & GT3 150, Carpenter Seafrog TwinHooks and Carpenter HustlePop 130.  Diving poppers are NativeWork Napalm 220 and 200 size. As for the stickbaits, i prepared few Carpenter Gammas 160, 140, Bluefish 140 & 120 and Maihime 120.  Sinking/suspended stickbaits with be Orion Bigfoot 140 and Hammerhead Boarder Deepchaser.  Also 2 surface skipping lures of Adhek Ocen Lady and Adhek Pluto.

Chugger and Diving Lures

Stickbait and swimbait

Will prepare 6 Shimano Stella reels i.e. 2008 Stella 18000, 2013 Stella 18000, 2 x 2013 Stella 14000 and 2 x 2008 Stella 10000 with SOM 16000 spools.  All spools wil be filled by Power Pro red 100lb class.

Leader will be Fisherman 170 & 200lb and Prosele nanodax 170 & 210lb tied to size 1 and 1/0 NT swivel and Owner #10 & #11 splitrings.

As for hooks, 100% Decoys Salwater Series saiz 5/0, 6/0 and 7/0.
HH D & E cup = Decoy 7/0
HH C cup = Decoy 6/0
Carpenter Seafrog Twinhooks and Hustlepop 130 = Decoy 6/0
Nativeworks Napalm 220 = Decoy 6/0
Nativeworks Napalm 200 = Decoy 5/0

Gamma 160 =  Decoy 7/0
Gamma 140, Gamma 120, Maihime 120, Bluefish 140, Bluefish 120 = Decoy 6/0
Orion Bigfoot 140 = Decoy 5/0
Nativeworks Rattler 210 = Decoy 5/0


Rods pairing as follows
chuggers
1. Carpenter SP78H-SHP ==> 2013 Stella 18000
2. Hammerhead Faube 77M+ == > 2008 Stella 10000
3. Carpenter SP80M ==> 2013 Stella 14000

Stickbaiter
4. Carpenter F3 711/40 ==> 2013 Stella 14000
5. Carpenter TBL80/40  ==> 2008 Stella 18000
6. Carpenter CV79/40 ==> 2008 Stella 10000 with SOM 16000
7. Carpenter PJ Allrounder 711/37

Mainly i use Fisherman Shock Leader 200lb PE60

Will write fully about the trip soon.......

Komodo: 17-19 Nov 2017

Another trip to Komodo was planned.  This time 8 anglers with 2 boats under Adhek Bali.  Results kinda better.  29 GTs were caught and released from 2 boats.

6 reels + 2 extra spool = Power Pro 100lbs

I brought 6 rods i.e. MH79EXT/45,  F3 711/40, SP76ML/38, CV79/40, TBL80/35 and PJ80/36.

Very minimal lures

New Year 2017 NE Monsoon Trip

7th Jan 2017

Berhala Island

Stickbait time with Carpenter CV79/35 and Maihime 120 Pilotfish

Double strike on Carpenter Seafrog PP130 and Adhek Bali Mini Gecko

On Carpenter Seafrog Twinhook 120 Pilotfish

Small one on NativeWork Napalm 200

End 2016 : Jarak Island

year end trip

Carpenter TBL80/35

Pulling a foul hook GT using Napalm 200

Native Works Napalm 200mm

Another small caught on Carpenter Maihime 120 Diablo White

Small lure = Small GT...HammerHead  A-cup

Lucky escape....