BSR Day 3 : Power Play.
After a hearty and very affordable breakfast at the local market, it was back to BSR for a final challenge.
In the morning session, we continued with the Light Line challenge.
This time, everyone must land a fish with the 6lb setup:Tica Devil Stix 6-12lb paired with Abu Salty Stage (6lb braid).
FIrst off, is Yong with a nice hookup and landing.
Sifu landed a chao-praya catfish, on 12lb setup.Penn Sargus with Custom PE1-3 rod.
My turn at the 6lb setup.
Even John was challenged to the 6-lb setup (we threatened to throw him into the pond and discredit him as a fishing guide if he refused…hehehe). He gamely took the challenge and landed a fish successfully. (Phew, what a relief it must be for him…)
Yong with another biggie.
Towards the end, we got bored with the light line challenge. So, sifu suggested the ‘Power Play’ challenge: land a fish in 3 minutes!
The heaviest setup we have was used: Daiwa Freams 4500J (50lb braid) paired to a Custom Rod PE5. Max drag 9kg.
(No photos on this because the fish landed was ‘small’).
You think it was easy? You should try it in BSR.
I was the first one to go. Reeling in the fish was not a problem. Trying to get the fish to the platform was no ‘walk in the park’ even with such heavy gear. Line was going out even though the drag was locked to the max. I tried to stop the fish from taking more line (palmed the spool) and this resulted in snapped line. 50lb braid…snapped. I was almost pulled into the pond at one point…luckily the drag gave way.
Next, sifu’s turn.
Sifu’s first fish: a 8-9 kg plabuk (with injured tail area) landed in 3min 10sec.
Disqualified because the fish was ‘too small’. Even a 8-9 kg fish was giving a tough fight.(watch the video)
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-cJ75PhmdI>
Next, Yong’s turn. Fish landed in about 5 min, estimated at 20kg.
Then, it ws John’s turn (another challenge thrown at him). Landed a plabuk at 3 min, estimated at 17kg.
I managed to land one in 5min, estimated at 20kg.
Sifu also managed to land another one, 5min, 16kg.
For any plabuk 20kg and above, quite difficult to land in 3 minutes.
That 3-5minutes of fight is really a work-out.
Take a look at Yong, drenched in sweat.
Conclusion to the BSR trip:
(My personal view, no offence..and no arguments pls)
- Definitely will visit again.
- If you want a one-cast one-fish situation, must get a good guide and be willing to pay for bait. It’s worth the experience. Get the ‘best-spot’ bungalow.
- Uncle Thomas’s custom rods are really good. Something upto PE5 would be just right for BSR.
- Light line is not for me. Torturous experience for me and the fish. Minimum I will go down is 20lb.
- Power play is a real ‘fun’ challenge. You get great exercise.
