Sunday, November 18, 2012

Revisiting Irving's Bulacan Barra Pond

Since Irving seeded his pond with Barramundi 2 years ago, I haven't tried fishing there. I tried fishing for the haruans there a long time ago, but at that time, there were no barras. I saw them when they were a few weeks old and they were just around 2 inches, and were living in a netted section of the pond, but that was it. That was 2 years ago.

Last year, when the Barras were a year old, I saw Irving, Mikko, Pao, Chris, and Richard's report. The Barras were averaging 2kg each. Absolutely fascinating. 





Unfortunately, a few months ago, extreme flooding affected the pond. The barras were assumed to have escaped. Lately Irving was able to catch some and they have grown quite significantly.

Yesterday, when Irving asked me to test it before the December 2 event, I didn't think twice. I had to try it. I wasn't expecting so much, probably a lucky shot at 3kg 3.5kg and a few dalag at 1.5 to 2kg would make my day.

To my surprise. I got something absolutely fascinating. I caught a 4.2 kg, a 4.5kg Barra, and 1.5kg dalag, and this one.



Early in the morning, I was able to hook into around 7 bidbids. I was using 50lb braid, 40lb leader, an a 76lb snap. All of them were able to throw the hook. If I had a small jerkbait, I might have caught a few of them.

All of the Barramundis were caught, photographed, and released.





4.2kg



A snakehead


4.5kg


7kg

I know there are big ones in there. Probably more than 8kg. Can't wait for December 2.

10 comments:

  1. I'm in the Phils every so often.At home I fish Muskelunge- a pike species, and Bass. REALLY interested in Haruan, Barramundi and inshore species- any spot you'd share would be awesome.Limited space when I travel so tackle tips would be handy. I'm told that there are Barramundi/Haruan in the Bulacaan estuary as well as a few ponds. my e-mail is derosier.steve@gmail.com.How is the February fishing?

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  2. Hi! I've been trying to figure out where is the exact location in the map but no luck finding it...Can somebody let me know how to get there? Thanks!

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    1. Hi John,

      Unfortunately, the pond is a private pond. You can't just go there and fish without the owners' permission.

      Instead of this pond, you can go to Aling Nene's pond also in Bulacan. There you can fish for barra for a fee.

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  3. Is it toward the south in th estuary? I'll bethere around Feb/March hope tocatch some Barras. Did the big ones come IN from the river- they are supposed to be in that area wild right?Derosier.steve@gmail.com

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    1. Hi Steve,
      Wild barraundi are all over the estuaries in the Philippines but they are a bit wary and are extremely hard to catch on lures. I have been trying to find them in Luzon for over four years already and still have not caught a wild fish until now. You can however catch one on stocked ponds in Bulacan.

      To know more about fishing in the Philippines, where to go, where to stay, what's the latest and hottest spots, go to the filipinoanglers.org forum. There are a lot of people there who are willing to help yo out.

      Tight lines Steve.

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  4. Just read your article. Good one. I liked it. Keep going. you are a best writer your site is very useful and informative thanks for Sharing best spinning reel.

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  5. Is there a place where we can do fishing besides from a pond, something near shore, and have a tent build there and cook it right there. Any idea is very much appreciated.

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