FISHING PRO TIP

DRIFT FISHING



Definition: Surface-midwater fishing from a stationary boat.

It is necessary to attract fish to the stationary boat and chum is often used. Because of the risk of shark and large fish attack, medium (30-50lb) to heavy (80-130lb) tackle is recommended.

Technique:

If using live fish, attach hook to dorsal fish. Attach balloon or bottle 10 -20 m from bait depending on depth of bait required. The use of a wire swivel and some light weights can be used to attain the appropriated depth. The float is then released 50 m from the boat. The balloon serves 2 purposes:

1. The balloon is larger than the standard float which will be necessary to be visible at 50-100 m from the boat

2. When the balloon escapes the line, this serves as warning that the fish has taken the bait.



TROLLING



Definition - dragging bait / lures behind a moving boat.

Trolling is done at the surface (mostly), mid water and floor depending on the type of fish attempted.



Specifics:

The larger and faster the fish, the all above categories will increase. That is, heavier tackle, line, hooks, leaders, increased trolling speed and distance.

Although there is no 1 standard to catch all fish, in the medium category, I suggest:

1. 30 lb quality mono filament, 600 meter

2. Bait caster reel

3. 15 kg class rod – with rollers

4. 5 meters of 80 lb mono filament leader

5. 20 cm of 100 lb steel wire

6. Rapala magnum CD 14 lures (orange or red-white)

7. Trolling distance 50 meters



SURF CASTING



Definition: Fishing from the shore.

Two types:

1. Using leaders, bait and sinkers, similar to bottom fishing (It is convenient to use an Apollo hook configuration)
2. Fishing with artificial lures

Although it is said that many large fish come within 6 metres from the shore to feed on the marine creatures brought up from the sand due to the action of the waves, Singapore waters have qualities that requires special consideration

Many of our shores are over-fished, frequently disturbed and polluted. It may be necessary to cast further out. Light and long rods (9-16 feet) with lines of 0.20 and above are recommended. Light rods are especially important when using artificial lures, for easy cast and return. Light line must be balanced with large spool capacity of at least 200 m. A good cast can achieve 100-200 m of distance on spinning and multiplier reels but requires a fair bit of skill.

Many good fishing areas still remain, but are usually difficult to access or restricted. 3-5 kg snakeheads (off Tuas caught with live catfish hooked to a 12 metre nylon rope and thrown into the water), good size groupers, 5-15 kg stingrays, barracuda, tengerri have been brought up.


Bait



The type of bait really depends on the type of fish in the locality and what they are known to feed on. Generally for sea fishing, marine organisms make the best bait e.g., fish, prawns, squid, crab etc.



In the Singapore & Malaysian waters, live prawns and fish (live or fillet) are the best all-rounder baits. Around the northeastern coastal waters of Singapore, ie Pongol, Changi and Ubin, live prawns prove useful for day fishing. For night fishing, kelong-caught squid and live mullet (Ohr Haer/Belanak) of 10-15 cm, selar and tamban are recommended.



Live fish can be caught by net of jigging. Fresh squid is expensive and can be bought from kelongs and Kangar wholesale market at dawn.



Other bait include crabs, which are favorites with groupers and parrot fish – flower crabs quartered with the claws removed or those small brownish crabs along the rocky breakwater, used whole with the claws removed again.



Wolf herring (Ikan Parang), Ikan Tonggol (Bonito) and Queenfish are other good fish bait.



When using fillet or strips of squid or fish, cut it into long strips. Movement of these strips in the water / current mimics live bait. For live fish, attach the hook on the lip or close to the dorsal fin, which prevents them from dying and enable them to continue swimming. As many predatory fish snap up whole fish from the back on center of the bait, hooking near the dorsal fin (centre of the fish) is a better choice.