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| Kelong Fishing at Pulau Sibu |
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by SHAN CHAI LOON
Feb 3, 2007, Saturday @ 11:41:41 PM
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Kelong, was a method of fishing devised by early South East Asian Fishermen. Basically, this technique called for building a wooden structure in the shallow parts of sheltered coastal water. It was constructed on the migratory routes or feeding ground of fishes. These structures would provide shelter for bait fishes, which in-turn, attracting predators into these man-made traps.
Today, in the world that called for effectiveness, and modernization of our fishing industry, Kelong Fishing has eventually becoming a sun-set fishing technique in our country. However, instead of abandoning their properties in the sea, some far sighted and imaginative Kelong operators, have renovated these aging wooden structures, and turning them into holiday resorts. Equipped with all sorts of modern creature comforts such as Karaoke, computer games, satellite TV, mahjong sets, and even air condition units, the Kelong has become the choice of anglers, divers, and even holiday makers of all ages.
As anglers, our recent visit to a Kelong that located close to Pulau Sibu, was to seek �appointment� with fishes that inhabited the sea nearby. Shallow and deep water species such as Cobias, Snappers, Leather Jacket, Trevallys, Squids, Emperor (Lencam), and even Spanish Mackerel or Marlin, are known to frequent these waters. Although the chance to tangle with the big one, has to depend a lot on individual�s luck.
With the aim to do battle with the bottom feeders, I armed myself with 2 sets of light tackles, and 1 set of heavy equipment, in order to try my luck with the heavy weight that may take a liking of my baits. Of the 2 sets of light tackles, one was SureCatch Micro Light IM8 graphite rod and SureCatch Micro Light Pro micro-light reel spooled with SureCatch X-Tra Thin 8lb main line. When coupled with SureSquip squid lures or SureCatch Apollo jigging rig, it was an ideal combination for catching cuttlefish and small baits such as Kembong.
The other set of light tackle was meant for light bottom fishing. It was a SureCatch Graphite Extreme rod, coupled with SureCatch White Horse II reel that spooled with SureCatch Dynabraid 20lb braided line was an ideal combination when I used SureCatch Supreme 30lb nylon for leader. The SureCatch running sinker clip that was designed to allow sinker to slide freely along the main line?was rigged with various sizes of Mustad Big Red, Demon circle hooks and 34043NPBLN hooks.
The heavy tackle I brought along was SureCatch Surf Force 935 Baitfeeder reel spooled with SureCatch Dynabraid 40lb braided line, and coupled with SureCatch Super Graphite Surf 13 feet surf casting rod. The terminal tackle of this outfit was SureCatch 1X7 Nylon Coated 40lb steel cables and Mustad Hoodlum 9/0 steel hooks, for doing battle with the monsters lurking in the vicinity of this Kelong.
Coming to this Kelong, I haboured a dream of hooking up with a Trevally. Comparatively, it has a better chance of hooking up a Trevally than the elusive Queen fish. Further more, it is a first rate opponent on 17lb tackles. However, to hook a Trevally, fresh cuttlefish is the best bait. Hence, the first night on the Kelong, I concentrated on getting all the required cuttlefish for baits. Without letting us down, SureCatch SureSquip squid lures no. 2.0 and 2.5, either in pink or orange, were the favorite for the cuttlefish here. In fact, if the current is not too fast, squid and cuttlefish can be hooked from Kelong.
The rig we used to catch cuttlefish was pretty simple. The lure was attached to a foot of nylon leader, which in turn connected to the main line by a snap swivel and weight. Dropping this rig down one of the many columns of the Kelong until it touched bottom, and lifted the rod so that the lure would dash upward. Allowed it to drop back and waited for 5 seconds before repeating with the lifting action. When sensing the rig snagged something while lifting the rod, most likely, it was the cuttlefish that grasped the lure when it slipped downwards. I even managed to hook cuttlefish with SureSquip when my rod was stationery in the rod holder.
Cuttlefish would be useful as baits for light tackle as well as heavy stuff for bottom fishing. In order to keep the bait as fresh as possible, it is better to wrap the bait in news paper to avoid it form swirling in the ice water of the cooler. However, nothing is better than using them as soon as they are hooked.
