Rompin - July 2008

A couple months back, Bruce GT King called and asked if I'm interested in an 'awek trip' to Rompin, where he'll be bringing his wife and there'll be few other female participants. My usual response...'ON KAO NEI!!!'.It's almost exactly one year ago since my last trip to Rompin with my then colleagues. So here we are again hoping to land some Sails, KY & NN.

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In preparation for her first jigging trip, I got her a Golden Mean Sabel Dance, similar to the one I posted earlier, just different poundage; PE 1. It'll be paired with my Daiwa Caldia Kix 4000. Other setups include Shimano Stella C3000 with Evergreen Poseidon Spin Jerker Light for jigging, and Avet SX with Jekyll Super Short Rodders for the sails.

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Overall the trip was fun although we didn't land any Sails. :-) We had 2 hookups with our drifting Selars; 1 Todak landed, and 1 Sail threw the hook. And NN get to land the Todak all by herself; albeit a bit big bully style as she was using Alan's setup - PE6 rod with Daiwa Saltiga DOGFIGHT. The Todak didn't stand a chance. Nonetheless...she was crowned the TODAK QUEEN!!! :-p Sotongs were quite cooperative throughout and the Selars provide fun throughout the day on Apollos. Anyway, here are some pictures to share. :-)

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The old and run down jetty of Rompin. How nice if the sea is this calm...
I like this picture...sharp...

PEACE!!!
Alan and GT King aka BruceMy lunch. Roti Canai Shake! :-)
NN the Todak Queen!!

Nic, Bruce's brother... . The Cobia King!!
NN tumpang glamour :-)

Mrs GT King.Prized catch of the day!!
KYNN
And that's a WRAP!!!
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Anyway...next year, we will plan another trip to Rompin. Only this time we'll go end of August or beginning of September. A group of anglers were down in Rompin just last week (mid Sep) and they landed 20 over Sails in 3 days. Crazy shit... Same boat...same boatman...and most likely same techniques as it's done by the boatman.

Pflueger - The Choice of Champions

- Pflueger Medalist - Quality since 1881 - Champions Welcome -

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Birthday gift from NN when she was in the States :-D Something you don't see much of in Malaysia. Quality and built wise, it may not match a Stella or Saltiga. But it's worth more than ALL my reels put together :-) It's my first ever fishing gift :-)

Here are the specs -

• 9 stainless steel ball bearings, with pinion and main gear bearings fully sealed
• One-way cluth instant anti-reverse bearing
• Smooth sealed front drag system
• Rugged aluminium body and anodized aluminium spool
• Anti-twist titanium line roller :-o
• Sure-Click bail
• Machined aluminium handle with soft touch knob
• Spare aluminium spool
• On/Off anti-reverse
• Power knob

And here's their official website - Pfluger Fishing.

Here's an extract of their history - "Since 1881 the Pflueger name has been part of the fishing industry when Ernest F. Pflueger founded a fish hook company called the Enterprise Manufacturing Company. When his son Earnest A. Pflueger took over the family business and founded the E.A. Pflueger Company, he expanded the company from a hook manufacturer to all aspects of fishing tackle & gear. In 1916 the first Pflueger Baitcast reel was manufactured in Akron, Ohio, and became a benchmark of the fishing reel industry. The Pflueger spinning reel was introduced in 1954. Over the years Pflueger continues to be one of the world's leading rod and reel manufacturers."

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Burma Banks - Part V - Cam Whores

In any fishing trip, the fun parts include the pre and post processes & also the journey. 'Processes' includes preparations like packing the jigs, clothes, rods, reels, etc., getting all excited, anticipating and planning what to do during the trip, targets, etc. And the journey includes the new places that you get to go, different people you get to meet with different toys and skills for you to pick up, different food that you get to taste, etc etc. Burma Banks is no exception with bunch of cam whores as follow. Enjoy...

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-Prior departure, at LCCT-
-On the way to Ranong, from Phuket. Late lunch place-
-On board PG prior departing-
-Leaving Ranong-




-Union of Myanmar, KawThaung. Got all passports stamped, and off we went-
-Catchers & Catchees, Anglers & Anglees, Jiggers & Jiggees, Fishers & Fishees-

Burma Banks - Part IV - Ruby Ruby Ruby

Finally the catch report. As the title goes...Ruby Ruby Ruby...!!!

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Overall, fishing was good. No monster, not excellent, just good. If you look at the pictures, you'll notice that most of the fishes are Ruby Snappers. And most, if not all are caught during 3 frenzy moments. These moments are so frenzy that as long as you jigs were bouncing the bottom, you will get a share of the action. There was also a brief frenzy with baby 'Long Tan', or groupers. Unfortunately, we didn't get any monster groupers. Bottom fishing was also very productive throughout the trip.

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I think the main reason I rate the catch as good and not excellent is because other than the few frenzy moments, the other time were very unproductive. Bites were between 1-2 hours apart, sometimes further. I know this is acceptable due to current and tide change but imagining jigging through the day and only catch 1 fish. If not for the frenzies, we would have thrown all the crew into the ocean and start casting our poppers... :-p Speaking of popping, only 2 GTs were caught; 1 by Michael and 1 by me, at the same time; double hookup. Not big, hence neither of us bother with our cameras...Hahahaha...

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Anyway, I came up with a silly conclusion...sometimes beside being hardworking and jig non stop throughout the trip, need to be smart also. Assign a few 'wakers' throughout the trip. All these 'wakers' need to do is wake you during frenzies when you take your extensive naps. And definition of frenzies can vary according to taste or standard or duration. :-p Once awaken, go to the deck and observe and confirm frenzy status. If status matches 'taste/standard/duration', jig. If not, zzz...zzz... Unfortunately, I'm usually the waker in this scenario. Very often, I can't bring myself to fall asleep. I'll be like 'what if I miss the frenzy??', 'what if my waker got suck into the frenzy and abandon his duty??', 'if I discover the frenzy, I get to jig more!!' etc etc. Sigh... Sucker... :-s

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Anyway, enjoy the pictures!!

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Long Nose Emperor - bottom fishing.

Ruby Ruby

RUBY!!
.....no idea what fish is this...
Ruby!
Ruby!
RUBY!!!
Baby tuna :-D
RUBY!
Wahoo! This was funny. We have all reeled up our jig as the captain wanted to change spot and the boat was already moving. Boon's jig was still in the water and he was reeling up top speed and suddenly he shouted 'STOP!!! GOT FISH!!!'.
Grouper!!

GT
ruby..
Grouper..
Ruby Grouper!
Blue Fin!

Baby Dog tooth!
Ruby!!! Ruby!!