Large Mouth Bass

Common Name:  Bass, Black Bass, LMB

Local Name:  Tawis (Tagalog);  ?? (Cebuano)

Max Size:  97 cm (10.1 kgs)

Biodiversity: Freshwater (introduced)

Depth: Surface  – 7 meters

Fishing Season:  All Year Long

Minimum Size Limit:  12 inches

Recommended Bait/Lures:  Shrimp, small fish, worms, lures

IUCN Red List Status:  (LC) Least Concern

Largemouth Bass were introduced into the Philippines at the turn of the century by Americans who wanted to propagate a sport and food fish in the islands.  The bass were successfully stocked into lakes Lumot and Caliraya, two hydroelectric reservoirs in Laguna.  Later bass were also seeded in the Pantabangan reservoir in Nueva Escija.

Bass have done well in the country though confined mainly to these three lakes.  They remain a top angling species for anglers on the island of Luzon.

Due to the challenging terrain around all three reservoirs, most angler fish for bass from boats.  Bass can be caught all year round though the best time of year to fish for them are the months of March to May.

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Philippines Record:

(This is the largest largemouth bass caught in the Philippines on rod and reel that FTP has received record of to date.  If you know of one larger please contact us.)

4.58 kgs  Caught in Pantabangan Reservoir, Nueva Escija in 2007 by Annie Gonzales.

Have you enjoyed following our website?  Starting soon we will be adding a newsletter to our site which we will be emailing quarterly to anyone interested in additional infomation about fishing in the Philippines.  We plan to feature various fish species, fishing techniques and destinations around the country as well as add some additional tips and tricks. There will also be a brag board where we post photos from our followers from that quarter.

If you would like to receive the FTP (Fishing The Philippines) newsletter, please let us know via email at:

Benaiah.fogle@gmail.com

We welcome your comments suggestions and involvement in our website as we seek to promote sport fishing in the Philippines and teach the next generation how we can preserve and enjoy our waters and what’s in them!

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FTP would like to highlight progress in the country that is being made to protect the waters of the country as well as to promote sport fishing.  Dipolog City in Mindanao is making great progress in this area.  One such step forward was the passing a Barangay ordinance in the city’s central Barangay that established a 100 meter No Net Zone around the city’s breakwater.  The breakwater is one of Dipolog’s prime sport fishing destinations where anglers can catch many species of saltwater and brackish water fish.  Among these are the elusive Freshwater Snapper, known locally as Tandungan, Black Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Rabbitfish, Tarpon along with many others.  The breakwater sits at the mouth of the Dipolog River and is under the jurisdiction of the city’s central barangay.

This ordinance was passed in 2006 while Angler and Tackle shop Owner Kenny Ong was the Barangay Captain.  The ordinance not only protects the anglers breakwater but also serves to minimize conflict between anglers and net fishermen.  Since its passing in 2006 this ordinance has been enforced and the breakwater has been protected against illegal net fishing within its 100 meter no net zone.  Because of this the Dipolog Breakwater has continued to be a prime sport fishing spot with the many Dipolog Anglers having caught prize fish since the establishment of the ordinance.

Steps like this are invaluable to the sport fishing community here in the Philippines as they help protect and promote healthy fishing practices.   FTP would like to see more anglers partner with LGUs around the country to implement and enforce initiatives like this one.  Hopefully in the near future anglers together with the LGUs can enforce such laws as the no electrofishing law in streams and rivers, as well as begin initiatives like a fish stocking programs to help increase the number of gamefish in rivers and lakes throughout the country.  We hope that this will be an inspiration to you and also remind you that you can make a difference.

Do you know of any similar ordinances or work that is going on in your area?  Let us know and we will highlight it and bring more awareness!

Below are attached copies of the documents for those interested in reading more on this:

By Benaiah J Fogle

It does not take a beginner long to become confused when deciding on what line to put on their reel. Here we will explain a little about the various fishing lines on the market today along with their pros and cons. At the end of this article we will also explain what size (lbs test) line is best for your reel.

