Qatar by nature is a sea loving country and offers a lot
for fishing, boating and diving activities to enjoy the wonders of oceans. There
is a lot to discover at sea that includes fishing reefs, holes, channels and even
deep diving. The open sea offers a lot of attractions along the coasts and deep
into the calm seas. In case you choose to explore open sea, you must have navigational
expertise and sea worthy boat and equipment to help you through the venture. You
should also be able to read maps as there are many neighboring countries having
different laws, sea codes and marine regulations. Qatar government is quite sensitive
about sea water pollution and does not allow oil, greases and the like to spread
on waters. Similarly other items like general waste, plastic items, waste of fishing
tackles, hooks, nets and other items need to be taken out of sea and sea shores
for proper disposal. The government also protects sea life by taking care of turtles
during egg season on sandy beaches. That is why vehicles on beaches during certain
period may not be allowed for environmental safety purposes.
In case of boating, the boat should be in good condition for open seas
and equipped with navigation and safety tools like GPS and fire extinguishers, mooring ropes, depth finder, anchor, life
vests, navigation lights etc. Complete list is available with coastal safety people
who also check boat registration and identification card at times.
Health & Safety
Summer in Qatar is really hot and
there are typical deserts where summer is simply too hot for those who are in Qatar
for a visit. This way dehydration and getting sun burns is a common mistake by the
careless people. Recommended water storage with traveller should be close to 1.5-2.0
liters per hour per person. People should also wear sunhats and use high factor
sun-screen wearing long sleeve shirts. Aged travellers and kids need special attention
as they have less resistance to heat. Rule is to drink lot of water even if you
need to urinate too soon. You need to watch color or your urine, dark color means
you are dehydrated. You must start drinking more water as soon as possible.
Do not drink carbonated drinks; plain
water is the best choice even on rare cloudy days. Plain water is easiest for your
body to absorb and keeps you fit. Even when you are in a boat, try remaining in
shade and avoid direct sun. Better use Polaroid glasses and keep applying high factor
sun-screen for skin safety avoiding sun-burns.
Friendly Sharks
Qatar oceans have small but friendly sharks. These sharks swim fast and
are a blessing for life in these oceans. Try catching them applying a new lure each
time. Rather one should try new ways to catch fish but keep a log for collecting
information like time, place, method used, result together with how deep you tried
(surface or sub-surface or even deeper) Hamour is quite a tasty and popular among
people who love fishing and people use many types of lures for this fish. Sometimes
an alternate lure works better in similar fishing conditions too. Try using skirted
Muppets, teasers, flashers together with live baits till you get good results. Try
being versatile, do it differently each time for better fishing results at seas.
Keep visiting your fishing log and you may feel better each time looking at the
results. You will soon know which the best place to fish is and what is the best
way to fill your bags.
Qatri Coast Guards are there to help
you in case of need, when you are in trouble and want them to tow you to shores.
They need to be addresses with respect and dignity if you expect a similar response.
Coast Guards have instructions to cover up to 12 miles or 20 kilometers offshore.
They might also ask you for booking in/out as you start and end your venture into
sea. This is done to help you so they know your location when you are away. The
website of Ministry of Interior has more details.
A Qatri Coast Guard vessel is permanently
on high seas looking after boat movements. Coast Guard boats too, keep patrolling
the area and usually they do not disturb the holiday makers but they carry out random
checking for boat documents, travellers’ identity etc for law implementation purposes
or for their own satisfaction. Once you are in a boat, you need to proceed with
all responsibilities to restrain yourself from going into prohibited areas along
the coast and onwards. Maritime offences are considered very serious and may result
into boat confiscation, imprisonment or a detailed scrutiny. Therefore, one must
see ocean charts and maps and mark all reefs, shallow waters together with “No Go”
areas around oil installations and security points.
Where to fish?
You need to be confident and should study
the area through charts, maps and your own observation to be familiar with boating
lanes, your boat, deep holes in seas even in shallow waters. Watch shallow waters
where the boat can be grounded and the event turns out to be very expensive at times.
There are several but interesting islands around the mainland but each island has
its own detailed geography too. Keep a track of your journey watching the map and
identifying where exactly you reached to avoid any mishap inadvertently. There are
low tides as well as high tides around the place. Data shows that these tides only
range from 1.2 meters to 1.6 meters maximum.
