Gone Fishing!
Quite often we dabble with something and then it loses its lustre or we lose interest or some friends changed their perspective in life and you find yourself stopping doing those things you like doing together. Like playing some sports. Sometimes, they go full circle. Do you find yourself going back in time doing things you used to do or go into the opposite direction. They are both equally possible.
Although I have and still need a day job to put bread on the table and also contribute to the economy, I find myself getting into more and more hobbies. With a job, family to take care of and a wide variety of interests, it is only going to be action packed with not a moment to idle. One can introduce anything to your children but if they are not interested there is not a thing to do about it. Same like your friends. Recently, I get people telling me that I must have been playing a lot of golf because they commented that I look darker but it is far from the truth as besides golf, I swim at times but I have started fishing again and this is the one that can make you tanner than tan. You see, fishing is like golf as it is a sport that teaches you patience and humility. You do not own the sea or the fish just as you do not own the golf course or the desired scores.
The rods are made of graphite just like your golf shafts. They also come with different specification in flex. Some have more flex so a tiny nibble from a small fish is clearly visible but it makes you think it is a big fish. Rods that are too stiff won't give you the same excitement. However, if you start swinging a golf club like you are casting your rod then you are in trouble.
Fishing at Punggol End
There was a time where Punggol was a favourite seafood haunt at the Punggol End where wooden hut restaurants on the right side and a tiny bus terminal at the end with a petrol kiosk to the left adorn the place. Walk further down and you get to the jetty. This is the new facade at Punggol end towards the jetty - under construction.
Boats ferrying people to and from the OBS (Outward Bound School) is the main transport connecting the nearby islands. I met a young man called Aston (partly hidden in picture) who is an avid fisherman.
The space out to sea is open but the jetty is rather small and narrow. I think they should build a bigger and better one to accommodate more people. Maybe it is already in the pipeline.
This makes for a colourful and poignant picture. Safety first wherever you go or whatever you indulge in.
After peeling prawns or whatever baits you handle you can wash your hands with sea water from the steps here but be careful as it can be slippery and watch out for barnacles which can cut and beware of strong current.
A future podium under construction (seen from the jetty). This will be linked by the park connector all the way to Punggol East Promenade and beyond.
The current was drifting to the right that day and the it was quite strong. Some folks climbed over the railings to fish along the beach at the side here.
On a hot day out, you will need creature comfort. A young man was selling drinks and ice cream at the entrance but he will be there only on weekends. You don't know how precious this is on a hot day!
From about 4-5pm, more people came by and it got crowded. Be careful when casting your rod at the jetty for it is narrow and when there are many people it can get tricky. If you bring young children there do not let them run around. If you use an extra long rod, you will be casting from the rear railings.
Fishermen need a bit of luck and there was this guy who caught not only fish but also a squid but the squid broke loose and escaped. Squids actually chase their baits and we saw that so a good bright lure would do the trick. He even caught a sting ray and asked if I wanted it. I told him that it makes a nice meal when barbecued with chili but he had better ask Aston if he wanted it.
Aston showed his skill as he not only unhooked the ray but he also cut away the sting. Not only that, he became a gynae when he delivered two lovely baby sting rays and released them into the sea.
We had to change spot and also for me to recce the place as I have not been there a long time. I was surprised to find fishing enthusiasts at every 50m intervals as we plodded through the walk way.
This is even more so as it is not known that our sea here has plenty of fish. You will get some but there are not a lot. I think if you throw a dynamite into the water no fish died from it. That is not to say you won't get fish. Fish are like birdies and eagles in golf. If you get so many of them everyday you may loose interest.
I guess part of the fun is to enjoy the serenity, the scenery, nature, the peace and quiet. Certainly a good hobby especially for young people rather than hanging around with nothing to do. I saw many people who climbed over the railings to fish standing at or sitting along the edge. I saw that the current that day was quite strong. A few were drinking beer as they fish. A question sprang up in my mind. Can these people swim? Even if they could, just in case they fall into the sea where or how are they going to get up back as there are no steps to get up or down? It is a 90 degree drop to the sea. What happen if they are alone?
If someone fell, there are no rescue device like this around. In an emergency, you can probably use the poles used to support the young trees around even that would not be easy as it was the only thing around that I saw could be of a little help. So fishing enthusiasts do take note and be careful or the authorities may need to do something more. Recent reports of dead bodies in waterways could be accidents out of this?
My son finally got one - a catfish which we released back to the sea.
It is quite common to get eels. They can coil and wriggle to get your hooks and lines all entangled.
I saw some folks throwing their catch of eels and some ugly looking fish without releasing it back to sea. They are probably thinking if they do they will be back to bite their baits again? But you can't kill of of them can you just like you can't kill all the bad guys in the world? Who are we to play judge and jury? Then there are some who used the railings to cut and line up their prawns as baits. We bade farewell as the sun began to set. I am beginning to relive my childhood again. There is a kind of itch. With my hands full and adding fishing to the to do list will put me under tremendous pleasure. Not sure if I can cope. Visiting many different spots around the island would be interesting. Then try fresh water Toman (Snakehead) perhaps? Then a fishing blog?
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