Upon arriving at Marina Country Club pier, met up with the organizer Alvin, who showed me around the boat and sleeping areas. The vessel was called Sport Fishing Explorer and it was purposely built for fishing. Rod holders all around the boat, bait wells under every 2 rod holder, 6 deckhands on rotating shifts, all meals and drinks provided and very comfortable air-conditioned bunks. When we set off, I looked at all the fishing gear that was onboard. Uh oh, I felt a sense of deja vu again from my first charter boat experience with Ah Fong. I think I may have underestimated my own fishing gear again! I brought 3-5kg rated rod, Shimano 4000-sized reel with 20lb line and sinkers up to size 8 only! I am totally under-geared, compared to the various types of overhead reels, heavy rods, sinkers that are carried in their own bags and lures of many shapes and sizes. I told myself, "I'm paying tuition fees for this trip!".
Reaching the first spot, I tried my best with my Apollo rig and sent the live prawn down. Even after using my heaviest sinker, my line was drifting out too far. Not wanting to tangle with other anglers lines, I quickly reeled back. The angler beside me kindly handed me a heavier sinker to use. I was thankful and re-rigged with the heavier sinker. Now my rod tip was bending over due to the heavy sinker! Hilarious! Anyway, the rig managed to reach bottom and I waited. The angler advised me not to leave the sinker at the bottom as we were drifting. The sinker might get sangkut (stuck) to the rocks on the seabed and lose the rig. Lift the rig up a bit so it won't snag. Heeded his advice and shortly thereafter, I had a take. Wow, felt like a big fish! I tried to crank the reel but it was taking forever. Finally, the fish surfaced and it was a Eng Ko (Blackspot Tuskfish). Nice 1kg fish. I found difficulty in reeling the fish in because I had to reel up the weight of the fish plus the sinker weight! My rod was not suitable for this type of fishing.
At night, the boat went to catch Squid. The boat has a squid-catching contraption at the back of the boat. For the first time, I saw how squid-catching is done. Lower net, turn off all lights except one over the net and wait. After 2mins, raise the net and voila! The squids are in the net! The squids were supposed to be used as bait for night fishing for big fish. After 4 tanks were full, we set off to the fishing grounds.
At night, the currents were stronger and there was no way my rod would be able to handle even heavier sinkers. So I watched the other anglers fish and then went to sleep.
Next morning, we went to a spot near an anchored ship. We were told to sabiki for baitfish. This I can do! Managed to bring up quite a bit of Selar, Kembung and Cencaru. The deck was mayhem, with so many rods trying to get in on the action! Some anglers were jigging and managed to hook up some small Tunas and Bonitos.
The rest of the trip, I only managed to catch another Orange-Spotted Grouper from bottom fishing. Other anglers were catching quite a variety of fish. Stingray, Cobia, various types of snappers and a whole lot of other fish!
Although I didn't catch much fish, I'm glad I came on this trip. I didn't get seasick at all and the boat is really comfortable and spacious. I would be returning, better equipped and ready for more action.
Gear used:
Rod - 3-5kg
Reel - Shimano Slade 4000F
Line - generic 20lb braid
Bait - live prawn
Rig - Apollo style
No comments:
Post a Comment