gone fishing

First Timer

2010-01-12T18:34:00.000-08:00

We all just can't bear the wait till Chinese New Year for our first trip to one of the kelongs near Sibu Island. So last Sunday we all had the first taste of kelong fishing at Sibu except for Mr.Jay who knew the kelongs at the back of his hands.

Saturday afternoon, Mr.Jay, Mr.Din and me met up at Beach Road to buy all the needed items for the trip. Mr.Din bought a seven buck rod for tamban jigging and some other stuff. Mr.Jay bought few tamban rigs and I bought two prawn lure for squid jigging.

Sunday 3 am, Mr Din ring me up and he was on his way to his parent's place. Lucky enough for this trip Mr.Din's father allowed us to use his car. About half and hour later I met Mr.Din and his wife with his father instructing me what are "do's & dont's" of the aged but well maintained Nissan Sunny.

So off we went to fetch Mr.Dem and straight to Changi Village to get some live prawns but were sold out. Settled for an early breakfast before fetching Mr.Jay at Hougang. We crossed the causeway at about 5.45 am with smooth traffic to JB. Went back to JB town to change Ringgits.

Road to Mersing from JB have totally changed a lot. With new landmarks sprouting along the way, made me a little confuse. Journey was smooth with light traffic heading either way and the early morning scenery was spectacular.

Reached Tanjung Leman jetty at about 8 am. Park and double checked the car was probably locked, while waiting for the boat might as well we have some breakfast. Nasi lemak at the jetty was great. Met up with very friendly anglers from Malacca and heading to the same kelong as we are. By looking at their gears and individual coolers, they really mean business.

Paid out jetty tax which is RM5 per head and the excitement begins. Lucky enough winds were not strong but still with the diesel-powered boat, the journey was a bit choppy at times. It took about 30 minutes from the jetty to the kelong. By looking at a soccer size field kelong from far, talking to myself... so this is the place that Mr.Jay and others have been talking about.

One must have good balance when trying to jump from the boat to the kelong if the water is choppy. Our bags, coolers and fishing gears were carried up by the kelong operators and we were told to wait for bunkers since there were not prepared.

As a seasoned kelong goer, Mr.Jay showed us around, telling us where were the best spot to fish. Mr.Din and Mr.Dem could not resist the wait and was already hooking up smallies behind the kitchen area. I too just can't wait and fetched my new Aegis rod coupled with my Shimano Sienna 2500, using tamban rig and off jigging the smallies which were mostly Mempinang (Pink Ear Emperor), Dingkis (Rabbit Fish) and Kunyit (Miss Wong).

Biting rate is just superb and after an hour fishing, I start to get bored hooking up smallies. Decide to cast out to the open sea from behind the kitchen and hooked up more palm-sized Mempinangs. Tragedy struck when I left my rod with the rig just below the water surface. My new rod suddenly bend like a letter U and just a few seconds of holding the rod... "Prraakkkk!!!!" It broke at two places, 5cm from the tip and just above the joining part of the upper part of the rod. And there goes my birthday present from my wife.

Lunch was at 12 noon with steamed sea bass, butter prawns, veggie and soup. After lunch I joined the rest of the kakis at the bunker side. Mr.Dem and Mr.Din busy reeling in Remora after remoras. This "BATA" known to the other anglers because of it's rubber sole like body parts seems fond of Mr.Dem's rig. His been hooking up 4 of these "BATAs" but at last he hooked up a decent size grouper. I hooked up a barraccuda later on.

Dinner was at 5 pm with soya sauce duck, fried fish, veggie and soup. Sunset was breathtaking from the kelong and during this time we all were busy hooking up Tamban, Kembongs and Selars.

After shower all of us relax at the bunker before we were called for supper. Just have some red bean soup and off fishing again. Mr.Din tried squid jigging and hook up one. Mr.Dem trying luring with his new bought lure. Mr.Jay trying to hook up selar with my Shimano Schimtar and I, hooking up the fresh squid that Mr.Din caught and cast it out using Mr.Jay's battered set up.

As I was busy cleaning up the catches, I saw Mr.Jay's rod nodding and quickly grab it. When reeling in, saying to myself please not those BATAs again. Lucky enough a plate-sized Sagai (Trevally). An hour later another hooked up from Mr.Jay's rod and this time I had a hard time reeling in when the fish tried to swim under the kelong but managed to bring it up and surprisingly it was a Bamboo Shark.

About midnite, I just can't handle it anymore and straight to the bunker to sleep. 5.30 am woke up to go the toilet and decide to fish again. This time is the best for fishing, only four anglers seeing fishing. Cast out my Shimano and hooked in a lot of Kekeks (Ponyfish) and few Selar Papans.

9 am we were all ready to go back to mainland with 7 minutes ride from the kelong to the jetty using speed boat.

Getting Burn & Black

2010-01-03T19:39:00.000-08:00

Wishing to all Brothers of Fishing a Happy 2010.

On the new year itself, went for a family picnic at Pasir Ris. Brought along my gear in case got the itch to fish.

After setting the makeshift tent and settling with a plate of nasi lemak, I set up my gear and cast out. Tide was getting low. After a few cast and changing of bait a tiny ray takes the bait.

Saturday morning, I went down to East Coast around McDonalds to join the "Ladies" fishing. Set and cast out with no action at all. My wife cousin hook up two plate-size ray. Fishing with no regular kakis was really odd for me. Went home about 3.00 pm.

Went no fish bites, this what normally I do...

