So we were going to drive from Singapore to Rompin with 2 kayaks on top of the car. We met up with Ian at Rompin and was all set for the next day's fishing.
The next morning, we loaded up 3 kayaks onto Mat Rompin's boat and set off. The weather looked good with a light breeze. After about 1 hour ride, we reached our first spot to catch our baitfish for the day's fishing. Out came the sabikis and within 20mins, we had enough bait for the day.
Reached the Sailfish grounds a short while later. Launched all 3 kayaks and off the guys went. I was happy to stay on the boat to fish. I set up 2 rods, both with 6/0 ringed circle hooks. My heavy jigging rod with Shimano Slade 4000 reel was rigged up with a balloon and live bait. Other rod was Blackmarket jigging rod with Shimano Talica 8II reel rigged with a small weight to put the bait in mid-water.
10 mins later, the balloon was moving erratically and Mat Rompin picked up the rod. Reel was free-spooled and after 10secs, he engaged the drag and the fish was ON! Fish jumped up and skipped on the surface across the back of the boat! He handed me the rod and I just held on. Line was still peeling off so I just waited. The fish slowed down and I began to slowly reel in. A few cranks and the fish went on another blistering run and then "PING!!!" The fish was off.........I thought the line/leader broke but when I reel back, everything was still intact. Looks like the circle hook didn't set properly. What a bummer!!
Soon, Ian had a hookup. He managed to catch a Tenggiri on a lure. Looks like we have our dinner settled!
Then Merv hooked up on a Sailfish. We moved near to take some pictures and it was a beauty! Ian also hooked up and we moved to him as well. Just after lunchtime, we had already 3 catch & released Sailfish. So Merv offered to let me use his kayak for my turn at catching the Sailfish.
Decided to put 2 rods out with baits in mid-water. After about 20 mins, my Talica 8II clicker went off. Counted to 10 before engaging the drag and rod loaded up. FISH ON! Fish did some acrobatics and swam around the kayak. The line became crossed with my other line but I managed to untangle the lines before any damage was done. The Sailfish then settled in deep water, dragging the kayak.
After about 10 mins, I finally had the fish close to the kayak.
Grabbed the leader and pulled the Sailfish alongside.
Quickly grabbed the beak to control the fish.
Woo hoo!!! Finally caught a Sailfish on a kayak!
The circle hook was nicely pinned at the corner of the mouth.
Removed the hook and hoisted it up for some pictures. YES!!!!!!
After the pictures, put the fish back into the water to swim it for healthy release.
After about 5 mins, the fella was 'kicking' and was released safely!
Having experienced the crossing of fishing lines, I decided to let out a shorter line on the rod behind me while the other would have a longer line out.
Put the bridled baits out again and waited. Suddenly I felt a sharp jolt from the rod behind. Turned behind to see the line on the Slade reel peeling out and then another jolt caused the bail arm to close. Then the hook pulled....... Damn! Lost the fish.
Re-baited and tried again. Then the clicker on my Talica 8II went off! Reeled in the other rod and waited. Engaged the drag, rod loaded up and the Sailfish went airborne! Tail-walked 3 times and on the 4th time, it threw the hook out. Didn't even have the chance to gain line or tension. Damn! 2 missed hookup in a row!
Re-baited and put the baits back in the water. 20 mins passed by and my Talica 8II clicker started to click slowly. Reeled in the 2nd rod and waited for the continuous run. Sure enough, the fish took the bait and sped off! Counted to 10 and engaged the drag. Rod loaded up and FISH ON! The Sailfish jumped up about 20m in front of the kayak and began tail-walking towards me! Oh crap! Luckily the fish tail-walked till about 3m in front of the kayak and splashed down and went under the kayak! Reeled like mad to regain tension and the fish was still speeding off behind me now. Turned the kayak around and gave chase.
Finally was fighting the fish in front and slowly regaining line. I realised that I was quite a distance away from the motherboat and radioed in that I'm hooked up. But apparently, Paul has also hooked up and the motherboat was supporting him. So I decided to keep the fish hooked at a manageable distance of 20-30m away and wait for the motherboat to come over.
20 mins later then the motherboat came over and I began reeling the fish closer to the kayak. Tried as I might, every time I got close to the leader, the fish would power off again.
After about another 10 mins, I finally grabbed the leader and tried to pull the fish closer.
The fish was still strong and was only 2m more from my hands when the inevitable happened....... SNAP!!!!!
The FC leader gave way and I could see the Sailfish slowly swimming away......... It was a good fight.
That was my last catch of the day but totally satisfying! In total, we had 16 Sailfish hookups and 6 landed.
This was a souvenir from the Sailfish from today. Heavy abrasion on the fingers from holding the Sailfish's sandpaper-like bill.
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