Singapore
Ken's Fishing Haven
| Singapore |
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*Catch of the Month*
| Updated 19 February 2005 |
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Fishing Singapore's Ultimate Jetty Jetty fishing has become one of Singapore's fave pastime for our deprived anglers. It's not uncommon to see pristine (and expensive) baitcasting outfits being use for tamban fishing. (I guess its better to jig for baitfish with it than to leave it idle in the cupboard). Now, you really wonder where have the fishes gone. What happen to our rivers and our breakwaters? But none the less, there is still the Bedok Jetty. It is here where many anglers (suffering from casting-arm cramps) retreat, to jostle shoulder to shoulder with kids and senior citizens, craving for that feel of a biting fish. Perhaps it is the mental challenge of untangling your tamban jigs from those belonging to your fellow bait jiggers while others are pulling in tambans by the string loads (Ouch!). Not to mention braving the scorching tropical heat and enduring relentless UV bombardment. And what about waiting for a nibble cross-legged suppressing a full bladder as it used to be??? But worst!!! You caught your first of what you would like to consider a decent fish, and horrors of horrors, it swam right across to mess three other fishermen's lines!!! And if you think that is bad, don't be surprised if all three fishermen make claims that the fish you hooked, ate their baits and is rightfully theirs.....mebbe that's why they will never reel in their lines when you got a fish on. And don't forget that dorky wannabe angler beside you who can't cast straight!!! And yes, one more, that roller blading bulkhead who lost her balance and crashed into your $400 surfcasting outfit. Yes, this is where we come to find respite in the land of a thousand fishless casts. Sometimes we wonder...why are we here doing this???!!! Why, Why and Why?????!!!!! Because... the Jetty is THERE:-))) |
Recent entries in my Fishing Log 19 February 2005 A Sweeper from the family Pempheridae. This fish was caught and released when our friend told us that 2 spear fishermen who had killed 8 large Barramundi under the jetty were stopped by the Coast Guard. The culprits were let off with their catch of Sea Bass ranging from 4 to 8kgs after questioning. I believed they had in a single day, wiped out the resident Sea Bass population at the Bedok Jetty (sigh). There must be a law about these things. Incidental Catches 6 February 2005
Ribbon Fish (Ttichiurus haumela) usually hunts during the night leaving bite marks akin to that of vampires.
4th December 2004
An Anchor Tuskfish (Choerodon anchorago) that snatched a live prawn a minute after Ah Wong drop it on to the bottom of the seabed.
20th June 2004
We thought that today will be the last time we be coming to the jetty after weeks of sluggish fishing, but today's results proved otherwise. We gave the queenie away and had the kopi tiam master cook steam the Chermin for our dinner. Yum!
2nd June 2004 More Entries for our Biodiversity Survey at the Jetty
Juvenile Pink-Eared Emperor (Lethrinus lentjan)
Some Kinda Snapper (Lutjanus sp.)
16th February 2004
A 45cm emerald green eel that was caught, photographed and released at the end of Bedok Jetty. It is very likely to be a Carpet Eel-Blenny (Congrogadus subducens). The indented band around the eel's head looks like it has been wearing a head band for some time. An unfortunate victim of marine debris pollution.
31st January 2004
A juvenile Rosy Jewfish (Otolithes ruber syn. argenteus) caught by a neighbouring angler, was an unexpected addition to the BJ biodiversity collection. This particular croaker has distinctive fang-like canine teeth and for this reason, it has been called the Longtooth Salmon in South Africa. These Jewies grow to a maximum size of 70cm which is half the size of an adult Black Jewfish.
1st January 2004
A humungous Marbled Stingray (Dasyatis uarnak) or Pari Beting, estimated at 70 kilos, was landed at the Bedok Jetty on the afternoon of New Year's Day, 2004. Setting the standards for all Sting Ray Anglers at the Bedok Jetty for the year, 2004.
13th December 2003 Sembawang Jetty
22nd November 2003 *Bedok Jetty Bulletin* Responding to feedback from Bedok jetty anglers, the Maritime Port Authority (MPA) has prohibited all boats (read specifically, netters and trappers) and crafts (which includes canoes, sail boards and kayaks), from venturing within 30 metres of the Bedok Jetty. In view of safety, please report defaulters directly to the MPA for enforcement action.
