Mekong Dams Threaten Extinction of Giant Catfish

June 20, 2013, 1:21 pm

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By Joshua Lipes
2013-06-19

   

    

In a file photo, Cambodians release a Mekong giant catfish into the wild in Phnom Penh.

AFP

Dams across the mainstream of Southeast Asia’s lower Mekong River, such as the Xayaburi dam under construction in northern Laos, could drive the waterway’s endangered giant catfish to extinction, a wildlife protection group said Thursday.

The elusive Mekong giant catfish, which the U.S.-based World Wildlife Fund (WWF) called “one of the world’s largest and rarest freshwater fish,” can reach up to three meters (10 feet) and weigh up to 300 kilograms (660 pounds).

The Xayaburi dam would prove an “impassable barrier” for the migratory catfish, which is believed to only exist in numbers of up to a couple hundred, WWF said in a statement based on the findings of a new study.

“A fish the size of a Mekong giant catfish simply will not be able to swim across a large barrier like a dam to reach its spawning grounds upstream,” said Zeb Hogan, the study’s author and associate research professor at the University of Nevada.

“These river titans need large, uninterrupted stretches of water to migrate, and specific water quality and flow conditions to move through their lifecycles of spawning, eating and breeding.”

The giant catfish is already in “steep decline” due to overfishing, habitat destruction and dams along the Mekong’s tributaries, the WWF said, adding that the Xayaburi dam could “disrupt and even block spawning, and increase mortality if the fish pass through dam turbines.”

“It’s likely the Mekong giant catfish use the stretch of river of the Xayaburi dam as a migration corridor, with adult fish likely passing through this area on their migration from floodplain rearing areas to upstream spawning sites,” Hogan said.

“It is also possible the giant catfish spawn in the area where the dam is now located.”

Dam controversy

Construction on the controversial U.S. $3.5 billion dam, which will be the first across the main stem of Southeast Asia’s key waterway, resumed last year following delays amid objections from Laos’s neighbors.

The dam’s construction is still in its early stages, with officials saying in March that about 8 percent had been completed.

The dam has come under criticism for what some groups have said are significant gaps in data about its potential socio-economic and environmental impact, particularly in terms of how it will affect fish populations in the Mekong.

Finnish consulting firm Poyry Group, which had published a glowing assessment of the dam’s impact, had said that “fish passages” can be built into the Xayaburi to allow fish to get past the dam’s turbines while swimming up and down the Mekong, but WWF said that the claim has never been successfully put into practice.

“You can’t expect fish ladders to work without understanding your target species, their swimming capabilities, and the water current that will attract these fish toward the pass entrance,” said Eric Baran of the World Fish Centre.

“Research is still needed to ensure mitigation efforts will work.”

An earlier study had recommended a 10-year moratorium on all Mekong mainstream dams due to a need for further research on their potentially catastrophic impact.

Dropping numbers

Mekong giant catfish were once widely distributed through the Mekong river basin, possibly as far as Myanmar and southwestern China, and were relatively abundant up until the early 1900s.

But WWF said that their numbers have since plummeted and the species is now limited to the Mekong and its tributaries in Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.

Catch figures have dropped from thousands of fish in the late 1880s, to dozens in the 1990s, and only a few in recent times.

Thailand, Laos and Cambodia regulate fishing for the giant catfish, with bans in place in Thailand and Cambodia, but the species is still fished illegally and accidentally in fisheries targeting other species.

“Catches should be monitored to ensure that Mekong giant catfish are not being illegally targeted by fishers,” University of Nevada’s Hogan said.

“Incidental catch should also be monitored since it is one of the best and only sources of information about the distribution, life history and abundance of this river giant.”

WWF recommended several measures to prevent the giant catfish’s disappearance, including the urgent protection of its migratory corridors and habitat, as well as increased international cooperation, since the species occurs in an international river and crosses country borders to complete its life cycle.

“The Mekong giant catfish symbolizes the ecological integrity of the Mekong River because the species is so vulnerable to fishing pressure and changes in the river environment,” said Dr. Lifeng Li, director of WWF’s Global Freshwater Programme.

“Its status is an indicator of the health of the entire river, and its recovery is an important part of the sustainable management of the Mekong basin,” he said.

“The Mekong giant catfish can be saved, but it will take a level of commitment from all lower Mekong countries, as well as international organizations and donors, that currently does not exist.”


Full Article:  RFA

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Sea Survival

June 20, 2013, 1:31 pm

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SEASHORES

Search planes or ships do not always spot a drifting raft or swimmer. You may have to land along the coast before being rescued. Surviving along the seashore is different from open sea survival. Food and water are more abundant and shelter is obviously easier to locate and construct.
If you are in friendly territory and decide to travel, it is better to move along the coast than to go inland. Do not leave the coast except to avoid obstacles (swamps and cliffs) or unless you find a trail that you know leads to human habitation.
In time of war, remember that the enemy patrols most coastlines. These patrols may cause problems for you if you land on a hostile shore. You will have extremely limited travel options in this situation. Avoid all contact with other humans, and make every effort to cover all tracks you leave on the shore.

 

Special Health Hazards

Coral, poisonous and aggressive fish, crocodiles, sea urchins, sea biscuits, sponges, anemones, and tides and undertow pose special health hazards.
Coral


Coral, dead or alive, can inflict painful cuts. There are hundreds of water hazards that can cause deep puncture wounds, severe bleeding, and the danger of infection. Clean all coral cuts thoroughly. Do not use iodine to disinfect any coral cuts. Some coral polyps feed on iodine and may grow inside your flesh if you use iodine.


Poisonous Fish


Many reef fish have toxic flesh. For some species, the flesh is always poisonous, for other species, only at certain times of the year. The poisons are present in all parts of the fish, but especially in the liver, intestines, and eggs.
Fish toxins are water soluble--no amount of cooking will neutralize them. They are tasteless, therefore the standard edibility tests are use-less. Birds are least susceptible to the poisons. Therefore, do not think that because a bird can eat a fish, it is a safe species for you to eat.
The toxins will produce a numbness of the lips, tongue, toes, and tips of the fingers, severe itching, and a clear reversal of temperature sensations. Cold items appear hot and hot items cold. There will probably also be nausea, vomiting, loss of speech, dizziness, and a paralysis that eventually brings death.
In addition to fish with poisonous flesh, there are those that are dangerous to touch. Many stingrays have a poisonous barb in their tail. There are also species that can deliver an electric shock. Some reef fish, such as stonefish and toadfish, have venomous spines that can cause very painful although seldom fatal injuries. The venom from these spines causes a burning sensation or even an agonizing pain that is out of proportion to the apparent severity of the wound. Jellyfish, while not usually fatal, can inflict a very painful sting if it touches you with its tentacles. See Chapter 11 and Appendix F for details on particularly dangerous fish of the sea and seashore.


Aggressive Fish


You should also avoid some ferocious fish. The bold and inquisitive barracuda has attacked men wearing shiny objects. It may charge lights or shiny objects at night. The sea bass, which can grow to 1.7 meters, is another fish to avoid. The moray eel, which has many sharp teeth and grows to 1.5 meters, can also be aggressive if disturbed.


Sea Snakes


Sea snakes are venomous and sometimes found in mid ocean. They are unlikely to bite unless provoked. Avoid them.


Crocodiles


Crocodiles inhabit tropical saltwater bays and mangrove-bordered estuaries and range up to 65 kilometers into the open sea. Few remain near inhabited areas. You commonly find crocodiles in the remote areas of the East Indies and Southeast Asia. Consider specimens over 1 meter long dangerous, especially females guarding their nests. Crocodile meat is an excellent source of food when available.


Sea Urchins, Sea Biscuits, Sponges, and Anemones


These animals can cause extreme, though seldom fatal, pain. Usually found in tropical shallow water near coral formations, sea urchins resemble small, round porcupines. If stepped on, they slip fine needles of lime or silica into the skin, where they break off and fester. If possible, remove the spines and treat the injury for infection. The other animals mentioned inflict injury similarly.


Tides and Undertow


These are another hazard to contend with. If caught in a large wave's undertow, push off the bottom or swim to the surface and proceed shoreward in a trough between waves. Do not fight against the pull of the undertow. Swim with it or perpendicular to it until it loses strength, then swim for shore.

Food

Obtaining food along a seashore should not present a problem. There are many types of seaweed and other plants you can easily find and eat. See Chapter 9 and Appendix B for a discussion of these plants.
There is a great variety of animal life that can supply your need for food in this type of survival situation.


Mollusks


Mussels, limpets, clams, sea snails, octopuses, squids, and sea slugs are all edible. Shellfish will usually supply most of the protein eaten by coastal survivors. Avoid the blue-ringed octopus and cone shells (described in Chapter 11 and Appendix F). Also beware of "red tides" that make mollusks poisonous. Apply the edibility test on each species before eating.


Worms


Coastal worms are generally edible, but it is better to use them for fish bait. Avoid bristle worms that look like fuzzy caterpillars. Also avoid tubeworms that have sharp-edged tubes. Arrowworms, alias amphioxus, are not true worms. You find them in the sand and are excellent either fresh or dried.


Crabs, Lobsters, and Barnacles


These animals are seldom dangerous to man and are an excellent food source. The pincers of larger crabs or lobsters can crush a man's finger. Many species have spines on their shells, making it preferable to wear gloves when catching them. Barnacles can cause scrapes or cuts and are difficult to detach from their anchor, but the larger species are an excellent food source.


Sea Urchins


These are common and can cause painful injuries when stepped on or touched. They are also a good source of food. Handle them with gloves, and remove all spines.


Sea Cucumbers


This animal is an important food source in the Indo-Pacific regions. Use them whole after evisceration or remove the five muscular strips that run the length of its body. Eat them smoked, pickled, or cooked.

Source:  Wilderness-survival

Merantau demi ikan pekasam

June 24, 2013, 12:23 pm

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Robin dan isteri sedang membungkus ikan pekasam sebelum dipasarkan.

Ikan yang dijadikan pekasam perlu diperam selama dua hari sebelum dicampur rempah-ratus. 

 

MOHD ALI HASHIM
5 September 2012

                                                            

Dilahirkan sebagai anak seorang nelayan di Sandakan, Sabah, amat membanggakan bagi Bernad Arasad, 36. Berkat berjinak-jinak dengan laut sejak kecil lagi menimbulkan minat sehinggalah ia mampu mendapat manfaat darinya sehingga kini.

