Catch Report : Team S.L.A.P. Sedili Vol II

Wow. We have not been out for some time and for our first major outing, the team made a return to the wrecks and FADs in Sedili ....

10 March to 12 March 2005

The stage was set … but as usual we kept our fingers and anything else that could be crossed that the Man up there would grant us favourable winds, sea conditions and a good weather. After all, one week before our trip – a couple of teams came back with stories of 3.5-meter waves, strong winds and terrible sea conditions. Thanks to the good Man above for a fantastic weather, safe journey and a bountiful catch.

This trip was planned immediately after our first outing in September 2004.We waited patiently for six months (some of us suffered major withdrawal symptoms and forgot how to tie hooks) and the day finally arrived. Apart from Chester and Colin, the whole team was present and we had a guest star on board – Nick.

Set off from Punggol Marina at 0530 am and reached our first spot around lunchtime. The lines went down and we eagerly waited for the first fish to arrive. Dyran was the first to register – he was jigging with a Saltiga 4500 reel, matched with a G-craft rod … lo and behold, up came a tiny puffer fish half the size of his jig!!

We were hauling up Snappers, Pig-faced Bream, Kee fish, a Tusk fish or two and Groupers (around to 800 gms to 3.5 lbs range) when Leslie started pumping his rod silently. To tell you the truth, no one knew he had a fish attached to the hook till it surfaced and he asked aloud ‘eh what fish is this?’ Our eyes popped out when we saw an 11.5lb Coral Trout! Yeah right! As if he didn’t know what he had. Nice try Les!

Things were looking good for almost everyone (except me) and we made off for the second spot (an FAD). I decided to change my luck and substituted the Penn 309M for the Torium 30 (which was supposed to be reserved for night fishing at the wrecks). Phew! Finally … I got a nice 2.5 lb grouper. Nick was next in action, he was hooked onto a good fighter and after a couple of minutes, we saw the distinct shimmering in the water and up came a nice Indian Threadfin (Chermin) that registered 8lbs on the boga grip. I casually asked Nick whether he would be interested in fishing around Punggol again and his answer was ‘oh, maybe just for fun’.

We were getting Red Snappers and all sorts of fishes when KC’s outfit sprang into action. The 7 lb Chermin put up a good fight, but it was no match for the Saltiga and Genesis Jig Shaft. The usual hi-fives went around and everyone was just chilling when Vernon’s Avet reel went into overdrive! Vern tried controlling the run but whatever was hooked on managed to “dislodge” Vernon from the portside to the starboard side of the boat … all of us were hoping for a big Cobia or Trevally … then the familiar fin surfaced. A nice Black Tip Reef Shark (approximately 3.5 feet in length). The gaff was brought out, but we told the deckie to put it back in its holder. Nice fight, nice fish and duly released.

We had the first icebox filled just past the halfway mark and after dinner, we made off for our nightspot. After a few Snappers, Big-eye Trevallys and a really huge Batfish (10.5 lbs) by Kervin, the current started raging. The majority decided to take a break and waited for the current to subside, except for Daryl, Kervin and myself. The catch was almost pathetic – juvenile Nurse Sharks and a fierce Moray Eel which Daryl released, two Red Snappers, a couple of Kerisi and a big Squid (which tried consuming my Kerisi)

Soon it was down to Daryl and myself (complaining to ourselves) and at about 5.30 am, my rod was bent double and line was taken from the Torium 30. Daryl motivated me by telling me that it could be a big mama Golden Snapper and encouraged me to pump and not give the fish a fighting chance. For a moment, we thought the fish had managed to seek refuge in a rock because it was not budging at all. Applied more pressure and it started running again … after a few minutes; we saw the familiar white belly. Yes! A Spotted Stingray. Grrrrr! But considering the catches we had from 12 midnight till the Stingray, no complains – except for my arms. Well one can easily do the math … size 20 sinker, no sleep for 25 hours, a raging current and an 11 lb Stingray attached to the end of your line.

The sun duly rose (and so did everyone) and after breakfast, we made off for another FAD.

The second FAD produced better catches and we managed some Groupers, Tusk fish, Bludgers and Trevallys (in the 2.5 to 3.5 lb range). After lunch, while on our way to the third FAD, I casually told the skipper that I would still like to have my Cobia and Jewfish. Ha! As if he could really promise me that! Well he did grant me a Cobia at the third FAD – a juvenile, measuring 1.5 feet (which was released).

At approximately 5 pm, the team started hauling up a very nice fish (looks very much like a huge Fusiler). According to the skipper it’s called “Japanese Red” (direct Hokkien translation). Each specimen was in the 3.5 to 4.0 lb range and I lost count on how many the team managed to haul up, but I recall that Daryl got the most (as usual).

Soon after dinner, we arrived at our final stop – wreck fishing (yummy) and as soon as our baits hit bottom, we were bringing up Red Snappers (from 3.5 to 7.0 lb). Irvin managed the heaviest Red Snapper at around 10.5 lb (lucky devil). The wreck also produced plenty of Groupers (from 3.5 lb to 7.5 lbs) and we managed at least two Groupers each. If my memory serves me right, Roy and Leslie landed the two heaviest Groupers in the 7.5 to 8.5 lb range.

