Tired of those pesky croakers (gelama) and catfish (duri or belukang) stealing your bait on the Malaysian coast? These fishy fiends seem to have a sixth sense when you are aiming for your prize catch.
Well, you’re not alone.
But fear not! There are cunning ways to bypass these bottom feeders and hook into a whole new world of delicious surface dwellers.
Close-up of the halfbeaks.
Ditch the sand, embrace the rocks
Forget the sandy beaches – our target zone is rocky shores, stony embankments, jetties, or even wave barriers.
Here’s a secret weapon: bread! Grab a loaf of sliced white bread and head out during rising tide (check websites like tides4fishing.com for precise timings).
Toss some bread slices on the water and watch for a shoal nibbling hungrily in a minute or so when the sugary-starchy stuff disperses in the water.
If you see hungry fish congregating at the surface, you’ve found your spot.
A caught Sergeant Major on land.
The no-duri zone
Now, it’s time to ditch those heavy sinkers and embrace the magic of floats. These keep your bait bobbing just below the surface – a feeding zone the gelama and duri wouldn’t dare to venture into.
A new world of delightful saltwater fish has now presented itself, where the Java rabbitfish, spotted scat, mullet, needlefish, halfbeak and several other species are the targets.
An assortment of floats for fishing rods.
Gearing up for glory
Say goodbye to bulky tackle. Lighter is better for this game.
Swap your 20lb line for a delicate 6lb or even 4lb line (don’t worry, they still use the imperial system here).
Smaller hooks are key – less than 1cm long at the shanks and under 5mm wide at the curves, which in angling lingo means Size 16 to 18.
You’ll need some fine medical forceps to unhook these bite-sized beauties (standard pliers just won’t fit their tiny mouths).
Halfbeak sashimi served with tube wasabi.
Float your boat (or bait)
Float selection can be overwhelming. For beginners, a red-and-white bobber is a good start, but stick or pencil floats offer better sensitivity. Aim for the lightest float that balances your bait.
A light action rod around 3m long provides the perfect amount of leverage. Add a tiny split shot weight below the float to counter wind and current.
The ruler showing the hook size and how small the morsel of shrimp bait is.
Feeding frenzy
Now, it’s time to put your new skills to the test. Fling out bread slices to attract surface feeders, then cast your bait (perhaps a morsel of shrimp meat) into their midst. Short casts of 3m to 6m are all you need.
Watch your float for twitching and when it dives, that’s your cue to set the hook!
Always have a rag handy to hold fish like this spotted scat, which has venomous spines, and use a pair of fine medical forceps to unhook small fish.
A word of caution (and comfort)
Java rabbitfish and spotted scat have venomous spines on their dorsal and anal fins.
The venom is non-lethal but it will still give you a couple of hours of fiery pain right to the bone with the merest scratch.
Keep a rag handy for safe handling.
An angler showing off a spotted scat he caught.
Delicious reward
The best part? Most of these surface dwellers are a culinary delight!
Spotted scats boast finely textured meat that shines pan-fried, while the soft flesh of Java rabbitfish is perfect steamed (just snip those pesky spines first).
Halfbeaks are true sashimi stars, and their pan-fried, crispy-finned bodies offer a delightful crunch with every bite.
Hooked on success
Of course, this feast for the table requires a bit of culinary know-how. But the reward is fresh, ultra-local seafood you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.
So, ditch the frustration of bait-stealing bottom feeders and embrace the world of float fishing! You might just discover a new favourite way to enjoy the Malaysian seaside.
