Author Archives: benaiahfogle
Sanipit Fishing Method
A Rough Sketch Of The Sanipit
This is a local fishing method typically used for fishing very deep water that would either be too tiring or too time consuming to fish with a handline. The technique involves fastening a buoy of some sort (traditionally a couple sections of bamboo) to a long main line. Local nylon is used for the main line which is then tied to an stick that has a branch off at the top. Guava wood is a favorite for this because of it is strong, dense and durable. The guava branch is tied to a rock to create an anchor weight. The mainline which is tied to the top of the guava branch is also tied with light nylon to the base of the anchor. If the anchor is snagged on the bottom the light nylon can be broken by pulling on the main line. This allows the anchor to pivot at a different angle and hopefully pull free from the snag. Near the anchor a dropper loop is tied to which a leader line is tied. Either one or two hooks are tied onto the leader and baited with cut bait such as mackerel or other fish. This rig is then dropped into deep water where fish are suspected. The Sanipit is left usually overnight and retrieved in the morning. This type of fishing allows the local fishermen to fish water from 100 – 300 meters in depth. Many species of deepwater fish can be caught. Some of these include; deep water Snapper, large Grouper, Emperors, Jobfish, Oilfish, Snoek, Amberjacks, etc.
Fishermen normally place multiple Sanipit rigs at one time around a general area. This helps them to triangulate spots that hold fish. There are some difficulties with this fishing method. Rigs can get hopelessly snagged which causes loss of line and some times tackle. Large fish can also drag the buoy away or cut the mainline. Theft by other fishermen is also another problem which is why many place the Sanipit at dusk and collect at dawn.
Here is a picture of the Sanipit anchor/weight:
Common Weights Used For Deep Sea Fishing Around The Islands
I will try to get some pictures of the actual rig and fish caught using this rig. If you have any additional information or photos to add or if you have any questions please leave a comment or send us a message.
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Ouano Warf Area
This is an open spot in Mandaue along the Mactan Channel.
PROS:
Spacious area that is open to fishing
Parking for cars
Somewhat secluded and not crowded with people
Good potential for fish
CONS:
The area often smells like sewage due to a nearby canal
No lighting at night and far from the main road, so potentially not safe at night
Occasionally trucks pass by on the dirt road and kick up dust
Some garbage in the water
No stores nearby to buy food or drinks
Not easily accessible without a car.
DESCRIPTION:
This is a stretch of the port area that is open for fishing. Like much of the Cebu port area it has its problems. Things that make fishing here less than exceptional are the smell (sewage) and the garbage that is often seen floating in the water. Besides those two things this area is not bad. There is a lot of space to fish and so there is no problem of having too many people around. If any the problem would be having too few people around.
This area is a pier area that sits on reclaimed land, so the water is deeper that the typical Cebu shoreline. Best to try live shrimp or minnows here or cut bait. I have not been able to fish this spot yet, but have heard that it is productive.
FISH SPECIES:
Expect the usual predators like; trevally, grouper, barracuda, eels, emperors, pacific tarpon, and more.
RATING:
( 5/10 ) This is far from a great spot, however it is a quiet place that would make a great morning spot.
REMINDERS:
Bring sun protection; the sun is unforgiving and there is no shade here
Avoid this spot after dark; it is secluded and not well lit. (unless there is a group of you)
Bring drinks and snacks
One of you has to leave an ID with the guard at the gate by the road
Send us pics of what you catch here!
PHOTOS:
Facing south towards Cebu City
Facing Mactan
Facing north toward the market and the canal
Green Lagoon Park, Compostela, Cebu
Here is a spot that is located outside the city of Cebu just to the North in Compostela. This is a park style resort located along the coast in Compostela. Here is a map of the spot:
PROS:
Multiple spots within the resort to fish (jetties, beaches, etc.)
Parking for vehicles
You can bring food (grills/tables/chairs available there) and drinks for picnics
Family friendly atmosphere
Clean water
Separate areas to swim
CONS:
There can be lots of people from time to time
Entrance fee
DESCRIPTION:
This is a laid back family and large group oriented resort located along the Compostela coastline. It has three stone and concrete jetties protecting its two rock and sand beaches. You can fish on all three jetties. The sea floor gradually slopes deeper away from the beach, however the reef wall is looked well beyond casting distance. The bottom is rocky and sandy. You can bring food and drinks into this resort, so it makes a great spot to take the family for the day.
