Date: 08-11-2009 Time: 12.30pm Rod: Penn PPT SideWinder 13.6ft Reel: Abu 10000C(old model) Line: 30lbs mono Rig: Long Snood Bottom Feeder Bait: Fresh Squid
Went in to the jetty early this morning. Ah An has already pack up and ready to go. He had arrange with Lai and fellow angler to fish at a breaker this morning. He made a call to Hong but with no answer. He thought the trip has been cancelled and cycle to the lagoon hawker for breakfast and then cycle on the way back home to Toa Payoh.
Lai come in to the jetty not long after An left. I told him he already went off. Lai make a call to him and learn that he already reach Fort road. On knowning that Lai and fellow anglers was here, An turn back and heading for the breaker.
I decided to join them at the breaker later as jetty this morning hardly has any tamban. When I reach the breaker, An was still on the way. Lai and fellow anglers has already there but was eating breakfast. I set up my tackle and was the first one to cast out. They all set up their tackle when An arrived with the bait they prepare yesterday night.
Tide is now coming up and the sea was calm with smooth current flow. Initially the bait was not lasting but when the water is higher, it lasted longer. By this time Hong come along and join in.
10.30am, suddenly we saw Lai PPT rod the line gone loose. I was the first to reach and pickup and strike. It turn out to be a small leopard ray accidentally hook on the stomach. It was release immediatly after unhook.
Around 12.20pm, all change their bait. An found out that his squid bait only the head gone. I told him just to add another squid on the hook. He follow and casted out. While we were talking, suddenly I heard shouted “last rod got fish”. I turn around and saw An rod was bending and the alarm was screaming. I rush forward to grab and strike then pass it to An who was already there. The fish took the line and was heading 45% out from the shore. It was about hundred n fifty meter away from the breaker. I told him to move down the breaker onto the beach as it will be more easy to fight. On the way I told him to wind back whatever line available. When we reached the beach parallel to the fish, it was only about fifty meter away. An manage to get it off the sea bed and pump it in. I went into the surf to gaff it when I manage to grab hold of his rig body. It was a nice sand ray. Once the barb was removed, An bring it back to the breaker where it was weigh. It hit 14kg on two different scale to confirm the weight.
It was An personal record catch as he started surf fishing only about a year ago. The fish gave birth to two baby ray and was release back into the water. The ray was later cut up and share among the anglers there.
Shoreangler 