Pekan Parrots & Ebeks

[MarkR]

Was in Pekan over the Vesak day holidays. Fished with Ricky. Overall catch was average but good company Didn't take many pictures, will get more pics from the rest.

Anglers: Tony, Seng Chee, Joseph, Peter, BlackMarlin, MarkR & Jig Demon (2nd day only)

Day 1: Fished Karang Luas/Jubilee Shoals

Target fish were Parrots. Jubilee Shoals are famed for abundant Parrots and Coral trouts. The group landed about 8 parrots over the 1kg mark. Personally got 3 parrots, largest of the trip at 6.5lbs and another nice one probably at the 5lb mark. Several line breaks on good takes. All parrots taken on live prawns purchased from JB. No coral trouts landed. No takes on jigs. Took the second largest boat.
This was my third trip to Jubilee Reef. About a year back I made a trip up there with Narc but we did not score with the parrots, only one coral trout landed on jig.

Day 2: Fished at Verella wreck/Pulau Berhala/Nail Island

Target fish were Ebeks. Big monster ebek at 8kg landed on 20lb leader by a lucky angler Several good takes but few solid hook-ups on live prawns. Couple of smaller chermins and an ebek landed. No takes on jigs. Tony landed a nice 2kg parrot here. Took the largest boat (see pics), this boat can be used for POW charter according to Ricky. Twin 200 HP outboards, cruising speed at 30+ knots I gather. 4.5 hrs to POW from Pekan. Has a small cabin with a toilet. My second fishing trip to Pulau Berhala, most fishing was done at the smaller rocky outcrop. There is a Japanese frigate wreck near this small rocky outcrop, dived here last year, spotted a big grouper circling the wreck. Went there once before in 2001/2002 from Rompin with Ah Kai to pop for GTs at the bigger rocky outcrop P. Berhala, friend had a good GT take but ended in a bust-off.

Tight lines

[MarkR]

Underwater pics of Varella Wreck (Gyosan Maru) at Pulau Berhala/Nail Island

Picture credits: Blue Barracuda Divers

[MarkR]

Another fishable wreck near Pekan?

Kuantan Wreck...should be much closer to Pekan than POW and Repulse. Fairly popular dive site with LOB dive charters. Dived here last year as well. In slightly deeper waters than Verella Wreck (some guys went to 35m) and a larger wreck as well. Currents were stronger too.

Nice grouper and kemajan circling...he he he...

Picture credits: Blue Barracuda Divers

[MarkR]

Robert aka BlackMarlin a staunch C&R advocate, releasing his baby parrot

[sailfish24]

Hi Robert,

Wht jig did u for the parrot?

[Blackmarlin]

Originally Posted by sailfish24

Hi Robert,

Wht jig did u for the parrot?

chup palang brand

[Nelson]

Good catch! plannig a trip in August.

[rolexking]

hey, u guys chiong so many good places!!!!!
really enjoy life huh...

[stevenseow]

Nice trip and good catch.
On live prawn, what size hook you guys are using

[edylie]

Markr, Blackmarlin and Gang,

Nice report. Did you guys manage to tangle with the grouper and shovernose ray?

Cheers,
Edy

[MarkR]

Originally Posted by stevenseow

Nice trip and good catch.
On live prawn, what size hook you guys are using

Hi Steven,

For parrots I prefer a stronger hook like the Owner Aki Twist 4/0. The prawns we purchased this time round were quite small so I used Owner SSW 4/0s and 5/0s instead...lighter wire gauge so imho better presentation with a smaller prawn...would not normally use an SSW for parrots because of their strong jaws. For ebeks gotta go lighter like 2/0s and 3/0s. The big 8kg ebek was hooked on a 2/0 with 20lb leader I believe.

tight lines

[MarkR]

Originally Posted by edylie

Did you guys manage to tangle with the grouper and shovernose ray?

Yo Edy,

No groupers, no shovelnose on this trip...would like to try Kuantan wreck someday though

I'm beginning to like Parrot fishing quite a bit...Restoran Sri Pekan whips up a mean steamed parrot dish with nonya sauce...YUMMY!!!....really tasty...never thought parrots would taste that good coz they always come out kinda hard when we steam them back home

[edylie]

Yo MarkR,

I love steamed parrot very much too. The scale must remain intact prior the steaming. If you have a huge parrot, try to cook Asam Pedas the parrot's head! It is wonderful!!

Parrot fights very well especially the first pull when it takes the bait!

Cheers,
Edy

[Makaira]

Originally Posted by MarkR

whips up a mean steamed parrot dish with nonya sauce...YUMMY!!!....really tasty...never thought parrots would taste that good coz they always come out kinda hard when we steam them back home

The next time you get a biggie parrot ... fillet it, whip up some batter & make fish & chips ... HEAVEN!~~~!!!!!~~~~!!!!!!

[Din]

MarkR,
Wonderful catches bro!!And great pics of the sunken warships...
homes for those kertangs!

Rgds,
Din..

[stevenseow]

Originally Posted by MarkR

Hi Steven,

For parrots I prefer a stronger hook like the Owner Aki Twist 4/0. The prawns we purchased this time round were quite small so I used Owner SSW 4/0s and 5/0s instead...lighter wire gauge so imho better presentation with a smaller prawn...would not normally use an SSW for parrots because of their strong jaws. For ebeks gotta go lighter like 2/0s and 3/0s. The big 8kg ebek was hooked on a 2/0 with 20lb leader I believe.

tight lines

Thanks bro for your kind advice.

[desleyhan]

NICE TRIP ....