Art 3: The Seeker in the Weeds

To catch a fish, you first have to find the fish. The 4 main components I have summarized to find predatory fishes are Channel, Ambush Point, Food Source and Cover. I will elaborate on what I have found out through my experience in fishing.

Ex. 1

1. Channel - Defines as a safe road for fish to cruise the waters to desired destination.
2. Ambush Point - Defines as a safe place or hideout for fish to hunt their food. 
3. Food Source -  A variable. Food source generally moves about, it will be best situation to have them.
4. Cover - Defines as a safe place for fish to rest.

Notice that for all the points, safety of the fish's live is the utmost criteria. If the place is not safe, you can be sure there won't be any fish either. Let me provide an example, 

Ex.2 in the middle of a lake, most likely, you will not find any fish as they might get ambushed from all directions. Therefore, this proves that safety is placed at the first priority for a fish.

Ex.2 can be overruled if there are any of the points stated above.

Ex.3

• A - Angler
• Y - Ambush Point
• R - Channel
• B - Cover

Example 3, the illustration might not be the best but it definitely shows what I mean about the 4 main components. Food source is not shown as it is a variable that moves around. The spot with the most components intertwined will highly likely be the best.

Art 2: Fishing in Daylight for Peacock Bass

For peacock bass fishing, I always preferred during day time, be it dawn or dusk. For dawn fishing, what i found out is that fishes generally roam around a certain area, like that's their territory. While dusk fishing, fishes generally stay at one place, preparing to rest for the night. Therefore, dawn fishes seldom get spooked while dusk fishes get spooked rather easily and quickly.

Here's a tip for you. If you face problems such as watching ripples around the area but after casting awhile, the water area becomes dead calm, try stop casting for about 5mins and keep quiet. Move slightly or slowly if you really have to and stand away from the shoreline. After 5mins or so, normally you will start seeing ripples again; if not, the fish might have been spooked off. This way of fishing requires your friend/buddy/team cooperation, tell them the logic and 5mins wont hurt. For best effect, squat down and don't let your shadow cast upon the water.

Personally, I do have spots that need to do this after awhile. This method is effective as it is how water birds catch their prey.

Remember, fish near the weeds, wherever and whenever possible!

Art 1: Fishing around Weeds

Fishes can usually be found near or inside weeds, especially the green ones as they produce the most oxygen and provides good cover from predators. In order to fish effectively, you have to first identify the type of weed in your area.

For emergent weeds, best is avoid the weed as the is no way to fish inside thick emergent weeds. Emergent weeds normally have stronger and deeper roots, therefore if you hook onto one, there are chances of line breakage.

For floating and submerged weeds, work your lures(the ones with treble hooks) as near the weed edge as possible to induce a strike. If you noticed that you hooked up onto some weed, DO NOT attempt to yank out the whole bunch of weed. Do some light twitches with the rod for about 6 - 8 times and if it is not deeply snagged into the weed, it will come free. This way, you can avoid grabbing a ton of weed and avoid spooking the fish in hiding. 

Remember to work the lure as near the weed edge as possible so as to induce a strike from ambushing fishes!

Predatory fishes that usually hide around the weeds in Singapore are Snakeheads, Peacock Bass (especially Temensis), Barramundi and Groupers.

Happy Fishing!