Everyone has heard of New Guinea Black Bass, but Sabah Black Bass? Yes, they are also found in Sabah, a state in the island of Borneo.
One of our newest fishing trip offering is fishing for the mighty black bass in Sabah Borneo.
You are welcome to be a part of our maiden trips at attractive rates. Do not miss this opportunity.
Where is Sabah?
Sabah is a state in Malaysia located on the northern part of the Borneo island.
Sabah is known as the the ‘land below the wind’. The tallest mountain (4,095 metres or 13,435 ft above sea level) and the second longest river in the country, the Kinabatangan (560km or 348 miles long) are located here.
Papuan Black Bass?
If you’ve heard of the tackle busting black bass, you’d probably think of Papua New Guinea. And you’re not wrong, however, black bass (Lutjanus goldiei) are also found in the surrounding geographical areas – mainly parts of Indonesia and Malaysia.
Fishing for Black Bass in Malaysia
Fishing are done in the thick estuarine waterways lined with think mangrove and nipah forests. Rich with aquatic life and food source, the black bass lives in both the brackish and freshwater waters of these rivers.
Other common species often encountered here are mangrove jack, barramundi, Indo pacific tarpon and groupers.
Occasionally anglers will also hookup on trevally species such as juvenile giant trevally, barracuda, ladyfish, sharks and more.
Black Bass Fishing Tackle
The black bass are known to smash fishing gears and has 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 very common.
They also live in unforgiving environments that offers fish much heavy cover and protections.
Recommended gear:
- Rods with ratings above 30lb
- Fly rods of 10wt 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 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 the edge of the mangrove forests. The more accurate you can consistently place your lures, the higher the 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 often follow your lure and hitting it close to the boat. You will stand a much higher chance of landing your fish in this scenario although anglers have been know to loose their tackle completely due to the fact that they’re taken when they least expect and the ferocity of the take.
Most lures used are deep divers to cover more water columns. Topwater strikes do occur although much less common.
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 quite a challenge but extremely rewarding if successful.
Flies can be deceiver or streamer patterns and even poppers.
Black Bass Season and Best Time
Fishing season March to October.
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 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. You can also gear up to target some of the stated species.
The location is isolated (call it exotic if you will) so expect amenities to be basic.
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 are home cooked, nothing exotic or extravagant.
CONTACT US, to join our maiden trips at special rates.