The Fish That Got Away
Latest Position 0610UTC 17 August 08: 4.27S, 169.52E
Since I crossed the equator I have had great wind and am making a good 6 knot average. The squalls are a lot higher in intensity and speed down here but by now I'm a lot better at judging their intensity and faster at reefing. Moana has had light winds and has been motoring for days on end.
The heat has dissipated a little bit with the increase in wind. It is almost a full moon now and that helps me be able to see squalls at night but its crazy when the black squall clouds block out the moon and everything goes black. There were a lot of squalls last night so I didn't get much sleep.
The wind is lightening now so hopefully I'll have a better night. The wind angle combined with the swells have had Intrepid pushing through a lot of waves. It is like being power washed for 48 hours. Now there is a small leak right over my bed!
I did catch a Barracuda in the early morning but I was too tired to pull it in so I left it for the morning. I got the old barracuda recipe from my mom on the phone and was going to eat it for breakfast but when I pulled it in it was gone along with half of the lure!
I don't think this officially counts as catching a fish but I thought there were people who may be interested to know.
Cheers,
Zac
Since I crossed the equator I have had great wind and am making a good 6 knot average. The squalls are a lot higher in intensity and speed down here but by now I'm a lot better at judging their intensity and faster at reefing. Moana has had light winds and has been motoring for days on end.
The heat has dissipated a little bit with the increase in wind. It is almost a full moon now and that helps me be able to see squalls at night but its crazy when the black squall clouds block out the moon and everything goes black. There were a lot of squalls last night so I didn't get much sleep.
The wind is lightening now so hopefully I'll have a better night. The wind angle combined with the swells have had Intrepid pushing through a lot of waves. It is like being power washed for 48 hours. Now there is a small leak right over my bed!
I did catch a Barracuda in the early morning but I was too tired to pull it in so I left it for the morning. I got the old barracuda recipe from my mom on the phone and was going to eat it for breakfast but when I pulled it in it was gone along with half of the lure!
I don't think this officially counts as catching a fish but I thought there were people who may be interested to know.
Cheers,
Zac
posted by Zac at
11:07 PM
22 Comments:
Hmmmmmm...The one that got away. I guess you should have reeled it in right away. Well, if there's one out there, there are more. How did you know it was a Baracuda anyway?
Best of luck.
Peter Mercer - Canada
Ahoy Zac!!
When I fish w/ my dad, the rule is "unless it hits the deck of the boat it doesn't count".....looks like it's a no go for you....LOL. Do you think a shark came to have a snack on your catch?? For sure you wouldn't see me with even my toes in that water!!! YIKES
I bet you get pretty beat up going through those squalls! Good that you are getting faster at reefing. I'm a bit of a wimpy sailor, I reef the main at 12 knots, that's my limit! I have a B&R rig so the power is in the main. My jib is a 110 and is on a roller furler; best investment EVER!! I was taught that if you think you need to reef, well then you need to reef. Reef early and often!!
Well, it's race day at my club, so I'm off for the day.
Thanks so much for sharing your adventure with all of us. It's exciting to watch you realize your dream!
God speed Zac!
Anita
Waterloo, NY
USA!
Zac:
Be careful with leaving fish on your lines. They continue to fight until they die, and in the process they build up Histamines in their flesh. You can get Histamine poisoning, which is not pleasant. I would recommend, always catch clean and either eat or get on ice as proper handling. Love your trip and efforts, keep on keeping on, we are all pulling for you.
Marty
Seems like every day there is something new, exciting, and fun to read about! I'm already looking forward to the book :)
from Iowa
Lures are you're way to catching dinner. Respect them and dont lose them. Fish by all means but big fish is not really what U want when U are sailing. They break leaders, swallow lures. Cast when U see the fish a flying mahi mahi are giving chase. Don't lose the tools that can feed U. I learned that the same way U did. After a few days of 'humble pie' I was back fishin and it was a very much enjoyed distraction. There is something to be said for cathcing your own dinner!
Zac,
WOW Great progress! I am wondering, are you planning on sailing south of the Solomon Islands (Honiara) - between Honiara and Vauatu? Just curious about your route. Thanks!
Minnesota Family
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=101342743696254513196.0004502eb126f879da68b&ll=4.039618,169.541016&spn=47.744141,67.5&t=h&z=4
Smooth Sailing, Zac...
RandyC
Zac Sunderland is now DownUnderland
I follow his coursing through the days
I follow his venture amid the waves
My heart on my sleeve and in my throat
ever mindful of the one in this boat
Busy,busy earth miles away,lives are lived so safe and set
Thoughts and prayers as the sea salt and spray
know that your God tends all the way
Anon
Here in Port Hueneme,CA that your familiar where I am
Zac, yesterday was some lighting and a full moon. I was in the pool when I seen the full moon and in bed when I seen the lighting and made me think of the power of God is so awesome in nature. What thoughts you must have out there yourself Zac when you see the moon, lighting or pure darkness because of the black clouds with rough winds.
Thinking of you. Blessings
SERVANT OF THE MOST HIGH
Ah, well... You'll get one soon, Zac. I know nothing of fishing out in the open seas. Aside from 'cuda what might you pull in? Mahi? I love fresh mahi... Rory says not to go for the big ones. Makes sense, but how do you control that? Type of bait / lures?
