Back on the Hobie i9s

It's been a long time since I brought out my own kayak to fish in Singapore due to work and family commitments.

Finally managed to squeeze in a day and decided to launch from Pasir Ris Park.

A quick setup and I'm off to the blue buoys. Seems the barrels have been cleaned off any mussels. There goes my berley!

Headed towards the western side and was greeted by a family of sea otters. Cute little creatures and they were hunting a school of mullet.

Tossed a few plastic lures around the structures but nothing was interested. Tried with some frozen prawns also no takers. So I headed back out to the blue barrels.

Had my telescopic rod in the rod holder baited with frozen prawn. Was luring with my soft plastic when the telescopic had a take. Quickly switched rods and the fish was still hooked. Played the fish slowly and brought it up.

Saw a familiar flat, shimmering shape appear and it was a Chao Xi aka Sickle Fish. Decent size for a meal but this was a Catch n Release trip for me. After a few pictures, fella was released.

I moved along the blue barrels, fishing each spot for about 30mins before moving on. Had a few other bites, mostly mini catfish which were duly released.

I had managed to find some remaining mussels attached on some chains and harvested them to use as bait. I was tied up loosely on one chain and was chilling on the kayak when suddenly the rod in the rod holder bent down hard into the water! I quickly grabbed the rod and line was peeling out under the barrels into open sea. I realized I had to release the kayak from the chain and try to get the fish under control. I managed to get away from the barrels but I could feel the fish making short bursts. And then the inevitable happened as I began to reel back some line. Line had become stuck. Tried to angle the kayak and line in order to get free from the snag. Then I felt another short bursts and line went slack.......... Busted off at the main braided line. Sheesh! 

Adrenaline still pumping through my body as I re-tied my rig.

Continued to fish at the same spot but the only thing that was interested was this ugly eel. Quickly released before it got tangled further on my line.

 Winds were picking up so I called it a day. Dark clouds were also forming on the horizon. 

Pretty slow day, punctured by a brief adrenaline rush! That's what fishing is all about!

Gear used:

Rod - Shimano Telescopic 6' PE0.8

Reel - Shimano Saros 1000

Line - Spiderwire Fluoro Braid 10lb

Rig - Frozen prawn on size 1 J-hook

Fish ID - Sickle Fish aka Chao XI (Drepane punctata)