Valenzuela offers best spots in Metro for local anglers

By Beverly T. Natividad
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Posted date: January 09, 2010

MANILA, Philippines—One of Metro Manila’s best kept secrets is right in its backyard.
Valenzuela City hosts one of the few remaining preserves in the country that serve as home to prize catch, and is on its way to becoming a popular destination for local fishing enthusiasts.

“Valenzuela is now very popular among many anglers because it is a convenient place for us to go to since it’s right here in Metro Manila,” said Bien Peñaranda, a game-/sport-fishing enthusiast and a member of the online fishing forum filanglers.org.

Three years ago, the fishponds of Barangay Coloong and Tagalag in Valenzuela were just regular fishponds serving the needs of fishermen in the Polo area.

Peñaranda was one of the handful of game fishers who eventually gravitated to the area after discovering the fishing spot located right in the heart of Metro Manila.

“Since then, I have been promoting Valenzuela with our group. It is a perfect spot for anglers who just want to fish without having to go all the way to Batangas, Cavite, or Quezon.”

Tournaments

The anglers loved it so much that they eventually organized a sport fishing tournament in the area in coordination with the Valenzuela city government.

With Peñaranda taking up the suggestion with Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian himself, the local government was more than willing to pursue the project.

The first gamefishing tournament was held in April 2008, and was followed by another in 2009. A third one is on the way this year.

“I have much to thank the members of the filanglers.org forum,” Gatchalian told Inquirer. “Now, we even have an expatriate crowd coming all the way to Valenzuela to fish. They have also done their share in promoting Valenzuela as a fishing spot.”

The growing popularity of Coloong and Tagalag as convenient fishing areas for both Filipino and foreign gamefishers has given local fisherfolk more than its share of the bonanza. Fishpond owners also earn from hosting anglers in their ponds, while waiting for their marine harvests.

“It is actually a win-win situation for both anglers and fishpond owners. We save on fuel while doing the sport we love, and they have another source of income before harvest time to take care of their everyday expenses,” said John Paul Suanico, another filangler.org forum member.

Resort look

These days, fishponds in Coloong and Tagalag have acquired a mini-resort look, with pond owners adding improvements to accommodate fishing enthusiasts.

Sari-sari (variety) stores and barbecue stands have sprouted in the vicinity, to the delight of housewives who needed the supplemental income.

“When the anglers come, the local fisherfolk are able to sell their fishes to their guests. The gamefishers help small businesses thrive,” said Gatchalian.

Recreational fishing or gamefishing (or sportfishing) is simply fishing done as a sport or for fun, unlike those done for commerce.

Filangler.org members explained that fishermen who get their catch from the freshwaters off Valenzuela are paid by the kilo, the standard practice among local gamefishers.

Another attraction for anglers is that fish caught in Valenzuela is priced much lower than the catch from Cavite or Batangas.

“In Valenzuela, we pay for the catch per kilo at farmgate prices. The price is almost double in other areas, and they charge you by the number of fishing poles you use,” said Peñaranda.

Apart from giving livelihood opportunities to Valenzuela residents, gamefishers say that promoting fishing as a sport also helps educate local fisherfolk on the value of their waters and its marine produce.

For most local fishermen, fishes in the sea are meant to be caught for food for the home or for sale, regardless of the size and the kind.

Among gamefishers, the usual practice is to throw back small-sized fishes to the waters to allow them to grow and reproduce. Constant interaction between fisherfolk and anglers result in mini lessons about the dangers of over fishing.

“By seeing anglers in action, the fishermen realize slowly that by letting go now, they can expect a bigger catch in the future,” said filangler Jefflin Choi.

Gamefishing, said the group members, can be an environment-friendly sport if enough people know about this aspect of giving back and getting more in return.

Fishing enthusiasts—disciplined in their craft and respectful of the waters—always put marine conservation on the top of their agenda, they added.

Sorry for the late responses to your inquiries and comments. To make the long story short, I lost access to this blog because I could not recover my password. Tried to reset the password and the emails ended up in my SPAM folder.

Now that I have regained access, I will try to update the blog as much as I can. A lot of things has happened over the past year. The ponds at Coloong and Tagalag were hit hard by Typhoon Ondoy. Some reported fishkills, some ponds closed and then reopened.

Just watch out for updates on this blog. Any questions, just email me.

The first leg of the 2nd Mayor WIN Gatchalian Fun Fishing Tournament was held in Brgy. Tagalag on May 2, 2009. Headed by Former Councilor Lorie Natividad – Borja, the Youth, Sports and Livelihood Office hosted the fishing tournament with more than 110 fishing enthusiasts joined in the said activity.

