I ordered myself a rod pod from Ebay a couple of weeks ago, and now it has finally arrived.

As i paid less than 10£ for it, including buzzbars, a pair of electronic buzzers and swingers, my expectations for it was not exactly high. And I was not disappointed.
The thing that arrived was quite a flimsy thing. But after some minor tweaking and some extra bolts and wing nuts to tighten it up a bit, the rod pod itself was ready to handle my surf rod plus a couple of salmon rods that I also use from the beach.

My trusted assistant helping me tweak the rod pod

The swingers are a brilliant idea!

The rod pod is of the configuration that carp fishers use, but I cant see why I can not use that on a beach or a pier.
Anyway it came with two very cheap buzzers. So cheap that the volume button fell off on one, and the other had a misaligned busser wheel, causing it not to work at all.
A drop of super glue and a screwdriver fixed that. And then I taped them up to try and weather proof them some before heading out in the arctic night to go fishing.

The mark was the usual quay in Harstad at Mercur. And as I rigged my rods with bait, the first sleet came pouring in. It would be a tough test for those electronic buzzers.
As it happened this was also the first time I would cast my rebuilt surf rod. I have converted my Fenwick Seahawk Pro to a multiplier rod. And that worked almost to good.
I wacked my let out past 100 meters for the first time! But that ment that it landed right on a rock out there.

I was to busy setting up the rod on the pod, adjusting the buzzers and swingers etc. And then casting my salmon rod out in the hope of catching some bait, as I was clean out. I only had a few king prawns and a single squid.

Anyway using the buzzers and swinger combo was very effective. Earlier I have had problems detecting fish. Specially on the surf rod when baby cod and other bait thiefs are hooked, it’s very hard to see it, as they almost never take line. I don’t know how many times I have reeled in to check the bait, and not even suspecting something may be hooked until I haul a 300 gram codling out of the water!

With the buzzer and swing arms, this was no problem! I saw immediately when something was at the bait. It was brilliant, and made for very effective fishing, with no time lost sitting there staring at the  rod tip, not knowing that the bait and hook was already engaged by a greed codling. The beeps of the buzzers would grab my attention, and the swingers tell me if there was fish in quite immediately.

Anyway the trip did not yield much excitement in the form of fish. Only had on a bunch of undersized codling. Not a flounder or a halibut to be seen anywhere. But I learned a few things.

Baby codling as usual...

But I have spent some of the time on the internet, and purchased some new kit. The surf rod was the inspiration for that. While beach fishing one of the problems I have is that often smaller fish like undersized codling take the bait. And more often than not I never notice it as the clicker alarm thingy  on my Ambassadeur reels never go off, and the rod itself is so stiff that there is very little activity on the rod tip to give the biter away. So quite often I sit there and wait, while unknown to me there is a fish hanging on my hook. And I never discover it until I either haul in for the day or want to inspect/change the bait.

So I went on Ebay and ordered myself some cheap bait alarm/buzzers. Once I had ordered those I also found some more kit, and got a little bit too eager. Well once I had ordered the buzzers,  I needed something to attach them to, and found a cheap buzzer bar. But that attaches to something too. So I got a little mini combination tripod and bank stick for that. Ordered it and realized that the same seller had a complete rod pod complete with buzzer bars, rod rests and two alarms with swingers. This is the type that carp fishers use, but I can’t think of any reason why I can’t utilize it for my beach fishing.

Anyway all the stuff is over in the UK, and I am in Norway so it will take a while until it is here. But I comfort myself with the fact that the seller seems serious enough. The thing is that the rod pod was very affordable at £19.90 but Ebay put on a shipping charge of £50 for the item (for the rod pod only). But a quick message to the seller asking for a quote direct from him and shipping charges went down to a more sensible £15. On top of that I have to pay 25% V.A.T. on the total value including shipping costs.But that is just something I have to accept as you can’t find any kind of rod pod in Norway for the same or less, even including all the fees and taxes. And then I would have to buy the buzzers extra, and the cheapest i have found was £28 a piece. The rest of the stuff comes in separate packaging, as those has a value, including shipping under 200NOK, and is therefore tax-free.

