Quick Brunei Catch Report

[DaFrogman]

Just kind of a summary of the last 3 trips out over the last 3 weeks or so.

As I am a lazy bugger, I will be cutting and pasting from an e-mail sent to bro RK on this..

"Salam, Brada Kamsan,

Dude, sorry I have been very quiet too..... Had a few opportunities to make hit&runs offshore, these are pics from the last 3 trips.

Pass them on to the rest Team Sepak if you like, all fish were caught on our usual overnight trips.

Highlights include being spooled by a suspected Black Marlin that took a jig at night, for the three trips, first & second trip yielded

Trip 1 & 2

Tenggiri X 1 (7kg)
Red Snapper (membangan) x 20+ (3-6kg)
Kerisi Bali x 10 (2-5kg)
Kerapu XXL x 1 (17kg)
Kerapu S-M x 5 (1-3kgs)
Mangrove Jack (Ungah) x 1 (8kgs)
Amberjack x 1 (12kg)


Trip 3

MJ x 5 (3-6kg)
Jap Red (Sulit Merah) x7 (3-5kg)
Sweetlip (Anduping) x 15 (1-3kg)
Kerisi Bali x 12 (1-2kg)
Kerapu XXL x 1 (19kg)
Kerapu S-M x 8 (1-6kg)
Red Emperor (Santak) X1 (1kg)
Ikan Putih Misc x 12 (0.5-1kg)

We missed a few big ones, the Marlin busted off the 65lb powerpro mainline on the jig and spent the rest of the night bashing baitfish on the surface around the boat. Good thing he busted off too, my kaki was about 5 seconds away from being spooled....

On the third trip, my first fish was a 4kg MJ, then another 4kg MJ, then a 6kg Grouper, then a 2 kg Sweetlip and then things died down a bit. The rest of the team had similar success except for Ah Ping who just could not get anything no matter what he did (and he is very experienced).

We shifted spots to another location that yielded another MJ and some serious Sulits, I picked off 5 Sulits in all, none less than 3kgs. The wind shifted out spot and we moved on in search of more MJs, but at the next spot, no MJs, just tons of sweetlips and smallish kerapu. I spent a whole suboh time just picking off one small sweetlip after another, every 10 minutes, I would get another (just using a 2/0 hook and squid heads), had quite a personal collection going since everyone else was snoring, I got about 10 flopping at my feet, before the Tiagra 30 on another kaki's rod just exploded.

He had 15 minutes of struggle pumping up something huge which turned out to be the 19kg grouper (on a 5/0 hook !!!!!). I speculate that actually he had picked up a small sweetlip that didn't set off the alarm, but which attracted the attention of mama kerapu. This happened on the second trip too, where a small pisang-pisang swallowed the bait and then another 17kg mama kerapu decided to have Suboh pisang goreng for breakfast. So now I know how to target mama kerapu.

Good luck, tight lines, stay safe.

Wassalam.

Saimee @ DaFrogman"

[DaFrogman]

Uh oh,

No pics came out, MOD, help.....

DFM

[Makaira]

Saimee,

You are evil!!!!! Taunting us with your catches!!!! Fantastic!!!



Best regards,
Makaira

[edylie]

Originally Posted by DaFrogman

Uh oh,

No pics came out, MOD, help.....

DFM

Hi Saimee,

May i know which pic did not appear?
Please let me know so that i could fix it.

Terima Kasih,
Edy

[DaFrogman]

Edy,

I dunno, I can't see any of the pics I posted (maybe thats normal?), can anyone else see them?.

Regards,

DFM

[AmbeRjacKHunter]

Halo Saimee, yeah yeah...you're one real lazy bugger ...awesom catches brudder!

enough excuses lah..its always your captains & crews with the catches...when can we get to see pic of Mr Froggie himself with a biggie huh..sampai bila nak sembunyi mee...hehehe..

just to double check...orang Brunei also call MJ Unga is it ??
Salam
Bro RK

[edylie]

Originally Posted by DaFrogman

Edy,

I dunno, I can't see any of the pics I posted (maybe thats normal?), can anyone else see them?.