FISH SPECIES:
Barracuda, Grunters, Emperors, and more. The ones I listed here were what I caught when fishing and what I saw when I did a little snorkelling. There are also some mangroves and a small stream leading to the ocean on the northern side of the resort.
RATING:
( 8/10 ) This is not a bad place to fish. It is a little bit of a drive from the City through and did not seem to have lots of fish so I give it an 8.
REMINDERS:
Fish Responsibly – Catch and Release and clean up after yourself
Bring sun protection because there is little shade in the spots where you fish
Be aware of the swimmer/snorkelers
Bring lures and bait
I Visited this place with some friends, family and co-workers and was able to bring along some fishing gear. Hooked this nice little barracuda after about five minutes of fishing. Try to catch the high tide as it goes out to catch barracuda like this and other species.
Nice little cuda on a Pins Minnow
Mangrove Snapper ( Lutjanus griseus )
Common Name: Mango Snapper, Grey Snapper, Pargo
Local Name: Maya Maya (Tagalog), Aha-an, Pantaan, Mangagat (Bisaya),
Max Size: 89 cm (20 kgs)
Biodiversity: Marine, Brackish, Freshwater, Reef Associated, Endemic
Depth: 1- 180 m
Fishing Season: All Year Long
Minimum Size Limit: 10 inches (fish responsibly and release all fish smaller than 10 inches)
This is one of the highly sought after game fish that can be caught here in Philippine waters. Mangrove Snappers are quite abundant throughout the country can be found in coastal waters, out over offshore reefs and even in freshwater estuaries. These fish will take a variety of lures and bait and put up an excellent fight when hooks.
Mangrove Snapper make an excellent food fish and taste delicious almost any way you cook them. It is important however to note that snapper have been known to cause Ciguatera Poisoning. If you catch these in waters where there is a high human population it is best not to eat these fish.
Mangrove Snapper less than 10 inches in length are quite small and are considered juvenile fish. It is best to release these fish unharmed and not to keep them.
My Crony Galaxy 7′ Spinning Rod claims another.
The snapper in these pictures was caught while I was product testing a Crony rod that we sell. The Crony Galaxy rods are high quality carbon rods and are perfect for this kind of fishing. The rod I use was rated for lures up to 20g, but even when I used a 26g lure the rod still performed. The rod has a nice sensitive tip and also a good backbone to muscle in the larger snapper and barracuda.
The Pink Vibe Lure That Fooled This Fish
I am happy to say that this fish was released in good condition after our photo shoot. 🙂
The Carbon Spot
A decent fishing spot that you can fish at for free here in Cebu City is what I like to call the Carbon Spot. This spot is located very near to the Plaza Independencia Park and Fort San Pedro. It is also at the entrance to the SRP Road which heads south to Talisay City. Here is a map showing the area:
This spot has some pros and cons and I will try to list them here:
PROS:
It is a Free spot to fish
Has lots of fish, some good size ones too
Is easily accessible and centrally located in the city
There is a guard stationed at the guardhouse which is located at the entrance to the SRP Road
Is near Plaza Independencia and has places to park or catch cabs/jeepneys
You can occasionally rent pump boats from there to take you fishing off the shore
CONS:
Usually there is some garbage floating in the water
There is often a smell of sewage when the wind blows
Has lots of people (especially kids in summer) who swim there
People from the Carbon market use the sea wall to relieve themselves
There have been cases of robbery in the past down closer to the Carbon Market
There are occasionally fishing nets set not far off from shore as well as occasional spear fishermen
The rocks can be very slippery at low tide
FISH SPECIES:
Grouper, Barracuda, Snapper, Eel, Rabbitfish, Giant Trevally, Parrotfish and many more.
DESCRIPTION:
You can fish a variety of ways at this spot. The rocks which you fish from slope gradually out into the water, but eventually come to a sandy/mucky bottom. The depth off this spot is not that great with the maximum depth at casting distance being less than 20m. The rocks hold lots of crustaceans, making the best bait to use here live shrimp. If you plan to bottom fish keep in mind that there are many crabs here which destroy your tackle and steal your bait. It is best to keep you bait slightly off the bottom.
A WORD OF CAUTION:
Because the water around this spot is polluted it is advisable NOT to keep and eat any fish caught from this spot. The best thing to do is to catch and release. Ciguatera is present in Cebu waters and can cause poisoning.
