December Ah Ngan Kelong trip
Tide:
20th Dec 07 0037 1.3
20th Dec 07 0705 2.7
20th Dec 07 1346 0.9
20th Dec 07 2022 2.4
21th Dec 07 0154 1.5
21th Dec 07 0754 2.8
21th Dec 07 1445 0.6
21th Dec 07 2146 2.6
Chinese Calender: 十一月十一，十一月十二
December, the Monsoon period whereby the weather is pretty unpredictable and heavy downpour is common during this month. However, it is worth the risk as we have heard from some anglers saying that there are many bait fish at the Kelong which attracted big fish and hence, chances of landing a big one is pretty high. And so, despite of the weather, my kakis intended to give it a try hoping to have some serious fight with the biggy.
At 0600, we met at the Kranji MRT and by 0630 we have cleared the custom check point and reached our favorite Coffeeshop at Pelangi to have our Wanton Noodle. On this trip, there are total of 6 anglers. Darren, Marcus and our so call “Organizer”, Captain Richard Sparrow managed to gather another 2 new kakis, Bryan and Tien Siang. After our breakfast, we were to pick up Tien Siang who is staying in JB. Every fishing trip to JB we are sure to have some delay in our schedule and this time, Marcus who is also driving could not catch up with Darren and my car at the checkpoint and Darren who had already ordered his breakfast at the coffeeshop had to drive back to the Malaysia checkpoint to direct Marcus to our breakfast location. Hahahahaa....Another miscommunication happened again and this time, we had roughly only 1.5hrs to reach Tg Leman. In fact, I was quite worry of the delay as the Kelong in-charge informed me that due to the low tide in the morning, we had to reach the jetty by 0900 as the tide could hinder the boat from ferrying us from the Jetty and hence, my traveling speed have to be slightly faster despite of the poor weather.
Contact of Sibu Kelong and faciities
New Kakis and familiar faces
Red Flag-Monsoon Warning
Along the way, the weather was not favorable to us as we could see thick dark clouds hanging over our head. However, the rain last around 30 minutes and upon reaching the Jetty, the downpour has already ceased and we are just in time to reach the Jetty before 0900. All of us board the boat at around 0920 and the tide was not really that bad as what we were told. The sea was fairly choppy and upon reaching the Kelong, it started to rain. The sea was murky due to the raining season and all of us hope that the rain will ceased during our stay. After we were directed to our beds, Darren and I wander around the Kelong and saw some guys preparing to clean up their catch. I was surprised to see an 80qt coolman box was filled with many bait fish of all sizes. This indeed had given me some motivation as there were bait fish around sure there will be some biggy lurking around. The rain stopped at around 1100 and we started to jig for our bait fish. Although water is murky, landing bait fish is utterly easy. Ikan Tamban landed during this season is much bigger than those caught at Bedok Jetty.
Other than baitfish such as Tamban, Selar and Kunning, there is also some big eye trevelly lurking under the Kelong which will strike on live Tamban. Using light tackle on this fish is really exciting as one can really have a good fight. Bryan was lucky to caught one big eye trevelly. During the day, there wasn’t much big fish and it was pretty boring. Captain Richard was bored too and so, he decided to try out fishing Todak. Getting todak is pretty easy, but getting the big ones are quite difficult as the small ones seems to be much more hungry in snatching off the bait.
Other than baitfish such as Tamban, Selar and Kunning, there is also some big eye trevelly lurking under the Kelong which will strike on live Tamban. Using light tackle on this fish is really exciting as one can really have a good fight. Bryan was lucky to caught one big eye trevelly. During the day, there wasn’t much big fish and it was pretty boring. Captain Richard was bored too and so, he decided to try out fishing Todak. Getting todak is pretty easy, but getting the big ones are quite difficult as the small ones seems to be much more hungry in snatching off the bait.
Oh no, we board the same boat on the last offshore
A must to wear the warm and uncomfortable life jacket
Our handsome Captain Richard Sparrow
Raining days reaching Kelong
Wow..big Eyes..our target
Full box of bait fish
During evening time after dinner, Darren decided to try out squid jigging and was awarded a big cuttlefish which weighs more than a kg. However, the cuttlefish managed to escape after struggling in the water for a couple of minutes as Darren was not keen in pulling up the cuttlefish as he was scared of the ink. Initally, I wanted to gaff up the big cuttlefish but the Kelong uncle told me not to use it and so off goes the big cuttlefish. During the struggle of the cuttlefish, Darren’s Shakespear rod tip was broken as well. Not his luck. After 30mins later, Darren’s try out his Yozuri Shrimp hunter and had caught his first big green eye of the day but the squid managed to escape when he pull up the line. Another squid disappeared in front of him. As for me, I have no luck for squid and had lost a fish which bite my Yamashita while i was pulling my squid jig. The fish which bite my squid jig seems to be either a belt fish or Parang. Throughout the night, I caught nothing. I have even tried out luring using 10 over different types of lures but it seems useless. It was the worst night fishing I ever had in my Kelong fishing experience not even getting a small squid. Therefore I decided to change my strategies by going fishing in my dreamland which is very much better than I expected.....hohohoooo!
The first catch from Bryan and Richard
Small Selar...how to answer to my wife?
Our delicious Lunch
Bryan's one and only big eyes
Slipper fish caught by Richard
Captain Richard doing his summon Fishing Rituals
Dancing no fish, then sing for fish lor
Captain Richard highly recommended
Finally a squid for Darren
Ah Xiang with his first Kelong Todak
Captain showing off a bigger Todak
Make love with my Emperor
Save water...save the world!!!
Overall, this fishing trip is a disaster where I did not even want to bring back any Selar or tamban fish back to Singapore. No fish and no luck at all. Will wait till the monsoon is over and by then will decided on my next Kelong offshore trip.
