KFC - Pontian Kelong

It was a rare occasion for Andrew's family to be out full force with us. Today, the plan to head for the Kelong at Pontian. Andrew was eager to try it after reading the write up on the last recce trip. IZ and Jean too came along for their first try at Pontian. We were to find out that Jean studied here and hence was familiar with the area inside out. Since we were rather early as the tide was to be at around 3pm, we headed for Kukup instead to have a look see.

Reaching the town of Kukup

Quaint town of Kukup with the newly built ferry terminal

There was a chinese storey telling competition going on here

Kukup GSS!

20 years ago, here got lots of fishes

Kukup belongs to Pontian

Being the first time in Kukup, it was a "nose" opener for them. Kukup has a distinct "salty fish" smell to it mixed with all the garbage collecting below the stilts of the buildings. But this is a famous place for seafood and local delicacies. We did some shopping for crackers and tidbits and such, as we are not going to get lunch on the kelong.

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

Although I planned to bring them to the nearby durian farm, all thought it was best to head straight for the kelong. So from Kukup, in about 40 mins, we arrived at the jetty. I contacted the owners and soon, they came along to meet us.

Tide at that time was really low. The boat had to move slowly in the shallow waters. But once we hit the deeper waters, we zoomed away to the Kelong just ahead of us. Water turned better the further we leave the shore. Reaching there, we found the place to big and spacious. Also, not many people were there.

Yes, we are

I caught this fish!

Renovation going on

Just 15 minutes here, got commotion!

Holy cow! A 2kg or so Kurau!

Wahsay..

And into the icebox with the other big fishes *saliva dripping*

Just within 15 minutes, there was a commotion. Someone had gotten something big and his friend was scrambling for the long net. We all ran there to have a look, and I was shocked to see a 2kg+ Kurau in the net. The fishing looked promising indeed. And when the man open the icebox to put the latest catch, we found many other catches inside it. From what we gathered, the group had been there since yesterday.

Andrew also catch sight of a leaping Kurau said to be in the region of 6-7 kilos. We hastily toss out all our bottom fishing lines and kept our fingers crossed. But alas, the fishes never did come.

I am a dedicated bait fish supplier

Extreme fishing (for half beaks)

Finally got it!

I also have! female one

The group left the place around 3pm leaving the entire kelong to us. But despite the incoming tide, there wasn't any bite at all. The only one was when Andrew got a malong eel. It was lost however when we failed to navigate it into the net. Luckily I managed to catch it on video.

We did have some fun though catching the swarms of half beaks and little todaks. Iz and Jean managed to get their very first half beaks.

Quiz time..

Are we there yet?

Hoo...I challenge with you, kor kor. We swing 1 thousand times can?

A Pari left its mark here

The dried up tail

Hmm...looks like "matchbox" car

Pure, simple happiness. I am a bumblebee

We left the place around 5pm and headed for Pontian town for dinner/lunch. Jean wanted to bring us to try the famous Pontian wanton noodles. Unfortunately, upon reaching there, we found it closed. Hence we went to the only mall in Pontian, Billion mall for KFC instead. That was followed by some shopping before we headed back to Singapore via Tuas.

We all agreed that the place was rather promising and vowed to try an overniter one day.

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KFC - Teluk Sengat Rakit

A few times we said to try out the Rakit at the Teluk Sengat area. But it had been postponed due to last minute decisions to go to some where nearer. To get here, it was needed to drive up to Kota Tinggi and come down via the road to Desaru. to the other side of sg Layang. Therefore, a rather long round about drive. This time round, I decided to pay it a visit once and for all to find out about how the fishing is at the other side of the river from Kong Kong. TC was there recently to visit the Crocodile farm and informed me that he saw some Rakits there near the Jetty.

Reaching there, indeed there were rolls of Rakit around the Jetty. Being high tide, we did see activities in the water, and even some sea birds catching a herring or two. I quickly got the Rakit contact from the food stall and in my smattering of broken Malay, called the Rakit to get them to pick us up. By some miracle, the man understood me and came to pick us within 5 minutes. In fact, the boat ride to the Rakit was verynear and we could actually see him waving from the Rakit.

When we landed on the Rakit, we were immediately impressed with the place. It was big, and clean and there were lots of space to fish. The fee was an affordable RM20, and we were even given a jug of iced orange drink. A first in any Kelongs or Rakits that we have been. TC went about doing his apollo with his prawn meat and sotong, while I tried to test the water by using Tamban jig, and then doing some luring with my Regno.

But alas, the fishing was very bad. Even TC with his baited hooks, didn't manage to get anything at all. But I did see some solitary fishes swimming in the water. Water was fairly clear, but it turned to the brackish type very soon when we started fishing. We had missed the incoming tide and with the outgoing tide, water quality was rather bad.

It was only after some effort that I managed to catch 1 tiny weeny glassfish. With that, TC threw out a float with the live bait. And then he got a small Todak with it. But Todak after landing on the floor, wiggled and freed itself and gave us the slip.