Regards,

DFM

DFM,

I have no problem to view the pics

Cheers,
Edy

[DaFrogman]

Alaamak RK,

You know the problem laaaa, the guy behind the camera is always me... lemme see if I can dig up a picture with me holding something with fins and scales...hmmm ok, got 3 kinda ok ones....

And yes orang Brunei call Mr MJ...UNGAH

Makaira....

An MJ "blast from the past" pic just for you..... this one is over 10kgs of MJ.

Regards,

Saimee

[AmbeRjacKHunter]

Well whata you know,..finally Mr Froggie is exposed today. Hmmm

know something,....you really have great similarities in features with one of the kakis here.... Edros (Physlo). Let me see if can get him to post you his pic here later.

Just a question of interest here Saimee, the bait presentation you suggested for shipwreck fishing... does it apply for lets say when current is slack...eg 0 - 10 deg line gradient estimate on say size 12 - 16 sinker.

Cos we're talking abt at least 4 m of leader here which is just a tad bit longer than what I or even the crews normally used in Tanjung Pinang.

Salam
Bro RK

[DaFrogman]

RK,

Well with absolute zero current, 0 degree line angle, a 3m leader is sufficient. But with even a slight current and line angle of 10 degrees, a 4m leader is still feasible. We use up to 6m leaders here dude.

What is important is how you judge depth from the bottom and presentation. Even with a minimal current, using braided line and a 16 sinker, your rig will fall at an angle which will probably displace where it lands some 5-20m down current from actual vertical bottom position directly below your rod tip.

There are so many variables, since the current below and on the surface is rarely the same, factor in depth, the size of your bait and how symmetrically you have rigged it ( to reduce bait spin), all this means that even at slack current, with a properly designed ranggong (i.e. a big one with a long leader extension arm, good leader side swivel like owner crane swivels), that long leader will not be a problem.

After the rig lands for the first time on the bottom, raise it up 4-5 cranks and let the rig settle again, then drop it to the bottom slowly and raise it again some 4-6 cranks depeding on the length of your leader and the kind of trouble (structure) lying around near by. This will put your rig in the strike zone, as long as the captain has parked the boat within 20m of the bottom target. The reason we use long leaders is that it allows the fish to pick up the bait, swallow it properly and not get spooked so easily, but if you are near structure, you have to be on your toes to hit the brakes at the right time.... mind you it could be that our fish here are more easily spooked or have got their PHDs in how not to swallow a hook.

I am sure you know all this already dude and of course we have to be considerate to other kakis around us who would not take kindly to being Maggi Meed by long leaders. This is also the reason why I custom make my own ranggongs (we call them sendakau). Mine are all stainless steel wire that is more roughly L shaped with the leader arm pointing downwards and with my own selected swivels and sinker attachment points. Its cheaper to make your own too...

Well, RK, if you seem to be getting short strikes, or the fish are there but don't want to play, give the rig and bait a go. Try a 4m leader its only 12 feet dude....hehehehe. After all, if you were a fish wouldn't you feel a bit funny about that juicy bit of bait hanging 6ft away from that wire and lead contraption?. Hhehehehehhe...

Salam dude, tight lines...

Saimee

[physlo]

Aiseh bedah... handsome jugak Bang Saimee kita. Good catches. Me and kakis will be in Brunei from the 6th - 13th August. Maybe we can meet up for kopi lah.

cheers!
physlo..

[stickbom!]

Once upon a time, I was Analkin JigPopper (refuse to touch bait and fish with monstrous sized sinkers)... but after seeing DFM's bottom fishing results and getting influence from Emperor Makaira, I'm ready to join the "dark side" and become Darth Baiter First step would be to buy a Penn 113HN Baja (Prata) Special and custom built a rod which can take size 30 sinkers

Originally Posted by stickbom!

Once upon a time, I was Analkin JigPopper (refuse to touch bait and fish with monstrous sized sinkers)... but after seeing DFM's bottom fishing results and getting influence from Emperor Makaira, I'm ready to join the "dark side" and become Darth Baiter First step would be to buy a Penn 113HN Baja (Prata) Special and custom built a rod which can take size 30 sinkers

Mikey - welcome to the dark side! Yippeee!

