This is my addition to what Thomas started.
Chris and his family own 2 fishing tackle shops in the Melbourne suburbs and has been sorely tempted to fish in malaysia after listening to my “travel tales” for 2 years. Work commitment has prevented him from coming. I again invited Chris to my July trip and after putting my latest photos under his nose (a week before the trip) he gave in and booked the airfare immediately for both himself and anna the wife.
From thsat point on he was just go go go - what to rods and gear to bring, clothing, what is the country like, food, currency etc etc.
Once in malaysia they couldn’t wait to sample the local cuisine - despite my advise for them to eat only in the hotel as this is their first trip to asia and I didn’t want them to get food poisoning. Did it worry them? - NO! They ate at every hawker centre sofia and I ate at and they loved every dish - fried kueh teow, chicken rice, nasi lemak, fish ball soup, wantan noodle, custard tart, steam fish, roast duck, satay etc etc. Their adventure has just begun.
It is not just the fishing but the whole trip was an adventure. Then onto local fruits, ciku, rambutan, mangosteen, jackfruit - everything’s superb so far. The the local king of fruits - the durian- Yucccckkkkk!! Well got to have something you don’t like in a new country. Not bad so far eh?
Some shopping in KL to keep the missus happy (altough Anna is a keen fisherwoman too - nothing gets them happier than some shopping. Chris soon picked up on his bartering skill and is giving the local stallholders a hard time. Must be the Greek blood in him hehehe.
Then off to Rompin in a rented car (or junk? seat belts don’t work, brakes questionable, one absorber non existent and an engine that is about to blow up anytime). What an adventure.
The saliva started flowing on arrival in Rompin - the big “sailfish” sculpture says it all! Then again - take a closer look - it is a Marlin not a Sailfish. The artist/sculptor got it wrong
Then straight to a seafood dinner at the jetty. Next morning after a hearty breakfast and introduction to the rest of the group we were off in two boats. Thomas being our guide.
Sunrise
Sofia and Anna were really enjoying the baitfishing
The barracudas were fighting with us for the baitfish. they keep eating our good catches
Finally with enough baitfish we headed started our saifishing session. It was quiet on all fronts. Finally a hit! Feels a bit small for a sailfish! Sofia gets the rod and after a fun fight -
toothy came out
Look at those fangs!
and those mean eyes
After that quiet again till about 3.30pm or thereabouts. Chris’ rod went screaming and the first hookup of a sail! Luck guy. first trip and onto a sail. It gave a good account of itself against the TS rod and Saltiga 4500! Got pretty acrobatic too. walked a bit,
Jumped
and somersaulted
But it didn’t get away
After the release and congrats the skipper went bak for another round and I was on. Before long Anna was on too. I was using a TS PE1 to 3 rod match to my Certate 3500 custom with a 4000 spool. I think the setup was too much for the sail. so I had to loosen the drag a bit to give it some fight.
initial concentration to ensure it is securely hooked
Relax and smile at camera while fish is taking line.
More practice at smiling at camera. No good have shot of your back while fighting fish. can’t tell who it is eh? hehehe.
The TS rod performed beautifully but wasn’t even really tested. I think a certate custom 2500 with a TS 1-2 rod will give the saifish a good fighting chance. I still believe that setup will bring a sail in in under 10 minutes. will try next time. Forget about 4000 and 5000 series reels - taking a canon to a gunfight!! TS rod should bend like this under pressure
Sofia also had a go at fighting the fish but I was behind her helping so I couldn’t take any photos of her fighting it.
Finally “our” fish was landed. It was a beautiful fish. all saifish are!
Unfortunately anna’s fish threw the hook after the deckhand grabbed the leader. “Landed” but no photos.
It again went quiet after that.
the other fishing team checking on us
Back to shore and off to eat again
By the way. bought another TS rod. really slim pe1 rod. I think Thomas should have a new nick name
Thomas Cyanide Lee or Thomas Racun Lee. He poisons any fisho who comes into contact with his rods. Chris bought the PE3 rod that caught his sail too.
Thomas - thatnks again for a wonderful trip and look forward to doing it again in the not too distant future.
And you other fishing kaki’s, let fish together next time - Jonathan, adrain, ryan and other
Carry a rod and speak softly.
[:)]
