A decent introduction to fishing in Malaysia
Zaem is a good guy. I first want to be sure to express his good energy as a captain. As a professional angler I have caught lots of heavy fish and most enjoy big, aggressive fish. The Toman, Peacock Bass, and other fish in Lake Prima are all heavy hitters. It was my goal to have at least one somewhat large ( 10 lb - 20+lb ) catch. I caught a few baby Peacocks and one quarter pounder on live bait carp minnows. Also a just under a 1 pound Toman. To see them all was amazing. But the light tackle we had to use was not, in my experience with heavy hitters, suitable for what dwells in Lake Prima. There are 20lb plus fish. A simple 2 or 3 pound Peacock hit my bait and took me for a ride. I am sure I could have landed it with stronger main line but we were given 10 lb braided line. I adjusted drag and played it well but the fish dipped under the boat and snapped the line! I was still optimally at that point but I guarantee if I had 30lb test- I would have landed that fish easily. There were constant main line tangles of line due to a slightly breezy day, and that made for some time lost with reties. It happens and this is fishing. Still for losing an hour to rain early in the trip Zaem was gracious to add time later and try to keep us on some biting fish. Unfortunately my last memory of the species in Lake Prima Puchong will be a Heruan Snakehead pulling my line after I finally figured out the subtle hook setting technique, but the fish jumped and easily shook the hook! That was still fun and awesome. Bottom line Zaem is an all around great captain that regardless of struggles with communication in English, seems to always say the right thing and be encouraging no matter what happens. I only hope his business grows and he can eventually afford to get stronger lines and a more advanced boat for all the possibilities of Prima’s monsters. Not the best and not my worst experience. A basic introduction at best.
Thanks for using my service.hope I will see u again.. until next time my friend..
