We set off late this time and by the time we began collecting some supply of fresh squid bait for fishing, it was already 9pm. Took another 2hrs to get a decent supply before we headed to our first fishing spot.
Fishing was super slow throughout the night. I didn't even get a single bite so I went to sleep.
Boat changed a few places till morning. Other anglers did manage to catch some Ang Chor last night but very little.
Boat captain decided to try to fish near some anchored ships. We threw every type of jigs near it, sabiki too but nothing was there. This is getting frustrating!
After lunch we anchored up again and down went the live prawns. Was using an Apollo setup with 4/0 VMC Circle hooks and holding the rod. Then came a tap on the bait. Got ready to free spool and finally the fish took the bait and ran. Free spooled for 5 secs before engaging the drag and swept the rod up slowly. Rod loaded up and FISH ON! Fish was running deep so I let the drag do its thing. Then started to reel up. Mid-way, the fish decided to run across the back of the boat, which had me scrambling over and under other anglers but alas, the lines all got tangled up. The deckies then helped 'hand-line' the fish to the surface and netted it. It was a good sized Chermin.
Circle hook nicely pinned at the side of the mouth.
Had to cut a section of my main line braid as it has chaffed due to the entanglement with all the other lines. It also helped the deckies to undo the 'birds nests' quicker.....
I love catching this fish. Good fighters and real drag screamers!
My other kakis were also having some action, catching some nice Golden Trevally and Chermins too. And they were using running sinker rigs. Switched mine to running sinker too but all was quiet again.
Just around sunset, I had a hookup again but it was only a table-sized Russel's Snapper aka Tanda.
After dark, we began catching squid as bait again. After the bait wells were full, we went to the next spot.
Current wasn't moving that much so I stuck to using my running sinker rig. Then some anglers began catching stingrays. Big and small! This is one fish that I've not caught yet personally. So I was quietly wishing that one of the stingrays would find my bait.
Was holding the rod with the reel in free spool when suddenly just felt line peeling away. Let it take the bait a bit more before setting the drag. Engaged the drag and rod loaded up instantly! FISH ON!
Fella was taking out line still and with every wind, the stingray would take out more line. Waited till the line stopped peeling out then began reeling back. I must say, fighting a stingray is totally different from other fish. At one point, I thought it had plastered itself to the seafloor as I couldn't lift the rod up and felt stuck! Changed to low gear setting on my reel to better fight the stingray. Finally felt it 'come off' and quickly began reeling. Finally it reached the surface and was gaffed by the deckies. Wasn't very big but have one helluva fight!! Loved it!!
About an hour later, the current began to pick up. Continued with my running sinker rig but stuck it on the rod holder. Then the rod bent over violently and I quickly grabbed it and began reeling. Felt the fish and swept the rod up just to make sure. FISH ON! Good fight but finally surfaced and it was a nice Ang Chor! Nice!
That was the last fish for me for the trip.
One of my kaki hooked up one big mama of a Queenfish. Fella weighed at least 10kg. Awesome size!
Didn't wake up when the deckies were cleaning the fish but my group of kakis evenly divided the catch and this is what I got.
Pretty poor catch rate but since nobody wanted the Queenfish, I took the whole fish!
Filleted the Queenfish back home and gave it to some neighbours.
Gear used:
Rod - Blackmarket Slow Jig PE3-5
Reel - Shimano Talica 8 II
Line - Sufix 832 50lb
Bait - live prawn / live squid
Rig - Apollo style / running sinker
Fish ID - Chermin aka Diamond Trevally (Alectics indicus)
- Ang Chor aka John's Snapper (Lutjanus johnii)
- Queenfish (Scomberoides commerson)
- Brown Stingray (Dasyatis Latus)
Gear used:
Rod - Blackmarket Slow Jig PE3-5
Reel - Shimano Talica 8 II
Line - Sufix 832 50lb
Bait - live prawn / live squid
Rig - Apollo style / running sinker
Fish ID - Chermin aka Diamond Trevally (Alectics indicus)
- Ang Chor aka John's Snapper (Lutjanus johnii)
- Queenfish (Scomberoides commerson)
- Brown Stingray (Dasyatis Latus)
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