My Loomis President with Tica 10000

Fishing In The Rain

2009-12-28T23:56:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday trip was a wet one. No chance of running to the shelter because we were fishing from the waterbreaker. The only saviour from getting soaking wet is the yellow thingy at the end of the waterbreaker. Me and Mr.Sam's brother taking cover behind the huge yellow thingy. At least both of us were not so soaked like Mr.Dem and Mr.Sam. Both of them taking refuge with thin disposable poncho raincoat.

Before the heavy rain, most of them were hooking smallies. After setting up and cast out my 10 footer, I went down to the edge of the waterbreaker and try luring. Got tired after about 30+ cast. Never in my fishing history I hook up fish from luring. Still learning what lure to use. I will be a happy man if one day I hook up fish by luring.

Warning from the golf course nearby telling the golfers to stop cause heavy rain and lightning

Feeding frenzy when the rain stop slightly. Mr.Dem got a palm size sicklefish, Mr.Sam got a needlefish (todak), I hook up a small grouper and a flathead (baji baji). Mr.Sam's brother got a toadfish (tekuk) and few smallies.

We left around 5.30.

Mr.Dem and Mr.Sam taking cover

Me with my flathead

Mr.Sam with his needlefish

Our total catch

Still ZERO!

2009-12-14T01:40:00.000-08:00

It seems that my fishing outing in the ending days of 2009 did not produce good results. And again my weekend outing produced another ZERO catch.

After deciding Pasir Ris Camp as our spot for the day, I met Mr.Dem at junction towards Pasir Ris Camp while Mr.Sam will join us shortly.

The path along the camp's fence look neater. Bushes were cleared up to the small stream making it less spooky when passing along the path.

Reached the spot around 1.30 pm with not even a single angler around the area with tide is getting low. Chose our favorite spot, set up our gear and cast out with pon pon sarong that Mr.Dem bought at Changi earlier as baits. Notice that end of the year strong winds made our cast a little shorter than normal and making it more frustrated were the choppy waters that make the rod nods as if fish were biting.

After half and hour's wait, there's no bite at all. Decide to share my lunch with Mr.Dem. Few hours later still no a single twitch on both of my rod.

From 1.30 pm till 7 pm, three of us were bored to death. The outing compliments Mr.Dem with two eels which were released back to sea.

Mr.Dem with the new art of fishing.

Our tea break!

Bored!

Reached home, clean up my reels and straight to..... zzzzzzzzzzz

My cat guarding my reels while I doze off.

Double Outing

2009-12-10T02:06:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday went for a double. In the morning, went fishing around Changi Sailing Club and also tried along the beach from Changi jetty up to Sailing Club.

This time the outing is more like a family affair fishing. Reached the spot around 9 am after buying breakfast, drinks and two packets of pon pon sarung.

After setting up my gear, I decided to have my breakfast. After two to three scoops of nasi lemak went down to my bulging tummy, I saw my rod nod. Check it out and reel in with the most hated fish... the striped eel-tail catfish (Usat).

The rest of the guys decide to change to another spot, about 200 meters further up towards Changi Sailing Club. The spot was responsive, with bites every few minutes but it just won't hook up.

It was a zero catch for me but the rest managed to hooked a small ray and some small fish.

The best thing to do if there's no bite!

My father in law with a small grouper.

Mr.Sam with his blukang!

Then we all decided to change to the previous spot after the biting rate was nearly zero.

And again a big fat zero!

Went home around 4 pm. At midnight Mr.Jay sms me, asking how's the morning result and persuade me to join him for a night outing at Pasir Ris. Met him at the petrol kiosk around Pasir Ris, bought drinks and batteries for the torch light and straight to the beach.

There few anglers, but it seems so quite. Set up our gear and cast. Mr.Jay was buzy entertaining the most hated fish which both of his hook were hooked with the striped eel-tail.

For me, still nothing! Went home at 7.30 am.

Mr.Jay checking his rig in the early morning.

Forgot to post!

2009-11-29T23:35:00.000-08:00

These are the few pictures when me and the gang tried the spot for the second time. Sorry for the late post.

Blue Skies

2009-11-29T21:32:00.000-08:00

Woke at 8 and was contemplating whether wanna go fishing or not. Smsed Mr.Dem is he ready or not. By getting a fast reply, can tell that he is really eager to wet his lines. Replied his sms and will meet him at Changi Village around 10.

Took a fast shower, fetched my gears and stop by the supermarket and grab a kilo of prawns for bait. By looking of the prawns that I bought is like we are going to fish for hours, but anyway better have more than no bait at all.

Riding to changi, I noticed black clouds already in formation and by looking at it, I guarantee there will be a wet-wet outing. Mr.Dem came earlier to send his rod for repair and to buy worm baits. Luckily I bought enough prawns since there's not a single worm bait at all the three tackle shops.

Decide to have breakfast at hawker centre beside the new Cable-Ski Park. Mr.Din sms and will join us shortly. Went to recky the spot and was greeted with a sign, No Fishing! Area designated for swimmers and sailing activities.

Call Mr.Din and request for change of plan. Decide to fish at breakwater 16, just beside Bedok Jetty. Walking towards the beach, from far I can see there were already few rods at the waterbreaker. Prepare and cast out. Not a single twitch for a about an hour. Mr.Din called Mr.Jay asking him whether want to join and he suggested to fish around the Six Pipes area. Do a brief packing of our stuff and off to the new spot.

I went to the hawker centre to get some food and drinks while Mr.Dem and Mr.Din went straight to the spot.

Reached at the spot with food and drinks and noticed the place was already filled up with anglers. Since it was low tide, the best thing to do at that moment is to fill up our empty stomach.

Found and empty space near the beach and cast out. Mr.Jay came an hour later. A few twitch but nothing interesting. Mr.Dem and Mr.Din hooked up eel tail cat fish. I got a tiny stripped eel tail catfish and Mr.Jay hooked up this...

