Croaker Fishing

As a regular freshwater angler, occasionally, I get invited by friends to do saltwater fishing. With limited time, we usually settle for some inshore or beach fishing at popular spots around Klang area. We're not expecting big fishes but just for the fun of catching some fishes for meals & a relaxing atmosphere.

Most saltwater places in the Klang district has plenty of Gelama. This is the local name for a species of Croakers called, Sin Croaker (Johnius dussumieri). Found mostly in coastal waters it is a small species that is commonly caught at sizes of about 12 to 15 cm which is considered adult size. This is a fairly decent eating fish, favored by the poorer communities but largely ignored by commercial fishermen due to the low value of the fish. Some people avoid eating Gelama due to fears of toxic build-up because Sin Croakers are bottom scavengers. Mind you, if cooked the right way, you'll tend to forget where this fish comes from & you'll be crunching fish after fish with copious dose of ice-cold beer.

Anyway, I'll elaborate later on how to cook this fish but first! We need to catch some, to do that, we'll first need to find them.

Locations

Bridges crossing estuaries

Based on my experience, Gelama is most abundant in shallow waters near the shorelines. Places to start looking for are beaches, rock formations, estuaries & any man-made structures. Croakers are mainly scavenger species, hanging around the bottom picking off left over food by others so they tend to congregate near the shore. Being a small species, they would not venture far out to sea out of fear for larger predators.

Gelama are also a hardy fish. They can survive in brackish waters. In fact, most Gelama that I've caught are found in waters that is brackish & with a mud bottom. So don't ignore those waters that is murky, chances are, there is a whole school of Gelama living there.

Mangrove tree shorelines estuaries

Gelama can also be found along shore lines in areas with a sandy bottom mixed with some mud. Some places in Klang like Pulau Ketam (Crab Island) is a natural location where such fishes thrive. If you could see plenty of mangrove trees growing in the area, they are definitely there.

Floating houses at Pulau Ketam 

In fact, Gelama can be found around jetties in highly populated areas too. Where there are Humans, there will be discarded waste & Gelama having big appetite & in large numbers need plenty of food to survive. Some old timers choose to fish at jetties, ports & bridges solely for Gelama.

Rock formations along the shores

Beaches during low tide

Tackles & Rigs

Paternoster Rig (Apollo)

I find the best rig to use is the simple Paternoster. Locals call it the Apollo. Using just a thin mono leader of about 20 to 30lb is sufficient. Depending on the strength of current, if it is too strong, you can try using thicker diameter leaders like 40 to 50lb test to avoid getting the rig tangle & curl up. But also keep in mind, the thicker is your leader, the more it will spook the fishes. A simple 2 hook Paternoster is more than sufficient. Some anglers may want to rig up to 5 hooks to increase their chances thus allowing them to employ multiple bait types on the same rig. Use small hooks. Gelama are small species fish.

Fishing in Saltwater conditions, we have to consider the current. Water is constantly being pushed in or out  from the sea, depending on time or day so we need to employ some fairly heavy sinkers to pin the rig on the bottom. I find the bell shaped sinkers with a ring is best suited for the task.

A Gelama on Paternoster rig

Once you have the rig & baits ready. Cast it to about 10m out or maybe 20m depending on the water depth. I would advise anglers to use a limp rod. Preferably, old fibreglass or thin graphite rods for Gelama fishing. Since this is a small fish, it does not have a strong pulling power hence a thinner or more sensitive rod would help to indicate whether you've hooked a fish. I once used a surfcasting rod to fish for Gelama & wasn't aware that I've hooked a fish until I reel in to re-bait. The rod was just too stiff & overpowering. Had similar experience too with 7ft Graphite rods. I just couldn't tell whether it was a fish or the undercurrent that's pulling my line.

Instructions on How to Make a Paternoster Rig.

Baits

Fresh cockles with plenty of blood

Gelama being a scavenger are not choosy with regards to their food. These fishes mainly ply the bottom for shellfish, worms, insects, crustaceans, edible vegetations & dead marine creatures. Some popular baits for Gelama fishing are cockles & Mackerels. Personally, I prefer to use cockles as it is cheap & effective. Just open up the shell, scoop out the flesh. You could use the whole piece or just cut it into two or even three. All you need is just a small tiny piece of meat. Hook the meat with sharp tip exposed. Gelama are easily spooked, they are cautious when taking food & will spit out the bait if it feels something is wrong. Having an exposed hook point will ensure their bite will be their last. Hehehehe...

So What's Cookin?

Croakers ready for the wok

So you've caught some Gelama. Ok, maybe not some, perhaps a bag full of 20 to 30 fishes after a hard day's work. What are you going to do with them? Being small fishes, most locals tend to deep fry the fish. I too agree with this especially, if the dish is accompanied with a glass of ice cold beer. Now here's how you prepare them for cookin!

(1) clean the fishes, remove the scales & guts. Wash thoroughly especially the fins.

(2) take some fine salt, rub a little on the fishes, especially the gut area to marinate for 30 mins.

(3) fill wok with plenty of cooking oil. Boil it up. Add about a spoon full of fine salt.

(4) gently place the fishes in batches into the boiling oil to be fried in batches.

(5) turn the fire down a little as we want to slow fry it. This takes patience just like fishing!

(6) flip it over side to side occasionally to make sure the frying in even.

(7) Once it turns brownish gold, it looks ready. Take fish out & drain excess oil on a paper towel.

Optional: Add garnishing or whatever sauces that you fancy.

My Gelama usually end up like this. ENJOY!!!

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