Saltwater Angling in the Philippines (Trolling and Bottom Fishing)

Angling or Sport Fishing is always a part of my itinerary whenever I am on vacation or holiday back home in the Philippines. This was also true during my short emergency leave last month. My younger brother Bogs and a cousin Allen, both of which are active members of the Tarlac Anglers, immediately arranged a saltwater angling adventure in our favorite fishing hole in Bane, Pangasinan. We have been fishing the same water for quite a long time, the latest of which was during the family-exclusive tournament last December 2009 which I posted here.

Since we only caught small reef fishes during that mini-tournament, the game plan this time is fundamentally to try trolling for the big and strong fighter fishes like giant trevally (GT) or “talakitok”, seerfish or wahoo or “taningue”, yellow fin tuna or “tambakol”, bullet tuna or “bonito”, great barracuda or “barakuda” and dolphin fish or “dorado”.

As a fall back however, we also set up and readied our medium-heavy gears for the reliable bottom fishing in the event that trolling will prove to be unproductive due to the cloudy and windy weather condition. At least with this method, we will be able to catch good tasting groupers or “lapu lapu”, coastal trevally or “talakitok”, snapper or “maya-maya”, emperor or “bugsi” and other colorful reef fishes.

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“,)

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“,)

Pangasinan: Tarlac Anglers' Little Paradise

Among the favorites and probably the healthiest fishing spot frequented by the Tarlac Anglers is the one secluded by lush greeneries of the Philippine province of Pangasinan. The hole, considered as their little angling paradise, is not easily accessible due to restricting natural terrain and undeveloped roadway. It was secretly introduced to the group by some friends from Dagupan Anglers who accidentally discovered it while attending a fiesta (feast) celebration. It has since then became the fishing playground of both clubs during weekends and holidays providing them with countless memorable angling experiences.

Whenever members of the Tarlac Anglers will converge in their home base at Tarlac City (Philippines) during special gatherings or occasions, hitting the waters of that little paradise is in the top agenda. Be it bottom fishing, jigging or trolling, known fighting gamefishes like wahoo (“tanigue”), yellow lip emperor (“camasuhon/bugsi”), barracuda (“barakuda”) and dolphin fish (“dorado”) among others are always ready to provide adrenaline-pumping adventures (fighting the fish) and unforgettable moments (landing the fish).

Regular catch also includes the delicious red grouper (“lapu-lapu”), the tasty picnic sea bream (“bitilya”) and the beautiful but bland & somewhat repulsively smelling trigger fish (“papakol”) in multitude of colors and sizes.

For as long as the sea condition is right, one can expect coolers filled with abundant harvest which will help convince the wife that coming back is worthwhile, rewarding and necessary. C”,)

For Tarlac Anglers, like all other fishing groups, the next trip is usually planned while devouring the catch over a bottle of favorite drinks. On which time, the wives keep cool but vigilant, for they know, after drinking one too many, the fish is always caught by the mouth.:-))