My earlier prediction was wrong. For the past few months, I've never seen nice blue skies.

And some of the shots...

"Play-Play Fishing"

2009-11-25T22:16:00.000-08:00

Wow, have not been posting since the last fasting month. The last fishing trip was a month ago when Mr.Din ask me to try at Bedok Jetty. Since I was on leave that day, brought my gear and wait for Mr.Din to arrive.

We end up casting at the water breaker beside the jetty. Could not bear the heat if fishing on the jetty although there only a few anglers there.

Manage to hook-up two palm size gerut-gerut and ray. Left at around 7 pm.

Unique Fishing

2009-06-08T03:45:00.000-07:00

Enjoy the videos

Return From Injury

2009-06-01T23:03:00.000-07:00

Whoah! Been missing in action for quite sometime due to my injuries.

So last Saturday, due to the pestering of Mr. Dem, we decide to wet our lines at the same spot in front of Conney Island. Mr. Sam tag along and Mr. Jay came a few hours later with Mr. Dem bringing along his prodigy (his son).

Rigs were already prepared in the morning, set up my gear, find a spot and cast without feeling anymore pain on my right shoulder. A good sign for me, seems everything is all okay, I can start fishing every weekend.

Tide was only at 2.6 and current is weak, can expect no bites from the biggies. Setup my smaller rod and hook a few sand whiting (swa chiams/bebolos/pepasir) and use it for live bait.

No action till sunset when Mr. Dem brought up a small tarpon/lady fish (bandang). That's the only the best catch of the day. Others were all the sickening stripped ell-tail catfish.

Mr. Dem with his tarpon

Mr. Sam playing around with the fish

Taking A Break

2009-04-19T21:19:00.000-07:00

Pulled my shoulder muscle badly due to two days straight of surfcasting. All fishing outing invites, i had to cancel, cause the pain is unbearably painful. Maybe I have to take some few weeks of rest before start to cast again.

Yesterday, Mr Jay mms me his latest catch.

Cute boy with his father's catch.

Catfish Fever

2009-04-12T01:20:00.000-07:00

After deciding what time and where to meet before introducing Mr. Dem to Mr. Jay's spot at Punggol, both of us waited patiencely at the roadside after exiting to Punggol from TPE. Dark clouds were already above our heads and prayed that they were just passing clouds.

But luck was not on our side that evening, as we just to enter the dirt track area, it start to pours. Mr. Jay asked both of us to leave our bikes and join in his car, but we can't resist of leaving the bikes at that area, so I put on my raincoat and continued our journey to the canal.

Rain still pouring down heavily when we reached the spot. Knowing that graphite rods were dangerous during lightning, I have to wait till everything cool down. About an hour later, I slowly set up my gear as the other guys had already cast out. It's really annoying and very uncomfortable that you to fish when your whole body is soaking wet.

Mr. Dem start the evening catch with a small tarpon (bandang). An hour later is was Feeding Frenzy Time, one by one, the rods were shaken by the hungry catfish.

Mr. Dem with his tarpon.

Mr. Jay with his duri

Slowly... slowly..

Mr. Jay with his huge blues gang that we release it later on

Overall catch

Mr. Jay posing with the catch

Everybody got the taste of the fight and every rod that we cast out were shaken by the catfish especially to Mr. Jay's new gear, it's virginity was lost that night!

I'm Jealous!

2009-04-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

Plan of joining Mr.Jay at Punggol yesterday. But due to heavy rain and already promised to visit my brother at his place, I had to cancel the plan.

Around 7 pm, Mr.Jay mms me this pix...

One huge tarpon.

Aching Body With Good Results

2009-04-04T19:38:00.000-07:00

Arrghhhh... need a body massage due to yesterday's outing.

Ordered a glass of kopi 'O' while waiting for Mr.Dem at Changi Hawker Center. We packed some food and drinks. Only one tackle shop open early that morning for us to buy baits so we don't have the luxury to choose fresh baits from the other tackle shops.

Mr.Sam had already waited for us at the car park 6. Had to walk about 1500 meters to the spot from the carpark. After settling down a place to put our stuff, we set up our gear, bait up and cast. While waiting for some action, I enjoyed my packed breakfast and keeping my eye on the rods. Mr.Din came to join us shortly with some squid and shell baits.

Mr.Dem tying up his rig
Mr.Sam hoping his rig will catch a biggie!

The only catch! Mr.Sam with his leather jacket.

After a few reeling ins with seaweed and a small leather jacket, Mr.Sam decide to change spot, and we all agreed. Packed our stuff, stop by Changi Village to buy more baits and straight to the spot.

Again unpacked our stuff, set up and cast. Good early response when our rods been nodding here and there. Mr.Din brought up the first catch, second by me and follow up by the rest of the kakis.

Breaking the record was Mr.Dem with six stripped eel tail catfish (usat). Total catch was 16 various smallies minus the catch from our newly crowned King of Usat... Mr.Dem!

Burn Out

2009-03-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday's outing.
Met Mr. Din at junction to Labrador Park at 7.30 am after stopping by at KTM to buy drinks and breakfast. Got to know that Mr. Dem will join us shortly.

Set up my Schimtar and L & F 13 footer, hoping that today my tallest rod will catch some fish as this will my second time trying this new set up. After casting at the seabed full of rocks and weeds, I need to setup my stomach with nasi lemak and a packet of kopi 'o'. Weather was really humid and burning hot. Decide to go topless while fishing, cause the heat made me uncomfortable with a long sleeve T-shirt on.

Mr Din yelled at me that my shortest rod got a strike. When reeling in my sinker got stuck under the rocks. Force it out and managed to get it back losing the fish.

