Approaching Infinity

The dawn was hazy. The white tinged horizon signalled palm oil plantation harvesting season had commenced across South East Asia. This meant migratory sails, the strong, robust breeders would be present.

Before too long we were sandwiched between rampaging Spanish Mackerel and aggressive Sail Fish. We caught and released both in numbers all day long.

Some Sail fish were caught sight casting to “Finning” fish, this is when the fish are observed cruising along the surface of the water with dorsal fin and tail protruding the surface. You don’t get much better than that in sport fishing terms. The 10 wt fly rod got a work out and we did break out the light spinning gear on some of the Mackerel.

It was one of those “infinity” type days. You can tell you are having them when a comfortable silence remains over the group as nobody wants to say anything that might jinx the run of remarkable good luck. After a while though, you realize you are experiencing a day that ceases to disappoint and absorb yourself in the action.

We had squid attaching themselves to hooked baitfish (which were kept live as bait for some sail fish action), pelagics all around the boat, triple hookups and even managed to capture some of those “photos of a lifetime”.

Think about the timing that goes into a 50kg yellow fin tuna launching itself to intercept an airborne flying fish travelling at speed?! Now that’s one unlucky flying fish.

It was with pleasure we cleaned up and headed back. It was an action packed day. It was from the pier that we made our way back to Singapore. Engineers, backpackers, golfers and greying academics baffling to one another over logic, our love for fishing and the outdoors and questions on everything from zero to infinity.

Let's get Exotic in the Tropics.......

Yes. Sail fishing in Malaysia is as good and better than the Costa Rica's of the world.  That said, I rate fishing destinations holistically, that is how good is the fishing in the context of the broader destination? Well let's see. Malaysian climate? Marvellous; Relative proximity (when compared to Costa Rica for Asia Pac travellers)? Much closer; Food? Abundant, diverse and outrageously good; The people? Yep, there's a bad durian here and there but on the most part friendly and hospitable; Exchange rate and bang for your buck? Extremely favourable; Numbers of Sails? Double digit catch and release days are frequent. That leaves Malaysia at the top of the heap in my mind.  Vessel and basic infrastructure does not compare to our well established Latin American comrades however....but the boats do float!

While fishing would usually be the focal point of a trip of this nature, you still want plenty of things to do and see if the fish God's are not smiling!  A short trip from the concrete jungles of Kuala Lumpur or Singapore will have you tackling one of my favourite and flamboyant fighting saltwater species. 

Trips are booked out from now until the end of the season so I plan to keep you abreast of progress in coming months with some uploaded footage.

There has been quite a bit of interest from you regarding Sailfishing of late.  I've dug up an old article where I set voyage to some uncharted waters and uncovered a few little gems off Malaysia's West Coast.  Hope you can take something from it.

Adios till next time
Jason Borg