AVAILABLE: 5
We are the Mancing Mania team from Jogja, representing GETER (Gumuk Touring Route), who held a fishing rod casting expedition on June 29, 2014.
In addition to being a popular fishing spot, the multipurpose Gajah Mungkur Reservoir was also developed by the government as a tourist attraction for the city of Wonogiri. Besides its natural beauty, there’s a zoo and a playground for children, and boat rides are available to explore the expanse of the reservoir. It's a top fishing destination, and last week we ventured there for rod casting. It’s worth mentioning that the fish population here is thriving, including species such as tawes, wader pari, patin jambal, and nila (tilapia).
Fishing Guide
Based on our experience and shared tips from seasoned local anglers, here are a few tips to help target fish at TPT (Target Fishing Spots). It’s best to prepare these in advance before heading out.
Fish Habitats
To determine the right fishing spots and targets, it’s helpful to understand the main fish populations:
- Juvenile and Adult Tawes: These thrive in the eastern waters near the boat dock.
- Adult Nila: These are widespread across all parts of the reservoir.
- Wader Pari and Juvenile Tawes: Found mostly in the calm western waters with gentle waves, close to the western field.
- Patin (All Sizes): Large, deep-water patin are found in the western waters, with juvenile wader pari, tawes, and nila in shallower areas.
Bait
- Dough: The highest-rated bait is a pellet mix with BR (chicken feed). It’s highly effective for all fish species, so I rate it a 10.
- Spinach Worms: These large worms are ideal for targeting monster-sized nila and patin. However, knowing the best time to fish for these monsters is essential, so I rate it a 7.
- Algae: This bait is only effective for big nila. I rate it a 5.
Timing
The best times to fish are early morning from 6 to 9 a.m. and in the afternoon from 3 p.m. until night. Fish respond most aggressively to bait during these hours. I base this theory on my observations from an entire day of fishing at the reservoir.
Previously, we had limited information about fishing at Gajah Mungkur Reservoir, so our catch was minimal. I decided to create this tutorial to help other anglers avoid the confusion we experienced.
That concludes the experience I can share. I hope it’s helpful for all of you. Thank you!