That was the first and the last strike for the whole outing. The rest was snag after snag. Went down to the waterbreaker area, but still there's no bite at all.

Went down here, still no bites!

Mr. Dem casting his Prokat

Another boring Labrador outing ending up trying to change to a new hobby...

... rock climbing.

Watch out for beautiful green tree snake while sitting under the trees at Labrador Park.

Sunday
Woke up with aching body plus all the sunburnt. Around 11 am, Mr. Jay called up whether I'm interested to join him at his spot around Punggol area. As I got nothing to do at home, why not joining him.

Met him at the Punggol Exit before we ride in some unknown dirt track. I just follow his bike to the spot. As I was riding along, I was talking to myself, who the hell want to fish at this area, cause the journey is quite spooky, worst if it's raining. Huge puddle here and there that I must avoid.

After reaching the area, I was surprise to see a lot of cars, pickups, vans and even lorry parking by the side of the railing with a huge canal-like that separates Punggol and Coney Island. Found a space to park our bikes and set up our gears.

I only set up my 10 footer rod with my Rapala reel bait up with peeled prawn and cast about 70 metres from the railing.

Two hours later, the rod bend fiercely and I quickly grab the rod. Had a good fight for a few minutes, then slowly reel in the fish near to the edge. Mr. Jay asked me to tired down the fish before lifting it up from the canal, but luck was not on my side, as I was about to hold on, the 30lb braided line snap to due to line rubbing on the sharp cement edges of the canal. A huge loss, but anyway that's fishing.

Few minutes later, Mr. Jay's turn. And again, the line snap. This time I think it was my mistake, trying to lift up the fish by pulling in the line by hand. Seeing the two losses, I set up my 13 footer and cast out.

At about 6 pm, the 13 footer broke "Her Virginity" by hooking up a decent size duri (catfish). 7 pm, we packed up bringing back the catch to my inlaws.

Mr. Jay's catch

My catch

Quite happy with the outing, eventhough I lost a biggie. Maybe this weekend I will try again at this spot.

13 footer try out

2009-03-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

Left house at 4pm and met Mr. Dem at Lagoon Food Centre to pack some food and drinks. Mr. Din was already at the former Big Splash's carpark entrance.

Weather was not on our side that evening as it start to drizzle. Set up our gears, bait up and cast. From 6 till 1.30 am there was no bite. There's a few twitch on my 10 footer, other than that, the worm bait were still intact when we reeled in to check.

Mr. Dem caught a tiny grouper and released it back. Boring outing with no bites.

New Gear

2009-03-11T23:09:00.000-07:00

Mr. Din called me asking whether I can knock off early from work to meet him at Beach Road. I tried to, but I got stuck with a rush job.

Met him near Sultan Mosque and straight to the tackle shops around that area. In and out the tackle shops ending up at Hong Guan.

I really need a longer rod and decides on 13 footer Loomis & Franklin pairing with Tica GE1000. I think this is longest rod and the biggest reel that I've ever own before.

Can't wait for this Saturday to try out this combo.

Out Of Boredom!

2009-03-08T21:39:00.000-07:00

Drop by Mr. Dem's house after sending my daughter to her religious class. Chat for awhile before he decides to follow to the tackle shop around Ubi. Collect my Schimtar that I've send earlier that week. Actually I send two rods, the other one is gift from a friend, an old Loomis & Franklin 9 footer with a broken ring.

With various rods in my collection, it seems that my eyes could not resist looking at new rods. I have been eyeing some 12 footer surf rods, but the one that really catch my eyes was the 12 footer D.A.M Fenisee. Checked with the staff there and got feedback that the new blanks are all Malaysian made. Only the old models were made in Germany. Still contemplating to get one coz it's quite pricey.

After collecting my rods, Mr. Dem asking whether want to wet some lines later on. We agreed to meet up at Changi Village at 3 pm. Our arrival there was greeted by the heavy downpour with loud bangs of thunder. While waiting for the rain stop, Mr. Dem met his old kampung friend and was asked to join them fishing later on at their spot. As we don't have any idea to fish that evening, we decided to join them.

Car park 6, most of the anglers called it. A spot where anglers landed huge rays. This is the second time I tried the place. The first one came empty handed and hoping this one will produce some good results.

Mr. Din joins us hours later.

Around 7pm, one the guys multiplier went zzzzrrrrrrrrrttttttt... with his rod bending furiously. Unfortunately after reeling in slowly, he noticed that there's nothing on the other end. Looking by rod's action and the alarm of the multiplier, it was a huge one but lady luck was not on his side. Anyway that's fishing. You win some, you lose a lot!

Later at night Mr. Dem was so happy he reeled up a plate size ray and got a slightly bigger one few minutes later. For me, I got nothing but happy for Mr. Dem that he reel in two rays that night.

Mr. Dem with his ray.

We packed around 11pm, while the other guys stayed till the next morning.

Dissapointed Outing

2009-03-02T01:25:00.000-08:00

Turn out that the kelong trip that most of the kakis were eagerly waiting since for the last two weeks didn't promised us with good catch.

5.30 am received a sms form Mr. Dem, yup! 5.30 in the morning, checking up on me whether I was up. This guy is too eager on the trip, or he's just plain blur sotong. I'm wondering why the hell he's up so early since the boatman will only pick up us at 8 at the Changi Jetty.

6.30 am I make a move to Mr. Sam's place. As he was driving, might as well I park my bike at his place and go together in his car. Noticed Mr. Dem was snoozing at the hawker centre and ask him to join breakfast with us.