That’s some of the hoops we have to go trough to get some kit over here if you are on a budget like me. But I look forward to test the stuff out…I do not really expect much from it, other than it probably being better than nothing. At least it should be a tad better than my current  “rod pods”

Anyway, I do own a Fenwick Seahawk Pro for fixed spool reels, but I have been using it with an ABU Ambassadeur 7000 ever since I got it. Which is sort of okay. But with only five ring guides on it I suspect that’s to few. Also I’d like to cast the blank the right way up and see if I do get a little more ooomph in my casting. Well, my technique leaves much to be desired, so it may not. But what the heck! I got the time.

But first I needed some equipment. Among them a so called rod rotor to dry the epoxy on the rod rings to make it all nice and smooth. Those can be had for 10-20US$ on Ebay, so I ordered one up, and that arrived today. And set it up like on this picture bellow. Now I ain’t carpenter, just a dude with 10 thumbs who happen to own a drill, saw, screwdriver and had some wood laying about. I am not going to bore you with all the details of how I assembled the thing, so here is some pictures of the Gizmo:

This winter I have had enough to do between working and other stuff like being sick to the bone while taking care of 3 kids with the chicken pox, to go fishing. And well, it’s been quite cold. I don,’t see the point in freezing my fingers off for a 2lb codling.

But the last few days temperatures have soared to the red side f the thermometer, and between sleet, rain and snow showers today, I decided to spend my Saturday night in the Harstad harbour with my surf rod. Only problem I had no bait in the house. Well, that was not entirely true. After all I am married with a an Asian, so out of the freezer I managed to scrounge a couple of squid of unknown origin, and one single little Indian mackerel. That would have to do. Maybe I could get some “green spoor” i.e baby saith to be used for halibut bait?

Arriving at the Mercur part of the harbour, I set forth to rig up. But the usual hick-up was soon apparent. in the shed at home was my hooks, sinkers and bait. So after a round trip for that I was soon ready, and did my first cast of 2012. Sort of a fumbled up , half arsed Brighton cast it was, but the lead landed in an okay spot so I left it there, and got back into my warm car where Tyr was rocking away on “Ormurin Langi“  on my Android phone hooked up to the car radio by small FM transmitter.

I settled in while sleet, snow and rain competed in making everyone that had to be out in it miserable. Me I was dry as toast in my float suit, siting in my warm car. But I had to get out there and check my bait after half an hour or so. It was the little Indian mackerel, and it was chewed to bits. So note to self: get some reflective tape for the rod tip so that I can see it. Well, my surf rod is scheduled for rebuilding, so that will happen then.

The mackerel now spent, rigged the unknown squid this time, and this time thing landed in a better place. Back to the car. That is, by know the clouds had parted and bits of the sky came out. And up there in space, there was a light show going on. The Aurora herself was performing her multi colored dance across the skies. Here is a half aresed picture taken with the pink cam, that is my wives point and shoot thingy. Unsharp as hell, but you get a faint idea.

Anyway when that was finished, it was close to midnight, so reeling in…and as usual there was a bait thief sitting there. A 43 cm, undersized, good for nothing little codling. Off with that, set back into the waters, and off to home. First fishing trip of 2012 done…

Been farting about with the inflatable boat some this summer. But it was time to upgrade it, and with the refund from the Greys Greyflex S beach casting rod that the retailer in York
never managed to send in a workable condition, I purchased a Lowrance 4x pro fish finder for it. That and a couple of rod holders is so far my version of pimping my inflatable boat.

The problem of adding stuff to my boat, is that I don’t have a trailer to cart my boat about on. So I have to deflate it and pack it up in the back of the back of the old Ford Scorpio Estate that my wheels consist of these days. That’s not so good for such things as fish finders and rod holders. So the solution for the fish finder was simple, if not so pleasing for the eye.

I mounted the transducer on a block of wood, yeah I am going to some lumber place to find some better looking stuff one day, that I attached some L-steel to. Now I can hang it of the transom and secure it with a pair of carpenters C-clamps. This should be enough on a boat that does only 5 knots going on full speed.

The screen module I likewise attached to another block of wood, that I secure to the bench seat with a pair of bungee cords.

For rod holders I got one traditional one, that can be taken off it’s mount on the transom with a single twist. I also purchased one C-clamp type rod holder, but this is really bad quallity, and I don’t trust it, so any rod in this one will be secured with a rope or something.  This also goes on the bench seat.

