Anyone fished in Hong Kong or Philippines (Davao)

[Skywoolf]

Hi All,

As a teenager I was a freshwater fishing fanatic in the UK. 35 years ago I moved to Hong Kong and now have homes in Hong Kong and the Philippines.

I am spending a lot of time researching shore fishing in these areas where I have no experience.

So I have found that the most common food fish are grouper, pompano and snapper. I jnow there are plenty of Tuna in davao but I guess I would need a boat for them.

If anyone can offer any advice it would be appreciated.

[tom_s]

think fiore is from there..he posted some good pics a while back...

[HellRhaY]

if you are going to fish for tuna, it's not in davao. it's in general santos city, 3-4 hour drive from davao. if you're going to have a boat for tuna fishing, might as well buy a machine gun that would be mounted in your boat. the wters between the philippines, indonesia and malaysia is unpatrolled by any law enforcement and these waters are the tuna grounds, boats and people are being taken for ransom in these areas. google "abu sayyaf". even the tourist are being advice by the Us government not to stay in the southern partts fo the Philippines.

i believe you'd be better off in hongkong. Whoever gave you the info that groupers and snappers are caught in the Philippines, please ask them how big and how many hours to get one.

the philippine resources are over used. dynamite fishing is rampant, gill nets that extends 1000 yards are all over the place, even the whale sharks are being caught for food.

[Skywoolf]

Wow quick replies!

Yep I know general Santos is a bit dangerous and anywhere offshore in that area for a white guy like me would be an open invitation to pirates and kidnappers. I have been spending time in Davao one or twice a year for the last 13 years and always felt very safe in town and in the boondocks.

Davao is actually very safe, much safer than Manila. There are plenty of places where the fishing boats don't go. At least where I have never seen any sign of anything bigger than one or too guys in an outrigger.

Hong Kong is fished out. Thousands of fishing boats over the last 100 years or so have taken everything worth taking. The big fishing boats go for many miles out of Hong Kong Waters but there are many places close to shore that are virtually impossible to fish with nets. I see good Pompano and Snapper for sale live in the fishing villages along with grouper up to about 18" long that I think are mostly caught with hand lines. The most common fish caught locally by fishing boats and sold in the markets are only three or four inches long.

[Al Kai]

I fished and hunted alot in the Philippines
Mainly San Fernando La Union (fishing) and San Miguel Zambales, Mindoro island etc (Hunting).
I was mainly into spearfishing when I lived there.
I dont know anything about Mindanao so I cant make any recommendations about Davao.
Do you have a Hunting club in your area? If so I would suggest you join it. The Sportsmen there will know about hunting and fishing in that area.
Tuna is called Tulingan in the area I was at, You also have Tanguegue or Ono/Wahoo.
Talakeetok or Jack Crevalle and the list goes on and on. Get with the locals and join a club.

[Skywoolf]

Well they gotta be a decent size for spear fishing so that alone confirms there are some decent fish. I will check out the other fish you mention but I know that some, like Tuna, are not likely to be inshore where I can get to them without a boat.

I would imagine there is not much difference anywhere in the Philippines but I don't really know. I have spent 13 years there and visited many areas. I see there are beaches, coral and rocky areas just about anywhere. Some areas like around Manila are badly polluted but there are plenty of pristine areas even around the city area of Davao.

I am now mostly based in Hong Kong and only visit the Philippines. So far I have found it almost impossible to get information locally. Next time I go I will look for tackle shops and get my in-laws to search around before I go. I don't think I have even seen one other than a few rods and reels in sports equipment shops.

I have searched the web and come up with almost nothing. I am now concentrating on finding out what fish are there then finding out how to catch those fish from forums like this one. Hopefully the same techniques will work.

I have been thinking of a simple technique for Hong Kong. I live right on the water front and there are plenty of small fish around 3 inches long that are very easy to catch. What I am thinking is to take a light rod to catch the little fish then use the little fish for bait on a bigger rod to try for grouper etc along rocky shores.

Does this make sense? It makes sense to me but I have never seen anyone here fishing that way. Almost all use shrimp to catch the little fish and bigger shrimp or occasional ragworm to fish for bigger fish.

