It has almost been a month since my last kayak fishing session in Ubin. I had sore arms and shoulders for a few days but my right elbow seems to be still painful.
A visit to the doctor confirms my worst fears. I've exerted too much strain on my elbow during the paddle back that the ligaments have micro-tears and has become inflamed. This condition is also known as Tennis Elbow. The prescription is rest and ice.
Looks like I'll be out of fishing action for a while.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Missed hookup and super strong winds
Headed over to Ubin. Wanted to try hard body lures and soft plastics this time so I went without any bait today. Paddled across to Ubin uneventfully and entered one of the many mangrove rivers. Started to toss around the soft plastics. Was using Berkley Gulps-3inch Prawns. Try as I might at all the fishy-looking spots but nothing was biting.
As it was approaching noon, I changed to a Triggerfish lure, a new lure that I bought that is supposed to zig-zag when retrieved. Tried it a few times and it does work. Just that the rod tip needs to be high to enable the zig-zag to occur. So I tossed the lure next to a sunken wooden structure. Reeled, stop - zig. Reeled, stop - zag. Reeled, stop - zig. Reeled, BOOF!! I quickly yanked the lure and it came flying out of the water! Damn! I missed the hookup! Heart trembling, tossed the lure back to the same spot and worked it again.......... Went quiet after that. Frustrated!
On that low note, decided to paddle back to launch point. This time as I headed out of the mangroves, I was greeted with a strong breeze from the south. Unhooked the fish finder so that there will be less drag while paddling. Took me 15mins just to get to the outer-most fish farm before crossing the channel! Wow, the wind is really pushing me back and making paddling harder.
With a break in the channel, I started my paddle across. This time it took me almost 30mins to cross when on normal days without wind, would take me 15-20mins. I had to take a quick break in the channel as I was so exhausted! Finally reached the launch point, with aching arms, shoulders and butt!
As it was approaching noon, I changed to a Triggerfish lure, a new lure that I bought that is supposed to zig-zag when retrieved. Tried it a few times and it does work. Just that the rod tip needs to be high to enable the zig-zag to occur. So I tossed the lure next to a sunken wooden structure. Reeled, stop - zig. Reeled, stop - zag. Reeled, stop - zig. Reeled, BOOF!! I quickly yanked the lure and it came flying out of the water! Damn! I missed the hookup! Heart trembling, tossed the lure back to the same spot and worked it again.......... Went quiet after that. Frustrated!
On that low note, decided to paddle back to launch point. This time as I headed out of the mangroves, I was greeted with a strong breeze from the south. Unhooked the fish finder so that there will be less drag while paddling. Took me 15mins just to get to the outer-most fish farm before crossing the channel! Wow, the wind is really pushing me back and making paddling harder.
With a break in the channel, I started my paddle across. This time it took me almost 30mins to cross when on normal days without wind, would take me 15-20mins. I had to take a quick break in the channel as I was so exhausted! Finally reached the launch point, with aching arms, shoulders and butt!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Shimano Saros 2500F
I decided to give myself a Christmas present this year.
Since my outing with Ah Fong, I've come to realize my tackle for kayak fishing wasn't cutting it for boat charter fishing. Since that trip, I've gone on a few other boat charters using my old Shimano Slade 4000 reel that was bought long time ago. This reel is rather large and I thought I would prefer a smaller sized reel.
Since I've been using the Shimano Saros 1000F for some time now for kayak fishing, I thought I might as well get the larger version. So I purchased online a 2500 sized Saros for boat charter fishing. I think it is light enough and would not be so tiring fishing with it the whole day.
Since my outing with Ah Fong, I've come to realize my tackle for kayak fishing wasn't cutting it for boat charter fishing. Since that trip, I've gone on a few other boat charters using my old Shimano Slade 4000 reel that was bought long time ago. This reel is rather large and I thought I would prefer a smaller sized reel.
Since I've been using the Shimano Saros 1000F for some time now for kayak fishing, I thought I might as well get the larger version. So I purchased online a 2500 sized Saros for boat charter fishing. I think it is light enough and would not be so tiring fishing with it the whole day.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
PCG Encounter
I had an encounter with the Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) today whilst kayak fishing at Sembawang Park.