Three of us were virgins of kelong fishing including me. Never tried fishing from a fishing farm before. The rest had past experience but not on the same place. So it's like The Blind Leading The Blind.

Left the jetty around 8.45, stopped at another fish farm to buy some live prawns for bait. Once we reached the so call "easy place to hook up fishes", we geared up and one of us asked the kelong guy where's the best spot to throw our lines.

I settled for two short rods, since we are fishing from a fish farm, but once I found out that on the my Schmictar rod ring is gone, I regret not to bring my other rods. Tape the broken ring with a handyplast and cast out to sea hoping to get the huge fight that I've been told by some of the experienced kelong fishing anglers.

A good sign of hooking up huge fishes brighten up our spirit when one of the kaki managed to hook up an almost 2kg sicklefish. The ooohhss and aahhhhss are buzzing around and we all are hoping that the rest will get the same fight later on.

But... for the rest of the day, we only managed to hook up the most pathetic fish, that is the.... duri belalang! I got only two duris and a palm size snapper.

Feeling so disappointed with the catches, I'm too lazy to snap the catches.

Toman Hunting

2009-02-05T19:29:00.000-08:00

I was invited to try at this new and secret spot by another friend of mine. Supposed to be infested with huge tomans (snakehead).

Parked my bike at his block, waited around few minutes for another friend to fetch us to Yishun for live baby catfish for bait. Actually it was the first day of the Chinese New Year, surprisingly the tackle shop open for business on the first day. Have a quick breakfast before proceeding to the spot.

Tall grasses and slippery slopes making the walk to the spot from the main road a bit scary. Plus the silence makes the whole place spooky. But anyway, seeing the picture that my friend showed me of his last trip with his 6kg catch doesn't bother me at all.

This trip was a bit special, coz rig and bait was already prepared by my friend. I just need to prepare my reel and rod and even my friend helped to me hook up the live bait.

Although I didn't got any hooked up, I was surprised how the tomans took the bait. Totally half of the eight inches size live bait gone when the toman strike.

The trip only produced a twelve inch toman but at least I had the experience on how to hunt for tomans.

Catfish Fever!

2009-01-13T02:19:00.000-08:00

Okay.. okay... this blog was "dead" for almost a year.

Been fishing for the past few weeks at a new spot introduced by an old fishing kaki.

The first trip catch... 10 eeltail catfish. 1 sicklefish. 1 ray. 1 small snapper

Bro in law with his sicklefish

The second trip...

Fishing kakis from bachelor's time till now.

Combined catch... 8 eeltail catfish. 3 rays. 1 bream

The Past Five Weeks

2008-05-14T02:41:00.000-07:00

Been busy lately.

Rushing out a poster for a friend who plays in the band at one of the Boat Quay's pub.

Editing Motor Jamboree Bikers Aid footage at the Malay Heritage. Clips were shot so badly. It took up almost half of the Mac 120GB space. Just waiting for approval on the DVD that I've done, then I can trash all the rubbish out.

Returning VCDs, DVDs and fishing magazine back to Energy's bassist. I've been keeping it too long. Promise him to duplicate more of his fishing scene with Anthony Bourdain. Shit! I trashed the pix that I got from the net for his DVD cover. Need to search it again.

Yesterday, a friend of mine pass me this recording gadget to play around with it. Once I mastered it, then there will be a lot of material to be recorded.

Dem was asking whether this weekend I got time to go fishing. I still can't give him an OK. They are still some stuff that are hanging around for me to finish it up. But anyway, if time permits.. why not!

Have not open up my fishing bag and check all my gears. Running out of rigs too!.

No Fish!

2008-04-28T00:22:00.000-07:00

Due to work commitments and a bit of laziness, I have not been fishing lately. Will be updating if this week I'm free.

Lucky Me

2008-04-06T02:52:00.000-07:00

As usual met Dem at Changi Village to get baits and some breakfast before both of us went to our favorite spot. An again met the usual anglers there.

The good spot was not taken, set up my gear and cast. Few minutes later, there was some action but looking by the rod's nodding, I could guess it was the work of the smallies. Got few croakers and a palm size grunter.

An hour later, taking cover from the morning sun at one of the pavilion to watch the rods action along the boardwalk, my rod nod hard.

Ran to my rod, before taking it from Dem who grab it first and make the execution and surprisingly, lady luck is on my side with this catch...

and the smallies...

First, Fastest, Biggest

2008-03-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

Met Dem around 9am at Changi Village to get some baits, drinks and food. Both of us still wondering where do we want to fish. Seems like both of us are running out of spots to fish. Because the last 2 weeks were unproductive.

At last we agreed to fish at Changi Board Walk as it is the nearest. Surprising to see only a few rods at the board walk, and we got a good space to cast our lines. Met the regular anglers there and chat with them for a while asking how's the bite rate. Checking out their nets, they have been hooking up a few catfish (duri) since Friday night.

Set my gear, tied up my ready made apollo rig with ponpon sarung as baits and cast with a size 4 sinker. Tide was already high and lucky enough the current were not as strong as when tide were coming up or down.

As I was trying to untie my packet drink, my rod nods twice. While reeling in slowly, I was looking both sides to check on the other anglers whether they are reeling in as line might tangle up due to crossed lines but there were all away from their rods.

I can feel there's something at the end of the line as I was reeling in and it's quite heavy. There's no fight at all and I guess it's the catfish that was hook and I was wrong when I saw a shining white reflection coming up to the surface. Yessss!!! it's a Longhead Grunt (Gerut Gerut/Tembam Pipi).

Shouting at Dem to help me bring up the fish, and I really don't want to repeat the same mistake when I lost that huge Sickle Fish there a month ago. No wonder there was no fight, the fish swallowed the bait deep in.