[Al Kai]

I know its hard to come across any decent fishing equipment over there, I suggest you get a decent outfit then hand carry it with you when you visit.
You could also hire a Banquero (Boatman)
its not expensive and he could take you to some good spots.
They have a method of fishing there where they
have a series of hand tied jigs sorta like a Sabiki rig, they use hand line and jig this rig in deep water. Its pretty fun and productive.

[Skywoolf]

The equipment is easy as I can get it all in Hong Kong and as you say, hand carry it. If it is not expensive I will just leave a set there so I don't need to carry stuff back and forth. Its the advice that maybe could be available at a tackle shop I would be looking for.

Good idea to get a boatman I will get my in-laws to try to find one who knows where to go. It would be good for a day out and I might learn stuff that will help when I go for less organized fishing trips.

Lapu Lapu is one of my favorite fish (great for fish and chips) but its a freshwater fish so that's another job for the in-laws to try to find somewhere where we can fish for them.

[Al Kai]

Yes, I like lapu-lapu (grouper) as well, its also one of my favorites.
If you have a local Filippino fishing supply store
nearby check it out.
They sell these large handmade spools for handline fishing that is real cool as well as nets, lead sinkers, hooks etc.
That helped me as I met some good fishermen and was able to have alot of fun fishing.
Where I was at they all spoke english and I learned how to speak Tagalog well.

[eugenio]

Hi. Its realy good to do fishing out there in davao, and the best thing for you to do is try to rent a motor boat with outrigger. The fisherman there knows where good fishing in the area. Thats what we do back here in Luzon particularly in San Fabian Pangasinan and in Bolinao Pangasinan where we rent a motor boat and go out fishingits pretty exciting and there are a lot of talikitok and other types of fish you get anywhere from a six footer to 10 lbs of gifhting fish.

[Al Kai]

Kumusta ka Eugenio,
Ive dove (spearfish) at Hundred Islands in Pangasinan by way of Alaminos.
I miss those days. I also miss Malaga and Barangan as well.
Maraming salamat for visiting this site.

[Skywoolf]

Thanks guys. It looks like finding a fishing guide with a boat is essential, at least to get started.

I still need to learn as much as I can for the casual trips.

[Skywoolf]

I have been fishing about five times in the last week in the bay where I live in Hong Kong. Within the bay is a big beach, a couple of small beaches, one ferry pier, a small fireboat pier, a sea wall where smaller ferries and small commercial barges are constantly in and out, and a mile or two of very steep sided rocky shore.

So far I have working my way around the rocky shore using fresh (dead) shrimp and salted shrimp.

So far have caught nothing but lots of 3" to 4" little fish and a bunch of puffers :)

[lakebiker]

It's been a couple of years since I lived in Hong Kong however, I don't believe there is ONE fish in that harbor that I would want to eat. I had the worst case of food poison I've ever had over there because of some shrimp from a resturant!
Catch it, throw it back.
:fishing:

[AL_N_VB]

Hi. Its realy good to do fishing out there in davao, and the best thing for you to do is try to rent a motor boat with outrigger. The fisherman there knows where good fishing in the area. Thats what we do back here in Luzon particularly in San Fabian Pangasinan and in Bolinao Pangasinan where we rent a motor boat and go out fishingits pretty exciting and there are a lot of talikitok and other types of fish you get anywhere from a six footer to 10 lbs of gifhting fish.


Kumusta Ka, eugenio.

Will be in the PI next year fer the holidays. Plannin on putting my father in law's ashes to rest.

Plannin on doin' some RR on the water. Will look ya up when I get back to homeland. How much truble can I get in 6 weeks?;)

[patindaytona]

I might be going back to the Philippines(Cebu) this coming summer and I would like to go fishing there. Hopefully, it's not pirated just outside of Cebu.

[Al Kai]

I have been fishing about five times in the last week in the bay where I live in Hong Kong. Within the bay is a big beach, a couple of small beaches, one ferry pier, a small fireboat pier, a sea wall where smaller ferries and small commercial barges are constantly in and out, and a mile or two of very steep sided rocky shore.

So far I have working my way around the rocky shore using fresh (dead) shrimp and salted shrimp.

So far have caught nothing but lots of 3" to 4" little fish and a bunch of puffers :)

Try those 3" fish (not the puffers) and fish them for live bait, you never know what youll end up catching.

[cygnus-x1]

I might be going back to the Philippines(Cebu) this coming summer and I would like to go fishing there. Hopefully, it's not pirated just outside of Cebu.

