Almost Done!

As from my previous post, I'm in the midst of acquiring a new lighter setup rated at 14lb.

Today, I've gotten the rod...

It's a Megabass Destroyer X7.
Model F3-69X7.

Specs:~
Length: 6'9"
Action: Fast
Line: 6-14lb
Lure: 3.5-14gram

Of the many rods produced by Megabass, this is the only model which I am interested in.
It's blank loads like a dream with 1/2 ounce lures...

Attention is paid to every single detail of this premium rod by the folks at Megabass Japan.

Truly a work of art and functionality.

The only fault I can find with this rod is it's overall weight.
On my scale, it weighs 113 grams.

That's almost the same weight compared to my 14-20lb G.Loomis NRX.

I'm guessing that the extra grams came from it's Metacompo reel seat and the blank's Yoloy wrapping.




Got myself a pair of new pliers as well.
Old one has served me well for years and it's pincers are starting to get really loose...

Even their pliers looks good!

Fixed on my new reel and took a few photos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a month of planning, research and shopping, things are finally starting to fall into place.

 

What's left are the RCS SV105 spool and those ultra rare knobs...

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Megabass Asia Cup Video Montage

It's finally out.

Enjoy!

Haruan's Paradise

Planned to visit Spot Mozzy for some giant snakehead action this morning. 

Hasn't went there for months.

To my surprise, I was caught in a traffic jam at 6am in the morning. 

Hordes of cars and people were making their way to Lim Chu Kang Cemetary to pay respect to their ancestors as it's the first Sunday of Chinese tomb sweeping month. 

Jammed for an hour in the standstill traffic extending all the way back to PIE's exit ramp. 

Reached Mozzy's gate after first light and noticed a number of cars parked outside.

Started trekking in without much thought. 

Light mist hanging on the treetops.

A landing net that I had hidden was gone...

Very much expected anyway.

When I emerged from the vegetation to the fishing spot, I was surprised to see a total of 7 anglers there.

All unfamiliar faces.

After months of absence from Mozzy, seems like it somehow turned into a pasar malam spot.

Decided against the idea of crowding with those people and trekked back out.

Went to explore another nearby location and this is what I stumbled upon:

A stagnant lake in the middle of no man's land.

This lake was not listed on Google maps.
It's a stroke of luck to stumble blindly upon it.

I couldn't resist the temptation and tried to find a way down to the lake.

There was none. 

It's an untouched spot...

Made my way down the steep slope slowly.
I started casting a wooden frog as there were many submerged fallen trees and weeds. 

This is what I caught on my first cast:

And subsequent ones:

There were countless misses on the wooden frog lure. 

This remote lake is teeming with Haruans!

They are also known as 'Local Snakeheads' due to the fact that unlike the Giant Snakeheads which are introduced, they are native to our country.
Both of them are from the same species family though.

No sign of any other species...

There were occasions when I noticed them dashing out from cover to hit my lure. 

Starving and angry haruans indeed...

My first catch on a frog lure. 

After a short session of fun, I headed for home. 

The massive jam got worse:

Megabass IS79 Ultimate Competition Limited

Not just an ordinary Megabass IS79UC...

It's the 'Red Clutch Edition' which is released only in right hand cranking models. 

This particular edition is only available in Japan with only 100 pieces ever produced back in 2012.

I'm extremely lucky to be able to get my hands on a brand new piece. 

Much likely the very last one available for purchase...

Strictly for freshwater application only.

Enough of the onlys.  lol

Specs:

Weight - 169 grams

Drag - 4kg

Bearings - 11+1

Gear Ratio - 7.9 : 1

Line per turn - 84cm

Brakes - Magnetic

This is the second low profile baitcasting reel I've got after much consideration.

Sold my first one years ago.
Daiwa Alphas R-Edition.

Doesn't seem to be able to palm well with low profile BC reels...

Ever since then, I have been using round profile drum reels which are extremely robust but at the expense of a heavier overall weight.

