David continues to do great things for land based fishing. It was some 15 years ago back in the year 2000 when David decided to fish his live bait under a balloon. His reason for doing this was quite simple and in fact genius at the time. Basically, he used this technique to get his live bait out far in a controlled manner as he was always aware of the position of the bait at all times. The wind was the important factor here since on a calm day where there was little or no wind blowing this technique was ineffective as the fish would overpower the balloon and end up going anywhere and quite often ending up under the same jetty that you are fishing from. On a very windy day you could let you balloon out as far as you wanted which in turn could result in a very big hook up. David tried this method of fishing at three Jetties as follows:-
- Oistins - After blowing up a balloon and sending
a live bait under it several people started to laugh at him and wondered
if he had just came from a birthday party. Well their laughter didn't last for
too long as David's reel started to scream under the pressure of a fighting fish
- Speightstown - This method was again tried and will
you know it, brought laughter from some who watch this new technique. Again, he
wiped the smile off their faces when he landed a 12lb cavalley
- Cement Plant - David took this technique to the tip
of the island in St. Lucy and home to the longest jetty. Once again he was met
with questions like what is that out in the water and when they heard that it
was a balloon, well; you guessed it they all laughed. Funny enough, this
fishing club which David formed now has two members who had witnessed his
technique way back then, their names, Mitchell and Andy. The same day that
the technique was used David caught 6 cavallies and a snapper
Materials required to make a balloon rig:-
- One
balloon placed approximately 6 feet away from the hook
This rig is very simple and the placement of the balloon can be adjusted at 6 ft, 7ft or more / less as the angler sees fit. David has apply called this rig the DC Balloon rig.
David the pioneer, he introduced the art of balloon fishing to Barbados. Not many people know that it was David that started this technique besides Mitchell and Andy. This technique is now used, extensively along the coast of Barbados daily by both young and old fisher folk. Congrats David, the club is proud to have you as a pioneer and leader of the club.
