ASEAN MONSOON CASTING TOURNAMENT 2015

Asean Monsoon Casting Tournament 2015, Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu

By,

Noru Razak

Founder of F.com

Asean Monsoon Casting Tournament 2015 (AMCT 2015) is one of the biggest FW fishing tournament in Malaysia. Held at the famous Tasik kenyir, Terengganu since 2009. It was an invitation to give a talk on the Angler’s Flag (AF) for all the participants of AMCT as well as Conservation Talk by Kelah Assocation of Malaysia (KAGUM). It was our responsibility to continue our AF awareness program this year to achieve maximum exposure in 2015. This provide us with the best platform to reach more anglers, especially in the east coast of Malaysia.

A brief history of the Monsoon Casting Tournament dated back in 2009 and has expand over the past year to become one of the biggest FW tournament. This year’s edition, 300 participant from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Japan has converge in this iconic FW lake to start their 4 days 3 nights event. Initially we wanted to join the whole event date but due to the tight work schedule, we can only manage to stay for one night.

I joined 2 KAGUM members, Foo and Octo to Terengganu and it took us 7 hours to reach Pengkalan Gawi. This marked the first time I’ve ever set foot in Tasik Kenyir and really look forward to scout the facilities and quality of service from boat operators here in Kenyir. Pengkalan Gawi will be the main base and I am surprised with the facilities being offered and with several major development takes place to boost visitors to the lake. It is a great initiative and hopefully everything will fall into places.

Our arrival at Pengkalan Gawi, Tasik Kenyir and heavy rain over the distance awaits us

Thanks to the organizers and PDRM for sending us to AMCT main base 🙂

We bid farewell to civilization and it will take us 1 hour to reach AMCT base

Major development happening in Tasik Kenyir, water park and duty free area to boost visitors to the largest lake in Malaysia

We reach AMCT base around 5.30pm and it was all very quite as most of guest ventured out for their fishing tournament. It feels like in a mini Water World movie as the boathouse is arranged together to form 1 huge water village. 15 boathouse took part this year to accommodate 300 participant. Colorful banner from sponsors like Mercury, Megabass, Garmin and Marukyu fills the area and those who stayed on the boat would just lay around enjoying nature and the kids bottom fishing for Barb and catfish. Wonderful sight. We head to one of the boathouse and Shahrul, a friend of Octo invited us to stay at his spot while waiting for the organizers to sort our room.

Deck view, 15 houseboat forms a huge water village, cool concept

Participant can move around by hopping to other houseboat to view sponsors exhibits and meet up new and old friends

Tester from Marukyu, all the way from Japan showcasing the Japanese Carp fishing technique. Japanese anglers are pure enthusiast and they pay attention the smallest details!

AMCT 2015 provide a good platform to run our Angler’s flag campaign to boost awareness and share a brief history of the flag. Event organizers have adopted the flag and incorporated it in their official jersey. Even the during the event, we can see other fishing club or group have already started to incorporated the flag in their Jersey design. Over the past 1 year of extensive promotional activity, I strongly believe that we have achieve a great coverage thanks to the support of local and international angler.

Fiesta! That is the right word to describe the night life at AMCT 2015. Deck is full of people, enjoying their dinner and simply loaf around chatting and relaxing. F&B was top notch, serving local cuisine, BBQ and Steamboat. In between we have all the veterans like KAGUM, Pok Mud and Major, conducting their angling and conservation talk. A great chance to get to know their views and share their prospect on the future of sportfishing in Malaysia. Even pass stories of Kenyir was fascinating and how much it has changed over 2 decades. Conservation and good ethics in fishing is must to ensure we can continue to enjoy our outing here in Kenyir.

AMCT goes beyond my imagination and expectation, and the fun and experience awaiting for anglers wanting to try out their luck competing with 300 participant not to win thousands of ringgit but to be part of a huge gathering of lure anglers. People share across great experience and knowledge and to have been here was an honor for Fishyology.

Man Kejor and his Vape booth, selling Vape liquid and some handmade lure from Thailand 🙂

To have a chance to chat with Pak Amin, Pok Mud, Foo, Octo and Shahrul was awesome!

The night continue on, I head in early as tomorrow have an early start for the price giving ceremony. AMCT 2015 have several price category like largest Giant Snakehead, Sebarau, Baung and other sponsored category. Mercury regime contribute a 20hp 4 Stroke engine and 5 Motorguide Thruster. Megabass with their Rods, Reel and Yuki Ito special items. Garmin contributed an echo sounder plus Trojan boat an aluminium boat. Even the lucky draw prices were amazing, 2 fishing kayak given away for 2 nights! It is really worth it to take part in AMCT 2015.All this could not have happened without the support from local agency and authority that take part to ensure that AMCT 2015 program runs smoothly. Terengganu is known to be supportive in local event to boost their local tourism industry.

Excess bait will be used for fish feeding, Octo or Sabri of KAGUM

Top Deck view of the area! Water World!

Shahrul, Pok Mud, Pak Amin, Mimi, Foo and Octo! An honor to be with you guys!

Price giving ceremony, I got the best view in the house 🙂

Every beginning has an end to it, and we bid farewell to Asean Monsoon Casting Tournament 2015. Congratulation to the event organizers who worked very hard to ensure this event a great success. From just 1 houseboat in 2009 and now 15 houseboat in 2015 shows how much it has grown over the years. We wishes a greater success in 2016 and there is always room for improvement.

It has been a wonderful journey and I’ve learned a lot of things in just 2 days. Knowledge on fishing technique, conservation and experience will be put to use with great effects from Fishyology. Meeting with new friends and to gain sportfishing prospect from top veteran anglers were awesome. Will I be here again in 2016? Well.. only time will tell.