Thats my pimped out boat. It’s only an 8 foot little thing, and I need space for my gear, and to bring a guest fisher i.e my stepson Heart (12) or one of my other fishing buddies.
Unfortunately I have not been able to test the fish finder yet, as I started a new job this week. But hope to do so in the weekend, when the weather is also supposed to calm down. We have had 2 weeks of north easterly wind…

Anyway, don’t be afraid to comment on my set-up. Specially if you think I have goofed it up.

The screen on a block of wood, secured with bungee cord. C-clamp rod holder on the right.

Transducer mounted on block of wood.

Well, it’s not exactly a grand vessel, my little Chinese made Hifei HSD 270. And the 4 Hp Johnson Sea Horse motor that pushes it about on the waters was made the year my wife was born. But the boat floats and the screws are turning so at this point I ain’t complaining.

The boat has a wood deck, so I am not to worried about sharp hooks landing there. And I use a plastic tub as my de-hooking area aboard. Rod holders and perhaps a cheap fish finder will eventually find their way into the boat as well. But for now I am having far to much fun farting around my local area trying some well known marks.

I’ve been fishing it in my local waters. That is the part of the sea I can see from my living room windows. So far there  just been a few cod and a baby cusk. But the winds have not been in my favour either, making for some quite choppy seas. The little 8 foot dinghy is braving it a lot better than I am. And so far I have been impressed how good it takes the seas.

Here are some pictures:

Hifei HSD 270 with 1973 Johnson Sea Horse 4hp motor

Baby cusk cought off Arnøya

Heading to shore

The Fisherman’s Wife waiting for her husband, while shielding her face from the storm.

The seas are like a mirror, reflecting the white capped mountains, on a clear sunny day in Lofoten. You are into fish, with you best mates aboard and life is good. And 15 minutes later you are in raging, white capped, inferno, and the once so peaceful seas are trying to kill you. That is also Lofoten.

Just to drive in how dangerous the can be, here are some facts from one of the Norwegian encyclopedias:

1849: On the 11th of February. 500 men is lost in a storm at sea.

1861-1865 – 87 men perish at sea,

1866-1870 – 230 men perish at sea,

1871-1875 – 100 men perish at sea

1876-1880 – 99 men perish at sea,

1881-1885 – 113 men perish at sea,

1893 – January 25th 119 men perish at sea in a storm during their crossing to Lofoten.

Most of the victims lost their lives in sudden storms in boats that where not far from the boats modern fishing tourists use these days.These men and a few women, did not have GPS, Chart plotters, and modern day weather reports. But having it does not mean the weather won’t kill you. It can happen really fast, and what everyone should think of is to be prepared, and wear that flotation device. It’s to late when you are floating in the sea.

And just remember where you are. Lofoten is as far north as the North shore of Alaska! Yes the Gulf stream may make the climate milder, and water warmer. But ending up in the drink, will surely kill you if you are not rescued promptly. And dying from exposure is not a nice death.

In Norway we have something we call the Safety at Sea rules. They are as follows:

1. Think safety:
Knowledge and planning reduces the risk and increases your well-being.

2. Bring necessary equipment.
This needs to be maintained and easily accessible.

3. Respect the weather and the waters.
The boat must only be used in suitable conditions for it.

4. Follow the “traffic rules” at sea.
Regulations on yielding, speed and lanterns must be followed.

5. Use a floating device (wear it, it’s to late when you are in the drink, and your floatie is on the boat).
Approved floating device/ west/suit is mandatory by law for everyone aboard.

6. Be rested and sober.
The legal limit at seas in Norway is 0,8 when you drive a boat. Show consideration to others. Safety, environment and the well being of all is a comnmon responsibility

7 . Show consideration.
The safety, environment and well being of all is a common responsibility.

And finally. if the locals tell you not to go out that day…don’t go!

Regatta 911 flotation suit (Photo from www.regatta.no)

Of course what clothes you choose for your fishing trip to our Northern shores depends on the weather. The only problem is that before you can get your floatie on, it will have changed.
The north is not very warm either. Well, the climate is surprisingly mild for an area of the globe that is further north than Alaska. Oslo in the south of Norway, where we keep our capitol city so us northerners don’t have to be bothered by the urban cafe latte types, is as far north as the southern tip of Greenland, and when you pass my hometown at 68 degrees north you passed the Arctic circle 6 hours before if you where driving. Not that the time would tell you anything, with what they tell us are roads up here. But in the year of 2011 we sort of travel about and have seen roads. What we have is not it.

