Patin Fishing @ Punggol

October 13, 2011

It is time to pay another visit to Punggol Promenade. There have been many new developments there. I could see the lights coming from what is a golf driving range nearby which should be ready quite soon. There is a huge billiard saloon there that was crowded with people. We decided to do fishing.

My son brought me there - to this fishing pond where you can catch Patin fish. Patin belongs to the catfish family and they can grow to a humongous size. Some restaurants serve Patin fish, steamed with a special fish sauce or Thai-style chili. The meat is tender and you don't get the muddy taste.

You pay $5 for a puny rod with a thin line attached to the top ring at the end of the rod. You can fish all day or night but once the line burst, it is game over. If you want, pay again to get another rod. The challenge is to gain experience and use your skill to haul up a fish or two. You will also need some luck. I caught two but they escaped, one of them burst my line.

I learned that you can't fight them in a typical manner but that you have to raise the rod ramrod straight and follow the fish to get it tired out, haul them closer and then make a grab at its tail to bring them out of the pond. No assistance is permitted. It is like those game machines where they let you grab some stuffed toys and drop them in the hole. Once a fight is on, everyone who does not hook a fish yet should pull out their lines and step back. Beware that this fish can make a huge splash and get you really wet. This young man outdone his old man.

The fight was on! It was not easy.

Finally, the grab! Sometimes, it takes several attempts to haul up and it is tougher when you get a huge one. You have to literally go in fast and pull then haul the fish up by its tail.