AS you go around Qatar, there are
various islands and channels making it a perfect place for fish growth and those
places are worth visiting for fishing and to explore quality fish. Two of the islands
are Al Aaliya and Al Safliya located towards east of main Doha. These both are good
places for fishing and going around the place. The Government has reclaimed some
of the islands developing man-made structures. By all means these are interesting
places to be explored. Check out some Best deals of doha
Rubble Rocks or Rubble Tower
This is a light house among shallow
waters called RUQQ QURAYNAYN locally called
Halat Umm al Khayfan. The light house has beautiful drop off areas around it inviting
good sport fish having lot many visitors. Do watch for Hawar islands towards West of Qatar. This
is the island having a dispute with Bahrain. So better avoid going there or you
might invite trouble ruining your holidays.
The underdevelopment Banana Island
is near the airport coast. The island used to be a good place for fishing but now
with increased traffic and construction disturbance, the environment might be different.
During the season and off-season fishing might be different for the main channel
fishing depending on weather and the season. In all cases a seasoned fishing person
will reap good results. Do watch for the large sea birds looking for fish baits
but must watch reefs and deep holes or underwater structure that can hinder your
activity or lure you to trouble. Studying ocean charts in detail will be really
helpful and useful to plan the trip
There are marked channels that link
various bays, islands and marinas. These channels are usually few meters deep and
a good place to fish. You can choose to anchor up in a calm area having no or low
traffic to enjoy the time. In case you choose to fish in the main channel between
Doha SSE and Doha Buoy, water is over 12 meters deep which is good for sport fish.
Then as you head towards Al-Wakra, sea deepens up to 30 meters while going to the
SE the sea.
Some wrecks under sea are good fishing
places as and when wrecks are located. Ocean charts have marked wrecks too and many
divers keep attempting the place. The divers leave a divers’ flag on surface. Avoid
the place in case of divers’ flag to avoid possible accident.
As you go away to the sea, spend time
in tranquility and later returning back to shore feels awesome. There are important
rules that make life easy:
1. As you reach back to marina, slow
down your speed to DEAD SLOW. This enhances control and safety together creating
minimum wake.
2. Prepare for docking by throwing
out your fenders
3. Larger vessels have priority, give
them way as you should observe the traffic in general.
4. Put fuel in your boat
5. While entering the berth, keep
at low speed for lesser bumps avoiding damage to boat.
6. Make sure that your boat is kept
all secure
7. Washing boat, flushing engines
and refilling water tanks is important
8. Clean fish wells and pack up loose
fish tackles
9. Where needed, have the boat repaired
10. Keep a log for your engine hours
for servicing and oil change if needed.
11. Checking of bilge pump is critical,
weather protection covers to be removed, rods and stow cushions
12. All trash needs be removed from
the jetty
13. Take your catch along with you
with your fishing log etc
14. Before leaving the area, do call
Coast Guard reporting your arrival back and make a note for your own record for
future reference if needed be.
Doha’s Main Navigation Channel is
used by heavy sea traffic including naval activities. Large vessels have their effects
on small boats. Keep yourself away as early as possible avoiding possible time miscalculation.
Water turbulence behind these big vessels can toss the small boats. Sail boats get
priority over engine boats as a general rule so need to behave accordingly.
Beach or Shore Fishing in Qatar
Qatar is known for its sea based activities and fishing on beach or shores is one of many attractions. There is a wide choice to choose from the spectacular Qatri beaches enjoying days and nights both for leisure. This is equally good in all seasons but each season has its demands. The fishing people try getting common breeds like Hamour, Barracuda, Queen Fish, Sheris or Silver Bream. There are several popular fishing spots along Qatri coasts. Some locals and expats enjoy catching fish with 3.5m beach-casters.
Experienced fish catchers use 4-5 oz of chicken as bait slinging it fairly far away in waters and they usually bring results. Use of snoods, squid rings and clams is also quite common too. The only time to be more careful is turtle breeding season on sandy shores.
Alternate way is a flowing trace then main line to swivel and then a trace of 1.5m length with 2 to 3 baited hooks placed with a 3oz lead. There is really no need of grappling weights, it does not get rough enough dislodging your gear when it is cast out. You need to set your clutches and keep watching the rods. As a result the bigger fish will be taking off with a rod in case the clutch could not be set properly. If this happens, it brings embarrassment.
Qatar's Inland Sea
has all biodiversity
Qatar by default is love for sea even
with friends and family. Preferred items to take along are fishing rods and some
light camp carrying plenty of drinking water. You need to reach for drop offs and
use simple strips of fish even on small hooks will get you good quantity of fish.
Keep your feet safe from occasional jellyfish, sharp rocks or coral that might hurt
the bare feet. Qatar has fresh air to enjoy on beaches and there are plenty of places
to reach and enjoy along the sea and even into the sea. Have fun while seeing Qatar
places all around.
No comments:
Post a Comment