CyBasser

Hi CyBassman, As you know I am aware of your worries regarding the possible privatization, and as you know I do have my worries as well. I do though believe that ultimately this (privatization) will eventually happen. I know it will certainly mean an increase (though I don't think it will be dramatic) of the monetary cost for fishing. Sure, it will not be fair - it will possibly deter some anglers from visiting the privatized reservoirs. But, provided the privatization takes fishing into account, I have no doubt that fishing quality will tremendously improve. There will not be "hundreds" of boats - there are certain guidelines that any operator anywhere has to follow - and the stricter rules with more stringent patrol and checks will provide a better fishing experience. Not only for the bass anglers, but also for those who fish for carp and other species. As I said above, I know it will probably not be fair to everybody - there will be those who will not be able to afford the extra cost. But as you certainly know, I am not the one who decides what will happen - but the Cyprus Government does. It appears that for reasons that have nothing to do with fishing, the privatization will take place. I will do everything that I can to make sure that fishing remains affordable and if possible free for everyone (at least from the shores and possibly with stricter bag limits which would only be beneficial). And, of course, I will fight for this cause. I know I will not be able to shift the direction of the water of the privatization "river" upstream and stop the whole process - but I hope I will be able to divert some of this water for the benefit of the anglers in general and bassers in particular. Because, as you correctly ponted out, there is even (however remote) a risk of losing some of our best fishing reservoirs. United, all Cyprus bass anglers can prevent that. And yes, I do count on you as well!

Well... Ike does mention in his book something about "little white lies" that he (and presumably most other pros) says regarding equipment as they have to promote their sponsors whom are responsible for a large percentage of the pros income. I believe he mostly referred to the fact that they often say lies regarding succesful lures in order not to lose their sponsorships. Although I agree that this is not honest, it would be suicidal (financially) for a pro to admit in public that he won a tourney using the "AA" lure of the "A" manufacturer, while he is sponsored from the "Z" manufacturer (who is probably in direct competition with "A"). It can even happen with us, regular bass anglers. I have had a particular tackle importer (who gives me a 20% discount for being a very frequent customer) bash me for using yamamoto lures (imported to Cyprus by a diferent importer) and not the berkley imported by him (after an employee of him saw me catching decent bass on senkos). It is really up to us to decide for ourselves what ought to work for us and not pay attention to the multitude of ads. With accumulated experience, it becomes easier to judge for ourselves. So we should leave the pros do what is best for them (ie promote their sensors) and we should decide for ourselves what piece of equipment (rod, reel, line, lure, or accessory) works for us based on our needs and experiences...

Wow! That sounds way too much like Cyprus! There are people whom we know over here that wait impatiently during draugh conditions for the water volumes to drop so that they can easily catch dozens (if not hunderds!) of bass, without paying any respect either to the official bag limit (10 bass) or to the minimum legal size (25cm). We are trying hard to educate Cyprus anglers about the importance of catch and release, but up to now we don't seem to have much success > :(

Unfortunately no. We are not allowed to use any boat, nor even a float tube. There is a distinct possibility though that this law may change in the next couple of years. There is a big talk about privatizing some of our reservoirs (including Kourris, the largest at 997 acres). If given to private operators, there is a good chance that fishing from boats will be allowed (under strict rules and stricter bag limits). For the time being, not allowing boats can provide some adventurous fishing, as I described in a previous post in this thread - plus the occasional encounters with wild animals including such creatures as the viper photographed by Vyron! As i told you, going to such secluded places guarantees decent quality fishing (at least most of the time!). And, by the way, the zander was released as well!

I thought the same too!!! Agree!!! I will be patient... I don't have much of a choice unfortunately...

