Rompin #4 - Day 2 - Mixed bag day

Ordered 50 pcs of live prawn for bottom fishing.

Our first stop was an unjam to the north-west of Tioman. Bottom wasn't producing any significant sized fish. We also put out our Tenggiri rigs on balloons.

Deckie Din was tossing out Pintails most of the morning and we managed to score 2 Tenggiris.

I had a go with my lures, a pink metal vibe which I bought from Japan. Made a cast out and reeled it back erratically. Hookup! The fish took off with the lure towards an unjam and before I could steer it clear, the fish dropped off. Checked on the lure and true enough, the trademark teeth marks of Tenggiri!

Kept persisting with the lure and once again hookup! Quickly reeled and the fish was swimming towards the boat, next thing I felt was the fish dropped again! Darn it! Picked up the slack line and suddenly there was a quick pull and nothing........ Main braided line cut clean through!

Man that worked up the heartbeat!

As I was tying on a new leader and lure, my Blackmarket rod with the balloon live bait started to scream and serious rod bending action! I quickly pulled it out of the holder and set the hook. Fish gave a big jump and it was a nice looking Dolphin Fish aka Mahi Mahi. It was a fighter and took me round the boat. Missed 1 gaff shot before nailing it on the subsequent one. Very nice looking fish!

We managed to hook up another 2 tenggiris from the spot. I then lost 2 fish from a failed hookset.

We ended the day with a few more Squids in the ice box and the rest of the baitfish.

Both of us were pretty happy with this trip and the ice box was nicely filled with the fish that we wanted!

Rompin #4 - Day 1 - Back to battle the Sailfish

Booked a trip to Rompin to tackle the Sailfish on kayak again.

I didn't realize that the date given by the boat captain Mat Rompin was a day after the annual Billfish competition in Rompin. Sigh......

And even a few days before, he texted me saying that his boat sprang a leak and was not sea-worthy till repairs are done.

But since everything was already set, we managed to get a replacement boat and captain for the trip.

It was only me and Sang for this trip, together with captain Saad & deckie Din.

First stop for baitfish was at a nearby unjam. Caught enough bait for the day and off we went in search of the Sailfish fishing grounds.

The morning was rather uneventful as the seas were a bit choppy and Sailfish weren't interested. After lunch, then we moved to another location near an island outcrop. That's when Sang's rod got a bite and he hooked up a Sail! Fish was giving a good fight on his light gear setup. After 15mins, we managed to bring it alongside for a photo and duly released unharmed.

With that action, I pumped up my kayak and launched. Seas were still choppy and I had for some reason began to feel seasick. Just then another rod on the boat had a bite and the captain passed me Sang's fishing rod. I quickly took the rod and began chasing the fish. Fish ON! As I wasn't used to the baitcaster setup, it took me some time to get the Sailfish under control. Then the fish went on another speed sprint and took out more line. Then it dawned on me; I could actually pedal the kayak to catch up with the fish! Duh!!

Finally brought the fish alongside the kayak and managed to handle it safely. Brought it up for some pictures and released after swimming it for a few minutes. YES!!

After that fish, we moved back to the Sailfish grounds hoping for more hookups.

Meanwhile when I was out on the kayak, Sang managed to score a pretty good sized Cobia!

But as the day progressed, the Sails were still a bit shy and I was really feeling the seasickness getting worse. Quickly hopped back onto the boat and ate my seasick medications.

Decided to stop catching the Sailfish and went to try for Squids. We managed to hook up about 10 pcs of Green Eye Squid, ranging from small to XL! Yummy!

Sang managed to use his Kurau jig to hook up this beautiful red specimen.

Finished the day with the squids and headed back. Tomorrow we will be targeting bottom fish and Tenggiris!