ccmtcanada Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 I am typing this report from Beirut, Lebanon...I fly back home to Canada on Friday. The first time I came here I didn't have any spare time as work took up every moment. This time however I had a weekend with nothing to do, so of course the first thing I did was look up fishing charters in the area. I found one on the web...a charter outfit with the Dbaye Fishing Club. My day started out at 530 am, when a taxi was to take me to the marina where they are located. It's always interesting trying to communicate with the locals here...especially if they don't speak English. Anyhow, the driver had no idea where the marina was, so he pulled over a few times to ask directions. A few times he stopped and asked the military who were stationed along the streets. It's a little un-nerving having someone armed with a semi automatic weapon lean inside the cab to talk. Eventually we found our way, and I was greeted by my captain for the day. After some traditional Lebanese coffee, we headed out to the boat. They have all new center console boats...with some serious motors attached to them. Here's a pic... As we pulled out of the marina, the sun was just coming up...an amazing sight...seeing the sun come up over the mountains of Lebanon. As the sun came up, it was apparent that shore fishing is alive and strong in this coastal Mediterranean community. There was a little mis-communication in what fish I wanted to target. I wanted what they call King fish (Tuna) or Jackfish...some strong fighting fish that are in the 10 to 20 pound range. After seeing the setup my captain was giving me (light gear), I questioned him. He said that to get those fish, you had to fish at night. I was a little annoyed, but decided to make the best out of my situation. As it turned out, I was fortunate because for the first time in a few months, they had rain...and a lot of it...and yes at night. Rain I can deal with...it's always warm here (overnight temps of 25C), but what ended up happening was Thunderstorms Friday and Saturday night...pretty much all night long. If I had my charter booked one of those nights, they would have been cancelled! Anyhow, on to the fish. I felt like I was fishing out the tropical fish tanks at most pet stores in my area! Great looking fish...all panfish sized...in an array of colours and shapes. I basically bottom fished...using shrimp as bait on smaller hooks. All the fish were caugh fairly deep to...in about 40 to 60 feet of water. The only fish I recognized was a puffer fish. I went to take it off the hook when suddenly it expanded! It was pretty cool to see. Didn't get a picture of it in that state, but here it is... I asked the captain what all the other fish were, but he gave me the Arabic names...and I gave up trying to memorize them...lol. Here are the pictures.... I even managed to spot a jellyfish...the first time I've ever seen one up close like this. I thought I was fishing locally...at first it looked like a clear plastic bag...LOL. It's a great area to fish...the scenery is pretty amazing. I had to remind myself that I was actually the Mediterranean Sea!! You can make out a statue at the top of the mountain in the distance here. It's called "Our Lady of Lebanon"...and huge statue of the Virgin Mary, put in place by the French in the early 1900's. All in all, it's a pretty amazing place to fish. The scenery is amazing, and the fish you can catch are unlike any species from Ontario. If I get sent back here in the future, I'll book a trip at night...and go for these guys...the fish I was hoping to get! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 Very cool Cliff. I'm guessing you hedged on taking pic's of the armed soldiers to include in your report? How come? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiel Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 That's an interesting assortment of fish Cliff, perhaps the next time you'll get those Kingfish, they do fight hard! I'm certain that you not ever going to see a report from me on the fishing in Beirut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 Fantastic report Cliff! You're right about the aquarium thing. I hope you have a great week there. It'd be interesting to see a copy of Lebanese fishing regs....if they even have any. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCTFisher9120 Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 Wow, spectacular catches Cliff! Thanks for sharing, MTBF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 Great report Cliff! Very interesting types of fish. Not sure I would eat any of them. Good to see some different ways the world fishes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvette1 Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 awesome trip cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricoboxing Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 nice report! thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 Thanks for posting and sharing Cliff! The colors on those fish are amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12footspringbok Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 Those are some perty fish, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greencoachdog Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 An excellent report Cliff!!! ... but it looks like your captain didn't know diddley-squat about fishing. You were fishing the coral reef and caught the bait.. you just didn't send it back down for the bigger ones! This some type of small Jack (maybe Jack Crevalle)... send him back down to the bottom on a heavier rig for Grouper, Snapper, and maybe a 'Cuda. ... another good baitfish, this one has lots of flash with the silver sides on it! Squirrelfish, throw it back and be careful handling it, they're loaded with sharp spines! Blanc Sea Bass, another excellent bait! Your captain was also full of the stuff that stinks about fishing at night for the Tuna where y'all were fishing. Tuna fishing is good at night... but in 600 FOW!!!... and you need to out to 200 FOW for good Amberjack fishing. I'm not trying to be a damper on your report or trip, just trying to help for next time. The next time you book a trip, ask how deep the water will be that you'll be fishing in and what will you be fishing for before you give them your money. I really enjoyed your report, and it makes me want to haul- down to the coast and catch some bait to send down for a big'un!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 Excellent report Cliff. I love to see reports from places other than Ontario, just to see the scenery and fish etc. Joey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeXXington Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 Wow, great fishing, thanks for the pic's cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucG Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 Those are some crazy fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leecher Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 Great report and pics Cliff Sorry to hear that the charter you had booked wasn't what you had plan.... certainly a bummer but you still caught some species of fish that you had never caught before which is awesome and very colorful I'm sure you'll lay down the specifics next time around!!! Thanks for sharing Leechman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJQ Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 Thanks Cliff... man are those ever colorful fish... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron` Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 Those fish look awesome and wow at that jellyfish! Still looks like you enjoyed yourself! Thanks for the report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 Thanks Cliff. Have you had a chance to talk to Bly about her 53 inch Musky yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splashhopper Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 thanks for the pics.... it's always interesting to see/hear about fishing in other countries... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Clemens Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 Definitely some unusual looking fish there. Thanks for posting them Cliff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radnine Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 What is the fishing equipment like Cliff? Do they have Rapalas, dozens of rods and reels, and shops full of tackle (meaning are their fishermen as gullible as us)? Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camillj Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 (edited) Wow .. thanks for the report Cliff... it took me back to the days when we lived in Malta ... not all that far up the Med from where you were ... what I can definitely tell you from my experience is that those mackerel / tuna family are VERY active in the morning and daytime ... not just at night ... this time of year you should also have been able to chase after Lumpuki ... which are also known around the world as Mahi Mahi or Dorado or Dolphin fish depending on who you ask ... they will chase almost any sort of streamer pattern and the secret is to get out a mile or two or three and look for floating debris ... they like the shade ... anyhow thanks again for the report boy you really got me reminiscing about how much I love the med. Just for the record there are also swordfish, grouper, barracuda, amberjack and big-ass Tuna in those parts .... Edited September 22, 2009 by camillj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccmtcanada Posted September 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 Thanks everyone! If I had more time to research and get to know some of the charters in the area, I'm sure it would have been a better kind of outing, but to be honest, I still had a great time out there. I just needed to get out of the hotel room, and a cruise on the Mediterranean did the trick! If I get sent back here for work again, I'll know more...and look into more places...as it was, the one I found was the only outfit I could actually find on the internet for the area. I have seen more fishing clubs and charters since I've been here though... Back in Canada Friday evening...going to be good to be home again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 Good to hear your are having a "good" time there Cliff. I'm sure Carole misses her net man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehg Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 Great report Cliff! People enjoy fishing all around the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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