This was the first, fastest and biggest catch since I start fishing again.

"Batman" Stingray

2008-03-19T01:29:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday, out of boredom from my sickening headache, I force myself out from bed, fetched my gear, bought some prawns from the nearby supermarket and straight down to the longkang!

BIL came late in the evening with his family, ending up with two puffer fish (buntal). It seems lately, I don't get anymore interesting bites.

Found this interesting pictures on the net.

I wonder if there are any Robin stingray around?

Argghhhhhhh!!! What a day!!

2008-03-10T02:47:00.000-07:00

Since BIL and another fishing kaki could not make to the Ubin trip, so I and Dem decide to try the island.

Caught the ferry or rather a bumboat to Ubin and since I have not fishing there for more than 15 years at the island, Dem lead the way to the spot that he recalled it from another kaki.

Changi Ferry Terminal

Set up my gear, cast and... nope! not a big fish. Bloody shit!, got snag to don't know what. Fix up another rig and cast again. Not a single twitch for two hours at the beach facing the offshore fish farms.

Where are the fishes?

Twice reeling in with a huge caterpillar sea-creature like stuck on the bait and it look scary.

I did some luring at the beach but again.. ZERO!!!! With some stupid school campers are throwing rocks where we were fishing. It's a bit frustrating when they are no bites and you've got these silly school children throwing things in the sea.

Dem decide to change spot, when he called another fishing kaki which try to guide him to a new spot by phone. So we walked to the said spot. And it make the whole trip more frustrating when he himself doesn't know the place.

The "Long & Winding Walk"

With the gears and heavy bags, we have to walk like half of the island ending up at some chalet. Decide not to go any further. Tried luring at resort beach with negative results. Called the island taxi and straight to the jetty.

Next time if I want go there again, might as well have someone that has more knowledge of the island. Hate to have blisters on my foot.

Reach Changi jetty and decide to fish at Board Walk and it make me sick again, when I saw a lot of rods already filling up all the space. Decide to join a regular angler there to another area near the Board Walk.

And of course.... not bites at all.

To kill that boring feeling, I snap some pictures of the area.

Singaporean Twister

2008-03-03T22:02:00.000-08:00

Received this pictures from a friend in Malaysia stating that this pictures were shot in Malacca. When I look closely, these were shot at East Coast Park, yup! our own shore.

Or maybe I'm wrong. You guys figure out!

Maybe My Last!

2008-03-03T19:46:00.000-08:00

Last Friday night, Dem want to get that pond feel, so three of us decide to meet at Pasir Ris Pond around 8pm. BIL suggest to 'chop' the spot near the stairs leading to the car park but surprisingly all the good spot was taken, ending up squeezing a place in front of the bait shop.

Actually that night, I was not in the mood to try the pond coz I know it will end up the same as the first try, that is with only two fish and as I predict, with two rods, I caught one and Dem got two.

Spend almost 90 bucks for two rods, live prawns and kembong meat, we managed to caught only three. Might as well save the money for Sibu Kelong trip.

What I noticed night fishing at the pond is that, the bites will only get active an hour later after the fish are released and around dawn. Other than that, a big fat zero!

Maybe no more pond fishing for me!

This is only what we got.

This is due of no bites, when my line, sinker and a live prawn got tangle up on a tree.

Water Too Cold?

2008-02-27T20:54:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday outing was so boring. Met Dem (new fishing kaki) at Changi Village to buy worm baits and some breakfast. Ride to East Coast and survey a new spot that a friend of mine suggest. After viewing the place, it doesn't convince me there will any bite, so we end up at the Six Pipes.

Tide was reported at 3.2 at midday. Water condition was quite clear and it was going inwards and of course there will be a lot of rubbish following in.

This is not a bite, it's that irritating rubbish that tangle up with the line.

Both of us cast our rods and notice that our sinker was carried away by the current and with no bite at all. Where are those whiskers?

We spend till 5pm with only 4 smallies.

A park sweeper guy came and chat with us and suggest to come back next week. He said that the water is cold. This is the second time, I've been reminded by someone. First reminder was at Labrador Park, when an old man came to me and said the same thing.

These were the one that I got.

Snag, Snag And More Snag

2008-02-18T03:00:00.000-08:00

After that brief sleep from the night pond fishing, my stubborn eyes just could not sleep well. Every single hour I was awake.

Argghhh... what the hell! I call my old friend which is staying around Jurong, asking him whether are there any good spots over his side. Ending we both agree to try Labrador Park. Called up another kaki and met him at Changi Village to buy some worm bait.

Around 5pm met my friend at the coffee shop along the entrance to the park. Bought drinks and some light snacks and off to the park.

Nice view with boat, ferry, cruise ship pass us every single minute. But.. not a single bite for almost 4 hours.

11pm pack and straight home.

Zzrrttttttt........

2008-02-17T22:13:00.000-08:00

Itchiness of pond fishing was cured when BIL call asking whether I want to join him fishing at Pasir Ris Pond on Friday Night.

We came around 9pm and fill in an empty spot near to the carpark. We only use one rod because BIL will not stay till 7 next morning. Paid the pond attendant S$35 and BIL went to get 200 grams of live prawns, a packet of kembong meat and a floater. I set the gear by using my 7ft Scimitar and my 20lb mono line Rapala reel.

No action at all when using floater and it's a bit frustrated using the floater because it tends to drift away and might tangle other angler's line.

When the pond operator guy start to release the fish, I changed to 2 hook apollo rig using kembong meat as bait.

Zzzzrrtttttttttttttt..... first strike! BIL took the rod and slowly reel in the fish. John Snapper (Unggah Tanda) being lift safely to the ground. Can't guess the weight but it's around 10 inches in length.

