Monday May 13, 2013

Tug-of-war with queenfish Despite the myth, this species is a popular game fish among anglers

THERE is a myth about catching talang or queenfish among some local anglers.

Although the species is a popular game fish among anglers, the Chinese believe it would bring bad luck to those who consume it.

These group of anglers believe the five silvery, almost round visible spots found on both sides of the fish’s body above the lateral line are the fingerprints of Tua Pek Kong or Grand Uncle deity and eating it would bring bad luck for gamblers and punters.

In reality, queenfish is an unpopular table fish, as its white meat is tasteless.

Most of the time it ends up as salted fish or in a curry.

Queenfish is easily identifiable when caught.

It has a silvery-grey colour with bronze patches on the head and dorsal.

The bigger species have an obvious bright yellow shade on the bottom of its belly, throat and breast.

But myth and superstition aside, queenfish is a popular game fish among local anglers.

It gives a powerful and aggressive tug-of-war fight when caught.

Due to its almost flat body, it can cut through the water like a knife so it is very quick and gives a good run when hooked.

However, it does not have the stamina to sustain a long fight.

This fish is also known for its aerial acrobatic display, leaping out of the water as it shakes itself to throw the hook out of its mouth.

It is easily found in strong currents and among pelagic baitfishes like Indian mackerel (kembong) and yellowtail (selar).

While the fish is commonly weighs under three kilograms most of the time, local anglers have caught queenfish as heavy as 10kg near secret fishing spots in the Straits of Malacca and South China Sea.

Queenfish is also commonly found in coral reefs, island shores and estuaries.

It is also known to hunt its food around rocky islets and rocky beaches.

However, while larger specimens are now rare, queenfish can grow up to 120cm and weigh a whopping 16kg.

Queenfish fishing is great and fun on a light tackle.

There are several ways to catch them. One can troll, pop, drift and cast with live baits for this spe-cies.

But catching the fish on poppers is more challenging for me as one has to be skilful and observant.

You have to spot the fish playing on the surface, in groups between three and five, and cast your line accurately above them.

Stickbaits are also suitable for queenfish.

Generally, the surface splash from the poppers and stickbaits, as it intimidates a playful baitfish in a fast retrieve motion, would drive the queenfish crazy and into a feeding-frenzy mode.

I have also known of anglers using spoons in such outings but this method earns lesser strikes.

Casting with live bait for queenfish is also less attractive as it consumes time in terms of preparation.

However, this method has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to attract the queenfish, especially near rocky islets and beaches.

Queenfish is a fragile fish and cannot survive out of the water for a long time.

Therefore, if one plans to catch and release for this species, one has to be fast in unhooking the fish to release it back into the water.

Happy fishing!

News

Monday May 13, 2013

Tug-of-war with queenfish Despite the myth, this species is a popular game fish among anglers