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| Patiently waiting for rabbitfish to take the bait by Cau Hai Lagoon |
Waiting for a catch on the lagoon
At 5:00 AM, while the surface of Cau Hai Lagoon remains shrouded in early morning mist, a few people are already scattered beneath Tu Hien Bridge, looking for a spot to fish. Some deploy their rods, others prepare bait, while someone else busily double-checks their line and hooks. Each chooses an advantageous position, then fixes their eyes upon the water.
Meeting purely by chance after traveling nearly 40 kilometers, Mr. Nguyen Van Anh (Phu Xuan Ward) and Mr. Phan Binh (Thuan Hoa Ward) were both present by the lagoon shore. With over 20 years of experience fishing for rabbitfish, Mr. Nguyen Van Anh shared that the arrival of rabbitfish season is also a time of joy for anglers. "The rabbitfish season in Cau Hai Lagoon usually begins in the 4th lunar month and lasts until the 8th lunar month. The rabbitfish in the Tu Hien Bridge area are both delicious and visually appealing, so they are highly favored. As a specialty of the lagoon region, these wild, pale-yellow fish with spots, firm flesh, and rich flavor are often prepared into many delicious dishes," Mr. Anh said.
The section of the lagoon directly at the foot of Tu Hien Bridge chosen by anglers to fish for rabbitfish is about 500 meters long. Not only does it boast an advantageous location, but the water currents here are also quite suitable, attracting rabbitfish to feed. Mr. Phan Binh shared: "I work as a carpenter, but when rabbitfish season arrives, I take advantage of the time to go fishing to relieve stress and earn extra income." Each fishing session usually lasts from early morning until late afternoon. In the early days of autumn, the sun over the lagoon region remains intense. Mr. Anh, Mr. Binh, and other rabbitfish anglers must prepare hats, umbrellas, and face masks to protect themselves from the sun, wind, and heat radiating from the lagoon's surface.
Fishing for rabbitfish may seem simple at first glance, but for a productive outing, anglers must possess experience in everything from preparing bait and selecting hooks to casting the line. The bait is made from wheat flour mixed with water and mắm ruốc (fermented shrimp paste) in appropriate proportions. Notably, anglers only use handmade hooks. "We fish using traditional methods, relying on lưỡi câu rường (cluster hooks). Each rig combines 3 to 5 small hooks specifically designed for catching rabbitfish," Mr. Binh shared.
Livelihood and passion
Fishing is much like going out to sea; there are good days and bad days. On days when the water conditions are favorable and the fish are biting eagerly, each angler can catch 6 to 7 kilograms of wild rabbitfish. Mr. Anh shared: "Catching a lot of fish is exciting because we have fish to bring home and can also sell some for extra income. But on days when the fish aren't biting, you can sit from morning till afternoon and barely get anything. Yet, the next day, if I have time, I still want to go. Perhaps the most satisfying part is sitting in wait, and then suddenly feeling a light twitch on the rod, knowing a fish is hooked."
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| Wild rabbitfish, characterized by their pale yellow bodies, firm flesh, and rich flavor, are a highly sought-after delicacy |
Selling for around 200,000 to 250,000 VND per kilogram, the caught fish can provide a significant source of income for anglers. From the edge of the lagoon, these fresh rabbitfish quickly find their way into home kitchens as delectable dishes. Ms. Tran Thi Phuong (Vinh Loc Commune) often takes the opportunity to buy rabbitfish directly from local anglers. According to Ms. Phuong, wild rabbitfish caught straight from the lagoon are safe, firm, and richly flavorful, making them delicious no matter how they are prepared. "I often buy rabbitfish to cook with pineapple and tomato soup, braise them with sour ingredients, or simmer them into porridge. Fresh rabbitfish cooked simply with pineapple and tomatoes, seasoned with a touch of black pepper, makes a deeply savory dish. Eating this with warm rice during the seasonal shift into early autumn is both delicious and healthy," Ms. Phuong said.
Serving as both a pastime and a way to earn extra income, fishing for rabbitfish has become a passion for many. Each person arrives at the lagoon with a different level of experience, yet they all connect over the shared anticipation of a bite and the hope for a bountiful outing. After a fishing session, aside from the fish kept for family meals, the remainder can be sold to bring in income for the anglers. Thus, for them, each trip to the lagoon is not merely a leisure activity, but also a way to generate income from their very own passion. When the fish bite, there is added joy and extra earnings; on days when fish are scarce, anglers simply view it as a time to sit, wait for the tide, chat, and enjoy the atmosphere on the lagoon.
Perhaps it is this interplay between passion and livelihood that gives every rabbitfish season its own unique allure, drawing anglers from all over to the foot of Tu Hien Bridge year after year.