Let's go Fishing!

As I was reading Mr BR's blog and found something else to do here in Brunei. Yes fishing! I often go fishing off Hujong Batu. However, now the military has taken over so we often have to go a bit further out. Not to worry if you are afraid of the waters, you can still go fishing on land. Huh? Yes on land. My friend and I go the fishing pond opposite the Horticulture place in gadong. Its actually a lot of fun because you can actually bring friends for a picnic. We often meet expats there with their children.

Only thing is if you catch and bring back you have to pay for the fish. We are all for the joy and fun of it so we just pay an entrance fee, buy some bait, catch fish, and let em go. Recreational fishing is more like it. Try it. Will get more info about the place soon.

Anyways, you can try out the Fishing Challenge 2006 organised by the Fisheries Department .The details below is taken from official website

1.	TEMPAT/VENUE
	Pantai Seri Kenangan, Daerah Tutong.
2.	TARIKH/DATE
	20 Ogos, 2006, Hari Ahad.
3.	MASA PERADUAN/TIME
	Jam 8.30 Pagi hingga 11.00 pagi.
4.	KATEGORI PERADUAN/CATEGORY
	Kategori A :		Peserta Pertama Mendapat Ikan (Kategori Perseorangan) (dalam tempoh masa 30 minit dan berat tidak kurang 200 gram)
	Kategori B :		Peserta Pertama Mendapat Udang Galah (Kategori Perseorangan) (dalam tempoh masa 30 minit dan berat tidak kurang 20 gram)
	Kategori C :		Peserta yang Mendapat Ikan Terbesar (Kategori Perseorangan) (timbang berat)
	Kategori D :		Peserta yang Mendapat Ikan Terbanyak (Kategori Perseorangan) (jumlah ekor tangkapan dan berat tidak kurang 100 gram seekor)
	Kategori E :		Kumpulan yang Memperolehi Ikan Terbanyak (Kategori Kumpulan) (jumlah ekor tangkapan dan berat tidak kurang 100 gram seekor)
	Kategori F :		Kumpulan yang Memperolehi Udang Galah Terbanyak (Kategori Kumpulan) (jumlah ekor tangkapan dan berat tidak kurang 15 gram seekor)
5.	KONSEP PERADUAN
	5.1	Peraduan akan dijalankan bermula pada jam 8:30 pagi hingga 11:00 pagi.
	5.2	Borang penyertaan boleh didapati di Ibu Pejabat Jabatan Perikanan dan cawangan-cawangan Jabatan Perikanan atau di meja pendaftaran sebelum peraduan dimulakan. Bayaran penyertaan ialah B$10.00 bagi kategori perseorangan dan $20.00 bagi kategori berkumpulan.
	5.3	Perkakas memancing seperti joran/pancing/umpan hendaklah disediakan oleh peserta sendiri.

The Fisheries Department is also organising their Seafood Carnival 2006. This is a very popular yearly event. Not to be missed. Buying fresh fish, literally still alive and jumping. Must come early or most of the catch is sold out. I remember there were also showing turtles that are in the Brunei waters. The turtles are part of a conservation program. They are the cutest especially the baby ones..I might still have photos of the past carnivals.. Woops which reminds me to put up photos of the previous Youth conference too..

SEAFOOD CARNIVAL 2006

Tarikh	:	September 2006
Tempat	:	Kompleks Pendaratan Ikan, Muara, Jabatan Perikanan
Jam	:	8.30 pagi - 5.00 petang

Another interesting read from The Daily Brunei Resources. Blog excerpt written by Hjh Yati HMA


Fishing in Brunei Waters Looking for a new sports or hobby? Fishing may be your cup of tea. It's fast becoming a popular sport in Brunei. Every time I pass Kampong Ayer, along Jalan Kota Batu, I see some people fishing there.

On my family outings to the Serasa Beach, I spotted more anglers, sitting and waiting patiently. At my workplace alone, I know four guys who are into fishing. They are the ones who have influenced me, indirectly, to write about fishing as a pastime activity. Fishing is a vast topic. This is about onshore fishing only, and it's “low-fat and skimmed”.

Getting ready - Be prepared to fork out extra cash for this hobby, as you'll need to get: fishing rods, reels, buckets, hooks, sinkers, weights, survival knife, folding chair, cooler, ice, net, a tool box of sorts and countless other fishing accessories. Don't forget to bring some light refreshments.

Tying the Knots - Simple snell, locked half blood, clinch, palomar and turle. These are names of fishing knots. Tying lines to hooks require some learning. You can seek reference from related books and videos. There are a total of 40 knots and 41 rigs in the Geoff Wilson's Complete Book of Fishing Knots & Rigs. Better yet, learn from more experienced anglers. There's also a Fishing Knots Clinic at Capt Fred's Fishing Supply.

Fish for the Fishes - You'll need baits to lure in the fishes. There are live baits, dead baits, natural baits and plastic baits. The bait you choose to use depends on what kind of fish you're hoping to catch. You can find and catch your own baits or you can buy them. Prawns, squids, worms, crabs, shellfish and small fishes are mostly used.

Happening Spots - There's quite a number of places where you can go fishing. Most of the fishing spots are well-known spots, like the beaches, rivers and jetties. Others are remote spots like the islands. I'm sure there are some well-kept secret spots, as the guys are keeping mum about the spots that they frequent.
* Brunei-Muara District - Jerudong Beach, Kampong Ayer, Kampong Pengkalan Sibabau, Makam Luba, Pelompong Island, Serasa Beach, Sungai Bunga, Tungku Beach, Ujung Sapoh

* Tutong District - Seri Kenangan Beach, Danau, Kuala Tutong

* Belait District - Belait River, Anduki Recreational Area

Catch of the Day - Brunei waters are abundant with fishes. On good days, some anglers had success in catching Kerapu, Ketambak, Pelayak, Red Carp, Selongsong, Snappers, Umpak, Ungah, Utik etc.