Changi Ah Fong Trip #5 - Surprise catch on a slow day

Joined Ah Fong's boat and we had only 7 anglers today. It's been scorching hot these past few days and even the sea water was warmer than normal. Was told to expect a slow day.....

Started off using my previous Squidgy Slick Rig soft plastic. Hoping to get 2nd time lucky?

No luck after 2hrs of trying. So revert back to using live prawn. Rigged up a running sinker rig.

Action was quiet so we headed to the eastern side of Tekong. We were drifting along the breakwall when I hooked up. Up came a nice table sized Ang Chor!

At the end of one drift, I was reeling back as we were changing spot when I felt a tug. Quickly lowered the rod and the fish bit. Fish ON! Reeled back to reveal a small Orange-Spotted Grouper. After the pictures, fella was released to grow bigger.

After lunch, we were back out in the channel drifting. Anglers started to catch some bigger Groupers. Max was about 1.5kg. Then it was my turn. Another Grouper, just nice for the dinner table.

By late afternoon, the winds picked up and current became stronger. Changed to a heavier sinker on the running sinker rig. Was holding my baitcaster in free spool when I felt a jerk. Quickly released some line to let the fish take the bait. After 5secs, engaged the drag and lifted the rod. Fish ON! This fella was big, from the way it was fighting. It was even taking some line out from my reel. It fought in short, intense bursts. I had to play the fish slowly before it came to the surface. It turned out to be a big Longhead Grunt aka Gu Hood. What a cracker! The fella weighed in at 1.8kgs!

Great way to end the trip!

Gear used:

Rod - Eupro Salty Fighter PE0.8-2.0

Reel - Shimano Curado 201HG

Line - generic 20lb braid

Bait - live prawn

Rig - running sinker

Fish ID - Orange-Spotted Grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

             - Longhead Grunter (Pomadasys auritus)

             - Ang Chor aka John's Snapper (Lutjanus johnii)