The Big Blues

The Big Blues offers bluewater and frehwater fishing trips around Thailand. We offer in fact day and multi-day biggame fishing trips around Phuket, to the Racha Islands, to the Similan and Ko Rok/Ko Ha Islands for species such us Wahoo, Dorado, Yellowfin, Skypjack Tuna, Sailfish, Black Marlin and a variety of bottom dwellers. We do also offer freshwater fishing trips in the area around Bangkok to species such as Giant Mekong Catfish, Giant Siamese Carp, Freshwater Stingray, Arapaima and Barramundi; we do also organize multi-day trips in the Kanchanaburi region chasing the elusive Giant Snakehead on light tackle gear. For these and more detailed information please visit our website on www.thebgblues.com

At the beginning of February we moved to the Andaman Islands for our first 2007 Special Safari. Sea conditions were quite choppy and our crossing from Phuket was quite uncomfortable to say the list. Nevertheless we managed to raise a Black on a jet on the right flat line plus several Wahoo, Dorado and Barracuda were caught. Being the sea conditions unchanged we decided then to fish the still unexplored west coast of the Andamans; places like South Sentinel and Little Andaman barely saw a yacht around there before us. However during the first 5 days of trolling we managed to raise 4 marlin, to hook up 2 and to catch other 2 (estimated of around 300 lb). We also got a double Sailfish strike with both fishes released unarmed after the ritual photo plus several Wahoo, Barracuda, Rainbow Runners and GT. We then had full 7 days in a raw on Barren Island, Invisible Banks and Brothers&Sisters Islands with a group of popping&jigging enthusiasts from Spain and this is the final score: 33 Dogtooth (averaging between 15 and 20 kg; of many more we got only the head after Shark attack!), 85 GT (the biggest was 26 kg), 2 Dorado, 11 Barracuda, 5 Whitetip Shark, 15 Jobfish, 1 Wahoo, 6 Black Trevally, 3 Rooster Fish, 7 Grouper, 16 Red Snapper, 1 Macharel, 1 Longtom and 2 Coral Trout. On top of that during the first and only day of trolling despite our guests “aversion†towards this discipline we managed to get a 603 lb Black on the left outrigger which unfortunately died after 1 ½ hour strenuous fight. Finally during our last 6 days trip in February we were again at Barren Islands and the the Invisible Banks for more trolling action. Fishing was a little bit slow this time; we managed to hook up only one Black which after few jumps decided that it was not the time yet! Nevertheless we had a memorable afternoon with 11 Yellowfin caught in only 2 hours (averaging around 15 kg with the biggest of 19 kg), two half days of great light trolling with 41 Barracuda caught (+ various other fish) with two of them over 25 kg and few nights of non-stop bottom fishing action with countless Red Snapper and other bottom dwellers caught and released. On the morning of the 28th we then started the crossing back to Phuket and just after a while we caught another nice Black on the central flat line of around 550 lb which again couldn’t make it despite all our efforts; after that we all agree to not waste more time and we stopped fishing. Back in the Andaman Islands on March for our second expedition of 2007. Sea conditions again were quite rough at the beginning which made our crossing from Phuket quite unpleasant. We were out there for 8 days in a row firstly at Barren then at Narcondam Island. Sea conditions still choppy with strong wind from N-NE made the trolling quite difficult (we managed anyway to hook-up a Black of around 200 pounds) so we focused on popping&jigging next to the Islands with some bottom fishing at night. Fishing was quite slow so a part from a 1 ½ hour fight with a huge Manta caught on a soft jig and a crazy session with White Tip Sharks there is not much to report. We then moved around the Ritchie’s Archipelago for some popping around the surrounding numerous fringing reefs. Over here the fishing was definitely better and we had some nice GTs (biggest about 27 Kg), Groupers (10-15 kg on average) and even an estimated 25 kg White Tip caught on popper. A 5 days trolling/bottom fishing session then followed. On one hand during the first 2 ½ days we had some brilliant time on light tackle with 42 Barracuda, 45 Snapper, 2 Yellowfin, 1 Sailfish, 1 Wahoo, 1 Grouper of around 30 Kg and a 1 ½ hour fight with something caught on a Rapala which at the very end cut the line. On the other hand we found some bad fishing conditions around the Sisters as well as Havelock Island. In general this year for the period we were there the Andamans showed some ups and downs; during the same period few earthquakes were also reported along the chain that goes from Sumatra till the Gulf of Bengal which might explain these conditions. I guess anyway that fishing wouldn’t be the sport we all love if always so predictable and the Andamans still have a huge potentiality as the ultimate fishing destination. We are going to be back again next year to renew our challenge in these remote waters and we are already receiving requests for the 2008 Andaman Islands Expedition. So hurry up if you want to be part of it and contact us on +66 (0) 8783 45293 – 8988 56233 or visit our website www.thebigblues.com

