Cao Xi

Nice drizzling morning.
Came here to Carl's Jr Jetty at 7am and set out to fish with sea worms from Mark's. They were fat and juicy.
Caught 2 whitings. Fillet one for fishing (no catch) and kept the other for future trips.
By 9am, the bell on my 10ft rod rang. Not very violent but obvious enough.
So I striked and started retrieving. There was definitely something significant on the other end! :) But it did not fight like the other fishes. It gave short spurts.
Finally, I saw it! A beautiful Cao Xi (sicklefish).
1 or 2 weeks ago, I saw another man catching 2 of these at this same jetty - 1/2 hour apart.
So I set up for another bite.
But by 10am, when there was no more action, I went home satisfied.
I've seen this one being landed a few times, but never by me. I always wondered when it'll be my turn. Today happened to be my turn! :)

Staff Retreat - Prawning

Best staff retreat so far. We got the girls to try out prawning. Can see Peng Peng enjoying it. Can catch and can eat - who don't want?

Dead Silence...

Reached Carl's Junior Jetty at around 6:30am.
Happy that it is totally vacated.
Started fishing with my 3 rods. Used worms and prawn meat.
The tide was really strong and the weights kept on drifting to the right.
Anyway, I fished till 11am and there was not a single major catch.
In fact, nearing 11am, even the baits were not taken at all by small fishes. All the baits were intact when retrieved!
Well, fishes have their fasting and holidaying days too.
PS: The dawn scene is just as nice. And weather was great. :)

Delicious

Roland and Malua came over for dinner last night. Steamed the grunter for them. Turned out the Malua is a fish lover. I'm happy to enjoy it with someone who love it!
Btw, the fish was really good.... :)

Marvelous Catch

Couldn't believe I caught 3 good sized fishes in 2 hours!

Left home early at 6am. Had a leisurely ride to Carl's Junior jetty. The ride was especially pleasant as the roads were quiet and cool.

When I reached the jetty, I saw a big group of Malay boys there. They must have fished overnight. As I set up my 2 rods, they were singing to the accompaniment of guitar. Their singing was melancholic and beautiful!

I used the frozen worms I prepared and also prawn meat.

After sunrise, Winston joined in.

Then the fishes started coming.

First was a good sized biddy. It took the worm.

Then a grunter bit too! It took the worm too. The rod, though secured with the reel to the fencing, must have rocked so violently that it tipped over, falling into the water! The Malay boy who was next to the rod quickly grabbed it for me. Thank God for him! Otherwise I would have to say sayonara to one more rod!!!!

Then my kids came and I started packing up. But as I retrieve my line, I found a scat attached to it! It made no noise though the bell was attached.

All in all, scored 3 in 2 hours. My best result in my fishing career.

Thank you God for an exciting morning.

New Equipment - cheap and good

Purchased for myself a 5. 5ft rod (surecatch, $12) and a reconditioned reel (okuma, $10) at this shop which I just discovered at Ubi Road - Winston brought Josh and I there.

Got the new rod because I simply have no confidence that my old 6ft telescopic can handle a major catch!

Got the reel as a spare. It is old but looks fierce. Don't play play.

Next time to get cheap equipment, will go there!

Cool man!

Josh took this picture of me fighting a fish last Monday.
Just by looking at the way my 10ft rod bend, you know how fierce the fish is.
Anyway, you would have guessed (since you did not see the picture of the fish!) that I've lost the fight.
I was simply too impatient and pulled too hard and the line broke. It must either be a stingray or grouper because these 2 have a way of getting itself lodged on the seabed when hooked. I should have simply waited for the fish to move again. Nevertheless, even that would not promise the catch.
Anyway, I used a filletted whiting for this bite. They always work. :)

Mixed Feelings

(Mini-jetty outside Carl's Junior East Coast)

This is a place of mixed feelings.

Most of my prized catches were landed here. For example, I landed 2 grunters here, one bigger than the other. I also caught a large mantis shrimp here. Other than these, I caught small delicacies like sting ray, flounder, sweetlips and whitings here.

This is indeed a great spot to fish.

However, I lost my rod here as well. Some rouge fish dragged my whole rod away! Of course, it is my inexperience and complacency that costed me the rod and the fish.

All in all, I know I will keep coming back here - near to my house, convenient parking, good food nearby, nice view, and most important - good fishes.

Wonder what will be my next catch? :)

A prayer of submission

Always in fond memory: died 1 Aug 09 , 10am, Carl's Jr Jetty

Cause of death: violent abduction by unknown fish

Dear God,
My 7ft rod (literally) flew away today.
A big hungry fish must have taken my very small bait.
Anyway, the fish is gone with the rod.
This incident revealed my attitude towards fishing... I'm simply not expecting the best from you. I was only expecting a small fish and that was why I did not secure my rod. Now I know big fish will take small hooks (and small bait)!
God, none of these are beyond you. You knew even before I set off for fishing today that I'll lose this rod. Yet you allowed it. The Bible tells me you have my best interest in your heart.
By faith, I know what just happened is good for me. Your discipline always bears fruits.
Therefore I give thanks for your goodness. For all that you have given me. I give thanks for the lost rod and lost fish. I give thanks for the joy of hoping for a fish. I give thanks for the sun and the sea. I give thanks for stories like this to tell. I give thanks for allowing me to lose and not win. I give thanks for this lesson about disappointment. I give thanks for this lesson about preparation. I give thanks for this lesson on submitting to your will.
God, you are good because you are good. Your will is the best.
And I am glad to be found in your Son Jesus Christ.
All praise and glory be to the creator of this beautiful and mysterious world!
Amen