Upgrading rod

After breaking my telescopic rod on my last trip on Ah Fong's boat, I decided I needed a better rod for fishing. But I still liked the idea of the rod being small and portable. I searched the Web again and found Shimano had a range of rods that are designed for traveling anglers.

Shimano TCurve Revolution Travel Inshore series

Problem was these rods were meant for the Australian market and I can't find similar products in Singapore.

So on my next visit to Australia, I managed to find a tackle shop that stocked these rods. I had a feel for all of them in the range and after speaking to the tackle shop owner, he suggested I get the Tropical version.

Specs:
Length - 1.83m
Sections - 3
Reel type - Spinning
Line rating - 5-8kg (11-17lb)
Lure rating - 10-35g

It was light, flexible and each section only measured 3ft. I think it will fit perfectly for boat as well as kayak fishing.

I also collected another 4 pieces of Shimano Eclipse Telescopic rod. 2 piece of 6ft and 2 piece of 6ft6in. These have PE0.8 rating.

I also purchased another Shimano Saros 1000F reel since I planned to start bringing 2 rods out for kayak fishing.

First trip on Ah Fong's boat

I've never tried fishing on charter boats in Singapore before. So when saw that there was a slot available for fishing at Changi waters on Fishingkaki website, I decided to join. Contacted the organizer, Alvin and secured my spot.

Reached Changi Point Ferry terminal and introduced myself to Alvin. I actually brought with me my kayak fishing gear for this trip as I don't know what to expect. After buying live prawns from a farm near Pulau Ubin, we set off to the fishing grounds. As I was watching the other anglers getting their gear ready, I realized that my gear was utterly inferior to what was being used! I saw overhead reels, large spinning reels, thick 1pc rods and size 4-8 sinkers. And here I was, using a telescopic rod, 1000 sized reel and split shots! I think the other anglers were laughing at me......

So without backup gear, I proceeded to use my UL gear. I had to tie two sized 3 sinkers on my rig just to get it down to the bottom. Even with that, my line was just flying out, unable to reach bottom. I had to borrow a heavier sinker from Alvin.

As the hours went by, quite a few fish were caught by other anglers. Groupers, Ang Chor (John's Snapper), Kaci (Painted Sweetlips) and Threadfin Salmon. I was still a zero fighter. In the late afternnon, as we were drifting near the shipping channel, there were 3 multiple hookups. As I sat there, envious of the anglers bringing the Groupers up. my telescopic rod bent double! SHIT, all I could do was hold on. I tried pulling the rod up and started reeling. The next run, the fish went deep and as I pulled the rod up, SNAP!! My telescopic rod broke! I thought, gone already! Holding on to the rod butt and reel, I felt again the fish pulling. So I quickly reeled up with whatever rod I had and managed to bring the fish up. It turned out to be a Grouper of about 1.5kg.

With the fish safely in the ice box, I looked down at my broken rod and told myself, I need to upgrade my gear for charter boat fishing!

Gear used:
Rod - Shimano Eclipse Telescopic 3-4kg  (broken!)
Reel - Shimano Saros 1000F
Line - generic 20lb braid
Bait - live prawn
Rig - Apollo style

Fish ID - Malabar Grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus)

New launch site

Decided to try a new launch site today. Pasir Ris Park seems like a safe place for kayak beginners. The waters are relatively calm and the blue barrels do provide some 'shelter' from the waves. I made my way out of the barriers just after sunrise towards Pulau Serangoon. I did look ups some markings on the Navionics app prior to heading out.

I navigated using the app and anchored up to what I think was some underwater structure. Baited up with dead prawn and started fishing. Not much action until about 8am when my rod bent straight down! I quickly strike and fish ON! Fight didn't last long and up came an Orange-Spotted Grouper. Fish released after photo to fight another day.

An hour later, got another hit. This fella was a bit more feisty. A couple of small runs, then it surfaced. A juvenile John's Snapper. Nice colouring too! This fish was released as well.

Nothing else came to play so I headed back to shore to pack up. Managed to wash my kayak at the public toilets so that I don't have to do it at home. Awesome benefit for launching here!

Gear used:
Rod - Shimano Eclipse Telescopic 3-4kg
Reel - Shimano Saros 1000F
Line - generic 20lb braid
Bait - dead prawn
Rig - Carolina style

Fish ID - Orange-Spotted Grouper (Epinephelus coioides)
             - Ang Chor aka John's Snapper (Lutjanus johnii)