Pulau Jarak, Perak – 9 JAN 2016
Day 2 of our Pulau Jarak Expedition 2016. It was already pass 8.00am when I woke up to join in the popping session. Too tired and exhausted after a late morning Snapper fishing session. We ended with a good tally but hopefully we can do a bit more today. Weather is looking good, despite strong winds at dusk. Scott and Chris begin their session early but still no fish are keen enough to take their jig. It is a bit worrying, if the condition persist, this could go down to be the worst start of the year.
Ah Ho was talking to head to one of the new “Unjam” given by one of the fishermen. Intel suggest that fish might be on the move from deep sea floor hole as large groupers were caught at open space! Not just one but quite a number of groupers. Only 1 fish were caught in jig, only time will tell for the outcome of today’s session. Azrul was one of the few people popped in the morning. A fish did hit his Feed popper but the illusive predator did not get a clean hit on it. Azrul has his chance twice but luck was not on his side today.
Izzuddin has been jiggin non-stop! Mentally and physically prepared!
We stopped for breakfast and change course to the new “unjam”, hoping that we can get something from below. It took us 30-45 minutes to get to the next spot and immediately we head straight to the center of the unjam. A buoy marked as an indicator, a simple huge square polystyrene tied to a long rope. Scott spotted several Cobia cruising or encircling the buoy. After a poor result in Day 1, all of us didn’t wait long to start casting and jigging our metal bait hoping to score a Cobia.
After several attempt, Izzuddin break the deadlock with a nice take on his slow sinking metal jig. He secures it with a clean hook to what is believed to be a Cobia on the end of the line. He moves to the forward area of the boat giving others space to try and catch the encircling Cobia. Azrul takes a different approach, using a Jackson Pintail. It is a good bet as the Cobia was just below the surface of the water and a fast moving Pintail would definitely turned on their predatory instinct. The selection is good but it didn’t start well as he cast his heavy sinking lure over the buoy line haha. If he retrieves it now, surely the heavy triple hook will hooked the buoy line. He leaves it dangling while cracking his brain to solve the problem.
Cobia is a very inquisitive fish. They always wanted to try out something that is moving and shinny. I remember last time when they would hit almost all shape and color of metal jig. Almost every drop we can get them. This time, the shinny dangling Pintail proves to be enticing enough for the Cobia to take it. Luckily it swims over the buoy line and Azrul has a game on his hand. Fish On!. Back to Izzuddin who fights earlier, the fish was about to reach the landing net, the Cobia exerts one last push breaking the jigging assist hook and earn its freedom.
Zagan PE4 Offshore casting rod paired with Daiwa Saltiga 5000H proven to be too much for the Cobia to handle!
The one and only Cobia landed, we lost the other 3 due to terminal tackle failure haha
Scott and Chris were up next. Finally a fish to their name, but both of them lost i. I can’t remember what happens to Scott but Chris got his assist line bitten off. After several drifts along the Unjam, Azrul’s cobia were the only fish landed. Unbelievable I would say. At this rate it doesn’t look good. The boys worked so hard, I know deep down I’m not suppose to say this but, its not fair that we have this kinda result.
Ah Ho decided to scout the area and continue on our jigging session. Still proves to be fruitless as the fishes is not at their usual place. It was very hot, and the late night fishing proves to be to much for me as I struggle to exert more effort. Morale break down is probably another factor. I decided to take a long nap and continue on in the evening. They all kept dropping their metal jig and reel it back up 100 meter. Still, no fishes around.
I think it was about 4.00pm when I heard cheers on the deck as Chris finally scores his first fish. I rushed down the deck it yes! A spotted mackerel! Good size and finally I got the adrenaline pumpin again. This time we stayed closer to the Island. Several surface activities is a welcome sign after a boring day. Izzuddin will be next guy to finally scores a fish haha. Line break, hook break are some of the technical failure he experienced earlier, this time he got it in the bag. A big Talang or Queenfish! Good size!
It has been a hot, fishless evening session. A spotted mackerel is a welcome sign for improvement.
This guy has been jigging all day, loss several fishes earlier. Finally landed one Queenfish to his name 🙂
Dangerman is up next! With the lightest setup in the boat. Major craft ajing rod is next in action. Dangerman first real chance after countless misses and fruitless effort. After all the talking, this moment he has to make it count. All eyes on Dangerman while he fights the massive Queenfish. It does look massive as the fish were able to bend the rod from the normal J shape into almost O haha. He was totally in the zone. Izzuddin trolled him, asking him to shout “UL UL” haha. Cracks us all haha. A change in atmosphere, people are laughing and talking again. Finally after several minutes he landed his first fish! I can see the excitement in his face haha.
UL UL!! Ultralight does have a place in Pulau Jarak haha.
Another Queenfish or Talang! Congratz bro!