I was 'pulled over' by PCG at the end of my fishing session today for 'landing my kayak on a protected area'. What was I doing? I was standing knee-deep in water taking a piss! Yes, even if you need to pee, you CANNOT land/walk/wade in a protected area. While I was being 'interrogated' by the PCG, the junior officer started saying:
1) since the land is protected area, the waters off the land are also protected areas. (Not true)
2) He also said I should get a bigger boat so that I won't get into trouble(??).
3) fishing near a kelong is not allowed. (Not true but be considerate to the kelong owners)
After a few more exchanges, I said to him that I am aware of all the prohibited areas as stated in the MPA circular and this area(water) is not part of it. Moreover, after I was done peeing, I went back into my kayak. It was not as though I was fishing from the shore on the protected area. Seeing that he couldn't 'scare' me, they went into their boat and after 10mins, the senior officer came out to explain to me nicely. He advised me not to land on the protected area anymore as its against the law. I then purposely questioned him as to whether I can continue to fish in the waters off the protected area. He sheepishly said yes, as long as no landing on the protected area.
All kayak anglers should familiarize themselves with all the danger/restricted/prohibited areas that they plan to fish in. Its when you know what's right and wrong, then you won't be 'bullied' into something which may not be true.
I was 'pulled over' by PCG at the end of my fishing session today for 'landing my kayak on a protected area'. What was I doing? I was standing knee-deep in water taking a piss! Yes, even if you need to pee, you CANNOT land/walk/wade in a protected area. While I was being 'interrogated' by the PCG, the junior officer started saying:
1) since the land is protected area, the waters off the land are also protected areas. (Not true)
2) He also said I should get a bigger boat so that I won't get into trouble(??).
3) fishing near a kelong is not allowed. (Not true but be considerate to the kelong owners)
After a few more exchanges, I said to him that I am aware of all the prohibited areas as stated in the MPA circular and this area(water) is not part of it. Moreover, after I was done peeing, I went back into my kayak. It was not as though I was fishing from the shore on the protected area. Seeing that he couldn't 'scare' me, they went into their boat and after 10mins, the senior officer came out to explain to me nicely. He advised me not to land on the protected area anymore as its against the law. I then purposely questioned him as to whether I can continue to fish in the waters off the protected area. He sheepishly said yes, as long as no landing on the protected area.
All kayak anglers should familiarize themselves with all the danger/restricted/prohibited areas that they plan to fish in. Its when you know what's right and wrong, then you won't be 'bullied' into something which may not be true.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Revenge
Decided to launch at Sembawang Park again after being busted off the previous week. Was drifting around the shallows when spotted some nervous baitfish splashing around. Casted a live prawn near the splashes and did a few twitches. Next thing I know, I was connected solidly to a hard tugging fish. The fish started to take line, looking for snags to bust me off but I managed to steer it into less snaggy areas. After a few circles around my kayak and a few headshakes for good measure, I managed to land the beauty. Was a superb fighter and was truly stoked at catching my biggest Barramundi to date!
Gear used:
Rod - Shimano TCurve Tropical PE 1-2
Reel - Shimano Saros 1000F
Line - generic 20lb braid
Bait - live prawn
Rig - Carolina style
Fish ID - Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)
Gear used:
Rod - Shimano TCurve Tropical PE 1-2
Reel - Shimano Saros 1000F
Line - generic 20lb braid
Bait - live prawn
Rig - Carolina style
Fish ID - Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)
Monday, September 10, 2012
The one that got away
It's been quite a while since I last launched at Sembawang Park. So today I tried something a bit different. I went to Sincere Tackle to load up with $10 worth of live prawn and launched at Sembawang Park after lunch in order to catch the outgoing tide.
Paddled to the stumps and started drift fishing around it. I casted to all sides of the structure and was rewarded with a palm-sized Ang Chor (John's Snapper). Released it quickly and continued to fish. As it was rather quiet for a while, I paddled off towards the river mouth, hoping to see if any predatory fishes were waiting at the river mouth to ambush the baitfish. Hung around there for an hour or so but no action.