Hi Daniel, I absolutely know what you mean. We do have a major problem over here in Cyprus as very few people practice catch and release - and the majority of those who do are members of this forum (myself, vyron, island bassin). People just don't understand that releasing bass and keeping only the occasional bass for the table can only improve their future fishing, and with lowering water levels due to draught we are again facing the risk of overharvesting. But anyway, I know that such a thing has not happenned in the case I described in my post. The particular spot at kourris is far too difficult to get to for most of the people. It requires a half-hour walk with climbs and decents in wild country so very few people (the above mentioned ones and a couple more who also practice catch and release) go there. It is a place for the dedicated bassers! I am almost 100% certain that the sudden weather change was the major factor. Bass had adjusted to the stable warm (or rather hot!) weather of the previous ten days, and the change affected them... We'll see how the other guys will do over the weekend, I will be working so no fishing for me until midweek...

Hi there, In all the stories you read about Cyprus bass the fishing is done from the shore because at the present time we are not allowed to use ANY sort of boat (nor even a float tube) in our reservoirs, thanks to antiquated laws. But there is a distinct possibility that this situation might change in the next couple of years. This would be so much of a boom for us crazy bass anglers - Imagine, we need to descend through a steep path filled with bushes up to our chest and then walk 25 minutes among bushes and rocks just to get to the spot where the above photos (and fish!) were taken!

After a two-week hiatus due to a toe injury, I finally managed to go gishing yesterday. Being a weekday I ended up alone. Went to the same area where island bassin and vyron experienced fantastic action during last weekend (see http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1178486306). Conditions were the major difference. While the guys were fishing under scorching conditions (mid 80s to mid 90s air temperature with haziness due to dust) I had to face heavy cloudiness with occasional sprinkles and air temperatures in the mid to upper 70s with gusty north winds. The water temperature had risen from 67 to 73 in the span of four days. And finally, the water had become stained. All these in my mind meant that I expected good action. Well, the bass certainly had a different opinion. They developed a case of severe mouth-shut-itis! In the span of three and a half hours I had three bites. The first one on a spinnerbait resulted in the bass coming unbuttonned after a few thrilling seconds (estimated 4lb+), the second on a hula grub failed to connect, and the third, on a senko, resulted in a nice 3.04lb zander (the "European version" of walleye - see the photo). Apparently, the sudden change experienced from hot sunny conditions that prevailed for the last 10days to cool cloudy and windy weather affected the bass. I did see a couple of 3-4lb bass roaming "aimlessly" between shoreline bushes but that was it... Oh well.. Hopefully it will be better next time...

Nice buddy! Congrats on a great day, and also for saving your cell phone (which almost got away as well!!!! ;D ;D ;D which was all ur fault u should get me a new one , but it didt even come in ur mind Hmmmmm, Calling Vyron once, twicw, thrice, no reply... Then two hours later, Vyron calls me back.... "Hey, things are going well, they are act... Yeah just got one, it's a zander, yeah..."beeeeep beeeep - no more signal... Cellphone in the water and the zander (European walleye) gets away!!!!!!! So....the moral is... Never talk on the cellphone and fish at THE SAME TIME!!!!! ;D ;D ;D

Nice buddy! Congrats on a great day, and also for saving your cell phone (which almost got away as well!!!! ;D ;D ;D

Vipera lebetina lebetina or Blunt-nosed Viper. One of the largest vipers, with extremely potent venom that causes serious internal haemorrages that can lead to death. Indeed, watch your step!!!!!!!! I personally like snakes, but I wouldn't like to step on this one while fishing. It seems to be pretty common near the reservoir as we often find them dead-on-road on the roads leading to the water.

Yep! Hoever people (me included) oftentimes feel that fishing with senko can be drag (due to the s-l-o-w qualities of the lure), there can not be a doubt that they are a winner lure - and (at least in Cyprus) they often pick out the better fish!

Well done Yiannis! 8-) 8-) 8-) You are on a roll, keep it up!!!!!!!