Monofilament, or just “Mono,” Fishing line is probably the most well-known type of fishing line.  Here in the Philippines we typically have two types of mono.  The first is the more widely available Nylon.  This line is also known as “Local Nylon.”  It is it used mainly by commercial and subsistence fishermen because it is cheap and readily available all over the country in fishing supply shops. This line has a thicker diameter than the higher quality imported line and also tends to have poorer knot strength. Its main use is for handlines because of its thicker diameter.

The second type mono lines available are the branded fishing lines from the USA, Australia, Europe and Japan.  These are more specifically designed for sport fishermen and usually have a thinner diameter and better knot strength.  Like the locally available nylon these mono line do stretch when put under pressure. These lines made by Momoi, Ande, Stren, Berkley, and others are harder to find and usually can only be found in sport fishing tackle shops and sports stores around the country.

Polymer (multi/co) These lines are very similar to monofilament lines however they are usually quite a bit more stretchy.  They have their place in certain applications of fishing however in general these types of lines are not recommended.

Fluorocarbon is another type of fishing line similar to Mono.  The main differences however are that it typically has less stretch than mono, it is alleged to be less visible in the water, and it is supposed to be more resistant to abrasion.

Braided Lines are another very different type of fishing line that have become quite popular. There are many brands and types of these lines available on the market today. -PE Most of these lines are made from poly ethylene strands that are woven together to form a thread.  The number of fibers woven together is often expressed by the word Ply or with the letter X4, where the number corresponds to the number of fibers.  The lower the number of strands the less smooth the line (and usually the cheaper the line is) the more strands the smoother the line and thee more expensive.   Today most lines range from 4Ply to 32Ply.  Braid has virtually no stretch which makes it ideal for deep sea fishing.  It also has a very thin diameter while still having a high lbs test rating.   Cons of this type of lines are that commonly used knots have a tendency to slip.  Special knots are needed to secure the line.  Also the line can become hopelessly tangled when casting or trolling.  It is much harder to untangle than mono lines and often needs to be cut. Braid is also quite a bit more expensive than mono lines.  Beginners who use braid often make mistakes using it and end up losing a lot to tangles.  It is however one of the best types of fishing lines available once an angler learns to use it.  -Dacron is an older version of the modern PE lines that is still available.  It is woven like some of the higher ply PE lines with a hollow core.  This creates a flat line when tension is put on the line.  Mono lines are often spliced into the hollow core to create knotless leader connections. Dacron line is only of use too ocean fishermen who troll and bottom fish.

Nylon Twine is another type of line that can be found around the country.  It is not used very often as a fishing line except by subsistence fishermen as an alternative to a mono line.  The main reason it is included in this list is because it is label as “Fishing Line.” This can be confusing to people unfamiliar with fishing lines because it resembles braided line but has a great deal of stretch.  For sport fishermen this does not make a good fishing line to put on reels.  Instead it makes an excellent line to wrap rod guides, decorate rods and to use for other household projects.

One of the resident Whale Sharks of Oslob, Cebu

Fishing the Philippines is proud to say that we have a small part in the conservation of Large Marine Vertebrates in the Philippines!  We have been able to supply our friends at LAMAVE with materials to tag Whale Sharks, Tiger Sharks and Mantas for scientific study!  It is great to see this NGO working to learn more about and promote conservation of these giants of the tropical seas.

Check out LAMAVE and what they do:

The Rabbit Hunt
By Benaiah Fogle

A mention of the word Danggit in Filipino company is usually met with grins of delight and expressions of Lami-a uy! Sarap yan! and so on. This same word in the company of expats is met with groans and expressions of disgust. This is an article about Danggit, well the live one anyway, and its place in fishing here in the Philippines.

The word Danggit is a well-known name in Visayan for one of the many species of Rabbitfish inhabiting Philippine waters. Rabbitfish are also known in English as Spinefoots, and are known by many different names around the rest Philippines. Some of the names of the more well-known species include: Samaral, Kitong, and Danggit.