Azrul and Fadzly is up next to showcase their fishing performance. Synchronized jigging is another effective effort. It resembles a school of fish that moves in a unified direction and at same pace. Both of them got hit on the same time, they even retrieve it at the same pace, its like watching a mirror being place next to them. Haha. We though it was Queenfish, but when it surface, its a juvenile GT! Hoho! That fires everyone up to keep on trying but that was the final scene from the Island.
Ah Ho started his engine and head to the next spot, facing the open water of the Malacca Straits. This will be the final spot of our Day 2 jigging. It took us another 30 minutes to reach that place. It was around 5.30pm and the timing has to be perfect for Ah Ho. We will be fishing at a pinnacle point.
Syncornized jigging! Both drop at the same time, jigged the metal bait at the same pace, double strike along the way up! A great combo and result! Bravo!
At this point of time, were at the peak of our performance. Drained from all the jigging effort we made earlier. I remember dropped only 2-3 times along 1 drift and it was nothing. Most of the guys decided to switch their focus on last minute popping. Izzuddin however continue to press on. Dropping and knocking the seafloor every single drift. Every hard does pays off, and it applies to the general rule of humanity.
Strike!! Finally a pelagic species has taken Izzuddin metal bait, the fight lasted few seconds. Pissed off with the result, he drops it again and all the sudden, Bang! Second Strike! but still he did not get a clean hookup. Drops it again and its third time lucky! Clean hook and game on!! It seems massive as his rod bends extremely low. I knew right away that a big school is circling the underwater. Surprisingly just cheers erupts on the deck but no one is moving to pick up the rod. I move my lazy butt and took my rod and wish goodluck to my Yozuri Ironman. I drop the jig all the way down, catch my breath ready to powerjerk at least 10-15times. Once it hits bottom, use all my strength and start my power jerk, fast all the way up.. 1..2..3..4..5.. Bang!! Fish on!!
It was a furious take, hooked it once it the reel still spilling lines like there aren’t any drag on the Shimano Biomaster 8000. I tighten the drag but line is still spilling. Double hookerz! Now everyone rush to their rods and dropped down! All hell brakes loose, Izzuddin finally landed the fish we all has been waiting for.. GT!!! Scott how just told me that he wants to stop jigging and this time one last dropped secures him another strike! This is it.. the moment we all been waiting for. Salihin lost several strike but the boat drifts further then the pinnacle point. Scott was dancing, last time it was the Sailfish Tango, this time it was the GT tune Tango haha.
Personal best GT for 2016, thanks to Yozuri Blanka Zebra 130g Ironman!
Epic! Finally you don’t have to take the picture of the beautiful sunset, this was better!! F..ing A!
While waiting for Scott, its hard to resist to take photo at this point of time haha
Ah Ho re-position the boat for another drift. The first 3 GT finally safely landed. All swarm to see the spectacle with three decent size GT of Pulau Jarak. It was awesome! All it takes to wipe of all the pain and tiredness is a triple hook on GT. We all posed for the shoot and this was the best moment of this trip. Triple Hookerz! We took several more photos but we quickly revive the fish and safely release it. The boat is ready for another run and this time the deck is full!
Fadzly quickly drop his metal jig and start to his power jerk! 1…2..3.. Bang Fish on! Awesomeness round 2! I dropped my jig again and start again. It was not long when another fish strikes it hard. This time was not as furious like the first one! Double hook again! After a tough previous battle, the drag setting was proven to be to much for the opposition and it easy to land my second GT while Fadzly landed a respectable Big Eye Trevally! Things are about to get better and better.
Amazing moment indeed and what a start to 2016! Triple hookerz posing with their best trophy of Pulau Jarak!
Fadzly Rani is our newest team member and to share this moment was simply awesome.. look forward for an amazing 2016!
Daylight moves further and further pass the horizon. It was already close to the end of our daylight session for day 2. I give way for other to try out and fish for the Giant Trevally. I move to the forward deck and helped Jack who has not yet catch anything in 2 days. Even Salihin struggles last minute when a fish cut through his assist line. Chris is still having a go, and it was just his day to score our final fish of the evening. Enjoying every moment of it, Chris landed the final GT of Pulau Jarak outer Pinnacle.
What a day.. the taste of success is indeed sweet. We could not have tasted the sweetness of a hard working angler if we caught so many earlier that day. We pushed on and Chris has earned it as he fought to the very last light of day 2. Ah Ho was not about to end the day yet. He rushed back to the Island for our final popping session. I already raise my hand and just wanna sit back and relax. Ijat is preparing our nice dinner, my body was just on the edge but still we have another session to go. To Be Continued…
A fish at the end of the line, while we all enjoy the beautiful sunset. Perfect evening 🙂
Chris Dann, you earned it bro! 🙂
