New Guinea Black Bass, a well-known species, is not limited to New Guinea. They are also found in various locations across Southeast Asia. For instance, they inhabit Sabah, a state on the island of Borneo, and numerous Indonesian islands, ranging from Sumatra island to the stunningly beautiful Raja Ampat Archipelago in West Papua.
We are just beginning to explore the destinations above and you’re welcome to be part of these upcoming trips. Do not miss the opportunity, contact us for details.
(Credit: Ket)
What’s the Big Deal with Black Bass?
If everyone says the black bass (Lutjanus goldiei) are known to be tackle-busting, there must be some truth in that.
Black bass are one of the hardest-pulling fish in the rivers, and broken fishing rods are not uncommon.
Fishing for Black Bass in Malaysia
Fishing are done in the thick forested rivers waterways with some lined with mangrove and nipah forests. Rich with aquatic life and food source, the black bass lives in both the freshwater and brackish water rivers.
Another highly sought after target species in some of the same river system is the spottail bass (Lutjanus fuscescens).
It’s also not uncommon to encounter other species like mangrove jack, barramundi, Indo-Pacific tarpon, groupers, and even giant trevally, to name a few.
Black Bass and Spottail Bass Fishing Tackle
Spottail and black bass are known to smash fishing gear and had done so on many occasions. Even branded fishing tackle so nothing should be taken for granted including terminal tackle. Broken or opened split rings, straightened hooks, broken lines and rods are all familiar tales told by anglers.
They also live in unforgiving environments that offer fish heavy cover and structures that they call home. Hence stopping them from getting back to structures is crucial.
Recommended gear:
- Rods with ratings above 40lb
- Fly rods of 8wt to 12wt
- Mainline of 50lb or higher
- Leaders from 60lb upwards
Reel drags need to be strong – you generally do not want them to take much line as they come out from cover to ambush your lures.
How To Fish For Black Bass
The two most thrilling methods are casting lures or flies into likely lairs where the black bass wait to ambush passing prey. These are often heavy structures or the riverbank edges.
The more accurate you can consistently place your lures, the higher your chances of getting strikes. For this reason, many anglers prefer overhead baitcast setups that gives them more control and accuracy.
We strongly suggest practice casting with the gear before the trip to get oneself ready.
Black bass will quite often follow your lure and hit it closer to the boat. You will stand a much higher chance of landing your fish in this scenario. Beware, anglers have been known to loose their tackle completely due to the fact the strikes happen when they least expect and the ferocity of the take.
Most lures used are deep divers to cover more water columns. Topwater strikes are much more exciting but like most fishing scenarios require more persistency and hard work.
Spottail bass however are more inclined to eat topwater. The best way to catch fish!
Trolling is another way of getting strikes although this can appear to be a bit boring to some.
Fly fishing for black bass is obviously the ultimate challenge but extremely rewarding when successful.
Fly Fishing Spottail and Black Bass
Now why are there people crazy enough to even do that? Well, if you’re a hardcore fly fisher, the challenge becomes irresistible. And one cannot describe the satisfaction of catching these fish on the fly!
Flies are mostly deceiver and streamer patterns for black bass, sometimes poppers.
You’d want to be throwing poppers for spottail bass.
Season and Best Time
Fishing season March to November.
Best time is during the “dry season” which is March and April although any dry period throughout the fishing season could see good fishing due to the highly unpredictable weather patterns in recent years.
How Big Do They Get?
The biggest (to date) landed on rod and line is 16kg (35lb). Fish from 5kg to 10kg are considered good fish.
What Else?
Mangrove jack, barramundi, grouper, juvenile GT, Indo-pacific tarpon, ladyfish, barracuda, juvenile shark, are some of the other ‘by-catch’ in these waters.
Some locations can be accessed from basic accommodation facilities while other locations can be quite isolated (call it exotic if you will) so expect to rough it out.
You will get to see and experience some aspects of how a local live their lives in these places where a regular tourist will probably not experience.
Food is home cooked, nothing exotic or extravagant.