Few minutes later saw the rod noddling hard, BIL ask another friend who drop by the pond to reel in the fish but it's a not a bite at all, line being crossed by the other angler.

An hour later as we are chatting I saw the rod nod and the line that it's in the water slowly loosened. Slowly get hold of the rod and slowly reel in then... zzzzzrrrtttttttttt!! Wow! that's the best feeling of an angler. And that's the best fight I got from a fish in my entire life of fishing. A bigger and much more aggressive than the earlier one caught. About 17 inches in length.

From then on till 7 the next morning, there's not a bite at all and worst of all that huge snapper that I reel in managed to escape from the clip. Lesson to learn, don't ever hook a huge fish on that flimpsy clip, get a net to keep the fishes that we caught.

A nice guy besides me gave a huge Taiwan Ngor. 8.30 reached home. Clean up and
zzzzzzzzzzz.....

One Night At The Pond

2008-02-13T19:23:00.000-08:00

Old fishing kaki call me, asking how's the bite at Pasir Ris Pond. My last fishing there was donkey years. Just a month ago, I start coming down every Sunday morning after sending my daughter to her religious class. So far I saw all kind of fishes being hooked up, from Mangrove Jack, Barramundi, Grouper, Fingermark Snapper and a lot more that I can't name it.

I came down around 9pm and he came an hour later. As he was preparing his gear, went to get some coffee and he asked me to buy live prawns beside the tackle shop.

Simple cheapo set up, a SureCatch reel with 20lb mono line, a 20 ringgit 5 footer rod that he bought at Kota Tinggi. Floater with that green bright light thingy with two hooks. Hooked up the prawns and cast it just a few feet away.

As we chatting about our fishing heydays, I saw his floater dissapeared from water surface. First strike, a small Barramundi (Siakap). 15 minutes later another strike, a small Mangrove Jack. Just before I decide to go home, he struck another MJ. Forgot to snap fishes that he caught, anyway my camera phone produce lousy night shots.

Still haven't call him, total fishes that he caught after I left. Arhhh!!! After seeing him reeling in the fishes, it made my whole body itch to try the pond.

Pasir Ris Pond daytime.

Bites n Bites!

2008-02-11T17:46:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning was as at BIL's house figuring out how to get rid spyware from his PC but still can't manage to do it. Ending up both of us going to East Coast to fish. Knowing that another fishing kaki is at Changi Broad Walk hooking up tambans, I asked him to join us at our favourite spot. The Longkang! Yup.. the Six Pipes. Reminded my friend to buy some worm baits at Changi V. Brought along some prawns for bait too.

Notice only few anglers there. Tide is going down carrying along lot of rubbish to the sea. About an hour later.. my first strike. My Shimano Shmictar suddenly bend hard towards the railing. Few seconds of good fight with the fish and I know it's the fight from the eel tail catfish (sembilang).

What I like most fishing at this area is that there are bites once the bait is in the water but we must bear a lot of snags especially when it's getting dark.

Hook another eel tail around 8pm and it's about 15cm long. For now that's the biggest eel tail that I ever caught and it also damage and silenced my Alivio clicker.

Pack up around 9 cause we are running out of baits with 4 eel tails catfish in the bag.

Lost A Biggie!

2008-02-08T03:11:00.000-08:00

Met BIL and another fishing kaki who suddenly want to join my weekend fishing and straight to Changi Board Walk. Yes, the same spot again. It's more convenient and near to home.

Reach there around 7.45 am and notice that there are about seven rods at the walk railing and we had the worst space to cast. Tide is slowly coming up and without delay I set up my gear and cast using worm baits that my friend bought the night before.

As usual fishing at the place is that we have to bear the strong tide currents. And of course there will be rubbish following the tide. Wood planks, branches, empty plastic containers and worst of all... plastic bags. This thing when it got stuck to your hook or sinker, it's like reeling in a huge stingray. That is what caught my hook when I'm doing my third reeling in.

Next reel in I felt the same thing, feeling the weight on the other end of the line. "Argghh.. not bags again!". When reeling in, and my cheapo 10 foot rod was bending like a letter U, I saw a shining reflection coming up to the water surface. Shit! it's not a plastic bag and I didn't notice of my rod nodding at all. It's one huge sickelfish on the other line of the line.

How in the hell should I lift this fish up the broadwalk and worst of all, the nibongs. First hurdle, I managed to lift up the fish over the nibong and asking BIL later to take the line and lift it up by hand. Just he take the line, the fish below snap from the hook and I can see that huge fish swam away from the cooking pot.

That's fishing, we hook some, we lost some.

Pack up around 3 with some smallies.

Reach home and clean up and just about to doze off, got a call from another old fishing kaki asking whether want to join him night fishing at East Coast. Called BIL asking whether, but he said he's too tired but will come down just to watch us fishing. Later, another old fishing kaki joined. And pity for him, he can't reach the water breaker coz the tide is already high. Not to dissapoint him, me and my friend have to wade the water just above knee high to shore.

Thought of changing spot, but ending up chatting at the coffee shop. 2 am reach home and crash coz my eyes are killing me of not enough sleep.

Better Than Satellite Forecast

2008-02-05T21:48:00.000-08:00

This is the best and the most accurate weather forecast info.

Croakers & Rain

2008-02-03T19:29:00.000-08:00

I just could not resist my itchiness of going fishing. So, what the heck!, pack up my gears, bought some worm baits, drinks and a poncho and straight to Changi Board Walk.

Called BIL, but he said the weather makes him lazy to fish. Yup, it has been drizzling on and off all day long but at least it's cooler and with no sunburn to worry about. Anyway my skin is getting darker due to weekend fishing.

