Langkawi After Dark: Squid Jigging Under the Stars

Langkawi isn't just about soaking up the sun on beautiful beaches. Did you know you can have an exciting adventure at night too? Here's something called "mencandat sotong," which basically means catching squid under the stars!

Mencandat sotong is an age-old tradition in Langkawi, passed down through generations. As the sun sets, local fishermen and adventurous travelers gather at the water’s edge, armed with fishing lines, jigs, and anticipation.

After a delicious dinner at Rogayah Cafe near the Pulau Tuba Jetty, the night was still young. With the promise of adventure in the air, we hopped aboard a boat around 9:30pm, heading towards a cluster of glowing green lights on the horizon. 

Those, my friends, were the boats – our temporary homes for the thrilling activity of mencandat sotong, 

The boat for mencandat sotong is equipped with a couple of special lamps.

As we neared the illuminated gathering of boats, the excitement grew.  Soon, we were transferring to our designated mencandat sotong vessel, ready to get our hands dirty (or inky, as it turned out!).

Under an Eerie Green Glow

The moment we stepped onto the boat, an otherworldly atmosphere washed over us. The boat's lanterns cast a mesmerizing green glow, making the scene feel like a scene out of a sci-fi movie.  Apparently, this green light is the secret weapon, attracting the squid from the depths of the ocean towards the boat.

With bated breath, we lowered our jigs into the inky water, feeling the weight of the vast ocean tugging at the other end. The anticipation was electric!

Suddenly, a flash of movement! A squid, its iridescent body shimmering in the green light, rose from the depths, captivated by the jig's glow. It was like a mesmerizing underwater ballet unfolding before our eyes!

Then came the moment of truth. The line went taut! The squid had taken the bait! The "fight" was exhilarating.  As it was reeled in, the squid made a final attempt at defense, squirting ink, which (thankfully!) we had prepared for by wearing some old clothes.

Mencandat sotong was so much more than just catching squid.  It was about experiencing a unique local tradition, having a thrilling adventure under the canopy of stars. But more importantly, it was a reminder of the hard work and dedication of the local fishermen who bring fresh seafood to our plates, night after night, under the vast expanse of the night sky.

So next time you visit Langkawi, ditch the usual daytime routine and try something different.  Grab your sense of adventure and see if you can catch your own dinner under the twinkling Langkawi sky!

Our friendly fisherman also shown us the traditional way of menjala sotong using a net. Check out the IG reel HERE. (Over 600,000 views)

Acknowledgements:

A heartfelt thank you to BESTUBA for sponsoring our Pulau Tuba adventure! Your generous support with transport, meals, and sightseeing made it unforgettable.

This trip to Langkawi and Pulau Tuba was organised by QTT Group Plt in collaboration with LADA, Jupeter Holidays and supported by KembaRojak.

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