The good thing about fishing at wrecks – the specimens are much bigger. The bad thing? There’s absolutely no time for the angler to “play” his fish. One has to lock his/her drag and never give the fish a fighting chance. Once they make it to an underwater structure; there goes your catch and terminal tackle. The other problem is anglers being “under-equipped”, without the proper gear – lines get entangled and while you are sorting out your problem, the feeding frenzy/window period is gone! So my advice is that if one plans to use light tackle and fish over wrecks at night, charter the boat yourself.

After the Grouper and Red Snapper frenzy, KC (who was next to me) suddenly stood up and I could clearly see line peeling off the Saltiga. He managed to control the run, but this fish was not going to give up that easily, it took at least three good runs before it surfaced. Whoa! “Ah Seng” (Catfish) in the house dudes! A nice 11 lb gold specimen that our Malay friends refer to as “Jahan”. Frankly, I have never seen a Catfish fight like that! But I was about to learn soon enough.

Our catch rate at this wreck was pretty good and just when we thought it could not get better, Irvin almost jumped out of his seat and from an angle, I could see that his face was almost pale! Both fish and man produced a respectable fight and up came a nice Golden Snapper that weighed in at 8.0 lbs. For those who have experienced fighting Golden Snappers over wrecks, you will know that it’s a real challenge. As if this chap was not lucky enough when he bagged the heaviest Red Snapper? Oh no please, by all means - have a Golden one too! Grrrr!

Around 11 pm, I felt something nibbling on my bait very gently and when I started to reel in the line a little … it took off! Oh yes! Just like Irene Cara sang in Flashdance … what a feeling! After a couple of minutes, a nice 8 lb Jewfish surfaced and was duly netted. Oh well, no complains whatsoever - I got my Jewfish and my Cobia (sort of).

The current started picking up again around midnight and some of us decided to take a rest. Leslie set his alarm for 4 .00 am and we snoozed. When we awoke, a quick check revealed that Roy, Vernon, Dyran and Daryl experienced Catfish (Jahan) frenzy! Each Catfish was of the same size and weight that KC first encountered (11 lbs).

The guys were complaining that their arms were aching and their back was sore from fighting Catfish. And Daryl was on the verge of vulgarities … they (Catfish) stole the last of his fresh squid bait and live baitfish! Well, it did not take me long to find out because I had to endure two fights from the Catfish in a span of forty-five minutes and Leslie endured one. These deep sea Catfish sure can put up a good fight and we even had trouble lifting up our rods from their holders.

We encountered a total of ten Catfish (CNR - except for two specimens which were given to the port workers) before things took a change. Leslie got a nice Sweetlip (2.5 lbs) and Vernon bagged the heaviest Golden Snapper – 10 lbs (using a dead prawn as bait).

Vernon had to excuse himself for a while and Nick was looking after his set up. While answering “Nature’s Call”, Nick managed to land another 8 lb Jewfish on behalf of Vernon.

The sun rose on our last and final day, but not before Daryl and Vernon landing two big Groupers. Set off for home at around 8 am and arrived at Punggol Marina at 2 pm. As usual, the beers flowed at Dockside Bar while we reminisced on our second adventure to the wrecks and FADs around Sedili. Must say that it was a successful trip and the Company, as usual – fantastic.

Before setting off, we made a small wager - $5 from everyone to the fella who lands the heaviest fish. Well, Leslie bagged the pool (although we agreed that Vern would have won if we had gaffed his Black Tip Shark) with the Coral Trout. Kervin came close with the Batfish and my Stingray lost by 0.5 lbs! Darn! I should have added a sinker or two into the belly of my Stingray before registering it on the boga grip!

Trip Highlights: -

- We found out that a particular team mate could actually fart 72 times in a row (no kidding)

- How to shower, shampoo and fight a big Barracuda at the same time? (Ask Kervin for tips)

- Never under estimate an ‘Ah Seng’ (Catfish) - even if you are equipped with an Accurate 665

- Sniff your bait to test its effectiveness … hahaha!

- When in doubt, Assam Pedas never fails (perfect preparation for any fish)

More pics

Some more ...

Last batch ... for now

[edylie]

Hi Kelvin,

That is a good catch you got there. Were you on Ah Chuan's boat?

Cheers,
Edy

PS. i have not done any fishing for awhile ... my hands are itchy!

Originally Posted by edylie

Hi Kelvin,

That is a good catch you got there. Were you on Ah Chuan's boat?

Cheers,
Edy

PS. i have not done any fishing for awhile ... my hands are itchy!

Hey Edy,

Yup we were with Ah Chuan

Tell me about your hands being itchy ... our were sooo bad before we left. Plus some of us even forgot to tie hooks! Wasted at least 3-5 metres of shock leader

go forth and fish my friend!

[Clement_C]

Hi,

Your catches (photos) really inspired me! Would like to embark in such a trip too. Would you possibility provide me more info on the trip on how should I go about engaging the boat skipper and how much does it cost? Thanks.

Clement

[rascal]

Howdy, this is my maiden post here. Great catch report Kelvin, makes my mouth water and fingers itch.

[edylie]

Kelvin,

We are waiting for Sedili Vol III

Cheers,
Edy