Met with familiar anglers there and chatted with them a while before I set my gear.

Trying out the new Mustad Bloodworm hooks on the apollo rig. Cast and as usual... wait for bite. Tide was low and surprisingly current was slow. Reel in and saw a small croaker (gelama) hooked on the bait.

Set up a shorter rod and try to hook for small fish and ending up with more croakers.

Packed around 8pm with only four croakers.

Happy Birthday

2008-01-27T21:53:00.000-08:00

Been deciding whether should I bring along my fishing gear to the chalet or not, as we all will be having a bbq cum birthday celebrations of a nephew and a niece there.

After helping out grilling satays all night long, I decide to go home to refresh and might as well fetch my rod and reel to Pasir Ris PA chalet.

Since I was too tired and BIL was not around, I gave up the idea of night fishing. Anyway, there's no bait at all to fish.

After breakfast the next day, I rode down to Changi Village and bought a few packets of pon pon sarung. BIL came later with lunch, so before we gave the fishes to bite, why don't we have a quick bite at our lunch first.

As I was not familiar of the spot and this is the first time I will throwing my lines there, BIL decide to choose a spot which is near to the chalet.

Saw two guys fishing there with live prawns and seems there's no action at all. Not even a single twitch of their rods.

Both of us set our gears and BIL is the first one to cast and he's the first one to hook a fish. A palm size mempinang. The I got my first bite and land a second mempinang.

Realizing that the two Chinese guys packing their stuff, we decide to shift to their spot. I land my second smallie that is a bechok.

As we chatting away, I saw BIL's rod being pulled. He rushed to his rod and by looking at the tip of the rod, it is not those smallies coral fish bite. And true enough it's not, as BIL reel the fish near to the rocks, I could see the shining body of a sicklefish - tudung periok.

As tide is going down, we are hoping for some more bites, but it ended up our baits are still intact and decide to pack.

Early Angler Catch Nothing

2008-01-19T03:50:00.000-08:00

Met BIL at East Coast Parkway McDonalds at 6.30am. Set up my gear, throw the lines but nothing interesting at the new spot that we went.

The only wonderful happens there is the sunrise...

and a stupid sign.

As there was no bite at all and with noisy apeks swimming around the small jetty, we decide to change spot somewhere at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.

Decide to buy worm baits (pon pon sarung) and a quick breakfast at Changi Village. Bought a longer Rod Sling Back cause the one keep flipping away when I ride fast.

Easy parking, right at the edge.

The new bite alarm - When It Flies... It Bites!

Don't fish here in the mid day... arrghhhhhhh!!! Its burning hot!

If only fishermen or anglers that have boats are considerate enough to lay their nets not too near the shore, so that we anglers can share the catch. They lay their nets at about 50 - 80 metres from the shore.

After one hour of waiting, I got these... hmmm.. at least there was some bite!

Puffer Fish a.k.a Fubu (Buntal)

Eel Tail Catfish (Sembilang)

Striped Eel Tail Catfish (Usat)

Fubu.. thrown back to the sea. All the catfish, I gave it to a Thai construction worker.

Malaysian Mermaid

2008-01-18T02:21:00.000-08:00

Found these pictures when browzing Malaysian Fishing Net Forum. You guys decide yourself, whether mermaid are really myth creatures.

As in the report, this picture was shot at one of the Malaysian islands. Don't know lah which island.

Hope... I don't hook one, tomorrow!

Longkang Fishing

2008-01-13T17:42:00.000-08:00

Decide to return again at this longkang on Saturday morning. Ride up to Changi Village to buy some worm baits (sarong), pack a teh 'o' then taking my sweet time riding along Nicoll Drive and Changi Coastal Road to ECP.

Saw a few anglers by the beach, maybe one day I try my luck wetting my lines there.

Reach longkang around 10.30 and was surprise that the tide is already high since high tide is at 1pm. Set my gear, hook up the bait and cast at the previous spot where i caught few catfish (sembilang) there. Set up my second rod and wait for bites.

My BIL* came an hour later with his cute little SureCatch telescopic rod. He tried some few rigs but the fish just don't want to bite. Maybe there not hungry or maybe on a diet.

We left at 3pm and lucky enough when I reach home, it rains heavily.

*BIL: Brother In Law

My "Ayam Brand" Gear

2008-01-07T18:39:00.000-08:00

Reels

Use First Pay Later

Shimano Super400 - 10lb Mono line

I still can't figure whether it's a Baitcaster Reel or Surfcast Reel. Can't find this model in Shimano web.

Birthday Present

Rapala FS8i 4000 - 20lb Mono line

Shimano Alivio 1000FB - 8lb Braided line

My faithful 8-year old reel

Shakespeare Summit 2070 - 15lb Mono line

Luring Rod

Berkly Cherrywood 5.6ft one-piece rod

Shimano Scimitar 7ft two-piece

Surfcast Rod

Pioneer Apachi 10ft two-piece

Jigging Rod

Shakespeare Ugly Stik 5.6ft one-piece

Offshore Rods

Sea Ranger 6ft two-piece

Shakespeare Sturdy Stik 5ft one-piece

Hey there!

2008-01-07T01:28:00.000-08:00

Since hook on fishing just few months ago, might as well I have a blog on my weekend fishing. Maybe I shoot some of my catches and upload it here.

Right now I realized that the hole in my pocket is getting bigger due to buying of new fishing gear.

And i don't care whether it's surfcasting, luring or even pond fishing, if time permits and some cash to buy bait, you can find me at Changi Broadwalk, Bedok Reservoir, Pasir Ris Pond or any longkang at East Coast.