Fishing Is Fun

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.