HOW’S THAT: An angler lifting up one of his best catches on a line with the help of a friend.
HAPPY: An angler showing off the first fish he caught.
GETTING READY: An angler sits at the edge of the boat lined with a row of fishing rods ready for the day’s catch.
TO most anglers, deep sea fishing is thrilling and fun.
Anglers go out to sea to seek the adrenalin rush that comes with landing “the big one” often after a reeling tug-of-war with the denizens of the deep. It’s an experience totally different than regular shallow water fishing.
For angler Peter Sia, a fishing veteran of more than 30 years, it’s a thrill (and fun) that cannot be found anywhere else.
“It’s the excitement and enjoyment, I think, that will stay with you for a very long time – something all anglers look forward to.
“Everytime you go out fishing, you don’t know what kind of fish you are going to get, and sometimes, you have to put up a good fight — even small fish will give you a good fight,” he told thesundaypost during a recent three-day two-night fishing trip out at sea.
He said while no one knew for sure the school of fish an angler might encounter, using the correct equipment and getting to the “right spot” could make a big difference.
Sometimes, an angler can hook more than one fish at a time with the right gears. And from Sia’s own experience, there must be trust in the boat captain to locate the “right” fishing points.
“The captain is the one who knows where the fish are and understands the sea well.You just have to trust the captain — he knows what he’s doing,” he explained.
Thrill of the fight
However, deep sea fishing is not just about skills but also physical strength and “playing around” to put up a good fight.
One of the boat crew members on the trip said he once “fought” with a 15kg fish at the other end of the line, taking about an hour to land the prized catch in the boat.
“You have to play around with the fish — try to outsmart it. If you keep pulling the reel and the rod, it’s either that the line will snap or the fish will get away,” Sia said.
Another thing he loves about deep sea fishing is that it’s a “relaxation outing.”
“You’re away from all your work. Somehow, it’s the break and peace at mind you are looking for. I personally think it’s a great getaway,” he added.
Staying in a boat in the middle of the sea can be somewhat intimidating for some people but for deep sea anglers, it’s part of the beauty of the life they enjoy. And for the love of their hobby, even seasickness is not such a big deal.
No seasick problem
Unlike some of his friends, Sia never has a problem with seasickness.
“Getting seasick is very common but I never get it. Some of my friends always get it. They throw up, rest for a while and after recovering, get up and fish again,” he said.
Living in a boat is second nature to most deep sea fishing buffs. They can adjust to changing situations out in open waters. Eating on board in rough sea conditions needs a little getting used to but generally, it is okay.
“Some boats are very clean — some have better facilities but they may cost more to rent. Wooden fishing boats are very comfortable. So long as there is a place to sleep, I’m okay,” Sia added.
He loves sleeping on the outside rather than in the cabin, saying the air is cooler out in the open. However, it can be quite dangerous, especially when there are strong waves.
“There was one time I brought a group of people for deep sea fishing — most of them were first-timers.
“That night, the waves were quite strong, so staying outside the cabin was not recommended. But the group got so seasick that I had to help them outside to throw up,” Sia recalled.
He pointed out though that no one should be afraid of seasickness because it’s only temporary.
Hobby getting costlier
Sia revealed deep sea fishing is costlier nowadays as boat rental is higher and the fishing areas are further out at sea as well.
He said a one-night fishing trip would not be enough if anglers intended to fill up their ice boxes (for storing fish).
“The fish are getting fewer. Even though we travel quite a distance from the shore, we still do not get lots of fish.”
Sia said in the past, he was able to fill up his ice box in just one night — sometimes two full boxes. But today, he would be happy if he could fill up half the ice box.
As for newcomers, he advised them to seek help from experienced anglers on getting the right equipment, saying different fish required different equipment.
He also advised them to go with a group of friends.
“It’s definitely more enjoyable and fun that way, and also, the costs can be split,” he said.
Pastime and job
Boat captain Sebli Jun has been deep-sea fishing for more than 20 years as both a “hobby and occupation.”
He agrees that catching fish was much easier 20 years ago as the sea environment back then was pristine with rich fishing grounds.
He started as a fisherman but now takes people out for fishing. “It’s thrilling and fun,” he beamed.
As captain, Sebli is responsible for the safety of his passengers – and mostly, he is worried about first-timers on board.
The seasoned boatman understands the ways (and dangers) of the sea. He himself had gone through a frightening experience once.
It happened while he was fishing in Kuala Baram.
“I remember I dropped anchor that night — then about 3am, the wind suddenly became very strong and my first thought was to get out of the area.
“I got my anchor up and started moving. My friend’s boat was in front of me — we moved together.
“My boat was moving very slowly because of the rough sea and I thought I would not make it. The waves were crazy — one rose so high that it broke the windshield of my boat. We took about three hours to get to safety but it felt like forever,” he recalled.
However, that close call did not stop Sepli doing what he loves.
“It scared me but will not stop me from doing what I love — to be out at sea,” he said.