Most of the anglers came from the nearby cities and provinces like Batangas and Pangasinan.

Mr. Rodolfo Dizon and his son Mark Christopher bagged the first and second place awards for the Biggest Tilapia category. Likewise, Mr. Corman Beluso and Elmer Baldonado received the awards for the Milkfish Heaviest Catch category. Aside from these major awards, the committee also presented special awards to the oldest, youngest, and farthest local anglers. The Beltran Family from Caloocan City received the Angler Family award and Mr. Charlie Ignacio was given a Special award for catching a big shrimp called “Ulang”.

Punong Barangay Renato Bernardo, together with the Brgy. Tagalag Council and Sangguniang Kabataan headed by Cristine Bernadette Geronimo, acknowledged the Llenado Family for allowing the fun fishing activity be held in their fish pond. PB Bernabe made a promise that they will pursue the development of the fishing venue in their barangay.

The recently held fishing competition marks its second year with the coordination of the Filipino Anglers Organization. Mr. Bien Penaranda, a resident of Valenzuela and fishing enthusiast since his childhood, said that “This is a dream come true for me. When I was a young kid, I always thought of a place for fishing activity. Now, there is no need to go far, because in the heart of this highly urbanized city, there is a beautiful place to go fishing with our family and friends.”

According to Mayor WIN Gatchalian, Mr. Bien Penaranda gave him the idea to launch the said fun fishing tournament last 2008. The City Mayor hopes that this endeavour will promote the City of Valenzuela as a tourist spot for fishing enthusiasts.

All anglers are invited to join in the second leg of the 2nd Mayor WIN Gatchalian Fun Fishing Tournament in Brgy. Coloong on May 17, 2009.

Top sport fishers shine in Mayor WIN tilt

Public Information Office
by : Jehan Torda
published: May 26, 2009

A total of 138 sport fishing enthusiasts participated in the second leg of the 2nd Mayor WIN Gatchalian Fun Fishing Tournament held in Barangay Coloong last May 17. This follows the Barangay Tagalag leg of the tournament last May 2.

Now on its second year, the fishing tournament was organized by the Youth, Sports and Livelihood Office, headed by former Councilor Lorie Natividad-Borja, in partnership with the Filipino Anglers Organization.

Emerson Cacho and Samson Oabel bagged the first and second place awards respectively for the Biggest Bangus Catch category. Elmer Baldonado and Lino del Rosario, on the other hand, received the first and second place awards respectively for the Heaviest Tilapia Catch category. Vic Villanueva won the Biggest Apahap catch award.

Allan Santos of the Filipino Anglers Organization conducted the official weighing of the heaviest catch for the Biggest Bangus and Tilapia categories.

Fishing enthusiasts also received special awards, including the Oldest, Youngest, Farthest Local Anglers and Special Specie Catch awards. For the second time, the Beltran Family from Caloocan City received the Angler Family award.

Former Coloong Punong Barangay Larry Ramos thanked Mayor WIN for choosing their fish pond as the venue of the fun fishing activity. Ramos said that they will continue to develop the fishing hub in their barangay.

Baldonado, a resident of Meycuayan City and also a two-time champion in the heaviest catch division, said that “Ako at ang aking mga kaibigan ay lubos na nagpapasalamat kay Mayor WIN ng Valenzuela City sa pagkakaroon ng ganitong torneo. Isa itong kapaki-pakinabang na aktibidad para sa lahat ng mahilig mangisda. Muli kaming sasali sa 3rd Mayor WIN Gatchalian Fun Fishing Tournament! [My friends and I am very thankful to Valenzuela City Mayor WIN for this tournament. This is a very helpful activity for all fishing enthusiasts. We will all join the 3rd Mayor WIN Gatchalian Fun Fishing Tournament!]”

According to Mayor WIN Gatchalian, Mr. Bien Penaranda gave him the idea to launch the said fun fishing tournament last 2008. The City Mayor hopes that this endeavour will promote the City of Valenzuela as a tourist spot for fishing enthusiasts.[/quote]

• Registration is limited to 150 Participants. Registration should be done thru the authorized registration centers prior to the tournament
• Walk in registrants will only be allowed to join during the tournament date if there are slots available. First come, first served.
• Fish can only be taken by rod and reel, hook and line and from the bank.
• Other methods such as snagging (salvage), electrofishing (kuryente), bowfishing (pana or airgun), netting (lambat) and other methods are strictly not allowed.
• Participants need to pay for their catch by the kilo
• Registration Fee is P200 per person

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
May 2, 2009 (Totoy Llenado’s Pond, Tagalag)
May 17, 2009 (Kap Larry’s Pond, Coloong1)

