The patience and resilience of these fishing enthusiasts are truly remarkable. Not only are they patient enough to wait for hours on end for the fish to take the bait, but they also endure scorching rain, fatigue, hunger, thirst and mosquito bites without complaint.
Their experiences, including stings, thorns, bone hooks, fish scales and various other challenges, do not dampen the spirits of these dedicated anglers. Their adrenaline rush fuels their determination, making their struggle seem endless. When others, uninterested in fishing, accompany them, they often want to leave within half an hour.
“For fishing enthusiasts, there’s a unique satisfaction in pursuing this hobby. It’s not just about catching a few or many fish; what really satisfies is the journey itself and the day-long experiences that make fishing worthwhile,” shared Khairolazlan bin Haji Puasa, fondly known as Abit, during a recent interview.
CAN’T LOVE WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW
The Malay proverb ‘Tak kenal maka tak cinta’ (‘you can’t love what you don’t know’) speaks volumes. Having learnt about fishing from close family members since he was in primary school, Abit recalled tagging along with his fishing enthusiast brother to forests and riverbanks in the past, but his exposure then was more traditional.
“Over time, my interest in fishing grew into a relaxing hobby that has lasted until today. In pursuing this enjoyable pastime, I continually enhance my skills by mastering various techniques and methods, evolving with the colourful world of fishing over the years.
“Around 2011 and 2012, I began delving into modern fishing equipment, progressing to casting techniques,” he said.
Abit also shared that his fishing hobby leans towards sport fishing or recreational activities typically reserved for Sundays. This activity, he stressed, has become a routine weekly companion to balance family responsibilities, career demands, and personal hobbies.
ARTIFICIAL BAIT BECOMES THE CHOICE
In addition to basic fishing equipment such as rods, reels like spinning reels or bait-casters, and fishing lines, which are essential tools for this 39-year-old fishing enthusiast’s world, one basic item that plays a significant role in his casting fishing pursuit is the use of artificial bait or lure.
Among the types of artificial baits frequently used are hard lures and soft lures, also known as soft baits made from soft plastic.
Hard lures are made from wood or hard plastic in various sizes and shapes to resemble fish, frogs, or other prey. Meanwhile, soft lures are increasingly popular among anglers.
They are made from soft plastic resembling rubber and are usually used with single hooks or jig heads.
“The application of soft lures is mainly to attract bottom-dwelling fish like grouper and snapper, while hard lures focus on surface fish in open seas, such as pelagic fish,” he added, continuing to operate a side-line business selling fishing tackle products under Abit Fishing Adventure Tackle Shop in the country for several years.
When asked about the advantages of fishing using artificial bait, Abit said it not only allows for immediate use whenever needed and can be used multiple times without spoiling, unlike conventional bait, but also generally saves costs and time.
CATCH AND RELEASE PRACTICE
Typically, Abit practices ‘catch and release’ in his fishing hobby.
Explaining this practice, he said it involves, after successfully catching a fish, taking its measurements or weight and immortalising it in a picture as a keepsake before swiftly releasing it back into its natural habitat.
“If it’s a fish species that can be eaten, I’ll take it home for cooking right away. However, if I catch a large quantity, the surplus is usually sold.
“For unique species, I usually practice ‘catch and release’, taking measurements and capturing it in a picture as a keepsake beforehand,” he casually remarked.
CREATING MEMORIES WITH KNOWLEDGE
Every moment enjoyed by this secondary school ‘Art and Design’ teacher in delving into fishing isn’t just for personal satisfaction; each successful fishing moment is often captured in photos and videos, uploaded across various social media platforms, especially Instagram and YouTube.
“Each photo or video of a catch that I share on Instagram and YouTube has its own story.
These stories contribute snippets of knowledge to feed the minds of those who share similar interests,” he sincerely added.
PRIORITISING SAFETY FIRST
When asked about safety tips for fishing, Abit stressed the importance of ensuring safety before continuing the fishing activity, whether for seasoned anglers or newcomers exploring the hobby.
“Fishing is an enjoyable outdoor activity, so anglers must prioritise safety when at fishing locations to avoid unforeseen incidents,” he emphasised.
Wearing a life jacket is one safety tip, he mentioned, especially when fishing from a boat or in deep-water locations.
“Check and understand the weather forecast before going fishing. Avoid fishing in bad weather conditions, especially thunderstorms or heavy rain,” he added.
Additionally, one of the safety tips to note is to bring emergency equipment such as medications and a first aid kit, bottled water, a flashlight, a whistle, and a mobile phone.
Abit also added that anglers should wear appropriate shoes to protect their feet from sharp objects wherever they fish, avoid fishing with just sandals, especially in bushy areas, forests, or rocky and slippery coastlines.
“Use a hat, face scarf, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, and gloves to protect yourself from the sun’s rays, which can cause sunburn, as well as to prevent any potential injuries during active fishing activities.
“In fact, wearing sunglasses while fishing isn’t just about making the angler look more stylish and trendy; its main function is to protect our eyes from sunlight and any objects that could potentially injure the eyes.”
He added before concluding the interview that, in reality, the outline of fish or objects under clear water can be seen more clearly by the angler with a pair of sunglasses equipped with polarised lenses than by using regular sunglasses. – Nurdiyanah R