Disebabkan minat yang mendalam dengan ikan dan hidupan laut, Bernad atau lebih dikenali sebagai Robin dengan dibantu oleh isterinya Wahayu Nengsih, 29, sanggup bersusah payah merantau sehingga ke Merbau Kudong, Sungai Dua, Tasek Gelugor, Seberang Perai Utara, untuk menjadikan ikan pekasam sebagai punca pendapatan bagi menyara empat anaknya yang masih di bangku sekolah.

Berbekalkan tulang empat kerat dan semangat juang yang ada, kedua-dua pasangan suami isteri ini  mula menceburi produk ikan pekasam ini sejak lapan tahun lalu.

“Saya percaya di mana ada kemahuan, di situ ada jalannya. Oleh itu, apabila melihat adanya peluang untuk mengusahakan ikan pekasam saya tidak menolak sokongan yang diberikan oleh Jabatan Pertanian," kata Robin lagi.

Ikan puyu, tilapia merah, keli dan lampam adalah antara ikan yang turut menjadi bekalan untuk dijadikan ikan pekasam oleh pasangan ini.

Robin berkata, ikan yang dijadikan pekasam akan diperam selama dua hari dalam peti sejuk. Kemudian ia akan dicampurkan dengan rempah-ratus sebelum diperam pula selama lima hari.

Gula merah, asam jawa, asam keping serta cuka adalah antara bahan yang mereka gunakan bagi mengekalkan keaslian pekasam yang dihasilkan.

“Sebelum proses menjadikan ikan sebagai pekasam, jenis ikan yang hendak digunakan perlu dikenal pasti terlebih dahulu.

“Setelah itu, ia akan dicampur dengan bahan yang disediakan sebelum diperam dalam peti sejuk untuk tempoh tertentu supaya sebati dengan semua campuran yang diadun," ujar Wahayu pula.

Mampu tahan selama setahun

Setiap ikan pekasam yang diperam dalam peti sejuk mampu bertahan selama satu tahun selagi ia tidak diletakkan di bawah sinaran matahari.

Sekiranya ia didedahkan kepada cahaya panas, keasliannya akan tercemar dan boleh menjadi busuk serta tidak enak dimakan.

Setelah cukup tempoh diperam selama tujuh hari, ikan-ikan pekasam akan dikeluarkan dan dibungkus ke dalam plastik mengikut saiz dan bentuknya sebelum disimpan untuk pasaran.

Robin berkata, dari segi pasaran, mereka tidak menghadapi masalah kerana mempunyai pengguna setia di seluruh kawasan utara.

“Ikan pekasam ini lebih banyak mendapat perhatian masyarakat Melayu khususnya apabila menjelang bulan Ramadan. Namun, mereka yang mengetahui hasil yang dikeluarkan oleh kami, kerap mendapatkannya dari sini," katanya.

Menurutnya, setiap hari sebanyak 30 kilogram ikan puyu perlu disiapkan bagi memenuhi kehendak pengguna. Manakala sebanyak 100 kilogram ikan tilapia merah pula dapat dihasilkan.

Selain itu, ikan keli pula perlu disediakan sebanyak 30 kilogram setiap hari. Ikan lampam turut mendapat perhatian dengan menyediakan  20 kilogram setiap hari.  

Walaupun terpaksa berhempas pulas siang dan malam bagi menyediakan ikan-ikan pekasam itu, Robin dan Wahayu tidak pernah merasa sukar kerana sudah biasa dengan tugasan itu.

Apa yang penting bagi Robin dan isterinya  adalah mendapatkan ikan yang cukup bagi memenuhi kehendak masyarakat.

Oleh itu, mereka turut memelihara  beberapa jenis ikan yang menjadi kegemaran masyarakat dalam takungan di kediaman mereka.

Source:  Sinarharian

How to Care for and Clean Your Fishing Rod

June 24, 2013, 2:15 pm

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Posted by nick under Tips and Tricks

Your fishing rod, if properly cared for should last a very long time. Follow these care and maintance tips to ensure that it does.

General Care

• Do not hand lures or hooks from the guides. This will surely scratch the surface of the guides and negatively affect your casting. Use the hook-keeper.
• Do not let your lures bang the tip top by reeling in them in all the way.
• Do not “high-stick.” This refers to over-flexing the rod and creating excess pressure on the tip top. When fighting a fish do not lift the rod past 90 degrees.
• Don’t strike the rod against hard surfaces.

Transport

• Place your rod in your car or truck so that the rod is not banging against another rod or hard surface, and so nothing heavy will fall on it, smash it or otherwise damage it.
• If you have more than one rod, consider using one a rod transport system, there are many ingenious designs to meet your particular needs.

In the Field

• When there is sufficient space, carry the rod horizontally with the tip pointing behind you. This will keep you from digging the tip into the ground and breaking it off.
• Never lay your rod flat on the ground; that’s like asking for it to be stepped on. Use a bank rod holder instead.
• If you have to lean the rod on your car, make sure you do it away from any open car doors. Car doors and fishing rods don’t play well together and the car door always wins.Other Options: Try leaning the rod in the recess between the side view mirror and the car body or use a magnetic rod holder.

Cleaning

• Wash the entire rod with soap and fresh water. Rinse hot and let it dry thoroughly. Taking a shower with the rod after a good fishing day is a an easy way to get this done.
• Ensure that the ferules are clean. Wipe down the male ferrules and apply a little grease or candle wax. Use a Q-tip to make sure the female ferules are free of dirt and grit.
• Examine the guides for scratches. You can run a cotton ball or ladies nylon hose through the guides to see if it snags. If the the guides are damaged replace them promptly.

Storage

• Do not store your rod by leaning it on a wall or corner of a room. This will cause it to “set” (unwanted bend) over time.
• Do use a good rack system to keep your rod off the floor and out of harm’s way.

Source:  Fishingnoobs

Shimano Talica TAC20BFC Billfish Lever Drag Reel

June 24, 2013, 2:24 pm

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Shimano Talica TAC20BFC Billfish Lever Drag Reel

The Shimano Talica True Billfish concept lever drag reel is designed for being able to meet highest level of pro tournament requirements of Pro Billfish. These innovative reels offer moderate drag curve under low drag setting, the only model at this time that offers this.

• External Strike detent which is best solution for circle hook setting by lever drag
• Long Life Clicker
• Weight Reduced frame
• Weight Reduction Holes to keep reel weight balance in check
• Reinforced mono spool
• High tension preset knob under low drag setting helps to decrease line breakage by avoiding accidental drag changes
• Over-sized gear box for 60" drive gear
• Hollow lightweight knob for improved speed

All of these features allow for these reels to be most efficient when it comes to speed, weight and the fast paced environment of a pro tournament.

Product Video:
Video Discussing Shimano TAC20BFC Billfish Lever Drag Reel Source: Tackledirect

Golden trevally

June 24, 2013, 2:37 pm

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Golden trevally
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Suborder:	Percoidei
Superfamily:	Percoidea
Family:	Carangidae
Genus:	Gnathanodon Bleeker, 1851
Species:	G. speciosus
Binomial name
Gnathanodon speciosus (Forsskål, 1775)
Approximate range of the golden trevally
Synonyms
Scomber speciosusForsskål, 1775 Caranx speciosus(Forsskål, 1775) Caranx panamensisGill, 1863 Caranx edentulusAlleyne & Macleay, 1877 Caranx civesDe Vis, 1884 Caranx obtusicepsMacleay, 1882 Caranx petauristaGeoffroy St. Hilaire, 1817 Caranx poloosooRichardson, 1848 Caranx rueppelliiGünther (ex Rüppell), 1860

The golden trevally, Gnathanodon speciosus (also known as the golden kingfish, banded trevally and king trevally), is a species of large marinefish classified in the jack and horse mackerel family Carangidae, and the only member of the genusGnathanodon. The golden trevally is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, ranging from South Africa in the west to Central America in the east, extending to Japan in the north and Australia in the south. The species predominantly occupies inshore waters where it inhabits both reef and sandy substrates. The golden trevally is easily distinguished from its relatives by its fleshy, rubbery lips and unique colouration, which ranges from bright yellow with black bars as a juvenile to a golden-silvery colour as an adult. It is known to grow to 120 cm in length and 15 kg in weight. The golden trevally schools as a juvenile, often closely following larger objects including sharks and jellyfish. The species uses its protractile jaws to suck out prey from the sand or reef, and consumes a variety of fish, crustaceans and molluscs. Spawning aggregations gather at night at different times of the year throughout its range. The golden trevally is a considerable constituent of several Middle Easternfisheries and being of minor importance to many others, with a worldwide annual catch of 1187 t to 3475 t recorded between 2000 and 2010. The golden trevally is a popular gamefish, taken by bait, lure, fly and also spear throughout its range. Several Asian countries currently farm the fish in caged aquaculture. Due to their brilliant colouration, juveniles are popular in marine aquaria.

Taxonomy and phylogeny

A school of subadult golden trevally in Panama

The golden trevally is the only member of the monotypic genus Gnathanodon, which is one of the thirty genera in the jack and horse mackerel family Carangidae, a group of perciform fishes in the suborder Percoidei.^[1]
The species was scientifically described for the first time by the SwedishnaturalistPeter Forsskål in 1775.^[2] Forsskål referred the species to the genus Scomber, where many jacks were placed before the recognition of the family Carangidae. The species is initially referred with two epithets; Scomber rim, speciosus in this publication; however the following page names it as Scomber speciosus with 'rim' given as a transcription of the species' Arabic name.^[3] Consequently, authorities regard Scomber rim as a junior synonym.^[4] Forsskål's description was based on an individual from the Red Sea off Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The holotype has since been lost and a neotype was invalidly designated by Ronald Fricke in 1999.^[5] The specific epithet speciosus is Latin for beautiful.^[6] The species was transferred to Caranx before the DutchichthyologistPieter Bleeker placed it in its own genus Gnathanodon, with this name derived from the Latin for 'toothless jaws'.^[6] In addition to Forsskål's naming, seven other later names have been ascribed to the fish, with all of these now recognised as invalid junior synonyms under ICZN rules.^[4] The species common names generally refer to its appearance with 'golden trevally' (or kingfish), 'banded trevally' and 'king trevally' used. In Hawaii the species is referred to as the 'yellow ulua' or 'papio'.^[7]
A study on the phylogenetic relationships of the Carangidae based primarily on osteology by Soko Gushiken found that Gnathanodon is closely related to and forms a monophyletic group with Caranx.^[8] The species has yet to be included in any molecular phylogeny study of the family.