OVERALL SPOT RATING:
I rate this spot as a ( 5/10 ). It can provide an enjoyable fishing experience, however the cons do tend to out weigh the pros from time to time. If you have fished this spot please let us know by leaving a comment or sending us an email. You can send us pictures of anything you have caught and give us your rating for this spot.
REMINDERS:
Catch and Release
Clean up after yourself and don’t leave any garbage behind even if the place is dirty
Here are some photos from one of the times I fished this spot with some friends:
Kayla Holding a Good Size Mangrove Snapper We Caught
Here is a good view of the spot looking towards the south
Size Comparison; The Snapper and a size 9 Islander
1.5kg Snapper hooked on 10lbs JB Line One
The Beautiful Color of the Mangrove Snapper
Good Sized Snapper
Sunset Snapper
Had around 30mins free this evening to fish. Grabbed my light lure casting set-up (Shimano Sedona 2500, 10lbs JB Braid, 5′ Lemax rod and pins minnow)and headed over to the Carbon spot as the sun began to set. Plan was to be in and out in 30mins and be back before dark. I was followed by a small crowd of fans for the first 20 mins, but they all left as sun was about to set. In the 10mins after they left I hooked this nice 1/2kg Mangrove Snapper and missed strikes from two others. This fish was caught at extreme low tide. I was a bit surprised that they would still be biting with the tide way out.
1/2kg Mangrove Snapper (Managat)
Shell Island, Cebu
Here is another fishing spot here in Cebu 🙂 This pic was taken from the Carbon Spot looking out across the channel. The side of this island that can be seen in this picture has a pier that sits on the edge of the deeper part of this channel. There are many fish to be caught from the pier. The back side of this island faces Cordova and is all tidal flats.
Snapper on Rainy Saturday
Fished for about an hour this morning and hooked this nice Mangrove Snapper. These are quite common here around Cebu and are good fun to catch.
1kg Snapper
Beautiful Colors of Mangrove Snapper
Cebu Managat
Rod: CRONY Galaxy 7ft Medium action
Reel: Shimano Sedona 2500
Line: Jerry Brown Line One Spectra 10lbs
Lure: Pins Minnow Medium Runner (Yellow Flash Color)
Marcelo Fernan Bridge (Mactan Side)
Here is an easily accessible spot located on Mactan Island:
PROS:
Well lit Public Park with police outpost
Sizable fishing area
Shade from the bridge
Places to buy drinks and snacks
Free Parking
May species can be caught
Safe place to fish at night
CONS:
Lots of people
Water often has garbage floating in it that is carried past the bridge by the current
Lots of snags in certain areas ( I lost a lot of gear to those while bait fishing)
Strong currents make bait fishing difficult
Some times marching bands practice in the park 😀 and it is LOUD!
DESCRIPTION:
This is a small public park located along the water underneath the Marcelo Fernan Bridge which is one of the two bridges connecting Mactan Island to mainland Cebu. This park is known as the Philippine Seafarers Memorial Park. It is located on the Mactan Island side. It is a decent public fishing spot that costs nothing to enter or fish. There are often a lot of people here which makes fishing difficult sometimes. The best time to fish is high tide as the water can be quite shallow along the shoreline during low tide. Big fish have been caught here. Try bait fishing at night with live shrimp, cut bait or squid and cast out towards the bridge supports in the middle of the channel. Lure fishing also works well at high tide closer in to shore.
FISH SPECIES:
Grouper, Snapper, Eels, Emperors, Trevally, Barracuda, and many more species.
RATING:
( 6/10 ) See the “cons” above for why my rating is not higher.
REMINDERS:
Be friendly and teach some of the many kids that stand watching you to fish:-)
Bring water
Bring a cooler for bait and drinks
Release anything that is too small
Clean up after yourself even if the area already has garbage.
PHOTOS:
A Barracuda I caught on a lure
Mon’s Barracuda caught on a spoon
One of the many eel or Ubod that can be caught at the bridge
Cuda On The High
Rumpi
Went out this morning early after my morning devos. Spent an hour casting my little pins over near the Carbon Market during high tide. I hooked this nice barracuda not long after I started to the delight of my self and Gilbert (a tag along from the market). I learned from Gilbert that barracuda are called Rumpi down here in Cebu. He told me this one was a “baby” and that fishermen sometimes bring in massive Rumpi when they come back from fishing in the Laud (open ocean). This one was a fun fish to catch and I donated it to Gilbert because he rescued my little pins from a snag 🙂
Juvenile Barracuda
Fishing The Philippines 