Tg Pinang Charter Fishing Trip 7-9 July 2011

Red Mangrove Jack

Red Snapper / AngKueh

One of 5 large Sting Rays

Table-size Grouper

All caught onboard a 55 Foot Traditional Wooden Fishing Trawler

Tioman Revisited 1-3 July 2011

The Boat I took to Tioman. SOA: 27kts, 3 crew onboard

Cheap & Good Roti Canai breakfast at kampung Tekek. 

The Team all aboard Sol Mate, a Grady 330

Heading for Chebeh to dive & snokel. 

                                            Sol Mate, Philip Seow's Gardy 330

6th Batch Boys Gathering

Once again after some years, we met each other again. This time the chose venue was at Tg Berlayer. It was here that we took the ferry each morning to Brani Naval Base. How its changed over the years. The civilians have taken over the place and turned it into a dining & pub venue. Till the next gathering.... 

Sea Bass Galore off St John's

On 12 May, a happy incident happened off St John's Island. A thousand Sea Bass escaped from the AVA fish farm there. The first lucky angler went home with 50 mature Sea Bass weighing from 1.5-5kilos. Word spread like wild fire and soon even those without boats made their way to the Island to claim their share of these trophy fish.    

Philip Seow, my fishing buddy & I caught 7 fish the first day and some more the following. They were delicious. Best rig proofed to be live prawn on Hong Kong hook.
I'm off there again tomorrow to fill the home freezer.

Dinner with Navy Batch Mates

Why is it that Navy batch mates get along so easily long after the members have ROD. It amazes me that we're always happy when we meet. There's something to be said about having gone through tough military training together. The bond lasts forever and the friendship is pure & transparent. I guess because we saw each other grow up from boys to men. Most of us are now 51 years of age. I'm looking forward to our main gathering again on the 24th June. Till then, best wishes to every member of the 6th Batch of Midshipmen.      

Boat Asia 2011

It seems the best time to catch up with old sea friends is during the Boat show in Singapore. They always show up. Although most are not looking for another boat, the atmosphere is delightful. I wonder if the pleasure boating market in Singapore will ever be as intense as in Australia & New Zealand. We certainly have kinder weather conditions & reasonable crusing grounds when you add in West Malaysia & Riau. I am of the opinion that a passage maker with a 2,000nm range is the idea boat for this region. Otherwise stay with the smaller more economical weekend boats and you should not have too much trouble having fun on the water. In Singapore, even a sea kayak can prove to be lots of fun & adventure, given the right attitude.     

Mapur Fishing 6 April 2011

The sea is usually dead calm in April, marking the end of the NE Monsoon, when the winds turn Easterly before settling South Easterly from May to Sep. Not so this year, it was still blowing from NE. So much for the much anticipated over booked charters in April. Fishing is rough seas ain't very much fun. Balancing on a 50 foot wet & windy charter boat takes a bit of energy and concentration just to keep upright. Fortunately we got lucky on the second night when we hit a school of 5kg Cobias. And what a fight these fish put up. Very soon we forgot about the heavy seas as the relative quiet turned into heighted excitement. It was a combination of the spot, timing and sliced fresh squid bait that got us going. Thta same night, we were also spooled by 2 monster fish that we hooked up. The crew were pretty sure it was a showel-nose ray and a 100kg sting ray. Although we never got to see the fish, we were glad for the thrill they put up for over 20 mins each. Well one thing's for sure, the website windguru.com was definately spot on with their weather forcast. Looks like the weather will calm down soon after 16th April. Till then.......