Description

A juveline golden trevally displaying the prominent dark bands

The golden trevally is a relatively large fish, growing to a maximum recorded size of 120 cm in length^[9] and 15.0 kg in weight.^[10] It is similar to most other trevallies and jacks in having a compressed, oblong body, with the dorsal profile slightly more convex than the ventral profile, particularly anteriorly.^[11] The species' mouth is one of its defining features; the mouth is highly protractile and fleshy, with specimens greater than 90 mm having no teeth on the jaws, vomer or tongue. Smaller individuals have a series of small villiform teeth in both jaws.^[12] The dorsal fin is in two parts, the first with 7 spines, the second with 1 spine and 18 to 20 soft rays. The anal fin has 2 detached spines followed by 1 spine and 15 to 17 soft rays,^[11] while the pelvic fin consists of 1 spine and 19 to 20 soft rays.^[12] The curved part of the lateral line is moderately arched; containing 62 to 73 scales, and approximately equal in length to the straight section containing 15 to 27 scales and 18 to 25 scutes. The breast is completely scaled.^[12][13] There are 27 to 30 gill rakers and 24 vertebrae in total.^[11]
The golden trevally's colour is the species most prominent distinguishing feature, and for which it acquired its common names. Juveniles are a bright golden yellow colour over their entire body and all fins, with 7 to 11 black vertical crossbars all over their body. These bars generally alternate between broad and narrow. The caudal fin lobes have dark tips and there is a prominent black edge to the operculum. As the fish grows, the body becomes more silver to silvery golden and the cross bars fade or disappear, often replaced by dark blotches. The fins remain yellow, often with greenish tinges. The dark edge of the operculum also fades with age.^[13][14]

Distribution and habitat

A golden trevally foraging in the sand

The golden trevally is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.^[13] In the Indian Ocean, the species is distributed from South Africa^[6] along the east African coastline, including the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Its distribution extends east along the Indian and South East Asian coastlines, and south through Indonesia and northern Australia.^[15] Golden trevally are recorded from many Indian Ocean islands including Madagascar, The Seychelles and The Maldives.^[7][9] In the Pacific, the species is spread throughout the South East Asian and Indonesian archipelago north mainland China and Japan and south to eastern Australia and New Zealand.^[7][12] Golden trevally have been recorded from many central Pacific Islands, including Hawaii, with their distribution extending to central America. Here its range extends from the Gulf of California in the north to Colombia in the south.^[14]
The golden trevally predominantly occupies inshore waters of varying substrate, although is know to occur on deeper continental shelfreefs in Australia.^[13] In coastal areas the species inhabits rocky and coral reefs as well as open sand flats where it forages for food.^[9][11] A systematic study in northern Australia indicated it to be one of the only species to be approximately equally distributed in both reef and soft-bottom habitats.^[16] Golden trevally appear to prefer clear water to turbid waters,^[13] and thus is only encountered rarely in low turbidity estuarine environments.^[17] One known exception to this was the capture of several individuals in a shallow mangrove swamp in Baja California which appeared to be foraging for prey.^[

 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

         

Fishing For Freshwater Trout

June 25, 2013, 1:18 pm

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Fishing For Freshwater Trout

People been fishing for sport for in around fifty generations now. What started as a means of survival has become a favourite pastime in North America and beyond, creating a hunger for fishing tips and aspects of fishing to be revealed in many different contexts. Learning about fishing and learning about different types of fish can be very exciting and interesting to many people.
Trout is the most common freshwater fish. They are equal to any other of the sport fish and they stand at the top of the food chain in most rivers and streams where they live. Years ago, a successful angler was judged by how many of these popular fish he could catch at one time, but now the wise angler practises catch-and-release tactics so the numbers of trout will always be plentiful. Part of what makes an angler a responsible one is caring for the sport of fishing and fish populations for generations to come.
The most popular trout fish that anglers enjoy trying to lure in is known as the “brown trout”. The brown trout provides plenty of excitement for anglers and tests fishing skills. Because it often feeds on the surface, the brown trout is considered a fish designed for the angler. It is a cold-water fish that lives in lakes and streams and jumps around the most when the water temperature is just right The brown trout got its reputation from rich English gentleman who enjoyed the trout’s fight. The world record brown trout weighed around forty pounds and was taken in Arkansas in 1992.
One of the most the most glamorized fish of the trout family actually is not a trout at all. Surprisingly, scientists have recently discovered the rainbow trout is actually a smaller cousin of the Pacific Salmon. Rainbow trout are considered a peaceful fish despite their family heritage. They coexist with any other fish in the stream. While the brown trout prefers slower water and calmer pools, the rainbow trout likes the more oxygen-rich fast running water. That enthusiasm makes the rainbow a favourite of the angler.
There is yet another trout that is not actually a trout. The Brooke trout or “brookie” lives in the cooler streams of the north-eastern US and is related to the char. This makes it a relative of the lake trout rather than a member of the family. Because the fish is only found in wilderness areas, the Brooke trout is a special favourite with anglers. Wherever they’re found, fisherman can be sure the water is pure and the ecology unspoiled. The “brookie” is often criticized for being pretty but not necessarily smart. Although anglers praise them for their beauty, it’s well known that there are harder fish to catch. The world record for the biggest Brooke trout takes place in Canada in 1918. A fourteen-pound “brookie” was caught in the Nipigon River in Ontario, Canada.
Other trout species include the red trout, a species that enjoys hiding in bracken and branches, and the deeper-water lake trout. Current population control laws protect the lake trout, requiring anglers to release catches that measure certain sizes. The size of the lake trout indicates its potential to spawn and release fertilized eggs. With continued programs of trout population protection and responsible fishing, the trout will certainly continue to survive for generations to come.



Source:  Trawlingtips

Keunikan percutian Ekopelancongan

July 2, 2013, 11:19 am

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TEKS & GAMBAR: ROSMALINI MD YAKIN

Bersiar-siar dipesisir pantai dengan kereta kuda pasti memberikab pengalaman berbeza.

Bersiap sedia untuk aktiviti berkayak.

Pengalaman bermalam di sebuah resort yang tidak jauh dari Bandar Kuantan, Pahang benar-benar memberi seribu pengertian mengenai pentingnya memelihara alam semula jadi agar generasi akan datang turut berpeluang merasai keindahannya.

Terletak kira-kira lapan kilometer dari Pusat Bandar Kuantan, ia dikenali sebagai KempVille Beach Resort menawarkan pelbagai kemudahan riadah dalam suasana tenang yang dengan tiupan angin dari Laut China Selatan sesekali menghempas pantai cukup mendamaikan.

Dua hari berada di sini, penulis disajikan pemandangan cukup indah dan mempesonakan. Kempville ditubuhkan pada 2008, telah enam tahun beroperasi sebagai sebuah pusat pelancongan yang menarik sekitar Kuantan.

Sebelum ditubuhkan sekelilingnya adalah hutan yang ditumbuhi dengan pelbagai spesies flora dan fauna. Jadi agak mudah bagi pengurusan chalet ini mengekalkan suasana semula jadi hanya dengan memperindah persekitaran yang sedia ada menjadi landskap menarik sesuai untuk percutian.

Menurut pihak pengurusan di sini, sejak ditubuhkan enam tahun lalu setiap kali menjelang musim cuti sekolah tempahan untuk menginap di sini pasti akan penuh. Pengunjung dinasihatkan membuat tempahan awal bagi mengelakkan kesukaran mendapat chalet.

“Kempvalle yang terletak sedikit ke pedalaman amat sesuai bagi seisi keluarga, pasangan berbulan madu dan pelajar untuk meluangkan masa cuti di sini. Tidak lupa juga bagi mereka yang gemar memancing pastinya menjanjikan habuan lumayan,” katanya.

Jadi, tidak hairanlah setiap kali cuti hujung minggu atau cuti perlepasan Kempvalle sentiasa dipenuhi peserta atau keluarga yang menjalankan aktiviti masing-masing. Struktur geografi semula jadi Kempvalle juga menjadi daya penarik mengapa destinasi ini menjadi pilihan pengunjung dari serata Malaysia dan ada juga Singapura serta Brunei.

Kedudukan Kempvalle berhampiran laut dan muara sungai yang membentuk tasik menjadikan ia lokasi strategik bagi burung bermusim untuk berhijrah ke sini apabila perubahan cuaca berlaku di tempat mereka.

Spesies seperti bangau, enggang dan pelatuk yang jinak pasti akan menghampiri pengunjung. Bagi pasangan berbulan madu, suasana romantik matahari terbit dan terbenam pada petangnya sememangnya dijanjikan Kempvalle. Ia ibarat lokasi yang boleh menghilangkan tekanan sepanjang seminggu bekerja.

Chalet ala kampung harga berpatutan

Setiap kali percutian kita pasti akan merancang bajet sebaik mungkin. Bagi mereka yang berjimat cermat tetapi tidak ingin melepaskan peluang untuk bercuti semestinya Kempvalle adalah destinasi tepat untuk meluangkan masa bersama keluarga.

Hanya dua jam pemanduan dari Terengganu dan enam jam dari Kelantan, Kempvalle adalah destinasi menarik di Pantai Timur yang boleh dilawati. Begitu juga pengunjung dari Kuala Lumpur boleh memilih lokasi ini untuk bercuti kerana jaraknya hanya tiga jam perjalanan.

Satu lagi keistimewaan di sini, selain suasana dan struktur geografinya yang menarik iaitu,  harga chalet yang ditawarkan juga berpatutan. Kadar chalet adalah dari RM70 hingga RM150 semalaman, termasuk sarapan pagi ala kampung.

Resort ini menyediakan empat jenis chalet untuk dipilih pengunjung. Semua chalet yang disediakan adalah berkonsepkan chalet ala kampung, iaitu lapan unit family suite, 16 unit  jenis superior, empat unit jenis deluxe dan 10 unit jenis standard.

Selain itu, terdapat juga kemudahan lain yang disediakan di resort ini, iaitu coffee house,  kemudahan bankuet dan barbeku (di tepi tasik). Oleh kerana harga murah dan lokasi yang menarik, pengunjung suka memilih tempat ini yang dianggap percutian nature sesuai dikongsi bersama keluarga mahupun rakan-rakan untuk bercuti.

Lubuk kaki pancing

Peluang menginap di Kempvalle tidak harus dilepaskan begitu sahaja, bagi keluarga yang ahlinya adalah kaki pancing ia ibarat ‘orang mengantuk disorongkan bantal’ kerana di sini terdapat dua kolam memancing di mana ia adalah muara antara sungai dan air laut yang terdapat pelbagai spesies ikan.

Bagi kaki pancing di sinilah tempat sesuai selain merehatkan minda dari kesibukan kota, mereka boleh melepaskan gian untuk mencuba nasib menaikkan ikan-ikan besar yang selalunya terdapat di laut.

