Karang Tinggi, Perak – 24 DEC 2016
Jarak Waters have always been one of the best fishing spot in western Malaysia. The iconic Island has witnessed many great outing and has gifted anglers with outstanding catch result and numerous numbers of different SW Game Species. Situated further south of Jarak Island is a fishing spot called Karang Tinggi. Literally translated as High Reef, it is a high pinnacle point with an exceptional depth of 120m. Our initial expedition took off on 5th Nov 2016, as we are on the hunt for Giant Trevally. Which was believed to have been on route in between Jarak and Karang Tinggi. Especially during OCT and JAN. The only problem is, west coast monsoon were just about to die off. The window of opportunity were vary narrow and unfortunately it was exremely bad weather when were out fishing in NOV. We deviate and seek refuge in Pulau Sembilan, fencing off strong winds and high waves.
IEven though the sea was rough, fishing were still ok. Handful of Giant Hardtail Scads, 5 Golden Snappers and many bite-off and line snaps. What surprises me is the availability of anchovies some turns on Pulau Sembilan into a massive feed fest. Birds are hammering anchovies from above and pelagic are cornering every single bait-ball. If only my camera were water proof, I could have taken some beautiful shots of huge waves crushing Pulau Batu Putih. The images would have been spectacular. Having to stop half way from our premier destination was a bit tough to swallow. We quickly set up another outing in Dec and I hope that we could at-least try our best at Karang Tinggi. Myself, Muin, Muaz, Beger, Jown and Zack were 6 lucky anglers that got the seat on the 24th DEC heads out once again to Karang Tinggi.
We had an early breakfast, at a local Curry house. Stingray-Curry will definitely kick start your day. Awesome! Pack our lunch and set off at 8.00am. The tide were right, calm and gentle. Suitable for slow-pitch jigging and wouldn’t be too hard on your biceps if you are fast jigging. The journey took us 1.30 hours. We made a few stop along the way, jigging on unfamiliar turf haha. Luckily the sea was very calm. We did encounter some rain but it was just a lite drizzle. Finally we made it! We started our drift at the tip point of Karang Tinggi. The water was quite shallow. As we drift outwards, the depth starting to go deeper and deeper. The first 15 minutes, we didn’t get any strike. I did get one pull but didn’t connect. Ger told me that the drag was a bit lose, so I tighten it a bit more. As we reach a 100m depth, Muaz’s jig were taken but the unknown fish cut the assist hook with ease. Barracuda? Probably a big one. Haha, all fish that are lost at the end of the line are record breaking size.
Right after Muaz’s incident, Mr Lan our skipper is the next casualty. The fish cut-off his mainline! I was seating right next to him and Within seconds, I felt a strong jerk and boom! My jig is gone TT. Then the unknown predator took Zul’s jig, same scenario it bite off the assist hook. Dang! I think the first drift every single one of us lost our first jig. Second drop, we were all cautious and ready. The fish took the jig when it is on its way to the seafloor. Muin and Muaz were unlucky as both of them lost their jig on the second drop.
Muin atleast got it right when he feel his jig were taken, the fish was on a few second and the leader were bitten-off again. Third drop, boom! Fish On! To pull a fish 100m below can be tough because of the crushing pressure and the weight of the fish. His rod bends nicely, and after few minutes later he started the day with a Golden Snapper!
It fires things up on the boat. Our hands got even busier jigging our jig. We maneuvered for a second drift, and once again Muin’s jig were taken on the drop and Zul’s jig were taken on the rise. Double hookup! Wait.. Triple hookup! Ger were On too! We gave way to the three guys to land their fish. This time, it took a bit longer as probably all three could have been a GT. Ger loss his fish half way but Muin and Zul were still fighting. Finally it surfaces 10ft below water. Its a SHARK! Zul hooked to one of the top predator of Malaysian reef, the Black Tip Shark.
Muin on the other hand, hooked to a nice Giant Trevally. Both of their line tangled but luckily we manage to bring both fish home. Its a small size Black tip shark, probably weighing 10-20kg. They were saying there are specimen that can grow up to 60-100kg. Now I know what took my jig, it was a black tip shark. As we maneuvered for a third drift. Ger scored another Black Tip Shark, and we continue on losing jig and hook lol. Almost every single drop, a shark would be the first to take our metal jig. It if got lucky probably a different species like snapper and grouper will take it.
I scored my first fish of the day. A foot long grouper. About mid day, Zack loss all of his jig and Muin loss his rod tip. Fishing in Karang Tinggi proves to be costly haha. If the shark didn’t took it, snag on the reef is highly likely. Muin got his jig snag on the reef. As he released it, the main line wrapped the tip of the rod and again the jig got snagged. The mainline snapped the rod tip and his loss his favorite slowpitch rod. Arghh, no body likes to lose a rod. Felt bad for him, but he continued on fishing with his spare rod. Since the damage fishing in Karang Tinggi were too substantial high. We decided to bug off and head to another destination.
Our next stop, we were fishing in between small patch of coral. Muaz finally scored his first fish of the day. It was less snaggy and no black tip shark. The spot however were fruitless, we continue on fishing 1/3 of the afternoon without any action. 2 hours before we head home, we decided to stop by at one of the Unjam and look for some small fishes like Kembung and Selar. Utilizing our sabiki rig, things got busier that evening. All of us work as a team managing all the catches from the line to the cooler. I did drop my jig and Boom! A Red Mullet. It took on a jig as long as his size. That was a bit bold haha.
It is far more effective to catch Red Mullet with bait. So some of the baitfish were use as bait and we were catching close to 80 pieces of Red Mullet and the size were fantastic for our dinner table. We fished right until the end, and as soon as the sun sets over the horizon. The bite died off. Marking the end of our fishing trip. A great haul for our wives back at home haha. We head back to the jetty and it took us 1.5 hours to reach the jetty. 9.00pm we reach the jetty and pack our fish and head home. I big thank you to all anglers, it has been a great outing and knowledge sharing. Too bad I could’t stay on for dinner with the boys as I need to rush back for another fishing trip the next day in Port Dickson. Fishing never stop with Fishyology haha. Thank you!!
Hi,
Can you bring me fishing around?
Thanks.
Alex