ICasters' @ Natural Exotic Fish Fishing Pond - Nov 15th 2014

A detailed report by Ian Peters. 

It was a cold  day at Natural Exotic Fish Pond (Rawang).

Lightning flashes in the distance worried Aston, and the cold wind bearing on my bald head was adding to the worry.... would it rain? Ran collectively in our minds...

Justin was first at the pond at 6.15...to book his favorite place next to the bridge to the restaurant. He was already well equipped with 2 Nasi Lemak bungkus (Favorite Local Breakfast) and a flask of hot coffee.

We arrived at 6.45am and rigged up..talking cock and greeting each other with laughter..curses and something about live keli (Live Catfish).

Then came the birthday boy Mathew. ..he gave us invaluable insights of the exo pond.
His views cemented my own views and that of Logesh, that most of the fish were at about 4 feet from the side of the pond where the drop off were.

We went in, the sun rose cool at first... but hot as it climbed to it's zenith...fish where initially active, became quiet and the majority of the casters were located  in the hut behind the canteen.

Vimalan - Asian Redtail

Vimalan was injured and could not cast far and was hobbling around casting quite accurately around the canteen with Mathew showing us his casting skills around the canteen roof. (An interesting technique, of casting the lure to the roof, and slide it down to drop in the water)
Even with his injury and hobbling around, he (Vimalan) registered the highest hit's and was rewarded with a couple of Asian Redtails.

Navin and Aston were all over the place when i foul hooked a 7 kg plus Amazon Redtail on its tail..on a size 4 fly. Despite the massive adrenaline rush, it is not something I'm proud off, quickly concluded the fight and released the fish back to the waters. It is almost impossible not to foul hook on a fast strip, as the high density of fish in exo pond.

The fly boys used WT6 and 7 rods with sinking line. We registered  most strikes on black that day.

Bottom supremo Justin  was successful on his special  sardine dedak (Pilchards with Bran mixture) and sliced fish thrown to the  shadows of the  canteen.

Navin was working the  water well...and he was rewarded  with a beautiful red tail.

Navin - Asian Redtail

Aston CKC'ed (Group's Term of Foul Hooked) a huge Tilapia (Tilapiine Cichlid) and managed  to proper hook up an Amazon Redtail, but overall it was a quiet day for him...from his usual 5 fish on average in exo pond.

Aston - Amazon Redtail

Sivanes was casting well, but apart from strikes and misses..he came out empty handed, on the first half. And on the second half, his dedication rewarded him a nice Asian Redtail.

Sivanes - Asian Redtail

Loges was beating the water to a froth casting and casting and despite, many hits and runs he lost many flies  to some huge marauding demons.

I myself lost one huge fish that took me to backing in an instant but when i tot it stopped and i had got him. The line went slack..
The fish..suspected a big Pacu (Pa'Ku / Characidae)  had left me with a clean  cut line.

Fight ensued but no other takes, except at the pump where Logesh  lost 4 flies and I 2...
Huge amazons were in the wash but we managed to put up about 7 or so Jelawat / Sultan Fish (Leptobarbus Hoevenii). Also known as the mad barb...

It is the humble  suggestion of this observer that exo needs to be fished on a week day preferably on Wednesday.

Lure should be broad fish patterns cast to the canteen and brought  back.

Grubs should be white or light color cast to behind the canteen and slowly left there, and brought back slowly...strong scented grubs would be preferred.

With fly casters..the back cast is a problem but not  impossible.
We should  cast more and practice our roll casts especially and use colors such as black deceivers and woolly buggers.

Casting near or at the pump brings results and it is not for the faint hearted. Not fast enough could lead to lost lure's or to lost lines.
With fly caster's, it is advisable that a tippet of below 20lbs breaking strength is used. If, your lines are tangled on the pump's, at-least you could break off the tippet and not loose the whole fly line. That could be expensive.

Casters should  be able to pin point casting as Mathew suggests..by hitting the back wall of the canteen and dropping the grub.. Fat suspending lure should be used as well..

So be aware whats happening and light tippets are favored to break off.

- The End -

Written By
Ian Peters