Summer Time is Eging Time (Squid Fishing)

Summer in the Philippines has a somewhat negative effect in fishing from my experience. Predators that regularly patrol coastal areas seem to avoid the coast and stay in deeper waters. Perhaps to get out of the heat or probably they are extra wary because in most areas the water is clearer than usual during summer.
Because fishing seems to slow down during summer, the alternative is to chase after other readily available targets such as squids.
Squids are abundant in the country and has no special season. They are mostly caught by coastal fishermen using line and home made lures. They usually drag the lure from their boat while paddling slowly. In almost every area where squid fishing is practiced, fishermen go after them at night -- particularly when the moon is bright. They are not aware that they can just as easily be caught during day time --- but with a bit special gear and technique.
In a recent trip to the north, fishing for coastal predators was extremely slow. It's a good thing I also brought my eging outfit with a bunch of squid lures. I an hour or so, I managed to catch four good sized squids. One of them is more than half a kilo. I only managed to take pics of 2.

Testing K'S Labo and Daiwa Sol on Barramundi

This afternoon, I went to the School of Fish  fishing pond North of Manila to test a bass rodthat I recently acquired. The rod is KS Labo Lakeforce Stage 604MH. My intention was to know how sensitive the rod was -- in preparation for a future Bass  trip. The rod was perfect for my Daiwa Sol.

I arrived at the pond at around 2:30pm. I actually wished that I could fish for the whole day but that was my only available free time.

Anyway, my luck picked up on that day. The pond residents were very eager to play that day. After a few hours, I was able to land 3 barras.

Barra 1. Around 2kgs




Barra 2. Around 3.5 my guestimate


Barra 3. Should reach around 3kg 


All Barramundis were released with no more than minor scars and bruised egos. 

The rod and reel were perfect and I was more than happy with their performance. The rod was very sensitive. I was able to feel every bump  and taps from the pesky tilapias on my jerkbait. To be honest, I never had a more sensitive rod than this. I believe the rod will be a winner in bottom contact fishing (t-rigs) for Bass. I can't wait for my next bass trip -- on a kayak.

Daiwa Certate Custom 3500HD

Finally, a Daiwa Certate Custom 3500HD in my collection. This reel has been in my wish list for more than two (2) years already. I had to give up my Catalina to get this reel. It's light and solid. It has an aluminum body and rotor. All the bearings are CRBB. The Certate Custom HD has a machined handle like the ones sold by RCS. Primarily a jigging reel, the Certate was made to withstand heavy use and saltwater abuse.

 Having the same color scheme, it looks great with my Lemax Slimmax light jigging rod. Same color scheme as Millionaire Bay Casting Special 103L.

It is a bit bigger and heavier than my Stella 3000 (with Size 4000 spool). When tested side by side, the Stella is way smoother than the Certate, Perhaps because the Certate has been in storage for a long time and it has experienced its share of abuse. I think if I clean and flush the bearings, soak them in paint thinner, and flush all the crud and old grease using my Ultasonic cleaner, it's going to be as smooth as the Stella if not smoother,

I will use this reel for casting poppers,  jigs, and for madai-inchiku.