We left shortly not wanting to waste our time here. On the way back, the boatman told us that the water had been spoiled by all the reclamation done by Singaore. From my experience fishing in this water, I tend to agree with them. The water had indeed turned rather bad lately.

It was such a waste that the fishing was such as this seemed such a comfortable place to spend a lazy afternoon. Hopefully, the water would get better in the near future, and we could all come back and enjoy this place again.
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KFC - Toman Fishing

Since I had just returned from the Durian farm in Segamat, we had a short meeting at LSR to celebrate Alicia's birthday and to eat durians that I had lugged back from the land of durians. The rest of the children mischievously buried her presents in the sand at the playground. The poor girl had to dig it out with her bare hands. But of course, X marks the spot and it was easily found.

Lucky for us, Marcus came to join us. And we discovered his secret talent in opening durians. Otherwise, I would probably have hacked it to pieces. The rest had a good time devouring the durians and luckily, I had brought back enough.

As we were at LSR, I tried a little fishing too. But again, the fishes were not at home. After trying for an hour, I gave up.

Remebering that ZW had a secret spot, we went to the place for recce. And to our excitement, we saw people catching some good size toman in front of us. Unable to contain our itch, ZW and I decided to come back again with our rods.

Reaching there, we tried to squeeze ourselves along the rocky bank for fishing. ZW was the first to hit on a baby toman. But alas as I was getting my camera out, it gave ZW the slip and fell back into the water. I hit the next fish and again, it was another toman. This seemed to be a Toman spot. ZW again hit on a fish, and this time, it was no baby. It gave the rod a good fight and the lines were even spooling out. But unfortunately, we only managed to video it before it again threw the hook and ran away. I took the next fish and another baby. After that, all fell quiet. And since it was getting late, we made a move back to civilisation.

It was a great short session and a very fruitful ones. ZW was very successful with his unbranded silvery blue lure. My 3D minnow also worked well. Definitely a very potential spot here.

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KFC - Ah Huat Kelong

The last time we had been in Tuas was quite a number of months ago. For the last visit to Ah Huat, we met the new owners who promised that the kelong would be nicely renovated by the next time we come again. They had recently bought over the Kelong and is in the process of renovating it. At the current state then, it was poorly maintained. There were rather big gaps in the wooden planks, and also not much of space to fish properly. I thought of revisiting this kelong thinking that it would have finished renovation by now.

This morning, it was initially decided to head for Desaru Rakit. (Probably Teluk Sengat). But as we gathered for breakfast at Carrefour, I recalled that Ah Huat Kelong should be due for a revisit to check out the new condition. All agreed and a quick call to Liman had him waiting for us at the Jetty. My last trip there, I had hit upon a huge Queenie that bent my rod like sugar cane.

I want this fish and that fish


Wah, someday he will have this kind of boat

Do I look like an actress?

Jason kelong (nicest Kelong in Tuas)



Alicia caught her fish on her own


From the upcoming tide, got some small action.
Something took off my fish head

Upon arrival at the Kelong, we found that it was still the same kelong with nothing being done to it. The so called renovation did not take place at all. At first, we wanted to change to another place. Liman told us that the Kelong at Jason would require a minimum of 10 pax at RM130. Rather steep prices. But seeing that the Kelong was empty, we decided to try it out again.

He got his Todak fishing skill recertified


Kelong dogs. They eat fish

A Fireworm (never never touch it)

Hmm...an alien is growing on this Tamban

Well, angler of the month


Who broke the plank and fell into this hole

After fishing for a while, we found that other than Tambans (loads of it), there was nothing else in terms of good fishing. TC was doing alot of apollo with prawn and sotong meat. With that, he got the biggest fish of the trip. A good size Bream. He also managed to get a decent Todak. ZW, who usually would get a Todak or two, failed in this aspect. Todaks were around, but in small numbers and puny ones.

Reclaimation works. Singapore is getting bigger and bigger

The caretaker told us that the fishing had gone down due to the reclaimation work just across the water. From this Kelong, the reclaimed land was rather near. (<1Km). For that, the water was affected and all the fishes had gone away. But the Tambans were rather plentiful and even the fishing people on boats would anchor near the kelong to get them.

They "stole" some of this cactus plant


No fish no fish, said the Kelong helper

Jason's nice Kelong

Passing by the island (there were some people on it)

The tide went down and then it was rather quiet. Live baiting would see the bait fishes still alive after an hour. We decided not to waste time and left the place around 3pm.

Durian GSS

Zhi Char from Tian Tian Lai Restaurant

From there, TC led us to him favourite restaurant near Gelang Patah. According to him, lots of Singaporean come here to eat. The regular food dishes were rather cheap. Only the live seafood was comparable to Singapore's prices.

Followed by dessert

Ready...

Being Durian season, there were some durians for sale at RM5 per kg. Very cheap prices. We ordered around 4Kg, and to my surprise, the durian was top quality and we had a good durian party. Everyone ate to their fill. Simply delicious.

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