John Tan of Red Tackle with a peacock bass in Singapore

Many American anglers are aware of the Japanese fishing scene and JDM tackle, but few of us know much about fishing in Singapore. I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t – in fact, I’m embarrassed to say that until I looked it up I’m not sure that I could have identified the country on a map.

That’s a shame because Singapore – and the nearby countries like Indonesia and Malaysia – have fascinating histories and vibrant angling cultures. Indeed, Singapore is a well-developed market economy and the country’s residents enjoy a very high level of education and wealth as well as one of he world’s longest life expectancies, all factors conducive to building an informed fishing elite.

The country is also known for its strict rules and punishments for lawbreakers, and despite the fact that the Singapore is surrounded by water, within its 281 square miles of territory there are only limited number of places to fish. However, it has peacock bass, and big ones – that piqued my interest.

As I got more heavily invested in researching travel rods, I joined the Travel Rod Anglers group on Facebook, many of whose members are from Singapore and surrounding nations. There I became acquainted by Aaron, owner-operator of Red Tackle, one of the country’s leading high-end tackle shops. Go through his website or Facebook page and you’ll see that his appetite for superior gear is at least as strong as my own. I kept pestering him with questions, which he patiently answered, and then he agreed to the following interview:

How did you get into the tackle business?

It was actually for fun. I have been luring for 20 years. I started going crazy about it after watching a Japanese anime call Grander Musashi. It was on channel AXN every day at 5pm, so I thought I should start a tackle business, That way I could bring all of the interesting and good fishing stuff from all over the world and have it in my shop. I could also sell it online so everyone all over the world would have access to it. I have American anglers coming to me buying Brazilian lures, which means that the lure basically flew all the way around the globe.

For our American audience, please describe the fishing scene in Singapore – types of waters, favorite species, saltwater vs. freshwater? Is most angling done from shore or from a particular type of boat?

Giant snakehead in Singapore on Cast Division Beast Stick Travel Rod

Fishing in Singapore is interesting because it is illegal to fish in most areas. However, we have crazy species like giant snakehead and peacock bass. And we also have some nice pay ponds that have chaophraya catfish and big redtail catfish that mostly originate from Thailand. In saltwater we have boat fishing too, but again not all of our shorelines are legal for fishing.

Who is your typical customer?

My customers come from all over the world actually.

How does your store differ from other tackle stores in your country?

I sell special stuff that most tackle shops don’t sell. To me, fishing is about trying new stuff, so every time I try a new fishing rod or a new fishing lure that is good. I will try to bring it in to sell and share with my customers and once it is sold out I will start looking for other interesting stuff. I don’t normally stock them back after that -- only for those special brands that I love it a lot. I will keep bringing them back.

You seem to specialize in JDM brands. Are there tackle companies from Singapore? If so, what are some of the leading designers?

Nelson Nakamura Lures for Sale at Red Tackle in Singapore

Not really. I go around the world seeking for good and interesting tackle.

You also carry a lot of Brazilian brands. What is the connection there?

They make lures for peacock bass, I realize that their lures are very effective for peacock bass in Singapore, too. They just don’t look as beautiful as the Japanese lure so it doesn’t catch the angler’s eye so much.

Do you serve an international clientele? Are most of your customers online or in-store?

Both, mostly online.

How does the currency exchange rate affect your business?

It’s not a big problem for me, as long as I earn enough to help the business survive. Ha ha.

You carry several high-end travel rods. What can you tell us about those brands?

I specialize in travel rods because I realized about five years ago that they would become a big hit. I also realized that the quality and standard of travel rods have improved greatly. To own a car in Singapore is very expensive, so travel rods make travelling in the public transport easier. And also I like to bring my fishing rod along with me when I go overseas. You never know when there is a chance to catch something on a holiday.

Americans don’t seem to trust three- and four-piece rods. What would you tell them to convince them to try them?

I think for all fishing stuff: YOU NEED TO TRY IT, CAST IT, FISH IT before you make a perception on it.

Huerco fishing rods Red Tackle Singapore JDM Japan

What is your own personal favorite style of fishing?

I love baitcasters. I do luring with it. Baiting with it. Bottom fishing with it. Jigging with it. Ha ha, I think I only have 1 spinning reel.

Why should foreigners plan their next fishing vacation to Singapore?

Selection of high-end travel rods from Red Tackle in Singapore

It’s an interesting country. I guide foreigners around to visit our fishing ponds as well as catch peacock bass. It a small country so travelling is easy. The food is good. Accommodations are good. Shopping is good. I think there a good combination of fishing and holiday and an opportunity to relax.

Now I need to add Singapore to my bucket list of angling destinations. I want to catch peacock bass in a third continent, and I plan to do it on one of my new travel rods.