When using the cuttlefish as bait for Ebek, it is more effective to cut the flesh in long strip (please refer to the picture). Habitually, Ebek would congregate at certain location of a Kelong in the early morning. As on Ah Fatt�s Kelong, the gathering point was the left front of the Kelong where the fish attracting device was located. To fish for Ebek, we had to set our baits before sunrise. This is the golden hours for Ebek fishing and we were ready before daybreak. Our standard terminal rig was simply SureCatch running sinker clip with 5 feet nylon leader. At this location, odd Queen Fish might pick the bait. If the fish was more than 5 kg, the fight would be more exciting than hooking an Ebek!
Ebek is a hard striker, but to ensure a firm hook up, it�s best to free spool before it has swallowed the bait. to rig my bait, I used no. 4 Mustad Big Red Suicide hook. It�s challenging to use 17lb tackle to fight Ebek. The tackle was good enough to stop the fish from its run, but if it decided to go for the Kelong, the barnacles on the columns would severe the line. As such, every caution has to be exercise to keep the fish away from the danger zone.
On the other hand, when fishing for Emperor, Snappers, and other smaller species, the flesh of the cuttlefish could be cut into any shapes, for these fishes were not as choosy of presentation.
Fishing for the big bottom dwellers, heavy tackles was our choice. Of course, bait presentation had to be natural in order to attract the attention of these big fellows. Hence, we used a whole cuttlefish as bait not only to arouse the appetite, but to prevent the small fellow from stealing them. The tactic we applied was casting the bait into the current, and allowed the baits to drift back towards the Kelong (in our direction). To do this, we had to cast our baits far out to prevent them drifted back to the vicinity of the Kelong. Otherwise, when the heavy weights took the baits, they would rush into the pylons and severe the lines. This was the reason why we used the long surf casters. SureCatch marketed several models of surf casters, while Prokat Surf and Super Graphite Surf were both suitable for controlling big fish on a high platform such as the Kelong.
The way we presenting big baits here was not much different from deep sea fishing. We used leaders up to 8 ft in length, and sinkers heavy enough so that they would settle down in the current fast. The sinkers for surf casting which are the products of SureCatch (See the article on Surf Casting)?are capable of positioning the baits in the strike zone, and preventing it from drifting into the Kelong.
A whole cuttlefish, is always the attractant of Barracuda, Cobia, Spanish Mackerel, big rays, and even shovel nose sharks. SureCatch Surf Force 935 Baitfeeder reel allowed the fish to swallow the bait without feeling any resistance. However, with a turn of the handle, it would engaged and ready to go into action. This reel had assist many anglers in taming many trophy catch on Kelong, and in my opinion, is an reliable outfit.
On the other hand, when drifting the baits out with or without weight, it has to be positioned at the back of the current, so that it would be away from the obstacles.
The side show of our Kelong trip was going after the smaller species such as ikan parang. Similar to Travelley, Ikan Parang are very particular of bait presentation. Of all the baits, they love ikan Tamban, a bait fish that is abundance around Kelong. The size of Tambans that we picked were 3 to 4 inches in length, which could be swallowed whole by Ikan Parang. Our rig for Ikan Parang was pretty simple. Just joined the 30lb SureCatch Supreme mono leader directly to our main line?then tie a Mustad 34043NPBLN no.4 that hooked a Tamban at the head or tail section.
Using light tackle to do battle with Ikan Parang is exciting though it is not a hard fighter. However, its jump is one spectacular sight when fishing is slow. The mouth of Ikan Parang is pretty hard to be penetrated by hook, hence the angler must free line until it swallows the baits. Otherwise, it will drop the baits when feeling the slightest resistance. Ikan Parang always lurks at the edge of the light. As such, one does not have to cast far, but allow the bait to settle a few feet below the surface, and waiting for it to take the bait. One word of caution for the beginners is to look out for the sharp denture of the Parang. It will cause painful wounds on the fingers and severe the leader if allows to swallow the bait too deep.
Another species that provide good pass time is the Rabbit fish. The rig for Rabbit fish could be Apollo jig or SureCatch Bait Bomb. Veteran anglers who frequented Ah Fatt�s Kelong will pick a special bait for Rabbit fish, i.e. sausages. Halving the sausage, and attached all the 5 hooks of the SureCatch Bait Bomb onto it would do the trick. Rabbit fish will snatch the bait and fight fiercely.
Other than the species mentioned above, Todak is another hot favorite of the regular.
Fishing on Kelong is suitable for all anglers, either the old guards or for the beginners to practice their newly acquired skills. It is the favorite fishing spot for those who are sensitive to motion of wave, as well as a good place to spend your family holiday. Come and discover Kelong fishing when you decide to have a break from your monotonous daily routine. |
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