Pengunjung Azman Abdul Manaf, 50, berkata selalunya dia dan keluarga akan menghabiskan cuti hujung minggu dengan memancing di sini.

“Hanya membayar harga chalet jenis standard pada kadar RM70 semalam, kami anak beranak dapat meluangkan masa dengan hobi masing-masing. Isteri suka akan suasana di sini, anak-anak dapat bermain di pantai, jadi saya dapat memancing yang menjanjikan pengalaman menewaskan ikan-ikan di laut.

“Menjelang tengah hari makanan dan minuman tersedia dan kami juga diberi kesempatan untuk memasak sendiri dengan menyediakan kawasan untuk BBQ seperti ikan bakar, ayam sotong dan sebagainya,” katanya.

Menurutnya, keterujaan kaki pancing tidak dapat dibendung lagi apabila ada yang berjaya menaikkan spesies ikan laut tanpa perlu ke tengah laut, sekali gus dapat berkongsi kegembiraan dengan keluarga.

“Biarpun hobi berlainan tetapi peluang bercuti dengan suasana tenang di Kempvalle dapat dimanfaatkan sepenuhnya oleh seluruh ahli keluarga kerana selain dikhaskan untuk kaki pancing. Terdapat juga aktiviti riadah lain yang menarik untuk dicuba,” katanya.

Aktiviti riadah menjanjikan keseronokan

Percutian di resort dengan dikelilingi keindahan alam semula jadi dan pokok buah-buahan tumbuh subur cukup mendamaikan adalah pengalaman bermakna.

Setiap kita mempunyai hobi dan kegemaran yang berbeza, tetapi itu semua tidak menjadi masalah sepanjang menginap di Kempvalle, sambil bersantai bagi pengunjung yang suka aktiviti mencabar anda boleh memilih untuk berkayak dan menyusuri sekeliling tasik hingga ke muara dengan menaiki sampan disediakan khas buat penggemar aktiviti ini.

Terdapat juga permainan seperti bola tampar dan bola sepak pantai, selain dapat memancing di laut bersama nelayan tempatan. Atas permintaan juga pengunjung berpeluang selam skuba di Pantai Kempadang berdekatan dengan Resort Kempvalle, minimum untuk lima orang bagi satu perjalanan.

Walaupun terletak di kawasan perkampungan tetapi pengunjung pasti teruja apabila berpeluang menaiki kereta kuda dan menunggang kuda yang disediakan pengurusan resort.
 Pengunjung juga boleh merasai menaiki ATV untuk bersiar-siar sekitar pantai. Harga yang dikenakan amat berpatutan.


Source:  Sinarharian

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Lake Fishing Techniques and Tips!

July 2, 2013, 11:35 am

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Fishing for the Beginners

Where to start?

A great place to start fishing is in your own area. Many people are surprised to find out that there are many spots to pond or lake fish in their own area. There are a few great resources you can use to find available fishing spots in your area. Kingfisher makes a great guide to lakes across the country. You can find lakes in your specific region and get an idea of what is available. Many states have listings and maps on lakes on their DNR website. When searching for a lake, never discount the local tackle shop. Most bait and tackle stores are staffed with local, knowledgeable staff who can suggest a watering hole that would be ideal for what you are looking for. This brings up a good question.

What are you looking for?

Are you looking to fish for a particular type of fish or are you looking to take the family out for a relaxing day and see what is biting. What you are fishing for will determine a few things: what lake you should fish on, what tackle you need to bring and, in many states, what licensing is required. Here is a brief description of some of the species of fish you may consider fishing for and what to expect fishing for them is like. Click on the species for more lake fishing tips!

 Specific Species

Bluegill- Bluegill is a fun little fish to catch, tasty too! Bluegill is fairly easy to catch and requires a minimal amount of equipment to fish for. Since they stay in schools if you find one, there is sure to be more. Most freshwater lakes have bluegill and many times they are close to shore, which makes them ideal for shore fishing. Bluegill like to nibble and run with a bait.
Crappie- Crappie fishing is fun from a boat. Many people like to set out their lines and troll deeper portions of the lake, looking for a school. Like with bluegill, once you find a school it is best to work that area heavily.
Bass- Bass are fun for a fight! Adult bass in the Midwest tend to be around 16 inches. Fishing for bass can be done from shore or from a boat. While bass fishing may take a bit more casting and patience, they are definitely worth it! You will know you have a bass because they like to aggressively strike the bait.
Catfish- Catfishing is great from the shore! For the most part, catfish can be as low maintenance to fish for as bluegill, but with a bigger payout. If you would like to night fish, catfish is perfect!
Carp- Carp are usually seen as a nuisance fish in the U.S. however, many folks are realizing how fun carp fishing can be. Carp are usually not the most tasty, but they are fairly easy to fish for and put up a great fight.
Steelhead- Steelhead are great if you are looking for a fight! If you have a good river or stream you can tap into when the steelhead are running, with a bit of equipment, you could be in for a big payoff and a great time.
Northern Pike- Northerns can take time, preparation, and patience, but the fight they put up is worth the extra effort. Normally, Northern Pike reside in deep water and can be tricky to hunt down, so a boat is needed. Also, be sure to be prepared to deal with their razor sharp teeth!

A fun day with the family

A simple worm and bobber rig is great for pan fish such as bluegill, perch, crappie, sunfish and pumpkin seeds. You will want to find a spot where you can see the bobbers and the wind will not carry them into brush. If you are looking to spend a fun day out with the family, or looking to get your kids introduced to some lake fishing techniques, pan fishing from shore is a great place to start. Pan fishing can be done with the minimal amount of equipment and is fairly easy to teach. You will want to select a location that is friendly for parking your crew. Many locations have piers or docks where you can set a few chairs or dangle your feet in the water. You may also want to see if there is a nearby bathroom!

A few other things to consider

Are you going to be fishing from the shore or from a boat? Here are a few things to consider:
Shoreline- Is the shoreline clear enough for you to have lake access? Is the shoreline shared with a swimming area? Does the lake have ample ideal fishing spots along the accessible shore (i.e. shade, lily pads, down stumps).
Boat fishing- Does the lake you select have a boat launch? Will you need to rent a boat? If you already have one, is it a size suiting to the lake you select?

Shoreline Fishing

Lake fishing from a shore line offers fisherman a wide variety of options with little prep time. By not relying on a boat to fish you can literally be ready to fish within minutes and you will have access to many of the smaller fishing holes that do not have boat access.
“Being raised only boat fishing, I was surprised at how liberating shore fishing was. I would have days when I was itching to fish, but couldn’t seem to fit a trip to the lake, uncovering the boat, loading up the gear, getting a few hours on the lake and then unloading the boat, covering it and making the drive back. I found a little public pond between work and home that I can stop at for ten minutes or a few hours. I keep a small tackle box in the car and a two piece rod in the trunk.”
When finding a lake or pond to shore fish from you want to make sure that the water has some movement to it or is fed from a natural spring or creek. If a pond or small lake doesn’t have movement with the water, there is a good chance that oxygen levels in the water are lower. This can result in a pond with few fish with sluggish biting habits.
Once you have your pond or lake selected, set up a small tackle box suited for what you are going to fish for. It is always best to have a few of the basics; spare hooks, sinkers, swivels, bobbers, favorite lures, etc. Some of the other basics you should have on you are a pair of needle nose pliers, a basket or stringer if you plan on keeping your catch and a pocket knife. If you have an extra reel handy, it is a good idea to bring that with, as well.
It is recommended that you rig up your rod before you actually get to the lake. It is much easier to thread the line through your eyes and tie your snaps when you aren’t dealing with wind or uneven ground.
When you arrive at the pond or lake find a spot where you think the fish will be. Look for areas with brush cover, weed pockets or lily pads. On your way to the spot you select, cast out your line, you never know what you are going to find or where they will be.
Above all, remember to have fun and relax. The fish my not bite immediately and you may need to try a few different spots, but a few minutes or a day of fishing beats a few minutes or a day not fishing!

Boat Fishing

Anchoring Down

If you have a boat or have decided to rent a boat, you have a couple of options on how you would like to fish. Anchoring down in one spot is common for pan fishing. If it is a hotter day, find a spot with deeper weed cover and a low depth. Bluegill and perch will go to the cooler water and will feed heavier in these areas. If it is spawn season, you will want to try to find a spawn bed, usually closer to the shoreline.
Stationary fishing can also be good when fishing for Northern pike, which tend to be in the deeper cold waters.

Moving and Casting

The most effective way to bass fish is to cast a crank-bait along the shore line or weed bed. With this practice you are slowly trolling along the shore line, stopping and casting as you go. This allows you to work your way around the lake and focus you casting in pockets where the bass may be laying. By using the trolling motor to control your pace and location, you can easily double back to a spot where you are getting hits.

Trolling

Trolling is setting your lines out, usually at a longer distance than one can cast; having your polls secured in the boat, and slowly trolling around the lake. This technique is great for crappie fishing, because it allows you to cover a great deal of area in a relatively short time. Since crappie are school fish, trolling allows you to find the schools and work the areas they are with ease
If you have enjoyed learning the beginning steps of lake fishing, check out our Lake Fishing Tips blog!

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Kecoh Ikan Gergasi Masuk Kampung

July 2, 2013, 12:06 pm

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BALING – Penduduk setempat di kawasan Kampung Lubuk Pedati kecoh setelah menjumpai ikan gergasi iaitu jenis arapaima sepanjang 1.5 meter yang terdampar di dalam sungai berdekatan kampung itu kira-kira jam 1.30 petang, kelmarin.
Ikan air tawar terbesar di dunia itu dijumpai berdeka-tan tebing sungai sebelum ia dikerumuni penduduk kampung yang melalui kawasan sungai itu.
Kebanyakan penduduk kampung terkejut kerana pertama kali melihat ikan bersaiz luar biasa itu terdampar di dalam sungai tersebut.
Penduduk, Nizam Hussin, 48, berkata, kemungkinan ikan gergasi sering dijumpai di Sungai Amazon itu dibuang oleh pihak tertentu sebelum hanyut ke kawasan perkampungan penduduk.
“Siapa yang tidak terkejut melihat ikan bersaiz gergasi di dalam sungai ini. Lagipun, penduduk tidak pernah terserempak dengan ikan ini sebelum ini. Disebabkan itu, ada kalangan penduduk yang terkejut,” katanya.
Katanya, memang ada penduduk yang memelihara ikan itu sebelum ini, tetapi tidak pasti ikan yang terdampar berkenaan adalah miliknya ataupun tidak.