October 2003
Banded Perch (Terapon theraps). These little critters are everywhere and edging in on the Tambams in their fight for food and shelter. 3rd August 2003 Southern Islands
It's an acknowledged fact that you need a lot of luck to score at the Bedok Jetty, nowadays. So we decide to head out to the Southern Islands to do some REAL fishing. This 4.5 kilo Golden Trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus) took the bait on a wired trace and gave an almost relentless fight before it threw in the towel after 20 minutes. This picture was taken by a kind soul some time after landing the fish as everyone else thought that there were more trevallies to be caught. Little do they know that the hookup had spooked every other fish in the vicinity. Normal 'KS' behaviour, I guess. Hey! why am I sitting on my rod???!!!
Back to the Jetty 26th July 2003
Rabbit Fish or Spinefoot (Siganus oramin) are known for its dangerous spines on the ventral fin. It also has dorsal spines which can inflict painful stabs on the hands of unwary anglers. 5th July 2003
We left the Groupers alone at Kallang to grow bigger and wasted some time at Bedok Jetty only to prove again that night time is the still the best time when this fat flathead (Cymbacephalus nematophthalmus) aggressively ambushes Ah Wong's bait without any second thoughts.
28th June 2003 Kallang Basin Estuary Fishing
Our inshore estuaries have never failed to produce. Its also a great place to relax without the crowds and you will have more room for prospecting. This Estuary Grouper (Ephinephalus tavina) did not hesitate to choke itself on the baitfish that was on offer. Bedok Jetty again... 27th June 2003
The Garfish (Tylosurus crocodilus) aka Todak has always been an ultimate thrill for deprived anglers in sunny Singapore. Guess its time to find a new spot to fish...:-) 12th April 2003
Some kind of alien Sea Cucumber. I don't know how Ah Wong got this creature on to the jetty.
22nd March 2003
This Moray Eel (Gymnothorax reevesii) wanted to eat 'Mee Hoon' and he got it.
Labrador Park Jetty 8th March 2003
We took a break from the east coast and decided to give Labrador Jetty a try. Our efforts were rewarded with a less than average sized Giant Trevally (Caranx ignobilis) which was released to perpetuate the species.
Bedok Jetty as usual... 22nd February 2003
This Octopus (Octopus aegina) attached itself to a live prawn and refuses to let go until it was swung up on to the jetty. The Chinese called it a Sui Gwai, or Water Ghost. Heard that its a delicacy when slow stewed.
26th January 2003
A female Cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis). The Chinese have nicknamed it as the "Sea God's clerk" owing to its ever ready supply of "ink".
16th November 2002
After a long hot, fishless day, night time is still the right time when this Greenback Jewfish (Johnius solado) threw all caution to the wind...err current and hit Ah Wong's bait exactly at nightfall.
19th October 2002
Ah Wong is on the rampage! He has caught another Spotted Mackerel (Scomberomorus guttatus) when I was at the brink of getting a heat stroke. 12th October 2002
School Spanish Mackerels are having a field day feeding on expansive shoals of Spotted Herrings. This little fella found Ah Wong's rig and got himself in trouble. Plaited mono seems to work well for Ah Wong. 24th August 2002
Ah Wong making a come back with a palatable Diamond Trevally (Alectis indica). 10th July 2002
It felt like a good day to fish, so we took the day off to soak a few baits and got another skinny which screwed up our rigs meant for other target pelagics. Kudos to Ah Wong for netting up the culprit. 13th April 2002
A respectable Kurau (Eleutheronema tetradactylon) for Ah Wong which was brought up only seconds before its sand paper like jaws wore through the mono leader trace. Good work, Wong! 3rd February 2002 The 'Last Call Phenomena' manifest itself to Ah Wong who landed this fresh and delectable Sickle Fish (Drepane punctata) which came up 5 minutes before packing up.
2nd February 2002 Lost my ABU 7500 C3 and my Red Wolf Surf Rod to Gad-zeelahhh....Gad-zeelahhh.....Gad-zeelahhh......... 27th January 2002 One of the largest Flathead (Platycephalus indicus) I have seen around local waters. I guess it won't grow any larger than this. Although it has a unprepossessing appearance, its flesh is good table fare.
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| 22nd September 2001 A respectable Wolf Herring being landed by Ah Wong. Great work, Wong!!! | ||||||
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25th August 2001 | ||||||
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Reasonable Grunter saves a slow day devoid of baitfish at the Jetty. | ||||||
July 2001 | ||||||
Bedok Jetty is boiling again with predators crashing into baitfish schools. Utter Mayhem!!! | ||||||
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One of the schooling Macks that devoured a juicy tamban shortly after it was lowered into the frenzy.
Click Here for more of the marine biodiversity at Bedok Jetty | ||
THE HAVEN IS...