Hope this one fits better in my hand...

It will be a major shame if such an incredibly smooth and fast reel turns out to fail me ergonomically...

Photos speak a thousand words:

As expected, original spool weighs a disappointing >15grams.
Replacing it is part of the plan.

In the midst of getting a lower poundage setup for some fishing fun on lighter lures.

Much thought and testing have been done before I decided on this new setup.

I'm confident that it will fish like a dream when everything is completed.

Some performance dressup parts are on the way.

The price to pay for exclusivity...

Can't wait...

Freshwater Fishing Pond

Last time I went to such commercial pond was 15 years ago.

Not really a fan of this kind of fishing but went anyway after much persuading by those guys.
lol

It's actually a good relaxing chillout activity.

Baited with taiwanese sausages and fresh raw thick salmon slices.

Rong with his huge freshwater barramundi on sausage.

Throughout the entire session, I've only caught a tilapia...

Shawn had been very hopeful about getting his Redtail Catfish but luck failed him...

Still very much prefer the wild and free...

Megabass Afternoon Tea

It's sort of a post competition gathering for some competitors, crew and marshal.

Held at Professor Brawn Cafe at Boat Quay.

Great food and ambience for a small event.
Shall patronise them in future when I have the chance.

Laughter aplenty.

Shawn getting his lures signed by the new Megabass female pro angler Seina Hikida with a photobombing George Kishita from Megabass Japan's marketing department.
Despite being technically a salesman, I've witnessed his flipping technique up close and he is definitely an accomplished fisho.

Shawn just couldn't get enough of Seina.  lol

Also screened a video montage of the Megabass Asia Cup competition.

Look forward for it to be posted on Facebook anytime soon.

Busy like a Yellow Bee!

Ever since I started work in my new company, my workload has been increasing with each passing week.

Take this month of March for example.

Just 17 days and I've clocked 80 hours of overtime!

There's not a single day that goes by without sweat and blood not to mention being at least 5m high from terra firma.

The money is good but at the expense of time with Ling, Boy and sleep.
Been taking a toll on my health as well...

What to do...
Without proper education and a tainted background, some sacrifice has to be made to earn that kind of money.

Been fishing on every Sunday morning as usual.






Lesser time to blog now.
I'll try my best to keep this blog going.

Sneak Preview?

Always a sucker for exclusivity... 

Always a sucker for premium tackles...

Megabass Asia Cup 2013/2014

Megabass Singapore held it's very first fishing competition right here at Aunty's Pond at Neo Tiew.

It is a saltwater pond and only limited to 40 competing anglers.

40 is just right for a pond that size.
Every angler has their own comfortable space.

As I am not participating in the competition, I was asked to help out with marshaling duties.
Basically verifying legibility of contestants' catches and award points accordingly.

I gladly accepted as I know that Andrew is in need of manpower due to some previous unpleasant hooha with the initial group of volunteers which I couldn't care less to elaborate.

Worked till 4am yesterday night, went home and slept for 3 hours, overslept and running late, raced to fetch Shawn at his workplace then to Aunty's Pond for pre-event crew briefing.

Registration Counter

Rong & Shawn with their competition tags.

Part of the pond.

Ming arrived late and had us worried for awhile.
We thought he overslept.

Kick off!

Ming with his weapon: Megabass Cover Hacking 10CHL.

Rong still taking it easy.

2nd batch of fishes being released.
A total of 200kg barramundi ranging from 1-2kg each were released for this event.

Still trying.

Look who decided to pop by!

Competitors with ample room for repeated castings.

Shawn & Rong.

They're enjoying themselves!

Shawn's setup.

Shawn's first catch on hard-bodied.

Ming fighting a wild one which turned out to be foul-hooked.

Shawn, Me, Ming.
Showing off their early birds' tags.

Shawn came in 7th place.

The top 3 winners.

Making full use of the backdrop.

Yours truly.