Filipino Anglers Organization

I walked through the tall grass, all traces of the trail had been obliterated by the fast growing cogon. The line “keep out of the tall grass” from Jurassic Park kept echoing in my head. Although there were no velociraptors in this day and age, their just as potent cousins might lay underfoot. The dull yellowish pallor of the setting sun casting long shadows through the grass did not help allay my reptilian fear.

I broke through and found myself standing on the rim of the pit. The clear, green water was about 15 feet below. The pit is an abandoned hotel construction. The contractors got as far as digging and shoring up the foundations before the project was scrapped. How fish got into the water is anyone’s guess but they’re there, thriving – tilapia, ladyfish and big dalag.

Dalag have always had a soft spot in my heart. These fearless ambush predators are ready to hit anything you throw their way. Spinnerbaits, in line spinners and plugs all catch their share. Although the fight is usually not prolonged, adrenaline junkies will get a fix with the jumps and bulldogging characteristic of this fish. Relatively light tackle is needed to control mudfish. A five and a half to six foot rod with a small dependable reel you can cast all day with will do. Baitcasters have an advantage as accurate spot casting is a must. I pulled out my homemade 1/8oz. spinnerbait and tied it on the ten lb. Sufix line. After walking the rim halfway around , the clear water revealed a fish finning on top of the weeds just a short cast away. I lobbed the lure past the fish, allowed it to helicopter down and started a slow retrieve. The throbbing Colorado blade sent pulses through the water as the rubber grubtail danced seductively. The fish slowly turned and bent its body, its posture a clear indication of an imminent strike. In a flash the fish hit and I, reflexively, struck back. The GLoomis rod bent hard from the strong surge of the fish and the heavily set drag of the Calcutta 200XT. Experience taught me that Pit dalag dive through the matted weeds upon hitting lures, leaving you to retrieve a thick mass of Hydrilla with no fish. Not this time, I said to myself as I pumped in a few inches of line. The fish changed tactics rushing to the surface and clearing it by a few feet. I immediately gave him some slack to fall on as fish dropping back on a tight lead may break the line, come off or even shatter your rod. After a few more runs, the dalag was spent. I hoisted him up and unhooked him. A good sized fish just over a kilo, I estimated. After a few more seconds spent admiring his ugliness, I released him into the pit knowing we would cross paths again. Just then did I notice my shaking hands. It never leaves you… The excitement that a good fish brings.

dalag