You should be fine in the center of the islands it is the islands in the south near Mindanao and over towards Indonesia that you have to be careful of. However if you are Caucasian it would be best to have a trusted friend / family member that is a Philippine native with you at all times. A comment was made earlier that "They don't have law enforcement patrols in those areas" ... even if they did many law enforcement officials are corrupt so always be on your guard.

There is a fishing forum over there somewhere have any of you looked for it? There was a member here FreeManX I believe that told me about it. He fishes the islands mainly by boat and he mainly goes after Dorado (Mahi Mahi)

[cygnus-x1]

I'm tired of Florida, so I asked my wife if we could move to the P.I. someplace where I could surf fish. She's from Manila.

She told me "Yes, there are some places over there where you could surf fish. Once."

I hear what she is saying. The natural resources over there are depleting very fast. Looking at the P.I. we might be seeing a foreshadowing of our future. Too many people, not enough land to live on needing more and more natural resources to live.

There still might be some places to fish but they would most likely be on remote islands ... if you have the money buy an island ! My wife is from Bagiou and we were looking near La Union. Place looks beautiful but we have also heard the fishing is not as goo d as it used to be.

I do have a question for you ... Surf Fish ... you are surrounded by water down there in Fla, you can fish and garden year round, what else do you want? Are you tired of the crowds? If so I hate to tell you but you ain't seen crowds till you see P.I. (or most of Asia for that matter)

[Al Kai]

I hear what she is saying. The natural resources over there are depleting very fast. Looking at the P.I. we might be seeing a foreshadowing of our future. Too many people, not enough land to live on needing more and more natural resources to live.

There still might be some places to fish but they would most likely be on remote islands ... if you have the money buy an island ! My wife is from Bagiou and we were looking near La Union. Place looks beautiful but we have also heard the fishing is not as goo d as it used to be.

I do have a question for you ... Surf Fish ... you are surrounded by water down there in Fla, you can fish and garden year round, what else do you want? Are you tired of the crowds? If so I hate to tell you but you ain't seen crowds till you see P.I. (or most of Asia for that matter)
I own a house in San Juan La-Union, its near the surfing beach.

[Skywoolf]

Try those 3" fish (not the puffers) and fish them for live bait, you never know what youll end up catching.

Most of those caught around the rocks have extremely sharp spikey fins and gill covers so they may not be good bait but I went for a walk along the beach this morning and saw about a dozen three inch fish washed up on the beach. They looked a lot like small catfish but were white and dark gray color. Some looked like they had parts bitten off.

I am guessing something bigger attacked them in shallow water and some jumped on to the beach.

I will try catching some of these for bait.

[Skywoolf]

Reply to some comments above:

Hong Kong harbor is much cleaner than it used to be but I live 30 minutes high speed ferry ride from the harbor and there are islands all around me. There are even Chinese White dolphins on the other side of the island I live on so the water quality is not a problem. The problem is six and a half million people in a tiny area who like to eat fish.

Catching anything bigger than tiddlers will mean learning all the tricks and techniques I can. Its a challenge.

The water is not clear on the west side of Hong Kong where I am due to the sediment from the Pearl River estuary. There are of course plastic bags etc in the water and on the beaches but the government does clean up quite efficiently.

Anywhere around Manila in the Philippines is polluted but there are still many pristine areas with crystal clear water. Even just across the channel (maybe 1 mile) from Davao City the water is crystal clear and you see thousands of small coral fish close to shore.

I guess the Philippines will follow Hong Kong and be fished out eventually but I think it is currently just a few areas where dynamite fishing etc has wiped out fish stocks.

The Philippines can be dangerous and law enforcement is only for those who can pay the cops. In a traffic accident the one who pays the bribe first is the one not at fault even if he committed a dozen offences.

I would estimate that 95% of police are corrupt. Most took the job in the first place to get the bribe money. The best protection is to get to know the right people and get appropriate ID cards, car stickers, etc.

I have ID cards and car/motorbike stickers for Aviation Police, Motorcycle Police, Philippine National Police, Government (military) undercover operative and the Office of the President of the Philippines. Corrupt cops are usually more afraid of me than I am of them :)

In my view Manila is the most dangerous and definitely the most corrupt area. It is probably more dangerous than General Santos in Mindano.