Paddled back to the stumps and tried casting out a live prawn again. This time, as the prawn was sinking, I could already feel the erratic movements of the prawn. Next thing I know, my rod jerked forward and I could hear my reel drag screaming away. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! I hung on to the rod but now the fish went around the stumps and I tried to angle the rod and line away from the barnacle-covered stump. Next thing I know, SNAP!!! I got busted off when the braided line rubbed the stump too hard. Aaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
Can't believe I lost what could have been a very big fish! Paddled home slowly, feeling dejected.........
Paddled to the stumps and started drift fishing around it. I casted to all sides of the structure and was rewarded with a palm-sized Ang Chor (John's Snapper). Released it quickly and continued to fish. As it was rather quiet for a while, I paddled off towards the river mouth, hoping to see if any predatory fishes were waiting at the river mouth to ambush the baitfish. Hung around there for an hour or so but no action.
Paddled back to the stumps and tried casting out a live prawn again. This time, as the prawn was sinking, I could already feel the erratic movements of the prawn. Next thing I know, my rod jerked forward and I could hear my reel drag screaming away. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! I hung on to the rod but now the fish went around the stumps and I tried to angle the rod and line away from the barnacle-covered stump. Next thing I know, SNAP!!! I got busted off when the braided line rubbed the stump too hard. Aaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
Can't believe I lost what could have been a very big fish! Paddled home slowly, feeling dejected.........
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Sickle Fever
At my usual launch point, I headed out to the fishing spot. I rigged up the Telescopic rod with mussel bait from the blue barrels and used the Shimano TCurve Travel rod to rig up with the leftover 3inch Berkley minnow soft plastic on a jighead. I parked the Telescopic rod and used the TCurve to jig the plastic Minnow up and down but nothing was interested. However, I was getting some bites on the mussel bait that I had on the other rod. Unfortunately, I didn't get a solid hookup.
So I thought I might as well put some mussel on the hook at the end of the soft plastic. Tossed it out and jigged again. Something grabbed it real quick and the fish was ON! Took a bit of line but I managed to bring it up and it was a Sicklefish. Nice round body! Looks like the mussel trick worked. Put the fish on the stringer and continued fishing.
Re-baited my soft plastic and tried again. Nothing for 30mins then another hard pull. Felt like the same fight, so I called it for another Sicklefish. True enough, it was. Only that this fella was slightly bigger. Strung him up as well and headed back to shore.
I think the soft plastics can be effective but it would depend on the water clarity. As you know, sometimes the water in S'pore can be rather poor.
These 2 Sickle Fish would be great for dinner!
Gear used:
Rod - Shimano TCurve Tropical PE 1-2
Reel - Shimano Saros 1000F
Line - generic 20lb braid
Bait - Berkely Gulp Minnow 3 inch
Rig - weighted jighead
Fish ID - Chao Xi aka Sicklefish (Drepane Punctata)
So I thought I might as well put some mussel on the hook at the end of the soft plastic. Tossed it out and jigged again. Something grabbed it real quick and the fish was ON! Took a bit of line but I managed to bring it up and it was a Sicklefish. Nice round body! Looks like the mussel trick worked. Put the fish on the stringer and continued fishing.
Re-baited my soft plastic and tried again. Nothing for 30mins then another hard pull. Felt like the same fight, so I called it for another Sicklefish. True enough, it was. Only that this fella was slightly bigger. Strung him up as well and headed back to shore.
I think the soft plastics can be effective but it would depend on the water clarity. As you know, sometimes the water in S'pore can be rather poor.
These 2 Sickle Fish would be great for dinner!
Gear used:
Rod - Shimano TCurve Tropical PE 1-2
Reel - Shimano Saros 1000F
Line - generic 20lb braid
Bait - Berkely Gulp Minnow 3 inch
Rig - weighted jighead
Fish ID - Chao Xi aka Sicklefish (Drepane Punctata)
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