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    Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

    Giles Chases GT's (well actually his dream)….

    Iron Heart Meet Ups & Travel
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    • GilesG
      Giles
      IHUK Crew
      Joined:

      Those of you who know me, will know that my sport of preference is fishing (OK @Chris , it's not longer, higher, faster, so you won't consider it a sport, but I do  😃 ).  Fifteen years ago I read an article about a new way of fishing for fish called Giant Trevally (GT).  These fish had been hitherto hard to catch because they hunt on reef drop offs, so if you hook one of them from the shore, they will likely break your line on the reef edge as they dive, couple with the fact that fishing tackle at the time really was just not strong enough.  These things trash tackle, for my main outfit, I have it duplicated because there is a very real chance the reel or the rod of one of the outfits  will get shredded.

      About 20 years the Japanese got involved and a perfect storm of technical advancements in rod, reel and line technology allowed them to develop tackle that could handle these fish.  The rods are immensely strong, but light (when you are casting a 6oz plug all day long, light is good), the reels can dial in 30lbs of drag and the line is ridiculously thin for it's breaking strain (I am using 90lb spectra braid but it has the same diameter as 15lb monofilament) - thin means you can cast further.

      You fish for them from a small boat, casting  (usually) surface lures towards the reef, when the fish takes, it dives into the deep water but as you are ocean side, the risk of getting bust off is minimised.

      At some point in the article the following was said "I cast my popper towards the reef and started to retrieve, there was then an explosion at the end of the line that I can only describe as like a fridge being dropped into the water from a helicopter, yes it was my first GT".  I vowed that one day I would catch a GT.

      In the course of my travels to Japan, I have made many friends, one of them is a guy called Shin Achiwa and he started an operation in the Maldives a couple of years ago called GT Maldives.  Today I fly with Ben my fishing buddy to see what it is like.  So 15 years of dreaming and the accumulation of the appropriate tackle are about to be answered.  We are staying on a non-resort (local) island and it's "dry" - I will be looking for the illegal still…..

      I think I'll catch some GT, I know I'll catch other species.  But whatever, I'm as excited as hell....

      In a week, Paula flies out and we meet in Male and have a few days together on a resort island.

      "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • ColeC
        Cole
        啓蒙家
        Joined:

        Sounds great. Enjoy the Maldives (I would certainly prefer them to the current winter weather) and don't forget to post pictures of the Gt you catch. 😉

        Gesendet von meinem D5803 mit Tapatalk

        WTB:
        IHJ-96-OLV Size L
        IHE-13

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        • neph93N
          neph93
          見習いボス
          Joined:

          Wonderful story, and one that I hope gets a happy ending. I went to the Maldives on my honeymoon a few years ago. Amazing place. The marine life was spectacular. While I hope (and believe) you'll get your GT, I know you'll have a great time. Try and get some diving in too 😉

          Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

          “Some of those that work forces
          Are the same that burn crosses”

          • Virginia Woolf
          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • neph93N
            neph93
            見習いボス
            Joined:

            Also, @Madame Buttonfly this must be one of the most relaxing places on earth. My experience of a mid-market island resort was that the quality of food and drink was excellent, and the service was almost embarrassingly good. Enjoy yourself 😃

            “Some of those that work forces
            Are the same that burn crosses”

            • Virginia Woolf
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            • GilesG
              Giles
              IHUK Crew
              Joined:

              We have been to the island (Kuredu) we are going to 3 times before.  It was our first holiday together 18 years ago and we have been back the last 2 years.  This may sound sad, but it has excellent wifi in the hut we stay in, so I can work from there perfectly easily.  Some days I have to work until lunch time, but doing that with the back drop of the Indian Ocean slightly edges it over a frosty Portsmouth harbour…..

              "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

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              • PeterP
                Peter
                啓蒙家
                Joined:

                Amazing! Hope it goes well, tight lines.

                Here's a pretty cool video where they go popping for GT.

                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • Finn666F
                  Finn666
                  Joined:

                  can't wait for the all those wonderful pics G-San 🙂 @Giles

                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • GilesG
                    Giles
                    IHUK Crew
                    Joined:

                    At Gatwick waiting for a 10 hour flight…...

                    "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • neph93N
                      neph93
                      見習いボス
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                      @Giles:

                      At Gatwick waiting for a 10 hour flight…...

                      Stopping at Doha?

                      Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

                      “Some of those that work forces
                      Are the same that burn crosses”

                      • Virginia Woolf
                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • GilesG
                        Giles
                        IHUK Crew
                        Joined:

                        Nope BA go direct….

                        "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • neph93N
                          neph93
                          見習いボス
                          Joined:

                          Very nice. Enjoy your journey. Looking forward to more pictures.

                          Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

                          “Some of those that work forces
                          Are the same that burn crosses”

                          • Virginia Woolf
                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • AetasA
                            Aetas
                            見習いボス
                            Joined:

                            BA directly here. Always impressing. Have a nice trip and save landing on Hulhule Island (Male).

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                            • el padreE
                              el padre
                              Joined:

                              Nice one. Have fun.

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                              • PSBP
                                PSB
                                Joined:

                                Very cool, G. Is this a catch and release situation or do you eat those magnificent bastards?

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                                • H
                                  Hereforthebeer
                                  Joined:

                                  Hopefully you can pop your GT cherry! Can't wait to see how this develops… Did you book yourself an appointment with a chiropractor when you get home? 😉

                                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • tmgT
                                    tmg
                                    Joined:

                                    I'm not an angler, but it sounds like a lot of fun, and the location is stunning! Have a great time G&P [emoji3]

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                                    • GilesG
                                      Giles
                                      IHUK Crew
                                      Joined:

                                      @PSB:

                                      Very cool, G. Is this a catch and release situation or do you eat those magnificent bastards?

                                      Catch and release…..

                                      "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

                                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • GilesG
                                        Giles
                                        IHUK Crew
                                        Joined:

                                        I'm here with Ben and 2 Danes.  We are all GT virgins…..

                                        "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

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                                        • SeulS
                                          Seul
                                          Joined:

                                          Danes ey… Nick their beer if they brought any...

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                                          • GilesG
                                            Giles
                                            IHUK Crew
                                            Joined:

                                            Crisis averted…....Ben and I were half expecting to share a room........But not a bed....Double has been swapped out for 2 singles.....

                                            "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

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