I was checking out the temps down in your general area and they do seem to be moderating. I hope you can get some restoring sleep and not have to dodge the squalls tonight. And fix that leak over your bed, unless, you know, you *like* that ancient drip drip drip water torture... :)
Cheers!
willy
milford, ohio
Fish mock me. They really do! I haven't fished very much and when I have tried fishing up in the Sierra's they swim around my hook and NEVER bite. So, as I said fish mock me, but I keep trying.I actually did catch one fish at my friends pond in Sonoma County. It was a sunfish. I think I've seen sardines bigger than this fish. Ah well, I don't even want to eat the fish (prefer catch and release) I just want to have the sense of accomplishing the catching of the fish. It does provide me some comfort knowing that you too have had your share of fishing challenges. LOLMelanie in Torrance
Ahh, the one that got away. The story of my luck at fishing. Better luck next time. Fresh fish for dinner would be a real treat, I imagine.
With the full moon now we've thought of you and how incredibly beautiful it must be out there when the sky is clear.
I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog each morning. As Daryl said,
always something new!
You remain in my prayers!
Blessings,
Jennifer
Sherman Oaks, CA
I'd say you are making progress with the fish...getting closer to landing some fresh food! Hang in there!
Cheers!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
oh! and btw, try wiggling your line a bit, that helps to get fish.
-taylorm. 13. mn
Yeah certain lures attract different fish. Keep the lures shiny so they catch the suns reflection. Generally u don't want to catch fish that are a hassle to land (sailfish etc). Additionally a sailboat design can make it awkward when it comes to hauling them in and U can snap a line in the 3 feet from the water to boat, hence the need for a gaff. I learned the hard way (as usual) ha ha. At one point I had to use 100 pound test (overkill) and they still snapped the line! The battle lines were drawn! Yeah the fish kicked my ass a little but I guess it was a necessary step into achieving 'fishing Karma'! I will say though that when U hear the reel come alive and hear line screaming out it's pure joy. When you're eating freshly caught Mahi pan fried in a nice white wine garlic butter sauce as the sunsets it's the best! Yeah OK... if Carla was there it would taste even better :-)
"Your usual table with the sunset view Mr. Sunderland?"
You sound like you're doing just fine. Keep sailin' on mate, take your anti-malarials. We're all praying for ya.
My last guestimate, there are several hundred of us keeping you in our prayers. That many sending positive thoughts your way, keeping you and your family in our hearts will hopefully help ease your frustration in time.
Hand on the line, one eye on the horizon & the other on your scopes. You'll do great!
Dinner to land on deck soon!
HUGS!
Tomi/ATL
Zac,
CIGUATERA is bad thing dude...
Coming from Florida, we would never eat barracuda.
However, in the Bahamas, Turks, etc., the locals eat it.
In Hawaii most people won't touch it either, but that's probably because so much good fish is readily available...
Maybe "something" taking your Cuda for boat was a blessing...
Wait for a Mahi or a Yellow Fin, or a Wahoo or something...
No King Fish, No Barracuda...
My $0.02
Stay safe...
Daveh
I agree with Daveh on the Baracuda! I Always heard not to eat that too. But your Mom must know something if she has a good recipee for it.
Don't worry, that Mahi will come when you really need it.
Tammy
Zac, I've been reading your blog daily now for about a week. It's great. I'm sitting here in a cubicle high above the streets of Manhattan, staring at the Hudson and thinking of you.
You're living all our dreams. God bless you and your family, and may he keep you safe on your journey.
-dave-
Hello Zac,
Please bring in the fish next time. If not your just feeding the other fish. I'm sure sleep is way more important when your tired. You can always try again tomorrow.
Sail On,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Sir Zac, you're the Man,
doesn't "that" just have the perfect ring to it...Sir Zac...
loved your post Rory, excellent,
the Mahi, the sunset view and Carla... ;-)
0nly kidding "Marianne"
Zac's way to young to think about girls seriously...unless of course she's a girl like the girl that married "dear old dad", that bar is set high...
as far as the fishing...
psalm 104
:24 O LORD how many are YOUR works.
In wisdom YOU have made them all,
the earth is full of YOUR possessions.
:25 There is the sea great and broad,
in which there are swarms without number,
animals both small and great.
:26 there the ships move along
and Leviathan which you have formed, to sport in it.
:27 they all wait for YOU,
to give them their food in due season.
:28 YOU give to them, they gather it up.
YOU open YOUR HAND,
they are satisfied with good.
as you wait, Zac for the first fish... the "lesson" is in the waiting...
and of course in the giving of THANKS...
"and you will be satisfied with good"
licks and hugs
from adino and mark
vicksburg, mississippi...USA
adino (2nd samuel 23:8)
is my PWD (portuguese waterdog)... now she could catch a fish for you...LOL, unfortunately she's not much on sharing...LOL
btw... talked to a researcher of squid out in the pacific, he shared, lotsa fish... do their eating close to the surface at night... during the day they go deep and cool...
that i'm sure you can relate too...
Zac , you're always in our thoughts and prayers
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