DFM,

Les and I were just talking about you and your exploits while we were out at sea in Tanjung Pinang. Must really pay you a visit one of these days ....... saliva all dripping now! Get the mop someone .... please!

[AmbeRjacKHunter]

First step would be to buy a Penn 113HN Baja (Prata) Special and custom built a rod which can take size 30 sinkers

Mikey, welcome to the club...

You buy Prata ( Baja )...you'll pull up Murtabak

Rgds
Bro RK

[DaFrogman]

Welcome to the Dark Side Mikey dude,

I see in the future that you will graduate to using a 6:1 ratio reel to pull up those size 30s in no time at all and that Prata Special will go in the backup box.

Phsylo,

Ikut cerita brada RK, you are my evil twin .... so sama-sama Hangsem laaaa...

You guys coming to Brunei to fish in August?. Can definitely get together, we kopi with my crew laaa, if I have nice fresh MJ can go somewhere to cook and sample it too....

Kelvin,

Well dude, we do have some slow days here too, but not many.... Of course super size MJ is not an everytime catch, but they are our top target along with Mr Red Emperor.

No need to drool laaa, you can also catch the same fish in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. I reckon KK should have fishing that should be even better then here in Brunei, they have more coastline and deep reefs near mangrove river mouths.

Regards,

DFM

DFM,

Well MJ half the size of the one you got will provide me the adrenalin rush and I will remember it for a life-time! These buggas can really fight. For me personally, in terms of 'snapper fight' I would rank MJ - 1st, Golden Snapper - 2nd and the Red snapper - 3rd. Other snappers? I don't know 'belum kena, belum tahu'.

RK

I think whatever reel/rod for Mikey no problems lah - look at his physique! The minute he steps on board with an Abu Garcia Workhorse and Abu 6500C .... the fish will surface with a white flag.

Beware the Dark Side of the Force! It can lead to greatness! Hahahaha! Fear leads to anger .... anger leads to hate .... hate leads to fiiiishhhhiiing! (Yoda gone mad).

[physlo]

Hi DFM,

Ha..ha..evil twin, can you PM me your contact number and i'll give you a call when i'm there.

cheers!
physlo..

[DaFrogman]

Physlo,

You have PM dude.

Kelvin,

Another often underrated species is the Kerisi Bali.... we have nicknamed these Abu Sayaff for their dogged nature....I reckon that a 7kg specimen is gram for gram as tough as the equivalent sized MJ.... of course, the Red Emperor is also a formidable adversary comparable to an MJ.

The big Red Snappers are fighting fun too, my last 7kg specimen easily took 15lbs of strike drag off my 665 for 3 hard runs back to the bottom.....FUN.

DFM

[azman_supandi]

Originally Posted by DaFrogman

RK,

Well with absolute zero current, 0 degree line angle, a 3m leader is sufficient. But with even a slight current and line angle of 10 degrees, a 4m leader is still feasible. We use up to 6m leaders here dude.

What is important is how you judge depth from the bottom and presentation. Even with a minimal current, using braided line and a 16 sinker, your rig will fall at an angle which will probably displace where it lands some 5-20m down current from actual vertical bottom position directly below your rod tip.

There are so many variables, since the current below and on the surface is rarely the same, factor in depth, the size of your bait and how symmetrically you have rigged it ( to reduce bait spin), all this means that even at slack current, with a properly designed ranggong (i.e. a big one with a long leader extension arm, good leader side swivel like owner crane swivels), that long leader will not be a problem.

After the rig lands for the first time on the bottom, raise it up 4-5 cranks and let the rig settle again, then drop it to the bottom slowly and raise it again some 4-6 cranks depeding on the length of your leader and the kind of trouble (structure) lying around near by. This will put your rig in the strike zone, as long as the captain has parked the boat within 20m of the bottom target. The reason we use long leaders is that it allows the fish to pick up the bait, swallow it properly and not get spooked so easily, but if you are near structure, you have to be on your toes to hit the brakes at the right time.... mind you it could be that our fish here are more easily spooked or have got their PHDs in how not to swallow a hook.

