The results of an interesting survey by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF), were released this month, and the outcome confirms something I have always believed - boaters and anglers tend to be happier, more successful and environmentally conscious than people who don't boat or fish.
According to the survey, those who participate in boating or fishing are more likely to recycle, actively try to reduce, their carbon footprint and donate money to an environmental organisation.
They are also significantly more satisfied with their marriages, relationships and friendships; more satisfied with their mental health; and more likely to have a close relationship with their children than non-boaters and anglers.
Many boaters and anglers also see these hobbies as stepping stones on the path to success. A number of them report that fishing has had a positive impact on their careers and that many of their best ideas come to them while out on the water. So, the next time your boss, partner or kids moan you spend too much time fishing - point them in the RBFF's direction!
If you are looking for a bit of an escape and change of fishing scenery, then how about heading over to the East coast? The Emirate of Fujairah has a great deal of fishing potential that over the past few seasons more and more anglers are starting to tap into.
Just a few miles off the Fujairah coast there is a huge flotilla of ships anchored up forming a massive area where bait fish can hangout. Where there is bait fish, there is bigger fish trying to eat them!
So over the past two seasons, from about November to March, a handful of fishing boats have managed to rack up some pretty impressive captures of mahi mahi, yellowfin and longtail tuna, sailfish, kingfish and even a marlin in the area.
There's plenty of water over that side of the country and not enough effort has been made to really discover the sportfishing potential. This coming season, if you want a change of scenery, pack your tackle and head East.
The best part of boating on this coastline is that no special licences are required; as long as your boat is UAE registered then you just need to report to the Coast Guard along with photo-ID for all the people on the boat that day. To make life a lot easier, the Fujairah Yacht Club has a good boat ramp, wet berths, and you can report departure details to the club's staff.
The Mahi Mahi, or Dolphin fish, or Dorado, - or whatever you choose to call it - is undoubtedly a very fun and exciting fish to catch. The vivid yellow/gold and electric blue colour of the Mahi Mahi, its acrobatic jumps and aggressive pack nature, makes this fish a true entertainer.
Unfortunately at present this fish is only really present off the East coast. But while it may be unavailable from Dubai and the other Gulf States, the fish in the beautiful deep blue waters of Fujairah make the hour or so trip around more than worthwhile. When these aggressive fish decide to feed, they will eat literally anything that you put in front of them.
Dolphin are usually found feeding in the shade of floating flotsam or debris, so the commercial hulks off Fujairah are basically floating fish attractors. The best method for catching the Mahi Mahi is fast trolling between the ships; around the bows and sterns. Once you land fish stay in the area; continue to troll or cast swimming lures.
If you are lucky enough to have some live bait in the form of the small yellowtail scad or mackerel, then get ready to catch a lot of fish! A single hook through the nose of your live bait, on some 60lb mono trace, is all that's needed. Simply slow troll them in the area where you know the fish are and get ready with the camera.
The Mahi Mahi is one on the best eating fish that swims the oceans, however it does not keep well beyond a few days - even if you freeze it.
This is the reason you will never see it being sold in the local supermarket; if they are selling it don't buy it. This 'storage' difficulty has been the saving grace for this fish; its limited shelf life, even whilst frozen, has kept it from becoming a commercially harvested species.
If you do run into a big school of Dolphin then by all means save enough for the pot, but let the rest go and just enjoy the sport they provide - believe me they are better appreciated on the end of the line than stinking out your refrigerator back home!
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