Kayak Fishing Tests Anglers’ Stamina, Skills

By Siti Fauziah Hasan

PORT DICKSON (Bernama) – While kayaking is a popular activity in Malaysia, kayak fishing has yet to gain traction among anglers and adventure sports lovers.

One company in Port Dickson is trying to change that by offering kayak fishing services to the more adventurous angling enthusiasts who love a good challenge as manoeuvring and balancing a narrow boat with a paddle and casting a fishing line into the water can test an angler’s stamina and dexterity levels.

PD Watersports Sdn Bhd, based in Pantai Bagan Pinang here, has been renting out kayaks for fishing purposes since March this year. The response so far has been overwhelming as it has been attracting an average of 100 customers a month with most of them giving their kayak fishing experience the thumbs up.

The kayaks are rented out at RM80 per person. --fotoBERNAMA (2020) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Its managing director Mazuan Mohd Noor, 37, said kayak fishing has great potential for development in this country.

“Actually, this activity has been around for a long time and has its own set of fans who love challenges. However, it has yet to become a popular pursuit. One needs to have a great deal of stamina to control and paddle the kayak,” he told Bernama.

WIDER, MORE STABLE

A customer inspecting his fishing equipment before setting off in his kayak. --fotoBERNAMA (2020) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Many people may wonder how angling can be carried out from a kayak in view of the narrowness of its cockpit where the kayaker sits.

Mazuan explained that kayaks used for angling are wider and more stable than the boats used for kayaking purposes.

“We also provide a smartphone app which our kayak fishing anglers can download to locate fishing points in the sea which we will share with them,” he said.

Next year, his company plans to upgrade their boats with a fish finder, a high-frequency sonar device that can locate schools of fish.  

His company currently has a fleet of 16 kayaks, including single-person and tandem kayaks.

Mazuan also said that the company gives priority to safety and every kayak is equipped with safety jackets and a walkie-talkie.

A kayaker looking for a suitable area to fish. --fotoBERNAMA (2020) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

“We also advise newcomers to kayak fishing not to venture too far away from the coast. One of our staff will also accompany them to monitor their safety,” he said.

Mazuan, who was born and raised in Jempol, Negeri Sembilan, said among his workers are fisherman who are familiar with the sea and know where the prolific fishing areas are located.

SOURCE OF INCOME

Mazuan (left) pulling his kayak to the shore. --fotoBERNAMA (2020) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Mazuan said although it has not even been a year since he started his kayak rental company, he gets an average of 100 customers – both male and female – a month, with many of them being repeat customers who have grown to love kayak fishing.

One of them is Mohd Razif Hafez Ab Jalil, a teacher who found kayak fishing challenging but satisfying.

“Kayak fishing offers a different kind of experience and satisfaction compared to regular fishing.

“It is definitely challenging, what with the waves and sea-sickness and all that… we are not even sure if we will be able to catch any fish but the satisfaction we get is something else. In fact, I find it a great stress reliever as well,” he added.

Mazuan’s company operates daily from 7.30 am to 6.30 pm and the kayaks can be rented at RM80 per person.

Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan Fisheries Department director Halimi Abu Hanip welcomed initiatives to popularise kayak fishing as an ecotourism activity in Port Dickson district, saying that it would also help to generate an income for the local community.  

He said Pantai Bagan Pinang is growing popular as a destination for kayak fishing.

“We have noticed that of late it has become a trend (in Pantai Bagan Pinang). The fishermen here are also offering kayak rental services and they have built creative artificial reefs in the coastal area to enable kayak anglers to fish there,” he said, adding that his department would improve the existing facilities to enable the fishermen to carry out their activities.  

Translated by Rema Nambiar

BERNAMA