JELEBU: Anglers often find it challenging to catch the elusive kenerak as it is notoriously picky about its food, only taking bait such as beetle larvae collected from the ground.
Veteran angler Bahali Osman, 62, who lives in Kampung Sungai Buloh here, said this rare fish, believed to be related to the baung, could not be lured with conventional bait like worms or feed.
"The kenerak can only be caught using fishing rods, nets or traps. It is a seasonal fish, usually more abundant and easier to catch between October and December," he said.
He added that the whiskered fish is believed to migrate from Sungai Pahang to the upstream areas of Sungai Triang to breed.
Recently, Bahali could savour the moment when he caught a kenerak weighing over five kilogrammes in Sungai Pahang.
Catching the fish required immense patience as even setting traps at various locations would not guarantee success.
"Most anglers use beetle larvae, which can be easily found along the riverbanks, as it's the only bait believed to be able to entice the kenerak," Bahali said.
Despite being categorised as a predatory fish, the kenerak does not put up much of a fight when it gets hooked.
However, it may become aggressive when surfacing from the water, posing a challenge for inexperienced anglers.
"Proper fishing equipment, including the right type of line and hook, is essential. Anglers should also understand the fish's weak spot — its tail — which makes it easier to handle once caught," he added.
Although most of the kenerak currently caught are medium-sized, it remains highly sought-after by river fishing enthusiasts.
"The fish can fetch between RM25 and RM35 per kg, with prices rising outside its peak season," Bahali said.
Fellow angler Syamsul Bahrin Sabudin, 51, said smaller kenerak weighing under two kg could fetch a higher price as they were particularly prized for cooking dishes like asam pedas or curry.
"This fish is in high demand among locals who claim its taste is superior to that of the baung. Whenever someone catches one, it sells instantly," he said.
Syamsul Bahrin, a full-time river fisherman, said the kenerak had provided him with a good income to support his family.
The largest kenerak was caught in Sungai Triang, Pahang, and weighed 11kg, he added.
Meanwhile, fishing enthusiast Fahmi Sidek, 22, said there was limited information available about this rare local species, which is increasingly hard to encounter.