BAITING
In Singapore, baiting is illegal at all reservoirs and anglers can be fined if they are found out. PUB believes that bait contaminates the reservoirs' water which is used for human consumption. As such, baiting is only allowed at pay ponds.
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Below are some common baits used at pay ponds in Singapore:
1. Chicken Liver
Chicken liver is a popular bait at pay ponds especially when targetting carnivorous catfish. They give out a lot of stench that attracts fishes, making it very effective. The only problem that may occur is that the livers may turn soft and mushy if exposed directly to the sun, making it slightly hard to stay on the hook. This can be easily solved by using chicken hearts as stoppers to prevent the live from sliding out.
Rigs to use
- Apollo rig with 1 hook snood if targetting bottom-feeding fishes. Recommended sinker size 2 or 3.
- Float rig if target topwater to midwater fishes.
Where to buy
- Your local butcher shop at the wet market
- Fishing Paradise@ORTO, for the price of $3/pack
Chicken liver,an inexpensive but effective bait.
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They come in all shapes and sizes!
2. "Bomb" Powder (KNG)
KNG is a bait that is use to target herbivorous fishes. It is basically powdered bait made from plant matter. It is the fastest way for a beginner to catch a fish at pay ponds but the mixing of the bait is tedious and one mistake in the process will result in a zero hookup rate.
Mixing KNG
Step 1: Get some KNG at the pay pond and scoop a pail of POND WATER.
Step 2: Empty the packet of KNG into another pail and add in additional addictives if you want.
Step 3: Slowly scoop some water from the pail and add it to the KNG, don't poor everything.
Step 4: Mix the KNG with your hands after pouring in every scoop of water. Scoop some KNG up after mixing and try to squeeze the KNG into a lump. Make sure the KNG holds together well with a moist and compact structure.
Rigs to use
- Only applicable on Bomb rig. Further explanation at the Rigs section under the HOW TO FISH section
Where to buy
-Fishing Paradise@ORTO sells the unflavoured KNG at $3.50 per pack. Additional flavourings such as strawberry and pandan flavour can be bought there and add into the KNG.
There are different colours KNG in the market. Mixing different colours may be effective.
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They come in different colors and sizes.
3. Live Lampam (Tinfoil barb)
Live bait is very restricted when fishing in freshwater. The cheapest and best freshwater live bait in Singapore would be the lampam,.a striking fish with shiny silver scales that will attract predators to come and eat it. 4 to 5 inch are normally used, while 8 to 10 inches will catch monster fishes.
Rigs to use
- Float rig with split shot sinker around 6 inch long. Hook the lampam at the back, right in front of the dorsal fin so as to not kill it. Then, just put the lampam into the water and let it swim out into the open
Where to buy
- Most pet shops sell lampams from $2 to $3
A fat lampam. Check out those shiny scales!
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Lampamns tend to reside in fast rocky rivers, near coral reefs.
4. Taiwan Sausage
Taiwan Sausage is a interesting bait to use, in a sense that no one actually thought of using it at first. However, in reality, they are actually candy to catfishes. The Taiwan Sausage is one of the most effective baits for catfish in pay ponds. Iit does not give off as much stench as chicken liver, staying on the hook much longer.
Rigs to use
- Single hook apollo rig. When hooking the sausage, make sure it is hook in tightly without the hook point exposed. -- When the fish chews through the sausage, it will eventually find the hook.
Where to buy
- Fishing Paradise@ORTO, $4/ 4 pieces
- Supermarket (Only chicken variety allowed)
Taiwan sausages look similiar in shape to normal sausages, but they are bright red in colour.
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They are actually quite a popular food in Taiwan!
That is all for baiting. Take a look at the RIGS section under HOW TO FISH and check out some rigs for baiting. Remember, do NOT use bait at reservoirs!
References:
Wikipediaorg. (2016). Wikipediaorg. Retrieved 18 August, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishing_bait In-text citation: (Wikipediaorg, 2016)