Besides eating and
seeing places, another way of relaxation for my wife and I is fishing.
I was 10 years old when
I started to like fishing. On weekends,
I used to go with my playmates to fish either under the Nagtahan bridge in Sta.
Mesa, Manila or at the back of the Malacanang Palace in San Miguel, Manila. The Pasig River runs in both places and
different fresh water fish abounds the river during the '60s - biya, eels,
ayungin, carp, mudfish, catfish and other species.
Fishing became more
interesting when I worked with Bechtel Overseas Corp. at Nonoc Island in
Surigao. Every Friday evening around
9:00 o'clock, my colleagues and I fish by hand line in the shoreline of the
island. On my first fishing night, my
first catch was a 46 cm. tuna, about 2 kilogram. All of my colleagues also
caught various sizes of tunas. Our baits
are live galungong. Fishing in the
island is very good.
On weekends after work,
in Singapore, our favorite spot is a little cliff in Changi Point. This is
where weekenders fishing aficionados gathered to fish. Our catches are mainly
large kanduli. We normally stayed for 3
to 4 hours only, but we enjoyed the times.
In Saudi Arabia, come
Thursday afternoon until Friday early evening, my wife and I spend overnight
for fishing with our friends. We usually
cast our 4 fishing rods with live baits of bonouk and at times, pieces of squid
and mashed flour. Usually, we leave the
fishing rods on a stand-by position in holding metal bars while we prepare our
meals or wade in the shoreline for crabs, squids and edible shells. Our catches
include large grouper, stingray, shark, needlefish, barracuda, mackerel, queen
fish, kanduli, snapper, sobaity, emperor and many more. At times, we use nets and spear for crab,
squid and tiger prawns. We usually bring home one week supply of seafood to
freeze and the rest, we distribute to our friends. The Arabian Gulf is one
scenic sea remarkably rich in marine life and many kinds of fish.
To date, my wife and I
as retirees cannot just ignore fishing as a pleasurable pastime and relaxation.
Here in our small farm we have our moments of engagement - fish talk, smart
talk, talk non-sense and sweet talk - while casting lines in the mini-fish
ponds for tilapia, carp, catfish and mudfish. As usual, old habits never die
easily. When we fish, we also leave the fishing rod on stand-by position for
two or three hours, while attending to some special matter.
Let me share you the following
fishing tips:
·
Fish differ in size and
eating habits, but all can be caught with appropriate bait.
·
During hot season and
the tide is low, fish retreat to deep and shaded waters.
·
During cold weather,
they go to shallow spots where the sun warms the water.
·
Fish like to shelter
under banks and rocks.
·
In flooded areas, fish
in small tributary or outside of a bend.
·
After a heavy rain,
fishing is poor.
·
Fish before a storm is
imminent.
·
In overnight fishing,
you can leave the lines out and check them before first light. Better if you have a bell at the tip of your
fishing rod to alert you with a catch.
·
Where there are lots of
little fish darting out, they are pursued by a large predatory fish.
·
Any suitable bait
scattered on water will attract fish.
Put the same bait on your hook to catch them.
·
As soon as the fish is
caught, cut its throat to bleed it and remove its gills. Rinse and store in an ice container.
·
Large hooks will catch
large fish, but small ones can catch large and small ones. In my experience size 7 hook is the best as
it can catch fish under 10 cm. and up to 80 cm.
·
Always attach your hook
to the end of the spindle.
Do you know that fish
body oil is beneficial for blood pressure, triglyceride and rheumatoid arthritis? It relieves depression, heart attack and
eczema. It is also good for angina,
asthma and diabetes. Lastly, it is an
excellent source of essential fatty acids.
By the way, I have extra
and used gears for open sea sport fishing, all in good condition and for sale.
·
1 pc, Daiwa TS 27M
fishing rod, Carbonite 2,7 M 9 Turbo Performance Design, Recline: 15-20 lbs.
·
1 pc. Daiwa Lift scope
LS85UX-36 fishing rod, Carbonite 3.6 M, Casting Weight: 150-300g. Section: 6
pcs.
·
1 pc. Poleco Spinning
fishing rod, Carbonite 2.40 M, Lure Weight 40-80g.
·
1 pc. Daiwa Long Cast
Spool fishing reel, Graphite.
·
1 pc. Daiwa RG 4000
fishing reel, Graphite, ball bearing.
·
1 pc. Haggard Viva 107L
fishing reel, Graphite, ball bearing.
·
1 pc. Haggard Viva 107L
fishing reel, Graphite, ball bearing, brand new.
·
1 pc. Chuyo 3400 fishing
reel, Heavy Stainless.