I am sure you know all this already dude and of course we have to be considerate to other kakis around us who would not take kindly to being Maggi Meed by long leaders. This is also the reason why I custom make my own ranggongs (we call them sendakau). Mine are all stainless steel wire that is more roughly L shaped with the leader arm pointing downwards and with my own selected swivels and sinker attachment points. Its cheaper to make your own too...

Well, RK, if you seem to be getting short strikes, or the fish are there but don't want to play, give the rig and bait a go. Try a 4m leader its only 12 feet dude....hehehehe. After all, if you were a fish wouldn't you feel a bit funny about that juicy bit of bait hanging 6ft away from that wire and lead contraption?. Hhehehehehhe...

Salam dude, tight lines...

Saimee

Salam Saimee,
Good catch you have there....I envy you
Please enlighten me.....
At what depth do you normally fish???
Cause in my area the depth is around 60M mostly.
And whats the length of the"sendakau" ???
Sorry for the trouble.

Cheers.
az
__________________________________
Live life as it is................................
Adapt to the situation and not against it...................

[AmbeRjacKHunter]

Phsylo,

Ikut cerita brada RK, you are my evil twin .... so sama-sama Hangsem laaaa...

Hai you 2 orang ni perasan betul lah .... but quite true lah..boleh tahan hangsem tapi sikit & kalau compare with Bro RK..lagi hangsem banyak sikit lah ..dun believe me tanyalah Siti Nurhaliza & Jen - Lopez.
Few times they call asking to tag along on my trip..but had to turn em' down.


[/quote]You guys coming to Brunei to fish in August?. Can definitely get together, we kopi with my crew laaa, if I have nice fresh MJ can go somewhere to cook and sample it too....

Saimee, if they come you serve them nice MJ...those rascals Mat Johnsen, Bengawan style..sure thing they'll never forget

You guys have fun ok ..& dun forget to comeback here ha ..

Salam
Bro RK

Originally Posted by DaFrogman

Physlo,

You have PM dude.

Kelvin,

Another often underrated species is the Kerisi Bali.... we have nicknamed these Abu Sayaff for their dogged nature....I reckon that a 7kg specimen is gram for gram as tough as the equivalent sized MJ.... of course, the Red Emperor is also a formidable adversary comparable to an MJ.

The big Red Snappers are fighting fun too, my last 7kg specimen easily took 15lbs of strike drag off my 665 for 3 hard runs back to the bottom.....FUN.

DFM

Oh man .... i envy you!

Here in Singapore we have to face fish in pay ponds that have very little strength left in them Even offshore in SG waters can prove to be heartbreaking.

For you, it's as simple as hopping onto the boat and leave the rest to imagination.

But I know ... when it comes to fishing ... not every day is a Sunday. Tight lines!

[DaFrogman]

Brada Azman,

We fish similar depths, 60M, 180-350ft. Sometimes as deep as 500ft, but thats pretty rare and only for the super deepwater kerapu.

Sendakau like I said is roughly L shaped, the leader side wire arm is about 2 feet long.

Kelvin,

Well, yes we have some good places, but you have to take into account some of the hundreds of hours spent on the water, burning thousands of bucks in gas, just looking around for new spots . Not everyone here is willing to go to those lengths over so many years spent by my crew...I reckon that after a while our faces look like our tranducers...

RK,

I may be in your side of the woods next month, pass me your contact details, if I can squeeze in my Beach Road sidetrip, would enjoy meeting up with you and the bradas.

Regards,

DFM

[AmbeRjacKHunter]

RK,

I may be in your side of the woods next month, pass me your contact details, if I can squeeze in my Beach Road sidetrip, would enjoy meeting up with you and the bradas.

Yup, why not my friend,... but do give me some ample time to do a quick mobilization of the unit prior to that ya. We'll gonna have a great blast @ our favourite pondok near beach rd...

pen this down Saimee..91197046 ..and ya will make sure your evil twin is around to entertain you too

Rgds
Bro RK