Prawning at Bishan Park

29 November 2008

Moments after midnight, we decided to go prawning at Bishan Park. According to Ming Choo's reliable source, Bishan Park makes a good site for prawning. I am clueless about it, having no experience in prawning at all. Thus, I just followed blindly with them.

4 of us rented 2 prawning rods for 3 hours at a rate of $20/hr. We collected the rods and baits (chicken hearts), then proceeded to an available space to start prawning.

The prawning rod was monopolised by Hock Rong and Chee Lee. Chee Lee was there for the first time as well and he had a great deal of beginner's luck.

I finally learnt the procedures of prawning. After hooking the bait (Hock Rong suggested exposing the hook so that the hook will enter the prawn's mouth when it bites the bait; while Ming Choo proposed otherwise so that the prawn will not be suspicious of the reflection from the hook), drop the bait into the water. There is a float to indicate whether there are prawns eating and the bait. The float sinks when they do.

When the float sinks, create a tension of the line between the float/bait and the rod, with the line perpendicular to the water's surface. Jerk it slightly upwards and pull in your reward.

Hold the prawn's head and remove its claws and then the hook. Drop the prawn into the cage (partially submerged in the pond) to ensure the freshness of prawns.

We (meaning Hock Rong and Chee Lee) managed to capture 7 prawns and barbequed them on the spot. I can't forget the eyes of the prawns staring straight at me while they pierce them with the satay sticks.

Later, I refused to eat any of the prawns. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable trip.