Once again, CONGRATULATIONS YIANNIS!!!!!!!!!!! As you probably have seen, I already did congratulate you before your story was told, but with a new PB, double congrats are in order!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8-) P.S. Don't feel too bad for not releasing your fish - it's ok to keep one every now and then... :

Bass fishermen think nothing of two clumsy, unnatural looking "treble hooks" dangling beneath the lure. Heck, those suspicious looking grappling hooks are automatically accepted by bass, right? BUT, that hair-like strand extending from the creatures nose, that'll spook the daylights out of any bass :D Gridiron, I'm honestly not aware of any line-visibility issue; if I thought it mattered I'd use a leader, but I don't. Roger TOTALLY AGREE!!!!

Daniel, you bring me fond memories of times when perch were plentiful at Cyprus - it was the time when largemouths were restricted only in three reservoirs and perch ruled the rest! They were indeed crazy, they would attack lures as long as they were with no hesitation. In one memorable occasion I was trying to catch perch with live mosquito fish to take alive to a garden pond from a small reservoir. I did catch three perch almost immediately, and being too lazy to walk to the place I had set a keepnet, I threw them in the bucket where I kept about 30 mosquito fish as a bait. The fourth mosquito fish was taken though by a 1-lb catfish, so I decided to take all of them to the keepnet. Guess what! In the bucket there were three totally alive perch, with hugely expanded stomachs, and no more baitfish! In the span of about 10 minutes the three perch had eaten up all the live fish I had as bait - in the bucket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He is indeed keeping it up right now! He just arrived at a different spot of the same reservoir and has had a three pounder and a two pounder on his first two casts! 8-) I was supposed to be with him this afternoon, but a minor foot injury has kept me at home :'( Oh well....

Gridiron, Hi again! Something important to consider for casting distance is the rod length. If you are fishing from a boat, rod length may become a serious issue, but from the shore it is most likely a boom. I started using standard 6-7ft bass rods when I started bass fishing, but thanks to some Russian friends, I discovered that longer rods of similar power and actions (8 1/2ft to 10ft) with the same reel, line, and lure, would give me a significant increase in distance (10-20 yards). That was with spinning gear, but when I switched to b/c a few months ago it didn't take long to realize that the extra length gives extra distance. Now, as I told you, for light cranks and light s/b I use a 9ft Shimano medium / fast 1/4oz to 3/4oz and it gives me plenty of distance (with the scorpion reel). I have to admit that a custom - made 9ft medium fast spinning rod with a Sahara 2500 reel gives me maybe 10-15ft more casting range when I throw small (size 8) X-raps, but unless I am at a place where I can park the car near the area I want to fish (within 100-200 yards) the spinning outfits remain in the car...

Hmmm, I think he dreams about it all the time ;D ;D ;D

Cheers Yiannis! Well done on your new P.B. 8-) 8-) 8-) We are waiting for the strory!

Hi there, I also do all my fishing from the shore. I have to agree with T-rig that the best way to cast light crankbaits is with a spinning rod. But sometimes when you walk on the shores it is quite hard to carry an assortment of rods. I have had good casts with 1/4 oz and 5/16oz cranks though by using a 9ft Shimano medium action 1/4 - 3/4oz rod and a Shimano Scorpion reel spooled with 20lb power pro...

You are quite right Avid, they are excellent saltwater lures over here in the Mediterranean as well. I first learned to use them in the sea, catching various species of jacks (crevaille, amberjack etc) and especially sea bass (a European species belonging to the same family as the striper). Well, we live in parallel worlds. I have had the unbelievable experience last May that the largemouths would refuse any of the rapalas and other jerkbaits I have had with me, while they would hit like crazy on Yo-Zuris - and my Yo-Zuri collection was sitting on the back chair of my car, too far away to go and get it!!!

I have had quite similar responses when I was seen using a Super Spook (7 inches!). And of course they all just get quiet when they see a bucketmouth engulfing it!

I agree that swimbaits are a good alternative choice, and I already got a few in my tackle box... But then the large X-Raps are readily available off the shelf here, and they should be quite a bit of fun to use as well!!!

It was about time buddy 8-)