At the beginning of March the Blind Strike was at the Similan Islands were we had excellent time with huge balls of Yellowfin which kept our guests fully busy all day long. We also had a bite from a Black which did not give us even the time to enjoy it that was already gone! We then moved to the Andaman Islands in India till the end of the month for two consecutive sessions of our famous “Popping&Jigging” expeditions. And the Andamans confirmed and even exceeded our expectations in some case, with no-stop action from dawn to dusk (or better all day long sometimes since some of our guests had barely few hours of rest every night!). Huge Grouper and Yellowfin, Red Bass and Dogtooth Tuna together with Barracuda, Wahoo, Sharks of different species and a variety of bottom dwellers of the most different sizes, colours and shapes were on the menu. GTs were numerous and among them some beauties will remain for long time in the memories of all our guests. They proved again to be the star of the trip with some spectacular strikes and fights which confirm them as the ultimate fighter pound for pound. Finally during the transfer from one spot to another we even manage to catch a Black Marlin which unfortunately, since badly injured, we were unable to release. This one, another one lost on the way to the Andamans together with other reports from other sportfishing boats confirm our thoughts according to which this place has huge potential as Billfishing destination. For the adventurous anglers this is truly one of the ultimate frontier; we barely saw a boat during our stay in those waters and we really hope they will remain as they are for long time. Moreover the area is so vast (more than 8,200 sq km) that it can offer to the returning anglers always new and sometimes unexplored fishing ground, both to the popping and jigging enthusiasts or to the big nose lovers. In conclusion I don’t think that it happens everyday to fish waters which on the map are showed as “unchartered” and I still believe that every keen fishermen should give it a try once in a lifetime! We are already receiving booking enquiries for the 2007 season, so I suggest to every interested angler to contact us as soon as possible to be part of one of next year Special Safari Expeditions to the magical Andaman Islands. Please go to http://www.thebigblues.com/Andaman06.html for the latest pictures of the “2006 Popping&Jigging Expedition”. For more details on fishing with The Big Blues please contact us on +66 (0) 783 45293 – 988 56233 or visit our website www.thebigblues.com

Dear Sir, This is an invitation to you to come and join us for an unforgettable fishing experience with THE BIG BLUES, the new premier blue water fishing charter operation based in Phuket, Thailand. Join us for an amazing fishing experience and find out how paradise can be easily accessible once you have discovered the crystal clear blue waters, palm-fringed shores and exuberant night life of the “Pearl of the Andaman Sea”, Phuket. Phuket is in a way a new spot on the world’s sport fishing map, which manages to bring together an excellent Big Game fishing productivity with the typical Thai hospitality and an easy accessible, first class resort. Compared to most of the spots in South East Asia here the number of Sailfish is unbeatable and nowhere else in the world can be seen tailing on the surface in such a number!!! The fish-rich waters of the Andaman Sea, also offer exceptional quality fishing for Wahoo, Dorado, Barracuda, Giant Trevally, Rainbow Runner, King Mackerel, Cobia, Queenfish, numerous species of Tuna and several species of Shark. On the other hand Black Marlin can be caught around the island on the drop-off or more likely on our incredible safari trips to the Similan or Andaman islands. Phuket today in fact is an ideal fishing holiday destination not only for would-be Hemingways but also for the all family or group of friends! At the very end an ideal place to really get away from it all and recharge the batteries. So have a look to our new website on www.thebigblues.com, get hooked and enjoy moments of awesome beauty and incredible action. In the meanwhile all the best for an Happy Christmas and a fabulous 2006