Davao, also in Mindano but a long way away, is probably one of the safest cities due to the very tough, no-nonsense mayor.

patindaytona,
The most important thing in the Philippines is never to look like you have money. Don't wear any expensive looking jewelry or clothes and don't drive an expensive car.

[cygnus-x1]

I own a house in San Juan La-Union, its near the surfing beach.

Is the surf fishing good around the area? How are the people there? Especially considering I stick out like a sore thumb.

[cygnus-x1]

Reply to some comments above:

Hong Kong harbor is much cleaner than it used to be but I live 30 minutes high speed ferry ride from the harbor and there are islands all around me. There are even Chinese White dolphins on the other side of the island I live on so the water quality is not a problem. The problem is six and a half million people in a tiny area who like to eat fish.

Catching anything bigger than tiddlers will mean learning all the tricks and techniques I can. Its a challenge.

The water is not clear on the west side of Hong Kong where I am due to the sediment from the Pearl River estuary. There are of course plastic bags etc in the water and on the beaches but the government does clean up quite efficiently.

Anywhere around Manila in the Philippines is polluted but there are still many pristine areas with crystal clear water. Even just across the channel (maybe 1 mile) from Davao City the water is crystal clear and you see thousands of small coral fish close to shore.

I guess the Philippines will follow Hong Kong and be fished out eventually but I think it is currently just a few areas where dynamite fishing etc has wiped out fish stocks.

The Philippines can be dangerous and law enforcement is only for those who can pay the cops. In a traffic accident the one who pays the bribe first is the one not at fault even if he committed a dozen offences.

I would estimate that 95% of police are corrupt. Most took the job in the first place to get the bribe money. The best protection is to get to know the right people and get appropriate ID cards, car stickers, etc.

I have ID cards and car/motorbike stickers for Aviation Police, Motorcycle Police, Philippine National Police, Government (military) undercover operative and the Office of the President of the Philippines. Corrupt cops are usually more afraid of me than I am of them :)

You sound like my Dutch Uncle in Law ... he has all the Street smarts. See I would not do well there as I am not used to that kind of stuff. I wish I had those skills :)


In my view Manila is the most dangerous and definitely the most corrupt area. It is probably more dangerous than General Santos in Mindano.

Davao, also in Mindano but a long way away, is probably one of the safest cities due to the very tough, no-nonsense mayor.

patindaytona,
The most important thing in the Philippines is never to look like you have money. Don't wear any expensive looking jewelry or clothes and don't drive an expensive car.

This is GREAT advice and can be applied any time you are entering a country that is considered third world or about at that level. However, because you are Caucasian (assuming you are) you will be thought to have money regardless of how you dress. That being said it is better to not show it off and invoke actions of jealousy or rage from a local trickster or punk.

Sad thing is that there are a lot of beautiful people there as well. It just seems that the sharks out number them.

[Al Kai]

The people are very friendly and can speak english.
The surf fishing is nothing like we have in the States but its real easy to go deep sea fishing there.
I have a Filipino Godfather there (Ninong)
who owns many fishing boats so all I had to do was bring the gasoline and go.
Everything we caught had to go for sale in the market.
My wife is Filipina and technically owns everything in the Philippines but I get to pay for it. Aside from a handcrafted bamboo back scratcher and assorted fishing equipment and guitars I own nothing:D

[Al Kai]

I was responding to Cyngus-x1 about La-Union.

[xfreemanx]

Hi All,

You might want to visit this website for local info on fishing in the PI:
http://www.filipinoanglers.org/phpBB3/

Just create an account, make an intro and ask.

Note: The Philippines isn't heaven, it has corruption and bad cops and pollution...but still, it isn't as bad as some people think. It has its problems alright. Manila is crowded and like any other congested city in the world has all sorts of people mixed in, criminals included. You don't have to be paranoid, just be street smart. Avoid too much bling blings, don't venture into dark alleys.

The southern part of Mindanao has peace and order issues but not Davao. Davao is one of the safest cities IMHO.

Just go fishing, make friends with the locals. No need to wear bullet proof vests , just life vests and a comfortable cusion to sit on. The local outrigger boats are very basic and do not offer the luxury of charter boats with fishfinders. They usually cost 30-40USD for a DAY, all in, boat + gas + boatman.