If you haven’t spent your SingapoRediscover Vouchers, here’s a fun way to spend it with your family! We went Kayak Fishing at Changi and found it an exhilarating time. As I’m writing this, my head is still swaying along with the waves of the sea and my children asked “Why do I feel like I’m still bobbing up and down?”
Chances are – many of you have kayaked. Kayak fishing is a different kind of kayaking done using leg powered kayaks! That means no more sore arms, and also arms freed up to catch some fish. We signed up for the fishing fun with Kayak Fishing Fever and it was a wonderful decision.
What Kayak Fishing is All About
It’s all about fishing from the kayak. This recreational sport has been gaining popularity as it’s convenient and relatively cheaper without the need to purchase or rent a boat. Kayaks are powered by the leg, and one guide is paired with a maximum of four. We went for Kayak Fishing Fever’s Changi Fishing Village tour – a 5-hour fishing trip not for the faint-hearted or should I say weak stomachs.
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Everything for the fishing trip is provided for – including fishing rod, hook, line and sinker. The fish were not that easy to bait, unfortunately. To promote sustainability, the kayak fishers catch and release, to enable the smaller fish to grow.
The Experience Kayak Fishing with Family
We started with a safety briefing as well as instructions on using the fishing rod. All of us had never fished with a rod before, the closest tools used were a nylon string and a hook. It does make us feel like pros using a proper fishing rod and being taught fishing techniques! The children also did pick it up quite quickly, with plenty of support and advice from the Fever guides – Amos and Henry.
Expect lots of pedalling to and fro fishing spots and “lines up” which means we got to move to a better spot. We also had to avoid the big ships and their big waves and also avoiding the rain clouds.
We also had the rare opportunity of going up close to a kelong while seeking shelter from the passing rain cloud and lightning. This was a treat especially for the children who may not know what kelongs look like. We also fished near the kelongs for a higher chance of catching fish since they are drawn to them.
Unfortunately, I felt seasick during the experience. Instead of feeling like a mermaid in water, it was more like a merlion experience. Although I have kayaked many times and been in the sea, the feeling of nausea was overwhelming. Taking seasick pills is recommended, especially if you are prone to seasickness. The guides always ensured that I was ok and provided much assistance including towing our kayak back to shore.
Even though the four of us caught a grand total of one fish (guess who caught the only fish), we still enjoyed ourselves a lot. It was a precious time of bonding and getting out of our comfort zone to try something we have never done.
Our Kayak Fishing Guides
Apart from ensuring our safety, our guides also ably pointed out facts of ships, stories of islands and what to look out for in the waters or skies. Starting in the early morning meant calm seas and the opportunity to spot the many birds like white-bellied sea eagles, brahmini kites and egrets fishing for food.
Our guides seem to be a jack of all trades, not only do they know the technical bits of fishing, where to fish, what to look out for, have extra strength for towing of seasick kayakers, they also took professional photos of us which were shared with participants. Kudos to their abilities!
Preparation for Kayak Fishing
While it wasn’t my first time kayaking, I felt that the kayak fishing expedition was a challenge physically. This activity is suitable for children 7 and up, it is best if they can help with pedalling.
It is advisable to bring lots of fluids, eat a good breakfast (not too heavy) before starting the trip and slather on the sunblock! Wearing long-sleeved tops and pants are recommended if you don’t want visible tan lines.
Kayaking in the open sea can mean sudden weather changes, huge waves, tides and of course the unpredictability of fish behaviour. Don’t be disappointed if you can’t catch any fish, just enjoy the experience of kayaking in the wind, the open sea and the scenery of Pulau Ubin, kelongs and nature.
A piece of advice for families with young children – try the Playground and Big Boat route for a higher chance of catching more fish with a shorter distance to pedal.
Kayak Fishing – A Worthwhile Experience for the Family
For outdoor family time, take it to the sea and go kayak fishing! Kayak Fishing Fever’s trips are SingapoRediscover vouchers-friendly. Different itineraries cover different distances. For more on Kayak Fishing Fever, click here.