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Bouquets to our National Parks Board for providing an enriching and fulfilling recreational experience for all park users. Keep up the good work, mates:-))) | ||
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12 Reasons why live prawns make a better bait. | ||
| 1) They have a natural real life action. 2) They have a natural in-built scent. 3) They are biodegradable. 4) They come in various sizes.5) You get a lot more baits for your dollar. 6) It's less painful if you lose a few of them to snags. 7) You won't have to bother about what color to use. 8) You don't have to tune them up at all. 9) You can fish them as deep as you like. 10) You cook them to eat if the fishes are not biting. 11) KBLs cannot resist eating them. 12) You can cut them up for Whiting bait if the Barras aren't there. | ||
Warning: Wanton disclosure of locations will lead to heavy fishing pressure, fish stock depletion and operant conditioning of fishes to develop avoidance responses. |
Some thoughts to ponder about.....
An Arab Proverb:
"Throw a lucky man in the sea, and he will come up with a fish in his mouth"
Quote from 'The Good Luck Book' - Bechtel & Stains
"If the fish aren't biting, throw one of your fellow fisherfolk into the water and haul him up again. According to old custom, this is a good luck charm that cause the fish to begin biting"
Quote from Herbert Hoover:
"A fisherman must be of contemplative mind, for it is a long time between bites. He is by nature an optimist or he would not go fishing"
*Unspoken truths for successful jetty fishing*
| 1. | Always be an optimist and try to look confident when you are |
| fishing at the jetty. | |
| 2. | Never fish in crowded areas. Lesser the competition, better the |
| chances of getting a fish. | |
| 3. | Never fish beside amateurs. Amateurs spook fish. |
| 4. | Never fish beside disillusioned lure anglers who are luring on the |
| jetty. Disillusioned lure anglers spook fish. | |
| 5. | If you see wishful anglers casting poppers, get as far away from |
| them as possible and fish the deeper waters from where they are | |
| thrashing up the foam. | |
| 6. | Never fish beside a party of tamban jiggers. Tamban jiggers |
| spook fish and foul main lines. | |
| 7. | Never fish beside anglers using threadlines. Most of them cannot |
| cast straight, including Ah Wong. | |
| 8. | Bigger predatory fishes are cautious and they are found further |
| out. Big fishes near or below the jetty are conditioned and usually, | |
| uncatchable. | |
| 9. | Always make sure your terminal rig is different from the guy next |
| to you. Why? Read the introduction above for the answer. | |
| 10. | Use tried and proven rigs. If that innovative rig you designed |
| worked, it would have been published a long time ago. | |
| 11. | Night time is the best time as bigger fish venture nearer inshore. |
| 12. | Use live prawns for bait. See somewhere above for the reasons. |
| 13. | When fishing a featureless terrain, move every 20 minutes if you |
| are not getting a bite. Or just wait forever for something to pass | |
| through. The choice is yours. | |
| 14. | Big fishes and baitfish schools prefer deep water at the end of the T-Junction of the |
| jetty. No prizes for guessing why the pros and regulars are also there. | |
| 15. | Forget the notion of light tackle. At times you may need to haul in |
| heavy flotsam, seaweed, sunken drift nets, fish traps and crab nets | |
| against a strong current. | |
| 16. | Never cast heavy rigs when there are windsurfers and canoeists |
| around. Always report windsurfers and canoeists to the authorities | |
| when they get too close to the jetty. | |
| 17. | When you can't find a suitable spot to fish on the jetty, go home |
| and spend quality time with your loved ones. You won't regret it. | |
| 18. | Never base your happiness on catching a fish. Its a good idea to |
| have an alternative pastime to avoid disappointment. | |
| 19. | When you see dark clouds looming overhead and feel moisture in |
| the air with flashes of lightning in the distance. Its time to pack it | |
| in and call it a day. | |
And finally...Good Luck! You are gonna need it!!! | |
It is an accepted fact that most fishes do not get released at Bedok Jetty, except for juveniles which are more resilient to man-handling. Most bigger fishes are usually gut hooked, with irreparable damaged to internal organs and overtly weakened after the fight to survive the impact of the throw back. However, the percentage of 'sport' fishes taken by anglers at the Bedok Jetty are too negligible to be considered a threat to biomass depletion.
On the other hand, it is sad to note that drift nets (Lengs) placed around the jetty by boaters have contributed significantly to the mortality of juvenile Queenfish and Mackerel.
Click here for the Bedok Jetty archived pics