“Selain itu, ada juga yang pihak yang mengatakan ikan berkenaan terlepas dan mati di dalam sungai ini semasa banjir di Baling baru-baru ini,” katanya.
Menurutnya, walaupun apa pun, ikan seperti itu tidak seharusnya dibuang begitu sahaja ke dalam sungai kerana ia boleh mengakibatkan pencemaran bau.
“Saya yakin ikan ini telah mati beberapa hari lalu be-rikutan baunya yang busuk,” katanya.
Ikan yang mampu mencecah berat sehingga 200 kilogram ini antara yang semakin diancam kepupusan beriku-tan nilai harganya yang tinggi di pasaran gelap.
Keadaan mengakibatkan kerajaan seperti Brazil mengharamkan penangkapan ikan tersebut secara komersial bagi mengelakkan kepupusan ikan unik itu.


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Garmin GPS 12

July 3, 2013, 12:22 pm

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The Bottom Line

This small unit fits the weekend angler's pocket book and yet is as accurate as the big ones.

 

Pros

• Comparatively inexpensive
• 12 satellite uplink for accuracy
• 500 waypoint memory

Cons

• Weak plastic console mount
• Battery life is only enough for one fishing trip
• Waypoint input is cumbersome

Description

• A small, light weight, hand held GPS unit
• Uses up to 12 satellites for accurate readings
• Provides either compass heading or runway path

Guide Review - Garmin GPS 12

Finding Your Way

Garmin has put a lot of product in a small package. The GPS 12 is arguably the most popular hand held GPS unit. It comes with a nice array of add on options, including a small plastic console mount and a cigarette lighter power cord to save you on batteries. I prefer the roadway guidance to the compass heading mode, but it has both if you prefer one over the other. With 500 waypoints in its memory, you can store a ton of fishing spots. The waypoint input is like all of the handhelds - more than cumbersome. But that can be overlooked if you study the owner's manual and practice. Battery life is advertised as 12 hours. I can get 12 hours, but only with the most expensive batteries - the unit takes four AA batteries. I end up buying four new ones every trip just to make sure I can get home. The cigarette lighter cord option fixes the battery problem, but in rough water, I find the plastic console mount is not strong enough to hold the unit. So, I end up using it as a true handheld, and consequently need the batteries. I find this GPS to be an excellent value and a very accurate unit. I have never seen it be off by more than about ten feet, and often puts me exactly on the spot.


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How Igor The Amazonian Pacu Fish Found A Place Called Home

July 3, 2013, 1:09 pm

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ByPatricia Sagastume

 

Credit Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Igor the Pacu fish has two sets of pectoral fins and a deformed face but he is still a favorite for many visitors at the Loxahatchee River Center in Jupiter.

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  Listen to reporter Patricia Sagastume and the audio version of this story here.

In the piranha- infested waters of the Amazon, a baby Black Pacu, the vegetarian cousin of the flesh-eating fish survives capture.  If it had nine lives, its next one was in a tropical aquarium in a Boca Raton seafood restaurant.
Weighing nearly one pound, the non-native Pacu was growing too big, too fast. Once again, the fish needed another home. The restaurant, The Ports of Call, was dismantling their aquariums so the Pacu was returned to its original owner.

 

Credit Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Igor, a 27-pound Pacu fish at the Loxahatchee River Center in Jupiter.

“I didn’t want to just kill him or dump him in the canal but I didn’t have a tank to put him in,” says Charlie Holland, the retired pet storeowner of the Fins, Furs and Feathers.
Plus, there was something strange about the fish.  It’s face looked like a Frankenstein version of itself.
“He used to spook and run into the end of ten foot long tank. That battering distorted its face,” said Holland.
With a bashed-in face, the fish had an even less marketable chance of being re-sold so Holland did what he thought he should. He called authorities.  After all, the Pacu was non-native species.

 

Credit Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Igor got a new home in south Florida, marking the end of an era for one Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission lab.

“Charlie did exactly what was right,” said Paul Shafland, former director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Non-Native Research lab.
“It’s illegal to release any non-native fish, at the very least it’s unwise.”
Soon, the Pacu was on its way to a special laboratory where scientists study, dissect and measure invasive fish species in South Florida’s canals.
For nearly forty years, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Non-Native Research lab adopted many unwanted fish. The purpose of the lab is to provide fish strategies to protect native fish and their habitats from exotics like the Pacu.
But the lab officially closed April 30th and the new place, which is located in Boynton Beach, has no laboratory facilities.
Once again, it seemed the Pacu’s days were numbered but that was hardly the case.
The South Florida Science Museum wanted to adopt Igor but the aquarium they built was too small. Fortunately, the Loxahatchee River Center in Jupiter, which was temporarily housing Igor, decided to make it permanent.
“He stole the show. It use to be our turtles. But when people walk into the center and see him they go whoa, because he’s so big,” says Jocelyn O’Neill, the environmental education coordinator for the Loxahatchee River District.

 

Credit Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Murray Stanford (left) and Kelly Gestring say goodbye to Igor, the deformed Pacu fish. Igor was their adopted pet for more 35 years at the former Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Non-Native Research lab.

 

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Kaki pancing kota

July 3, 2013, 1:28 pm

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 By Syedz | ReplyMore

Tanpa menghiraukan suasana malam yang sepi dan ditemani dengungan nyamuk yang lapar mencari mangsa, kaki pancing tetap leka memegang joran untuk kepuasan diri.

“KAKI pancing tetap sabar menunggu joran mereka diragut ikan.”

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TATKALA semua orang meluangkan waktu berehat bersama keluarga di rumah selepas seharian bekerja, terdapat segelintir warga kota yang lebih gemar memegang joran dan mengotorkan tangan dengan umpan cacing dan dedak untuk memancing.
Walaupun nampak kotor, tetapi semua itu menjadi lebih berbaloi apabila melihat tali tangsi pada joran tegang kerana dimakan ikan dan tangan mula memainkan peranan melayan renggutan ‘penghuni’ kolam, sungai ataupun tasik.
Itulah gelagat kaki pancing yang tidak pernah bosan menghabiskan masa berjam-jam pada waktu malam di mana-mana lokasi yang sesuai untuk memancing.

“KEHENINGAN malam dan nyanyian cengkerik menjadi peneman kaki pancing. “

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Suasana malam yang sepi dan hanya bertemankan ‘nyanyian’ cengkerik dan nyamuk yang berlegar mencari mangsa langsung tidak dipedulikan oleh mereka. Apa yang penting adalah kepuasan yang diperoleh apabila dapat memancing bersama rakan-rakan.
Perkara ini diakui oleh Mokhtar Yaakob, 66, bekas pesara yang datang memancing di Kolam Ikan Joran Terjun yang terletak di Kampung Kemensah, Hulu Klang baru-baru ini.

“ANUAR RAHIMI “

Menurutnya, hobi memancing sudah terlalu sebati dengan dirinya. Daripada zaman muda, bujang hinggalah berkahwin dan mempunyai cucu, dia masih setia melontarkan joran untuk mendapatkan seekor dua ikan.
“Boleh dikatakan, kalau dalam seminggu saya tidak keluar memancing, hidup saya seperti ada kekurangan dan tidak lengkap. Saya memancing pun bukanlah hendak mendapatkan ikan sangat, tetapi sekadar memenuhi hobi yang sudah sebati dalam diri.
“Saya rasa amat seronok bila memancing terutama ketika melontar tali pancing ke dalam kolam atau tasik. Biasanya saya akan memancing selama tiga hingga lima jam. Kalau ada rezeki, banyaklah tangkapan yang diperoleh. Tetapi kalau sebaliknya, saya akan pulang dengan tangan kosong,” kata Mokhtar yang bertuah kerana isterinya begitu memahami hobinya yang suka memancing.

“MOKHTAR YAAKOB”

Berlainan pula dengan Mohd. Firdaus Mohamad yang mengatakan bahawa dia memang suka memancing tetapi tidak pernah makan ikan.
“Memancing ikan satu perkara yang amat saya sukai. Sejak kecil, saya sudah pandai memancing. Namun, ketika berusia enam tahun, saya mula menyedari bahawa saya tidak suka makan ikan. Sejak itu hinggalah ke hari ini, saya tidak pernah makan apa sahaja lauk ikan yang dimasak.
“Selain itu, salah satu sebab saya memancing adalah untuk menghilangkan tekanan selepas seharian bekerja. Sebab itulah saya tidak mengambil masa yang lama untuk memancing. Cukup satu hingga dua jam, saya akan pulang dengan hasil tangkapan,” kata pemuda berusia 29 tahun itu.
Bagaimanapun, malam tersebut nasib menyebelahi Firdaus yang bekerja di Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) apabila dalam masa tidak sampai satu jam memancing, dia berjaya mendapat seekor ikan baung dan dua ekor ikan keli.

ANTARA ikan yang berjaya ditangkap.

Bagi Mohd. Amin Mohd. Hafiz, 25, pula aktiviti memancing dapat menenangkan fikiran di samping menikmati keindahan alam ciptaan Tuhan.
“Berbanding aktiviti lain, memancing bukanlah satu perkara yang susah. Balingkan joran dan kemudian tunggu sehingga ia direntap ikan. Mudah sekali! Cuma, yang pasti memancing memerlukan kesabaran yang tinggi kerana bukan dalam sekelip mata boleh dapat ikan.
“Tidak terkecuali, aktiviti itu juga menyebabkan kita terserempak dengan perkara menakutkan seperti berjumpa hantu dan sebagainya. Bagi saya itu perkara biasa. Tiada apa yang perlu ditakutkan. Malah, ia menjadikan kita lebih berani apabila berdepan situasi sedemikian,” kata Amin yang sering menyertai pertandingan memancing.
Sementara itu, seorang lagi kaki pancing, Anuar Rahimi, 24, berkata, jika memancing di kolam berbayar, dia akan memperuntukkan masa selama lima hingga enam jam. Tetapi, jika memancing di sungai atau tasik, dia akan berada seharian di tempat itu.
“Justeru, saya biasanya akan memancing pada waktu malam untuk kolam berbayar dan menghabiskan waktu dari pagi hingga petang di lokasi semula jadi seperti di tasik yang terdapat di Bukit Beruntung.
“Seperkara lagi, untuk memancing terdapat banyak petua yang perlu kita ikuti untuk mengelakkan daripada berlakunya sebarang kejadian yang tidak diingini. Namun, bukan semua kaki pancing melakukannya. Ia bergantung pada individu itu sendiri,” katanya yang masih berpegang pada petua orang lama.

kredit : kosmo.com.my


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Learning from an Expert

July 3, 2013, 1:32 pm

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Ron's 32 pound blue catfish

Photo by Sam Burgin

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Learning from an Expert

Catching Big Fish can be Easy if You Follow Some Guidelines

 

Some people fish a lot of areas and are mildly successful. Some people few only one or two areas and have become extremely successful. I was witness to one of the latter this past week, and while it was not in saltwater, it does point out some tactics that any of us can take advantage of.