These fish are primarily a saltwater fish however they can be found in estuaries and even up stream in freshwater rivers. They also range in size from small almost minnow size fish to large kilo size fish. They all are generally round and compressed in body shape with small mouth bordered by lips that look as if they are ready to kiss. They range in color from mottled brown and green to silver, spotted, streaked and ever darker with more dramatic colors.

Rabbitfish all possess painful sharp spines all over their bodies. This is the reason they are called Spinefoots. A prick from one of these venomous spines leaves a throbbing pain for a long while. Fishermen need to exercise caution when handling this fish for that reason.

The mainly vegetarian diet of the Rabbitfish leads them close to the shore line around the country in search of seaweed and other plant matter. They often come in with the tide to shallow water to harvest the seaweed growing on the tidal flats. They often travel in schools which can be easily identified by the slivery flashes of the fish as they feed in schools on the algae on the seabed.

This is a Danggit

Rabbitfish are edible and make for fair table fare. Local favourite recipes for Rabbitfish include; Grilled Kitong (stuffed with onions and tomatoes), Steamed Kitong with Sweet and Sour Sauce and Fried Kitong. Small Rabbitfish are also a popular fish to salt and dry. Known simply as Danggit, these dried fish are then deep fried and eaten for breakfast lunch or dinner. My wife calls it her Philippine bacon. 😀 When the dried Danggit are fried there usually a pungent fishy smell that hangs in the air. This is usually what deters most foreigners from enjoying this Philippine delicacy.

Fishing Techniques

A Danggit float rig

Float Fishing – The small mouths on these fish along with their sharp algae scraping teeth present a challenge that frustrates and deters many fishermen. There however is a technique for catching Rabbitfish that works and with a little practice angler both you and old can enjoy the thrill of fishing for Rabbitfish.
Making a Danggit Rig is the first step. The rig includes a float with a swivel attached beneath onto which two lengths or at least 18” of light leader line are tied. Two small split shots are pressed onto the lines near the ends and then two long shank hooks of the smallest available size are tied at the ends. The long shanks help keep the fishes’ teeth from cutting the main line. There are two favourite baits for catching Rabbitfish. The first and most popular is the boiled cooking banana (Saba) and the other is glutinous rice. Rabbitfish seem to prefer these sort of baits though than can be caught on other things. Once small pieces of banana or sticky rice are cut and placed on the end of the hooks the rig is ready to be cast.
Local fishermen often chum the spot there plan on fish both before and during the time they fish. Rabbitfish feed throughout the day and so can be caught all day long. In areas where large predator fish are present small Rabbitfish when caught can be used as live bait.

A good haul of Danggit and Kitong caught on a float rig

Salvage – Another less palatable way that local fishermen catch these fish is by using specialized “salvage” rigs. This rig is designed to attract the fish to a bait which has two large hooks behind it. When the fisherman feels the Rabbitfish nibbling on the bait they jerk the line in attempt to snag the fish on the large hooks. This is obviously not a method used when fishermen are practicing catch and release because it often leaves large wounds in the fish. The local sport fishing community looks down upon such a method because of that harmful result.

A Kitong taken on a salvage rig

Pana – Because of their large round profiles, Rabbitfish make great targets for spearfishermen. They are also not a very shy fish and will often swim within spear distance of fishermen. Locals use homemade spearguns made of a piece of wood, a length of stainless steel bar and rubber straps. Spearmen either swim along shorelines, rocks, or reefs in search of fish or they set a bait in a good area and wait for the fish to congregate.

This is a Kitang which can also be caught when fishing for Kitong.

Now you know the basics of fishing for Rabbitfish.

The Negros Sport Fishing Club organized a Fishing Tournament at the pier in San Carlos City on March 29th, 2014.  Here are the results of the tournament:

FishRmen Bait and Tackle will be giving away a brand new CRONY Aggress fishing rod to the person who sends in the most impressive photo of a fish caught on their FishRmen Dyneema Braided Line!

