Pulau Tenggol, Terengganu – 14 FEB 2016
After a great Din’s Day on day 1 of our Pulau Tenggol fishing escapade, we returned to our homestay and prepared the gears for the next day. I think everyone rested well that night and we woke up to the same heavy rain at around 6.30 am. It lasted quite a while until we saw some sunshine offshore from the café we had our breakfast. By 8.30 am we were up and running and left Kuala Dungun hastily. The same rodeo ride was slightly better on Sunday compared to the day before and as we arrived at the pinnacle reef, it was apparent that it would be calmer today, so said the forecast.
Day 2 started off well with a double hookup by Azmil and Din with the Skipper scoring a good size Bonito while Din reeled in a decent Rainbow Runner, we were left to think that will this be another Din’s Glory Day??? Well, it is considered to be his home ground after fishing in Pulau Tenggol for maybe 2 years now.
Din making the morning news with a Rainbow Runner
Azrul’s Rainbow Runner, fading Din’s Glory off the board
The morning continued with some scads and Bonitos but what really grabbed out attention was Azrul’s Twin Power 4k screaming none stop all of a sudden. After some really good solid runs we didn’t see on Day 1, the culprit got away after cutting through the assist hook Kevlar, Culprit 1 Azrul 0. Tenggiri or Barracuda? We will never know what cut the Kevlar with ease.
It is still wasn’t over for Azrul when he jumped back onto the horse and caught a good Rainbow Runner, not one but two of them consecutively! It’s starting to look like Din’s Glory is fading away 🙂 HAHA! Back to back hookup really turned you ON! I guess the game really starting to get interesting 🙂
Now we’re talking haha! Close up shot!
After it went quiet at the pinnacle, we tried our luck closer to Pulau Nyireh but it was all the same, no bites and we went north to some spots unreachable on Day 1 as the swells were too much. One hour passed and still no luck jigging so we decided to approach Tokong Talang again and prepared our casting gears. Today I decided not to cast with my jigging rods rather I geared up my favorite casting gear 7’6” footer Sure Catch rod paired with Revo Toro NaCl 50. My first cast was a 28g golden Kastmaster and it immediately got a hit from a garfish (Todak) but because I was a little slow, it managed to chew through my mainline.
Never mind, I retied the leader and grabbed my Maria Onde Onda a 50g stickbait which I only bought because it was 50 grams heavy and relatively cheap. Just on the second cast BOOM!, something good had caught it and after a good fight it turned out to be a 6kg GT, yeay renewed my GT record on casting gear.
Maria Onde Onda! I broke the silence with a good size GT
The Maria Onde Onda, I never thought this lure would catch me a fish!
On the next drift, I changed the treble of the Onde Onda since it almost gave way during the fight with the GT. Casted the lure at the same spot and voila, this time something lighter had gone for it. So much for a lure I never thought would catch anything! A good size Blue Fin Trevally has fallen for the underdog lure!
A new catch for Fooz’ list, the Blue Fin Trevally
These two fishes I caught were only utilizing about 2.5 kg drag power since the rod barely could support it although rated for 15-40 lb line. It looks like I need to find something stiffer next time…
This Day 2 is really turning out great for everyone. The only setback was Mawi has been not been feeling well with seasick, pretty much hampered his ability to fish effectively. At this point of time, friends support is very important to keep others on their feet and we have been urging and encouraging Mawi to stay up and fish. As we approached Tokong Talang again for another drift, something huge and strong had taken Mawi’s jig.
Dashes after dashes, the fight lasted for a while after some stalemate moments, Mawi by this time had clearly forgotten his seasickness.A much needed wake up call for Mawi lol. It took about a good 20 mins as we have also drifted further and further from the spot when a huge silvery shadow broke the surface of the water. Mawi, who was down on Day 1 had caught a huge 9 kg Diamond Trevally on a 75g pink and silver Herring jig! Congratulations Mawi!!!
Mawi and Pak Deraman with the most significant catch of the trip, so far!
Mawi and his Diamond Trevally Trophy! A great feeling 🙂
Meanwhile, Octo who hasn’t really caught anything significant could only watch and hope he strikes gold soon. After so long attempting to lure the bottom dwellers finally broke the silence when he hooked up a solid fish from the bottom. As we saw some color coming up from the surface, it turns out he had strike red gold from the sea. A good 4.5 kg Coral Trout caught on silver/luminous Mali jig he bought from me the day before! Another trophy catch was landed!!!
Octo with his best catch, a huge Coral Trout
Boy am I glad I sold the jig to him the night before, congratulations Octo!
The action around Tokong Talang silenced a bit and we moved to another outcrop nearby. Over there Azrul marched on his good day with a good sized Sagai. Moments later Skipper Azmil hooked up a good strong fish and passed his rod for Azrul to handle. Boy was it a good fight and moments later a huge Gerong Pulau came to the surface! Redemption for Azrul!
Moments later we went back to Tokong Talang and drifted ever closer to the outcrop, by this time Mawi had caught a smaller but respectable sized Coral Trout, all with the same jig that had caught the Diamond Trevally. During our final half hour at Tokong Talang we saw schools of Big Eyes and GTs lurking around the surface but nothing could lure them in, we chucked poppers, spoons, jigs, stickbaits to no avail. As a gift perhaps, Tenggol waters awarded me with a giant Garfish which as soon as I saw the size, I wasn’t just struggling to save my jig from its teeth rather I wanted to land it and take photos with it!
Huge Jemuduk/Gerong Pulau
The giant Garfish I really wanted a picture with 🙂
A good size Sagai caught by Azrul
Mawi with his second trophy, a 3kg Coral Trout
The garfish was the last fish landed on Day 2 and that marks the end of a great fishing in Pulau Tenggol during the monsoon break. Some of the best fishing days I’ve ever had! I’ve always wanted to go for a trip during the breaks in monsoon season and was finally granted one.
Happy folks ending the two great days in Tenggol, until we meet again!
