When the jenahak bites

Kuala Sepetang or Port Weld is one of the many places where anglers can charter a boat to fish in the Straits of Malacca.

JENAHAK or ang cho fish is one of the most sought after species among anglers.

It is one of the top three, aside from grouper and threadfin, on the anglers’ priority list as it makes a very tasty meal.

With the price of freshly caught jenahak skyrocketing to as high as RM50 per kg at the wet market, it comes as no suprise that most anglers would try to catch one.

Catching jenahak can be fun.

This fish, also known as golden snapper, is a good fighter and puts up a strong run, trying to escape back into its hideout the moment it is caught on the hook.

The bigger the fish, the stronger the fight it puts up, giving the fisho an adrenaline kick in catching it.

While it is easy to catch this fish, the challenge lies in how to entice it to take the bait.

Knowing where the fish can be found is essential when hunting for jenahak.

This fish can be found in abundance on the muddy seabed.

It lives in the rocky seabed, corals, artificial reef like tukun and shipwreck.

The bottom fishing technique is the most common and favourite method to catch this species.

Although jigging can land one with the fish, it is not a popular technique among those looking for it.

The best time to catch jenahak is at night and at the interval just slightly before the high and low tide.

As for the set-up, the main line is attached to a spreader, which is either made from plastic or metal wire.

But from my experience, a longer leader, between two and three-and-a-half metres, depending on the current and tide, is highly recommended.

A shorter leader can make it difficult to catch the species.

The idea of having a long leader is to enable the bait to flip from left to right, imitating a swimming action.

The rig must also be lifted at least one or two metres above the seabed, allowing the bait to have a free play rather than lying at the bottom of the sea.

The fisho also needs to move the rod up and down every now and then, to create the flipping motion on the bait when the tide slows down.

This has been proven to entice the jenahak.

Alternative live baits such as mantis prawn, octopus and squid can be used.

The use of live bait is a far better and effective way to catch the fish.

A heavy poundage rod with a big reel, either a spinning or multiplier, is recommended for this type of fishing.

Of course, if you are fishing in the South China Sea, a much lighter rod and reel could be used.

However, for those heading to the Straits of Malacca, where the current and tide are much stronger, a heavier rod and bigger reel are needed.

With the monsoon changing its direction from now until the end of February or early March, the Straits of Malacca would be the best location to catch this species.

Among some of the favourites spots where the jenahak can be found are between Pulau Besar and the Pulau Serimbum channel, the vicinity of Pulau Nangka and Pulau Undan, all in Malacca; the islets near Pulau Sembilan off the Perak coast and the shipwrecks found in the Perak-Penang waters or the channel between Penang island and the mainland. Happy fishing.

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