Contest Mechanics:

– Picture with a description of the catch, location, time, and bait must be emailed to: benaiah.fogle@gmail.com

– Fish must be caught using FishRmen Dyneema braided line

–  Fish must have been caught during contest dates

–  Contest open for freshwater, brackish and saltwater caught fish

–  Contests includes both pond caught and wild caught fish

– Photos must include the Angler, Fish, and Reel (with line seen) [See our ex. pic below]

– Multiple entries allowed per person

– Contest time: March 15 – June 15 2014

– Prizes:

1st place = Crony Rod;    [Crony Aggress 6’6” ML 3pcs rod]

2nd place = Dyneema Braid;

3rd place = Fishing Lure

– There is no age limit for this competition

– It is preferred that entries be of fish caught in the Philippines however we will accept entries of fish caught outside the country provided they meet all other criteria

We held a Fly Fishing Seminar and Casting session on Feb. 23, 2014.  A visiting experienced fly fisherman, Sven Cederberg shared some of his knowledge and expertise on fly fishing basics, tactics and fly casting.  The seminar was held at Vista Mar Beach Resort located on Mactan Island in Cebu City.  We had six people that attended and had a great time hearing from Sven and learning more about fly fishing.

Here are some pictures:

The Group Listen to Sven’s Saltwater Fly Fishing Tactics

A Sampling of Sven’s Fly Box for Fresh and Saltwater

A shot of us during the casting session after the seminar.

The seminar consisted of an introduction by Sven to who he is and where he fishes.  He shared his experiences fishing both fresh and salt water in both Sweden and New Zealand.  He then shared some of the basics of fly fishing and showed us some of his go to patterns for both fresh and salt water.  Sven also showed us the Perfect Loop knot he uses for connecting his fly line to his leader.  After the informative seminar we all headed to the jetties on the water to practice casting.  We had a couple looks from some small barracuda but no fish landed.

If you are visiting Cebu and would like to interact with local anglers as well as share your experience or expertise let us know.  We would love to organize more seminars, training/fishing sessions or get togethers.

It can be quite difficult and confusing trying to figure out the correct name of a fish you catch here.  Here is a little info on fish names and on why it is such a task;

Linguistic Diversity – The Philippines is a country composed of more than 7,000 islands.  There are 8 major languages spoken throughout the country  (Cebuano, Bikol, Hiligaynon, Tagalog, Ilocano, Kapampangan, Waray, and Pangasinan) and there are many distinct dialects of those languages.  Each language and many times dialects have their own and often distinct name for a particular fish.  A Caranx ignobilis (Giant Trevally) is known as a Talakitok to a Tagalog speaking person and as a Mamsa to a Visayan.  Depending on the region you are in when you catch a particular fish you will hear a different name.  We list the English names and the scientific names here on Fishing the Philippines because the names of fish are more standardized.

A Lack of Awareness – Another reason why learning the correct name of a fish can be difficult here is due to the fact that much of the population here knows little of the diversity of fish species found here in the Philippines.  Most people will know the names of the fish they directly come in contact with; Fish they buy to eat or fish raised in ponds or lakes nearby.  That is why one of our goals here on Fishing the Philippines is to show the diversity of species found here and to teach an awareness and appreciation for these fish.

Incorrect Naming – Another problem when determining a fish’s name here is when people tell you what they think the fish is.  Often this means that you will be getting the name of a fish that this fish reminds the person of.  We have found that local fishermen and fish vendors are able to give the more accurate names of fish species found in various regions.

Introduced Species – This creates a unique problem as well because these fish do not have local names.  The local communities create names for these fish which can also lead to confusion.  The name Black Mass or Black Mask is a name used in parts of Laguna to refer to the Largemouth Bass (a species introduced to some lakes from America).  It however is also used for some invasive species of carp such as bighead carp and silver carp.

Our task – Fishing the Philippines was started because we noticed a lack of information when it came to fish and fishing here in the Philippines.  Our goal is to teach conservation and appreciation of the wealth that we have teaming in the water here in the Philippines.

How you can help –  If you know the local names of the fish we post please let us know.  We would like our site to be a comprehensive resource for sport fishing and you can help be a part of that.  Also feel free to contribute to our fish species list.  You can do that by sending us pictures and information about fish you have caught here.  We are also glad to promote and share information regarding fishing events, conservation projects and other educational programs involving fish.

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