TP Fish Farm 02 - 04 Oct 08

First time coming to this farm with my bro and his 3 other friends (Alex, Boon Teck and Tiam). The farm is owned by Boon Teck's and Tiam's uncle and yes, the farm is privatized. Don't even ask me for the GPS coordinates. All I know is that the location (in front of an island) is via Wave Master (dep Tanah Merah Ferry), a private taxi (45 mins ride) and a private 200hp speed boat (20 mins ride).

The fish results are not bad, considering this is my first time and my tackles are grossly under equipped; not to forget Boon Teck (if you see his pic below, you will know the impact) stepped onto my spin rod and broke the middle ring together with my heart. But what I really lacked are insect repellant, sleeping bags and a hammock. The mozzies are out in force during the night and that's when I really wish that there's a SAF e-mart popping in front of me.

Current is not so good (lunar calendar is 3rd day). But still a few big ones got away. All 5 of us have got at least one line broken by some unknown monsters lurking down under. Boon Teck's rod bend liked an inverted 'U' and alas the line broke - we then saw most likely, a GT jumping out of the water, probably trying to dislodge the hook.

Accordingly to eye-witnesses (BS and Tiam), my rod bent liked an 'O', but I was back at the shed trying to call my missus and missed out the scene where the brute pulled my line and broke it after some meters. I much suspect its because of the loose tension and the line had frayed against the barnacles. I still caught a bat fish (about 2kg) lurking beside the fish nets. The fuckers have a good time laughing at the way I fought the fish (2 legs spreading in a stance positon to balance myself, and with a ciggy in my mouth).

BS and Alex had their lines instantly pulled and snapped after they dropped into those empty kelongs. Suspects are big groupers but we did catch a couple of stingrays and quite a number of small groupers (ranging from 300g to 800g). Anything smaller were either thrown back to the sea or fed to the commerical fishes around us.

There are also fun fishing around the planks of the fish farm, where you can get yellowtails (fishball fish) and lai-mans. Just use little hooks with fishfeed or bread and the action begins.

One activity which I regret not involved is the selar jigging. The boat (where BS and Tiam are in) went to the 'spot' and loads of kunings, selars, ka-chis, red emperors and some other good table-sizes were caught in rapid motion on handlines.

Overall, its a very good trip considering the big ones that got away. We had 3.5 cartons of beer and good food in the farm. Nice toilet - you can admire the brown 'sea cucumbers' that your precedents dropped through the shit hole. And a very scenic and relaxing place to be at.

Surroundings of the fish farm. Certainly one of the biggest I saw in Indo waters

Our humble studio room

Sunset amidst the spluttering clouds

Remnants from the Kelong trap

One of the many nets housing the commercial fishes

Sunrise

Folks smearing and drying dried ikan bilis

Hmm...our catch of the day

Coral trouts. Can you see the weasel trout?

BS holding a hawksbill turtle

Crabby pulling along his haul

Loads of lai-man

Bucket of red emperors & lion heads

Off to our next sortie

Lion-heads on feeding frenzy. Imagine bringing your kids along and they fall inside...

Back from battle

With a long line of ice-cold beer

Fishing for yellow-tails

2 of them were caught by me...