But we do have plenty of nature, and sometimes it’s necessary to protect the body from it. Personally when I go out in a boat in the summer, I just wear some fleece wind some wind proofs over it. Perhaps with an extra thick fleece or wool sweater in my bag along with an extra pair of dry socks and hat. And then I just shed a layer if it gets warm. I’d also bring some light weight rain gear. I picked a set up today for 99 NOK that can be compressed into a small ball, hardly taking any space at all, with a jacket and trouser.

But if the weather turns nasty, I’d just head for shore and go fishing another day. But I live here, and could theoretically go out fishing any day of the year here. Tourists who pay for a weeks worth of intensive fishing a year up here may need to take more nasty weather into consideration. So bring your Gore tex, flotation jacket and Bib’s, or even a full on flotation suit. We’ve had snow and sleet in June and july before up here.

You may not need it 95% of the time, but then again, you may. And you won’t have your fishing experience of a lifetime get wasted becosule you did not come prepared for the weather.

If you come here in the winter, definitely bring your flotation suit. I got a  Regatta 911 and it kept me toast fishing in February in minus minus 10 degrees at sea and while ice fishing in the mountains in minus 30, with the chill factor from the wind included.

One thing however is a must on the boat. Always wear your flotation device. We don’t need more dead tourists in our waters….

SAR Helicopter from the 330 Sqd. Photo by the Norwegian Armed Forces.

There has  been an accident involving four Lithuanian fishing tourists off Værøy in Lofoten today several newspapers reports.
None say anything about what happened but they were in the water, as they where rescued by fishing vessel “Kari Anne” and a SAR helicopter from
the SAR station in Bodø. Unfortunately one of the four lost his life.

It was around 11am when the fishing vessel “Kari Anne” reported to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre that it had rescued two people who was found floating in the water.
They where about to rescue a third person when the SAR helicopter arrived and the Sea King picked up the final two victims from the water. The three survivors are suffering from hypothermia but will be okay.

So wear you floaties ladies and gentlemen and never trust the seas…

The Search and Rescue emergency number is: 120 or use channel VHF channel 16.

So I ordered the rod, and as usual on Ebay, it was payed for trough Paypal.

Normaly when I order things, in this case from a dealership in the UK, the goods are in my hands within days. For example a part for the flash gun of my Canon DSLR camera arrived from San Diego, California within a 3-4 days. And I am in the north of Norway, in a small town way north of the Arctic circle. Recently I also received a fishing reel from the UK. This was also in my hands within days from the order was made and payed for.

Unfortunately the seller of the Greys Greyflex S does not seem to be so professional. First it took them a whole week after the order was placed and payed for, until they managed to send the goods, and that was only after I had prompted them twice to confirm shipment and provide a tracking number. When I checked the tracking number, it came up as “Delayed”, so I inquired with UK Mail why this was. And the explanation given was that the sender had failed to provide the necessary customs paperwork.

So I gave them a heads up last Friday,  about that, whereupon they said they had sent the papers…and since then, despite several messages to both the sender and UK Mail,  I have heard nothing from them, and the shipment is still delayed. We are nearing 3 weeks since I ordered, and as far as I know, the rod has yest to leave the UK.

So, should I name and shame?

Well the feedback for the seller is still there to be filled in on Ebay. And I am a member of every major English and language fishing forum  out there. So I could do that. No problem. But I’ll write one more message to the seller and see if he wakes up. If not, I am not prepared to wait much longer.

To bad for the seller, who has a business selling fishing tackle on Ebay. I plan to write a lot about this rod once I have it in my hands. Trip reports will be written on several web forums, as well as on this blog.

Norwegian sports fishers have a very limited choice in fishing tackle. Multiplier surf and bach casters for example, are near impossible to find, but people are reluctant to order from the UK where the range of rods and other tackle is enormous, because of the insane shipping prices. But this seller and a few others have more reasonable shipping costs, and would have been popular here. All it would take was a recommendation, and people would flock to the sellers website to order. To bad it won’t happen, and the business will go to someone else.