Information Page.

Abu Dhabi.

I just had an email from an epal Brian Taylor, currently in Abu Dhabi. I know nothing about the fishing over there so I thought that Brian's report could be of interest.

Hi Mike

I trust I find you fit and well and no achy bones currently.(Not sure about that!)

I have been a follower of your site since taking up lure fishing from the Dorset Coast about 5 years ago. You gave me some great advice when I started out.

I have regularly fished along the coast for bass and I continue to follow your blog even though I am currently working in a place called Ruwais, about 140 miles west of Abu Dhabi.

I was getting fishing withdrawal symptoms and couldn't bring myself to risk my trusty rods and reels to Qatar Airways so I decided to bite the bullet this summer and bought a 6 piece travel rod and and Okuma Trio spinning reel and braid. While in Abu Dhabi in July I realised that I could buy the posh lures at about 1/3 the UK price so I now have a dazzling array of Japanese lures such as Yo Zuri, which my wife would never have sanctioned in the UK.

To cut a long story short, I went yesterday to a place called Ras Ghumais just short of the Saudi Border to try my luck, about a 70 mile drive. I found some rocks and it was just likefishing at Kimmeridge but in 40 degree heat at about 3 in the afternoon.(I'm envious!)

I decided to go through my collection to see what might work. First was my trusty Maria Chase BW, Chug Bug, Various Yo Zuris and Rapalas which I am sure will catch bucket loads when back in UK - all to no avail. I had loads of follows by pipefish but no takes. (I'll add a picture of a 'pipefish' when Brian sends one.)Eventually I put on my least "likely to catch" Strike Pro Albino lure which can be seen in the attached picture.

Second cast I hooked the grouper which went for the bottom but I managed to bring it in after two or three minutes. A couple of casts later I hooked another and they certainly put up a fight. Apologies for photos but I had to take them with my phone in the heat in a precarious rock position.

Two minutes later and another fish hit the lure like I can't describe and was about twice the size of the biggest so far. It promptly went for the bottom. I hung onto it, moved positions and gradually I started to convince it to move, inch by inch. Then, just as I was thinking this was going to be the trip of a lifetime, the Abu Dhabi police (in their 4x4) shouted from the top of the rocks, asking me to come up. I loosened the clutch a little and climbed up trying to hang onto the fish. When I got to the top they told me that I wasn't allowed to fish here. I had to move to a more beachy place about 200 metres back up the road and they have very big guns so best not to argue, especially so close to the Saudi border. As I turned to go down and carry on the fight, I felt the thing shake the hook and when I got down there all that was left was the Albino Strike Pro which I guess looks a bit like a small 'pipefish'.

I was exhausted in the heat, so I packed in but when my wife comes over in November I will go there and camp to try the beach which I am sure will be just as much fun.

I just thought I would send you my exploits, I know you do take reports from others in far places. I have not seen a single other sea angler using lures from the beach in the year that I have been here and I am always on the lookout for other like-minded anglers. They are obviously thin on the ground.

I hope things are going well for you and that my experience here is of some interest.

Regards and best wishes.

Brian (usually in Poole)

Well I found that fascinating. It just goes to show that you should always take a bit of gear when you go away to other countries. I expect I'll hear more from Brian in the coming months. Can't wait!

If you have any comments or questions about fish, methods, tactics or 'what have you.'get in touch with me by sending an E-MAIL to - docladle@hotmail.com

Grouper.

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Albino Strike Pro.

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