6:00 A.M. REGISTRATION OF PARTICIPANTS
7:00 A.M. START OF TOURNAMENT
3:00 P.M. END OF TOURNAMENT
. AWARDING

AWARD CATEGORIES
• INDIVIDUAL – HEAVIEST SINGLE CATCH
o Biggest Apahap – Trophy plus P5000 (Coloong only)
o Biggest Bangus – Trophy plus P5000
o Biggest Tilapia – Trophy plus P5000
o Second Biggest Apahap – P3000 (Coloong Only)
o Second Biggest Bangus – P3000
o Second Biggest Tilapia – P3000

SM-J 561
Best Drag: 6-8kg
Action: fast
PE: 5-6
Max- 300g
Length: 5′6″

Retail Price: 6700p

Sale Price: 5700p

brand new

text 0917-887-5324

https://www.causewaybaitandtackle.com/Avet_JX_Reels_p_504.html

Narrow Spool Width
Single Speed
Right Hand

Brief Description
Avet Reels introduces a new line of saltwater reels designed to revolutionize the conventional reel market. Avet Reels allow for effortless operation under demanding conditions imposed by anglers pursuing larger game fish species.

Avet’s 6 stainless steel ball bearings give the reel incredible smoothness and increased casting distance and free spool. An oversized carbon fiber drag system combined with stainless drag plates gives Avet Reels something that no other lever drag reel has-an ultra smooth drag with the ability to free spool at a full drag setting!

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Main Feature

* Narrow spool width
* Lever drag control system.
* 15 lb. on strike, 20 lb. max with free spool
* Preset drag feature.
* New cast control system only available from Avet Reels- (prevention of backlash and as a line out adjustment for live bait fishing)
* Lightweight and topless
* 100% machined, type 2 anodized, true one piece frame.
* 8 stainless steel rubber sealed ball bearings and stainless components.
* Extremely stable Avedrag brake system.
* Easy maintenance with all corrosion resistant materials.

Specifications

Avet Model #
JX 6.0:1
Retrieve
R/H*
Max. Drag with free spin
Strike - 15 lbs.
Full - 20 lbs.

Gear Ratio
6.0:1

Line Capacity**
30 lbs. - 280 yds

Weight
20 oz.

===================================
Retail $249.99! (Exclusive of freight and duties)

For Sale: 230$ / 11,500pesos

0917 - 887 - 53 - 24

Marshals assist in the initial weighing in of the catches and also see to it that tournament rules are followed. if an angler protests on the practices of another angler, the marshal will mediate. Last tourney, the marshals were there to announce when anglers can start fishing, record the heaviest catches in his area and also announce when the tournament has ended.

It was a common sentiment that marshals were slowly tortured as they had to abstain from fishing. This year, marshals will be allowed to join the tournament itself. Each marshal will buddy up with a staff from the Valenzuela Sports Committee, for check and balance.

I have just finished discussing the details with Ms. Lorie. Details of the tournament are as follows:
Tagalag Leg to be held at the same venue as last year, at Ka Totoys pond, on May 9, 2009. Participants to be limited to 200. Same rules and prices as last year. Tournament fee is 200, which includes a tournament shirt and free snacks. Lunch will be at anglers expense.

Coloong Leg to be held later on either May 16 or 23 (tentative). Same rules and prices as Tagalag but participants to be limited to 150. Registration will be via the Valenzuela Sports Office or thru the forum. We will be issued tickets which will be proofs of registration.

What are requirements for marshals?
Must be a forum member of Filipino Anglers
Have read and understood the tournament rules
Must come early for the tournament for briefing

What are the perks?
Waived registration fee
Complimentary marshals shirt
Packed lunch
Sense of accomplishment that you were part of making the tournament a success

Nothing can be farther from the truth. It is a proven fact that fish, when handled properly, have a high survival rate when released. When they appear to be stealing your bait, there are other ways to outsmart them and make their big brothers bite instead. This separates the better anglers from the rest: an understanding of the bigger picture… that fishing is not just about catching your fish for the day, but rather, also being mindful of how you impact the environment and how that affects the future generation of anglers.

I am an expectant father of twin girls and its very likely they won’t be fishing with me when I grow old. Still, I am for catch and release. Maybe someday, I can bring their boyfriends along for a fishing trip so I can grill and interview them from head to foot, body and soul. If they don’t meet my standards, at least Im sure there are big fishes in the water who can eat them up if I decide to push them.

Kidding aside, Catch and Release it the way to go if we want the local fishing scene to improve and be sustainable for the current and future generation of anglers.

Its a good thing that the recent discussions in the Filipinoanglers.org forum have raised awareness about CnR. Below is a proposed patch by jojo: