Fun Family Fishing at Bane, Pangasinan

In the continuation of our family's Christmas Fishing Tourney, the 2nd and final event which is the saltwater fishing at Bane, Pangasinan was held on the 3rd January 2010. The young family members who ruled the 1st event of Fun Family Fishing at The Lakeshore were not able to join the tournament as the sea is quite dangerous for them. Some adult members were likewise not available that day due to pressing commitments and holiday hang-ups. While we were only four committed anglers available, the show went on. The game plan is to try trolling and if not so productive, shift to reliable bottom fishing.

Another important part of the game plan is to have a wonderful seafood lunch as we usually do, courtesy of our contact who owns most of the boats from his or other fishermen’s catch of the day.

We left Tarlac City at 4:00 am on that relatively calm Sunday. We made a short stop-over at Alaminos, Pangasinan to buy some provisions and live shrimps for bait. We continued the journey and arrived at the secluded fishing village by around 7:00 am. We were greeted by our contact and boat-owner who was extremely happy to see us but quite unexciting about the unfavorable sea condition. He informed us that the water is full of grass and sea weeds making trolling difficult and reports of very low catch among local fishermen have been prevailing for several days. We somehow confirmed the bad news by seeing lots of boats docked on the shore indicating nobody seems interested to fish.

But since we traveled more than 200 km for the event, we can not be prevented from trying our luck. This is a tournament with 2 exciting prizes at stake and going home without casting and wetting lines is not an option. Among the prizes for the tourney is a nice Okuma “Cedros” High Speed Spinning Reel CJ-55S donated by Maya and Eboy intended for the first prize and a reliable Abu Garcia “Soron” STX Spinning Reel donated by Aimee and Andrew slated for the second prize.

So we asked the boatmen to prepare the boats while we eagerly set up our gears. We prepared our trolling gears and rigs likewise some terminal tackles for bottom fishing just in case trolling will not work. I have been dreaming of a big catch from trolling but since the condition is not perfect, I decided to lower the level of our anticipation early on but somehow still hopeful of a worthwhile fishing. As we leave our camp/contact's house towards the shore, our contact asked if he will prepare a late lunch for us which we immediately replied with a resounding YES, eating seafood being part of our adventure for the day.

When everything was ready, we boarded our boats and off we head out for the sea. It was the tandem of my brother Bogs and brother-in-law Bojo who first left the shore at about 7:30 am. Me and my cousin Allen followed soon after but had to go back ashore and change boat as the engine malfunctioned. By around 8:30 we were also in heat trolling the waters of Bane reaching as far as Bolinao, Pangasinan.

As cautioned by the boatmen, presence of a lot of sea weeds was encountered. Trolling was quite difficult as we spent most of the time removing the weeds that entangles into our rigs. The same happened to the other group. But we did not give up, we continued trolling hoping for a strike of either “tanigue” (wahoo), “talakitok” (giant trevally), king fish, barracuda or “dorado” (dolphin fish) which our group caught before and the local fishermen are usually harvesting. I had a massive strike which pulled the drag of the reel resting of the rod holder, but even before I was able to hold the rod, the line snapped taking the whole rig away. We don’t know and will never know what sort of fish caused it. That was the only strike we had.

After several hours, we tried our luck in bottom fishing. Live shrimps were baited and dropped some 50 to 80 meters below the surface to entice reef and bottom dwelling fishes. But even this proved to be unproductive. We managed to only have several weak bites landing relatively small reef fishes.

When the bottom fishing wasn’t really working, we once again tried trolling but as before, we only caught weeds. Lots of weeds. We tried bottom fishing once more but still, only small reef fishes were biting. The biggest is only a grouper of about 250 grams. The wave got bigger and the under water current became stronger making the fishing even more difficult. As the day closes to its end, we decided to head back to the shore, almost empty-handed.

Our catch are really colorful and utterly beautiful but then minute, just slightly bigger than the bait. :-) They are only juvenile fish good for pan frying. My planned post for wahoo sashimi, “kinilaw na talakitok”, “sinigang na ulo ng dorado”, grilled fish steak, fish fillet appetizer and golden fish & chips will have to wait for some time. :-)

While we were waiting for the other group to arrive, I just satisfied myself with the magnificent sceneries that can be viewed from the tiny fishing village. I watched the clear blue sea which has been the source of the villagers’ main livelihood and everyday meal. It may had not provided us with an abundant catch but has been and will continue to provide a sustainable good harvests to the many families of the community in order to live and support their needs. And as I gaze at the horizon, I can see hope…….that someday I will be able to land the big fish of this sea.

The other group was even more empty-handed than us. They suffered the same problems we experienced. Even my brother Bogs, the organizer, who is the most hard core angler among us, did not fare well. But all of us are happy. We were able to undertake the passion we all love. It may take another year for us to be able to join together again and thus the memory of the day along with the freshwater fishing earlier held is quite significant for us.

Before leaving the place, we had our late lunch as prepared by our contact. Contrary to the seafood dishes we are expecting, we were served with fried “longanisa” (Filipino sausage) and steamed rice. This only confirmed that the sea is not really that generous that day. We brought our packet of grilled pork chop out to add to the “longanisa” and rice and nonetheless had a wonderful lunch…….an all-meat meal by the sea. :)

Upon our returned home, we received the loudest teasing from other family members. :-) As we later shared moment with one another telling the experience we just had over a bottle of our favorite drinks, awarding of prizes was carried out. This was despite the joking protest of my brother-in-law and prize donor Eboy, that there should not be an awarding. The first prize went to my cousin Allen. The Okuma “Cedros” Reel was awarded by its donor, my sister Maya.

The second prize, out of mercy and probably respect, was accorded to Boyet. The Abu Garcia “Soros” Reel was awarded by my sister Ines who’s representing the donor, Aimee & Andrew who are currently in Dubai.

Though there was an obvious shortage of fish in both the freshwater and saltwater fishing events, there was an overflowing happiness and memorable moments shared by everyone. Truly there is more to fishing than just catching fish. As we, in the Tarlac Anglers, finally close the Christmas Fishing Tourney, look forward to a better tournament next year, hopefully with better attendance among members and better catch, for me to cook and blog. c“,)

Fun Family Fishing at The Lakeshore

As I have posted in August 2009, there will be a fun family fishing for the Tarlac Anglers during the Christmas Holiday dubbed as Christmas Fishing Tourney. It is an exclusive family affair open to members and family members of the Tarlac Anglers. Due to hectic schedules, the supposed to be four (4) leg tournament was converted into just two (2) separate fishing events, one in The Lakeshore in Pampanga for the freshwater fishing and the other one in Bane, Pangasinan for the saltwater angling. Whilst it was held during the Christmas holiday, gathering the members and participants proved to be quite difficult due to varied individual commitments. The most promising site, Laiya, Batangas, where trolling is in season, had to be cancelled out due to conflicts of schedules. :(

In spite that some of the members were not available, the tourney pushed through. This post will cover the freshwater fishing held at the 12 hectares man-made lake of The Lakeshore in Mexico, Pampanga on 30th December 2009. The gorgeous and magnificent lake thrives with healthy aquatic life. Among the different varieties of fish seeded and now roaming the vast waters are milkfish (“bangus”), tilapia, “toman” snakehead, mangrove jack, carps, large-mouth bass and sea bass. Reports of big catch such as more than 10 kilos toman snakehead, more than 3 kilos “bangus” and more than 2 kilos tilapia, being occasionally caught by some lucky anglers, gave us the inspirations, though we have been warned that landing one is pretty difficult.

The view of the lake is not bad, for a lake which is a pure product of engineering in a rather flat area of the great plain of Central Luzon, it can be considered nicely done. With the trees and grass that have now fully grown, the place is now a calm alternative refuge for Filipino anglers.

The participants immediately set up their gears upon arrival, just after a short reconnaissance of the area. Everyone was excited and hopeful that luck will strike and hook a biggy.

