My First Threadfin Salmon

While I was in Zambales during the holidays, a fishing frenzy was happening in Manila Bay. Anglers were catching Threadfin Salmon, and they were big --- from a kilo up to 3kg fishes. They were being caught using top water lures and spoons.

To be honest, I have been trying to catch a Threadfin since November. I've been to three threadfin trips already and not a single bite. When I heard they started to appear in big groups during the end of December, I got really excited. I had to catch one and find out if it's reputation of a great fighter is true. So, last week we planned today's trip and asked Bong to reserve a big boat --- I was hoping some will join me in the hunt. I was also planning to field test a couple of new rods that I got as year-end gift to myself. Unfortunately, everyone's not available. My cousin said he can't come because he can't fish the whole day. But because the boat was already reserved, I convinced my cousin to fish for just half a day --- 6am to 12nn. Half a day of fishing is better than no fishing at all. I just hoped the fishes were biting in the morning.

So we arrived at Gloria Maris just before 6. The boatman was not yet ready. They forgot to buy gasoline so we had to wait near the breakwater together with morning joggers. After half an hour or so, we finally left to the spot. It was a good half an hour to get there. The waves were a bit high and that concerned me. My game plan was all out topwater. Them fishes might not notice my lures with all these waves crashing in the surface. And that's what happened. Not a nibble when the waves were strong. Around 10am, the waves lessened but unfortunately, threadfin was sparse. We saw individual fishes busting bait on the surface but it they were just so few. So, out of desperation, I just fan casted all around the boat. For the entire morning, there was not even a single strike. I was ready to call it a day when the waves flattened and we started seeing panicking baitfishes.

Around 12 noon, the fan casting paid off. I got my first threadfin. It crashed my lure thrice before I got hookup. The fish jumped three times as well and dove under the boat. It was 1.7kg. After some photos, I resumed fan casting. I managed to get 3 more strikes but they failed to connect to the lure. Just before 1pm, we went back to the docks. There, Erwin and Manny were waiting for their turn with the boat.

My impression --- I was expecting something stronger --- something stronger than a ladyfish. Maybe this one is not big enough. Anyway, my first threadfin was a good size and I hope the next one would be bigger.

As for the two rods, they were awesome. The first got christened while the other one got multiple strikes.

I'm sure there are bigger threadies there. I just have to find the right time of day. I will be back for sure with a new game plan.