Bubu Fishing in Singapore: A “Deadliest Catch” Trip with Jeff Tsen, Dr. Rod

All this from a few hours of tough bubu fishing work!

Want to experience a Singapore version of “Deadliest Catch”?

Jeff, our usual go-to guy when we want fresh fish and some fishing action, asked whether I wanted to help retrieve and deploy several bubus in Singapore waters. I replied almost immediately: “Let’s go!”

Bubu fishing in Singapore can be extremely difficult and physically demanding, but pulling a loaded fish trap to the surface is also very rewarding.

Singapore Bubu Fishing Trip Details

Fishing method: Traditional bubu fish traps
Departure point: Sembawang
Fishing area: Singapore waters
Captain: Jeff
Activities: Retrieving, sorting and redeploying bubus
Catch: Reef fish, crabs, pufferfish and other species

What Is Bubu Fishing?

A bubu is a traditional fish trap placed on the seabed. Fish and crustaceans enter through a funnel-shaped opening and may have difficulty finding their way out.

The trap is left in the water before being retrieved later. Unlike rod-and-line fishing, there is no bite to detect and no fish to fight. The excitement comes when the crew begins pulling the bubu and discovers what has entered it.

Catch results can vary significantly. One trap may be full of fish, while the next may contain only a single pufferfish.

Setting Off from Sembawang

We set off from Sembawang to retrieve the bubus and wondered whether we would catch enough fish to “keep for Chinese New Year”.

This is a very Singaporean habit. Towards the end of the year, everything also must keep for CNY.

Let’s go! Setting off for our Singapore “Deadliest Catch” adventure.

Pulling Bubu Fish Traps Is Hard Work

Retrieving a bubu is back-breaking work. The weight of the trap, catch, current and anything attached to the bubu must be pulled from the seabed to the boat.

Teamwork was essential. Everyone had to maintain control of the line, keep the trap moving and prepare to bring it safely alongside the boat.

The experience gave me newfound respect for fishermen who do this every day. It is one thing to collect fish for Chinese New Year. It is another to perform this demanding work day after day for a living.

Great teamwork from the fishing kakis.

Singapore Bubu Fishing Catch Report

So, what was the catch report after all that back-breaking work?

Several bubus were full of fish. One trap contained two crabs, while another held only a giant pufferfish. It looked as though the pufferfish had eaten everything else inside.

One of the prized catches was an ang gao, a highly regarded reef fish among local anglers.

A prized ang gao from one of the bubus.

Sorting and Releasing the Catch

Once each bubu was onboard, we sorted through the catch. Juvenile fish were released where practical and likely to survive, while suitable table fish were retained.

Responsible catch management is important because a bubu may capture several species at the same time. Anglers should identify the fish correctly, keep only what can be used and avoid unnecessary waste.

Responsible Bubu Fishing Practices

• Release juvenile fish where practical and likely to survive.
• Identify each species before deciding whether to retain it.
• Keep only what will be eaten or properly used.
• Handle unwanted catch carefully and return it promptly.
• Retrieve every trap and avoid leaving fishing gear at sea.
• Maintain ropes, markers and traps to reduce the risk of loss.
• Follow applicable fishing rules and restrictions.

Bubu fishing should not automatically be described as sustainable in every situation. Its impact depends on how the traps are deployed, retrieved and managed. Lost traps may continue catching marine life, so preventing gear loss is especially important.

The Limited-Edition Bak Bag

We also found what looked like a limited-edition stone handbag. Very fashionable, extremely durable and slightly heavy.

Limited-edition bak bag.

Watch Our Singapore Bubu Fishing Video

Watch the video below for an overview of our Singapore “Deadliest Catch” bubu fishing adventure:

Watch our Singapore bubu fish trap fishing adventure on TikTok

Final Thoughts on Bubu Fishing in Singapore

This bubu fishing trip was physically demanding, unpredictable and extremely rewarding. Some traps were packed with fish, while others produced crabs or a single hungry pufferfish.

More importantly, the experience showed us how much work goes into traditional fish-trap fishing. Pulling several heavy bubus for a few hours was difficult enough. Doing it daily as a livelihood deserves respect.

We returned with a good harvest, a few fish for Chinese New Year and a much greater appreciation for the fishermen who perform this work regularly.

Tight lines and stay hooked on Baktao!