A New Area to Fish

I fished in North Carolina with a lifelong, good friend, Sam Burgin. We fished from his customized, twenty-four foot Sea Ark aluminum boat in a very special stretch of the Pee Dee River. Many of you know that this river is famous for almost being the river named in Stephen Foster’s Suwannee River, because it sounded better with the lyrics. Sam knows it better as home to monster freshwater fish. The Pee Dee runs from North Carolina down through South Carolina and out to the Atlantic, generating electricity along the way at numerous dams. Water flow in the river is carefully controlled both day and night, making it either a full bank river with sometimes heavy current to a very still, very shallow home to big rocks. Sam has been fishing this area for quite a while. He made it his business to learn one stretch of the river like the back of his hand, and then to learn to catch the fish – big fish – that inhabit this very special place.

River Conditions

In low water conditions, the area he fishes is only accessible from one private boat ramp. Rapids and rocky shoals to the north and south of this stretch prevent most other boats from navigating there. The whole stretch runs maybe 1500 yards from shoal to shoal at an average depth of two feet in most places. But, when the water is moving and the dam is generating, the river moves up five to six feet on the banks, covering almost all the rocks, and allowing Sam to move about to his favorite spots. Sam has patterned this area, and keeps detailed records of the fish he catches – almost all of them released to fight again. He knows the water depth, where the big boulders are under the surface, and most importantly where the big fish can be caught.

Did I say big fish?

He has caught ten fish over forty-five pounds this year alone. On any given trip of a few hours, he averages three fish. Most are in the eighteen to twenty-two pound range. Only five fish this year have been under ten pounds, and his biggest is well over sixty. He is convinced that he has hooked and lost much bigger fish, perhaps as big as ninety pounds. He is also convinced that a record fish lives in this area.

The fish?

Catfish, big catfish. While several species of catfish are living there, he catches American blue catfish perhaps more than any other species. On the trip I fished, we caught two, one a thirty-two pounder on a jug, and one a twenty-two pounder on a rod and reel. So what does all this have to do with the saltwater fishing site? Plenty if you want to be a more successful angler.

Sam's Strategy

Sam patterned the fish in a relatively small body of water. He studied their habits, Kept track of their movements, and read everything he could get his hands on about both the body of water and the fish. Being retired has helped a lot, but he has fished multiple days every week for over two years in this same location, never moving more than a few hundred yards up or down stream. He kept records on his catch, the water conditions, weather conditions, and time of day – or night. He didn’t start off catching monster fish right away. It took time and patience to learn how, when, and where to fish.

Know Your Home Turf

All of us who fish a local body of water can learn from Sam. Perhaps it’s a bay or estuary system. May it’s a sound, a river, or a shoreline. Whatever it is and wherever it is, it can produce fish for you if you take the time and effort to learn.

Pattern the Fish

Know when they move. Learn the tide movements in the area and keep track of which tide stage the bite occurs. Open a few fish up when you keep them and find out what they have been feeding on.

Keep a Log

Probably the most important thing you can do is to keep a log. It can be anything from commercially available software to a simple handwritten log book. Whatever you choose, make sure you capture all the events that surrounded your fishing trip that day. I knew a charter captain who friends say fished one area every single day, rain or shine, for two full years before ever taking a paying party on the water. He stayed booked for months in advance, even in foul weather – and it was because he caught fish. He knew when and where they would be and what they would eat under almost every condition. Someone will almost surely want to know the exact location that Sam fishes. Suffice it to say, I can only tell you that he is on the Pee Dee River. After all, I want to fish with him again one day!


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Harga runtuh Honda Jazz

July 12, 2013, 5:23 am

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Roslan (kiri) dan Ueno pada majlis pelancaran Honda Jazz CKD di Petaling Jaya, semalam. - Foto Amirudin Sahib

Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd semalam melancarkan Honda Jazz enjin petrol pemasangan tempatan (CKD) yang ditawarkan pada harga kira-kira RM25,000 lebih rendah berbanding model import sepenuhnya (CBU) yang ditawarkannya sebelum ini.

Honda Jazz CKD itu ditawarkannya pada harga atas jalan RM74,800 seunit berbanding hampir RM100,000 bagi model CBU sebelumnya.

Pengarah Urusan dan Ketua Eksekutif Honda Malaysia, Yoichiro Ueno, berkata Jazz enjin petrol CKD itu adalah model pertama dalam sejarah Honda Malaysia sejak ia ditubuhkan pada 2000, dijual pada harga di bawah RM75,000, sekali gus dijangka mampu menarik minat pasaran yang lebih meluas termasuk graduan dan eksekutif muda.

Tingkat daya saing

Beliau berkata, pengeluaran model Jazz enjin petrol CKD itu sejajar dengan hala tuju global Honda untuk meningkatkan tahap daya saing kos bagi menawarkan produk berjenama tinggi yang bernilai pada harga mampu milik.

Kami menyasarkan untuk menjual kira-kira 500 unit model ini sebulan, katanya kepada pemberita pada majlis pelancarannya di Petaling Jaya, semalam. Yang hadir sama ialah Presiden dan Ketua Pegawai Operasi Honda Malaysia, Roslan Abdullah.

Honda Jazz pertama kali diperkenalkan di negara ini pada Ogos 2008 dalam dua Gred iaitu S yang ditawarkan pada harga RM104,800 dan V (RM109,800).
Pada April 2011, Honda Malaysia memperkenalkan model itu yang dipertingkatkan iaitu Jazz Gred V dengan penampilan berciri sport pada harga RM109,800.

Jazz Gred V kemudian digantikan dengan Jazz Grade S pada Ogos 2012 yang menyaksikan penurunan harga atas jalannya kepada RM99,800.

Ueno berkata, Jazz enjin petrol CKD itu adalah varian Jazz kedua yang dipasang di negara ini selepas Jazz Hybrid yang dilancarkan November tahun lalu yang kini dijual pada harga atas jalan RM89,900.

Beliau berkata, pengeluaran Jazz enjin petrol CKD itu adalah hasil penubuhan sebuah pusat penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D) baru awal tahun ini di kilang pemasangan Honda Malaysia di Pegoh, Melaka yang mengkhusus untuk menyesuaikan reka bentuk alat ganti tempatan.

Spesifikasi sama model CBU

Dengan sokongan pusat R&D baru itu, kami secara beransur akan meningkatkan kandungan tempatan bagi kereta yang kami keluarkan, katanya.

Ueno berkata, kandungan tempatan bagi kenderaan CKD Honda di Malaysia ini ketika ini ialah antara 30 hingga 40 peratus dan pihaknya merancang untuk meningkatkannya dari semasa ke semasa.

Beliau berkata, Jazz enjin petrol CKD itu menawarkan ciri serta spesifikasi sama seperti yang ditawarkan model CBU dari Thailand sebelum ini dan akan membantu memacu sasaran Honda Malaysia untuk menjual 64,000 unit kenderaan tahun ini.

Dengan 64 pengedar Honda di bandar raya utama dan bandar kecil, kami yakin mampu mencatatkan jualan yang tinggi dan pelanggan juga akan disokong dengan bertambahnya rangkaian pusat 3S (jualan, servis dan alat ganti) dan 4S kami, katanya.

Jazz enjin petrol CKD itu didatangkan dalam empat warna iaitu putih, metalik perak, metalik perang dan hitam.

 

Source: Berita Harian

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Hobie Mirage Outback Fisherman

July 12, 2013, 5:28 am

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Hobie Cat, manufacturer of quality boats since 1968, has produced a new way to fish, the pedal-driven Hobie Mirage Outback Fisherman kayak. This new product has taken kayak fishing to a whole new level, placing Hobie front-and-center in the kayak fishing market. The Outback has everything the serious fisherman needs and wants: stability, speed, comfort and maneuverability. And it comes with molded-in rod holders and trays, storage compartments, anchor system, a plug-in cart and more!

Powered by Hobie's patented MirageDrive pedal system, fishing from an Outback Fisherman means hands-free propulsion with fingertip maneuvering, effortlessly getting you to the best spots quickly and quietly. Too good to be true, you say?

Hank Parker had his doubts 'til he fished in it, and now describes it as, "a new way to fish in a boat that will take you to places where fish have never seen a lure"!

Join Hank Parker and many others who are discovering this unique new way to fish.

Hobie Mirage Outback Fisherman - $1899.00

 

Features & Specifications

Click image for gallery...

Specifications

• Length:12' 1"
• Width:34"
• Weight:60 lbs. (add 6.6 lbs. for MirageDrive)
• Capacity:400 lbs.

Fishing Kayak Features

• Rotomolded Polyethylene Hull with Color-coordinated Molded-in Graphics
• Color Choices: Ivory Dune and Olive
• Note: Ivory Dune and Olive Boats Feature Fish Graphics
• Hobie Mirage Drive Mechanism
• Spare Rudder Pin In Aft Hatch Lid
• Steering System with Kick-up “Twist and Stow” Rudder
• Rear Cargo Storage Area
• Deluxe Lumbar-support High-profile Plug-in Seatback with Detachable Pack
• Deluxe Two-piece Paddle
• Gear Bucket
• Adjustable Seat Positioning to Accomodate Full Range of Kayakers
• Scuppers Accept Plug-in Kayak Cart
• On-Deck Receptacle with Cap for Sail Mast, Dive Flag, etc.
• Cassette Plug for Drive Well
• Molded-in Drink Holder
• Molded-in Fishing Rod Holders with Caps
• On-hull Paddle Storage
• Mesh-covered Stowage Pocket
• Bungee® Tie Down Straps for Rear Cargo Area
• Padeyes
• Bow and Stern Carrying Handles
• PCB Water Bottle

The Mirage Outback Fisherman Package also includes

• Oversized Forward Hatch
• Two 8" "Twist and Seal" Storage Hatches
• Oversized Rear Cargo Compartment
• Mid-boat Carrying Handles
• Molded-in Utility Trays

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Kayak Fishing Tips

July 12, 2013, 1:40 pm

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 By: Jerry Esten & Perry C.

Some kayak fishing tips or do's and don'ts. Over the course of the years I have participated in this great sport, I've learned a thing or two. Some the easy way, and some the hard way. Below is a list to help you learn the "easy way". Kayak fishing tips can help reduce the learning curve.

DO: See your doctor before starting any exercise program or sport that may require physical exertion. If you have any known or suspected health problems, this is a MUST DO. While this is a relaxing sport, it can be strenuous.
DON'T: Neglect to see your doctor only to find out you have health issues after you're on the water, possibly a significant distance from shore.

DO: Take basic kayaking lessons when starting this sport.
DON'T: Risk personal discomfort or injury while paddling because of an improper paddling stroke or misadjusted and/or improper equipment.

DO: Follow the saying of "Try before you buy" when looking to purchase a kayak.
DON'T: Purchase a kayak you haven't paddled because you got a "Good Price" on it. The wrong kayak is the wrong kayak even if it seemed like a bargain. One size definitely does not fit all.

DO: Think about your intended use before you buy. Know how the different models/sizes/styles handle in the conditions you expect to encounter.
DON'T: Buy used or online without first doing your homework and "test driving" several models. While various models/brands may look the same, you will find that the similarity will end there.

DO: For best visibility and safely, purchase a kayak this is bright in color. Yellows, oranges, and bright greens stand out well from the surrounding water. Try to stay away from kayaks that are blue or gray in color. They easily blend in to the surrounding water. Even white, in choppy or spraying waters is very hard to spot.
DON'T: Select the color as a fashion statement.

DO: Wear a personal floatation device (PFD) while paddling.
DON'T: Secure your personal flotation device to your kayak to carry it. Your kayak already floats by itself, you don't.

DO: Buy the best paddle you can afford. These are usually lighter than their entry-level cousins.
DON'T: Ignore the fact that the lighter weight material of these higher end paddles will reduce fatigue while paddling.

DO: Use a paddle leash or other secure device to retain your paddle to your kayak.
DON'T: Lose your paddle while on the water.

DO: You or at least someone in your party should have a bilge pump and extra paddle for emergency use.
DON'T: Fail to have a bilge pump or other efficient means to evacuate water from the hull of a kayak, and a paddle in case someone loses theirs on the water.

DO: Take proper signaling devices (typically flares for ease of visually locating you) and radios that use the same band as the local emergency response agencies do - recommended is a waterproof VHF radios for voice communications.
DON'T: Require assistance from an emergency response agency, and have no way to contact them.

DO: Remember safety is paramount while kayak fishing.
DON'T: Put yourself and others in a potentially dangerous situation because of your lack of experience or knowledge.

DO: Paddle with others while going offshore.
DON'T: Go offshore by yourself without the proper experience and equipment.

DO: Take a First-Aid kit with you on the water.
DON'T: Leave the launch without one.

DO: Cover your skin or at least use sunscreen to help protect yourself for the suns rays while on the water.
DON'T: Fail to protect your skin. Sunburns can happen in less than an hour while paddling.

DO: Be acutely aware of your surroundings while on the water. Other watercraft, structures and other obstacles can be dangerous.
DON'T: Become so involved in fishing that you fail to see potential hazards approaching.

DO: Remember that you are going to be the smallest and lightest vessel on the water and therefore the easiest to overlook.
DON'T: Let your ego overshadow common sense and your personal safety. Remember the other boats on the water don't have brakes. By the time they see you it may be too late for them to react. So don't play "chicken" with them.

DO: Dress for immersion, as kayak fishing can be a very wet sport. Take some extra clothing if needed in a dry bag.
DON'T: Get water soaked and give hypothermia a chance of setting in.

DO: Get accurate weather, wind and tide forecasts before going offshore. Try to plan your return paddle WITH the tide.
DON'T: Be offshore and realize the weather is working against your return to your landing location. Severe winds and current can be potentially dangerous to paddle against.

DO: Paddle with others when possible, as it can be more enjoyable. Plan the trip so the least experienced or weakest paddler can safely stay with the group and finish the trip.
DON'T: Plan the trip around the strongest paddler, and expect the others to stay up with them.

DO: Practice overturning and re-entering your kayak in a simulated flip over in a controlled setting.
DON'T: Have to learn this by necessity, while out on the water by yourself, only to find out you can't do it.

DO: Replace your hatch after accessing the hull of your kayak.
DON'T: Leave your hatch off and have a large opening for water to fill, and potentially fill your kayak. It will happen before you know it. At the very least, the extra weight of the water makes for a very slow and laborious paddle back to shore.

DO: Lash your equipment or put it below deck while doing a surf launch or landing.
DON'T: Leave your gear above deck or non-tethered to your kayak. If you have a mishap and turn over, you don't want to have a "yard sale", and lose your gear.

DO: Respect the ocean and it's inhabitants. Pick up a piece of trash when possible. Be a responsible steward of the water.
DON'T: Litter or throw anything thing in the water that did not originally grow in it.

DO: Be a good steward of the waters and be familiar with and follow all Fish and Game regulations.
DON'T: Think the rules only apply to others.

DO: When removing a fish from the water that you're planning to return back to the water, handle the fish as minimally as possible, and support it's body when it's out of the water.
DON'T: Use a rag to hold onto the fish thereby removing the protective coating on the fish, or hang the fish by its mouth without supporting the fishes body and internal organs.

DO: Use artificial lures when possible when planning on releasing the fish you catch. The fish will get hooked more in the mouth area and not internally as much.
DON'T: Use fishing methods that cause fish to get internally hooked if you're planning to practice Catch-N-Release.

DO: Have a set of needle nose pliers and dykes with you while fishing.
DON'T: Violently shake the fish off the hook. Keeping the fish in the water, use the needle nose pliers to remove the hook thereby releasing the fish.

DO: Verify a fish is of legal size to keep before using a gaff on it.
DON'T: Gaff a fish only to find out it's undersize afterwards, or you're not going to keep it. There is no Gaff-N-release.

DO: When trying to free a stuck lure, keep the angle of pull going AWAY from your body or other anglers. Keep thinking," If the lure were to become free right now, would it come towards me or away from me"?
DON'T: Pull on a stuck lure towards your body or other anglers. Dislodged lures with hooks can become dangerous projectiles.

DO: When using a Sabiki style bait-catching rig, be very careful of the hooks, as they are needle sharp.
DON'T: Be careless and get a Sabiki stuck in your hand or worse. TIP: I usually remove every other dropper line/hook on my bait catchers. The extra space between the hooks reduces the tendency of the bait wrapping itself in hooks when caught, and makes handling them much safer.

DO: Put all electronics and reels below deck on in dry bags before entering or exiting the surf zone.
DON'T: Risk expensive equipment damage to save a few minutes of time.

DO: Use rod leashes when on the water fishing, especially on your trolling rods.
DON'T: Lose expensive gear because of a turnover, or an equipment mishap causes your rod to get pulled out of the holder, or off the kayak.

DO: Use an anchor in clam water to maintain your position.
DON'T: Use an anchor in rough water, or where that may be rogue waves or swells. Using one in these conditions could possibly cause your kayak to get pulled under the water.

DO: Give other watercraft and party boats a wide berth (out of casting distance) when fishing around them.
DON'T: Paddle through a boats chum line, or too close to the stern while passengers on the boat are fishing.

DO: When fishing in an area where there is a chance to catch a large fish that are known to break the water when caught, keep extra space between anglers.
DON'T: Be too close to other anglers that a jumping fish can jump in the close proximity of your kayak. Jumping fish have the potential to be dangerous to all.

DO: When trolling in the proximity of fellow kayak anglers, keep a close watch on your line position with regards to other anglers and their lines.
DON'T: Be so close that your lines foul, or when one gets a fish it gets tangled up with the others lines and lures. This has the potential to become dangerous very quickly.

DO: Have enough rod setups and tackle to fish the water column from top to bottom.
DON'T: Limit yourself to fishing in any one part of the water column.

DO: Remember that fish will orient themselves and make use of available structure for ambushing forage fish.
DON'T: Fail to try around all structure no matter how small it may appear. This is where a fish finder can come in very handy.

DO: Most importantly - get out there and have a great time. This is a great solo and group sport.
DON'T: Get too busy, or think that it is a summer only sport. Use of wetsuit type bottoms on a Sit-On-Top Kayak, or use of a sit inside kayak makes this a pleasurable sport year round.

Source: All Kayak Fishing

Saltwater Fish Identification

July 12, 2013, 1:51 pm

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Any newcomer to saltwater fishing is likely to struggle with saltwater fish identification for a while. It can all be a bit of a mystery at first, particularly with those fishes that look similar but are in fact different species. Is it a flounder or a plaice for example?

And our novice saltwater angler will also want to know if it's a dangerous fish in any way. Is it a poisonous fish to touch, and am I risking ciguatera poisoning if I eat it?
So yes, correct saltwater fish identification is pretty important for these reasons alone, so these are the sort of issues that we'll be taking a look at here.
There are thousands of different species of saltwater fish, the vast majority of which are either too small or live too deep to be of interest to sport fishermen.
Let's get back to the fish that fall within the scope of this website, starting with...

Cartilaginous Fish

This group of saltwater fish include sharks, skates and rays and are differ from true fishes in that:~

• Their skeleton is built of cartilage, not bones.
• Their skin is not made up of scales, but is rough - much like sandpaper - to the touch.

Sharks

Excluding the plankton-eating Basking Shark, there are five types of sharks likely to be targeted by sport fishermen around the shores of the UK and Western Europe.
As shown here, they're the Mako Shark, Porbeagle Shark, Blue Shark, Hammerhead Shark and Thresher Shark.
Read more about the various types of sharks...

Artwork courtesy of Osprey Publishing Ltd

Skates and Rays

So what's the difference between skates and rays?

A 'Mermaid's Purse'

One defining difference is that rays give birth to live young and skate give birth to their young in egg-cases - the 'mermaids purses' or 'devil's purses' - that are often found washed up on our shores.
Certain types of shark, the lesser-spotted dogfish for one, also use this approach to protect their young from hungry predators.

Sting Ray

Another is that the ray's tail is relatively slender, even whip-like in some cases like the stingray shown here, and usually comes equipped with a saw-edged stinging spine midway along its length.
A skate's tail is more stocky than that of a ray and doesn't have a stinging spine.
Read more about skates and rays...

Artwork courtesy of Gyldendal Norsk Forlag

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Incidentally, For several years now I've relied on this excellent paperback for saltwater fish identification.
There's more than 1,000 different species described, including including information on range and habitat such as depths, bottom types, water temperatures, and salinity.All valuable information for those of us who seek to catch them!
The almost 1,100 illustrations use the Peterson Saltwater Fish Identification System for quick, accurate field identification.
It's very reasonably priced, and will be shipped free of charge, wherever you live in the world!

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Bony Fish

The other main group of saltwater fishes are classed as bony fishes, which are built around a traditional skeleton which supports the other parts of a fish.

Skeleton of a Bony Fish

For example, all round fish (that aren't sharks, rays or skates) and flatfish are classed as bony fish, as are other bottom feeding demersal fish like cod, haddock whiting and ling, along with the highly-prized saltwater gamefish and the baitfish we use to catch them with.

Round Fish

Other round fish not mentioned in the previous paragraph include the sea bass, mackerel, bream, mullet, wrasse, coalfish and pollock. Pollock and coalfish are pictured here. They're clearly very similar, each sporting three dorsal fins and two anal fins.

Pollock
(also pollack)

Many anglers find it difficult to tell the difference between pollack and coalfish, but the clue to their correct identification is in the lateral line.
The pollock's lateral line is dark and has a pronounced curve over the pectoral fin.

Coalfish
(also saithe)

That of the coalfish is much lighter, almost white, and runs in a straighter line from head to tail.

Flatfish

Plaice

When flatfish larvae first emerge from their eggs and take a first glimpse of a hostile marine world, they're symmetrical and swim upright with their eyes conventionally located on each side of their head.
It is only during the course of their development that they show a marked preference for skulking around on the seabed.
To make this horizontal lifestyle a success, the eye which would otherwise find itself staring constantly at the seabed moves around to the upperside where it can be of more use, and the swimbladder is absorbed to enable the flatfish to stay put on the seabed. The underside of flatfishes is usually a pale white/grey - almost opaque - and the topside darkly pigmented.

Flounder

In both the flounder and the plaice shown here (two of the UK's most common flatfish, but often another instance where saltwater fish identification can be confusing for some anglers) and along with the halibut, dab and sole, the eyes are on the right hand side.
But on other flatfish species such as the turbot, brill, megrim and topknot the eyes are on the left hand side.

Artwork courtesy of Gyldendal Norsk Forlag

 

 

Source:  Go Salwater Fishing 

Scorpionfish – the world’s most venomous fish

July 16, 2013, 10:28 am

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A Scorpionfish lying in wait for prey.

The world’s most venomous fish is an awesome yet bizarre predator which reminds one of a Hollywood horror movie.
THESE masters of disguise and trickery assimilate into their surroundings, complete with matching features, even if they are found in the most conspicuous places on the reef.
They either blend in or have bright warning colours that send signals to would-be-predators that they are poisonous and definitely distasteful.
These are the Scorpionfish, one of the world’s most venomous fish. They are born with fins but they don’t really swim, so these fish spring forward to ambush prey.
While searching for this group of bizarre and awesome predators around South East Asia, knowing the reef helps especially in identifying things that don’t belong there. These fish lurk on the rocks, crevices and reef tops. In some places in Indonesia, they lurk in volcanic sand, half buried.
When I tell my dive buddies that we will be looking for toxic predators, they give me strange looks. But having an objective prior to dives allows buddies to keep a lookout for your subject no matter how bleak the prospects of seeing anything may seem. Whereas combing the reef without an objective might cause one to miss the nicely camouflaged Scorpionfish amongst the cluster of tunicate or sponges. But having trained my vision, picking out their unmistakable shapes have become second nature.
The still, silent predator is armed and ready, with toxin in its spines, and its an obvious precaution for us to steer clear. Approaching it from the side or front allows the fish to accept our presence, otherwise they will dart away.

A

 Scorpionfish (Rhinopias eschmeyeri) in the Lembeh Straits of Sulawesi.

 

Hovering above or beside my quarry without touching the reef is a skill of buoyancy-control that involves regulating my breathing pattern. But it gets harder to stay steady when my heart is palpitating with excitement as I frame the deadly fish in my camera’s viewfinder.
Not all vibrantly coloured fish are pleasing to the eyes. There is a species closer to the Stonefish family that looks monstrous, the kind that would inspire Hollywood’s production of alien movies.
It’s called the Devilfish (Inimicus didactylus), complete with dorsal javelins in place of fins; pelvic fins that have evolved into a two-pronged garden rake (used for locomotion on the seabed) and a skeletal face that exudes total evil, if a fish were possible of such emotions.
If it wasn’t for its smallish size of 20 – 26cm, it would have been an even more harrowing experience seeing something so horrific emerging from the sand midway in my dive. Found burrowed in sandy sea beds, the Devil Scorpionfish is well camouflaged with only its eyes and mouth exposed on the sand’s surface.
The dorsal spikes are tucked down as it lies completely still, in wait of a passing juicy morsel to ambush. The inner pectoral fins are brightly coloured and though this species may look mottled and knobbly, it is a creator’s masterpiece. It’s also splashed with patches of distinctive colours on its body, a trait which gives away its presence on the volcanic sands of the Lembeh Straits in Northern Sulawesi, one of the places I’ve chosen to look for these bizarre creatures.
Closer to home, this fish also lie in wait in the sands of Tenggol Island, Terengganu. But upon discovering its hiding place in one of my dives there, it chooses to walk away from the glaring video light of my camera!

A Leafy Scorpionfish (Taenianotus triacanthus) blending in with the surrounding corals.

 

Splashed with mottled patches of colour on its body, the Devilfish would much rather have feet any day. Very little is known about the dangers of this hidden monster. However, having pictures to caution other divers from putting their hands indiscriminately on the reef helps prevent a nasty wound and a holiday cut short for a trip to the emergency room.
I have combed the reefs in Mabul (Sabah), Tenggol, Bali and the sandy sea bottoms at the Lembeh Straits to capture these stunning fish over the years. I discover other toxic creatures along the way and have learnt to capture them on video to show you what people seldom see. In my next article about the Ocean’s Predators, the octopi makes a debut!
? Pamela Lim writes travel stories, teaches scuba diving, cycles, organises trips and indulges in photographing birds. More atwww.pummkin.net

If you are stung

As best as possible, avoid getting stung. But the Scorpionfish is so cryptic in its environment that it’s hard to see. The chances of accidentally brushing over it are higher if you like to hover near the reef.
If you are stung, get out of the water immediately and seek help. The sooner you get treatment, the better your chances of recovery. Soak your wound in hot water (45° C) – as hot as you can tolerate, but not boiling water.
How well you do depends upon how much venom has entered your body and how soon you get treated. Hot water deactivates the poison but if there are signs of intoxication, nausea, feelings of weakness, shortness of breath or if you become unconscious, seek immediate advanced medical care.

Buried: A Devil Scorpionfish (Inimicus didactylus) lurks halfcovered in the sandy sea bed.

 

The stings of other species in the family like the Stonefish can be fatal.
The best rule to apply when diving in search of cryptic predators is: Do not touch anything and keep clear from the reef. Wear a thicker wetsuit, as it will provide some protection from accidental brushes with stings.
Engage a proficient dive guide of the area to give you an orientation of the site before you venture off with your buddy on subsequent dives. They provide invaluable resources to help you get acquainted with the underwater environment – they also know where the resident Scorpionfish, octopi or sharks are!
Be neutrally buoyant to avoid crashing into the reef. Any aggression from animals is defensive. As long as you stay in practice and dive responsibly, you should not encounter any incidents.

Source: The Star Malaysia

Kuala Rompin To Tioman Island

July 16, 2013, 10:34 am

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Most travelers would board the ferry from jetty in Mersing, Johor to get to Tioman Island, but many are not knowing the journey takes longer. Unless you are travelling from southern part of Malaysia or Singapore.

If you are from western, eastern or northern peninsular Malaysia, its much easier to boat the ferry from Tanjung Gemok (Gemuk), Kuala Rompin, Pahang. The journey takes about an hour and ferries there are being run by few different operator. Some might just operate only during the Malaysia school breaks, when there are more travelers to Tioman, normal times they would just operate out of Mersing.

 

Its also not advisable to be Tioman Island during the monsoon season (Nov-Feb), unless you are there for surfing (there is a surfing school in Tioman Salang Beach, which also carries few brands of surfing attire). The wave during monsoon season reaches as high as 4-5 meters, hence many boat operators and resorts are closed for business. Fresh vegetable and poultry are hard to come by during those seasons as those stuffs are being carried by fisherman boat all the way from Mersing.

The jetty in Tanjung Gemuk, Kuala Rompin is located about 15 minutes drive from Rompin town, next to Endau river. You turn left to the jetty before reaching the bridge to Endau from Rompin. Few decades  ago, there isn’t bridge linking Kuala Rompin to Endau, we have to rely on the cargo ferry that is being tied to a chain, and the ferry is being pull from one end to the end, and vice versa. Those were the memories I could still remember every times whenever I need to cross from Kuala Rompin to Endau, johor.

As Tioman Island is within the constituent of Kuala Rompin, the Pahang state government has make the effort to further promote Tioman via Tanjung Gemuk as the gateway. Advance booking is required during the school breaks (March, June, September, November, December and during festive seasons). As Tioman Island is a duty free island (to further promote the island), there is a customer department being housed besides the jetty to prevent any smuggling into the mainland.

Its take about an hour from Tanjung Gemok to Tioman island, and the ferry would stop at all the popular beaches when its reaches Tioman. First stop (if not mistaken) is Genting, Melina, Paya, Tekek, Ayer Batang, Panuba and Salang in that order, and in the reverse order during the return trip. I purchased a return ticket at Tanjung Gemok. As Tekek is the central town in Tioman, the stop is longest and much busier. There is an ATM machine in front of the post office at Tekek town, but expect the network line might not be connected most of the times. I experienced its myself.

During my last trip to Tioman, I stayed at Salang Beach, as it’s the nicest beach of all, and much happening compared to the rest of the beaches. Shops, restaurants, diving school, tour or island hopping tour operators are aplenty there. I did a island hopping, Waterfall trail and snorkeling (3 dives) package with one of the operators. Would definitely go back again for scuba with one of the well run diving school in Salang.

Right before the night falls, the most enchanting activities is playing along the beach and sea, while watching the sun touches the far end of the horizon. Mind you, its full of activities during the dawn times along the beach, coupled with the sunset, its just so spectacular and mesmerizing, beyond words can describe. I counted myself so lucky that to witness two consecutive sunset over two days, not being block by dark cloud or rains.

When the night falls, all the restaurants would start to sprung out, western, malay or Chinese cuisine can be found there, as well pubs. Otherwise just get hold of some beers or liquor from the duty free shop and enjoy the night and breeze, while watching some anglers trying their luck at the salang jetty.

Its something that you might want to try when you are in Kuala Rompin the next times, just hop to a ferry and find yourself in one of the most beautiful island !

 

 

Source

info@malaysiafishingtour.com