It did not take long before everyone is busy wetting their lines, casting and retrieving. We can see a lot of big fishes creating a massive splash in the water, but enticing them for a bite needs patience and creativity as the juvenile fish were the ones busy biting our offerings.

The mammoth catch is quite elusive. We have been casting, waiting, retrieving and casting again for several hours and everyone is still yet to catch their 1st good size fish. Since it is getting late, and everyone is still skunked, my brother wisely decided to change the fishing style and targets the tilapia. He also helped my son to change his set-up to avoid getting bored. And they started catching pan-sized fish, still small by our standard, but good eating. This was noticed by my daughter and wife who followed through and soon, they too, were reaping tilapia as well as small “biya” (a type of freshwater fish) and flowerhorn (cichlid) which we all released.

During the final hours, we are all into tilapia catching mood. But the young ones who changed gear earlier and are probably better angler that day easily took the trophies. My daughter was declared the second placer, winning a nice Lemax GFC Action Rod donated by my brother Bogs.

My son Naven easily bagged the first priced trophy of a nice Abu Garcia Ambassadeur Conventional Reel donated by Bojo. Whilst he originally came to the lake with only a mammoth “toman” or “bangus” bigger than his previous catch (more than 2 kilos in Island Cove) in mind, his decision to change tackle early on and be satisfied with tilapia earned him the championship.

We, adults, may be disappointed that no biggies were bagged, but both young winners were quite happy that they outsmarted us. Sometimes desire for a bigger take will end you with an empty hand. But we are glad though that the young ones were elated. After all, that day was really arranged for their enjoyment.

Over-all, we had a great time. It could be happier should other family members were able to join and should biggies made a bite. But as we always said at the end of every unproductive fishing adventure, there is always a next time. We bid the night good bye with a huge smile as we shifted our mind to the next event which is the Pangasinan saltwater fishing. c“,)

Christmas Fishing Tourney of the Tarlac Anglers

The Tarlac Anglers through its officer Bogs Villanueva recently announced the series of fishing tournaments dubbed as “Christmas Fishing Tourney” to be held during the Christmas Holiday of 2009. The 4-leg tournament which will cover both freshwater and saltwater type of angling will be held in the four (4) most popular fishing sites around Luzon (Philippines) which are frequented by the majority of members of Pinoy Anglers, where most Tarlac Anglers are also active members.

These fishing holes, located within the regions of Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog are: 1. Bane, Pangasinan, 2. Laiya, San Juan, Batangas, 3. Pantabangan Dam, Nueva Ecija and 4. Dingalan, Aurora.

The mini tournament is an exclusive event open only among the members of the Tarlac Anglers and their immediate families. Exciting prices compose of fishing reels, rods, lures & other fishing accessories await the lucky winners. A Christmas fishing holiday guaranteed of fun and excitement awaits all the members. Specific dates of the tourney will be announced later. The details of the event however are as follows:

The participants can expect to catch any of the many varieties of fish mentioned above. These have been caught before by the members as shown in some of the memorable photos as follows:

To ensure the success of this significant event, some celebrity sponsors are chosen to provide the needed assistance (moral, spiritual and financial), one each for a particular leg of the tournament.

For the Bane, Pangasinan trip, Boyet will be the sponsor to be represented by his beautiful daughter Ceejay who recently graced the cover of a popular teen magazine.

For the Laiya, San Juan, Batangas tourney, Bojo is the patron to be represented by Cha who was featured in the cover of a well known fashion magazine (front, right) along with some other top bikini models.

For the Pantabangan Dam, Nueva Ecija fishing, Eymi will be the benefactor. Just like the other sponsors, she was, as shown here, recently requested to pose in the cover of a thrilling magazine.

Lastly, for the Dingalan, Aurora tournament, Maya will be sponsoring the activity. She is shown here when she was chosen to be the cover girl of a higly entertaining pet magazine.

If you are wondering why you are not seeing copies of the said magazines in your favorite news stand, it’s because the limited edition for which they were launched were immediately sold out after days of its release. And the publisher ferociously refused to print more.:)

(Alright, the section of the post in italics is only intended to make you smile.) c“,)