Cagragay Island, Philippines.

[Nonong]

Greetings from the Philippines!

Very few know about the fish rich waters of the Rapu-Rapu Island Channel. This is located off the Sorsogon mainland facing the Pacific Ocean. The water depth mid to the island from Prieto Diaz is a cobalt blue 2,000 meters! The area is pristine with no high pressure sportfishing. I have trolled all day out there using a banca outrigger boat. Absolutely no sportfishing boats!

Blue Marlin exist in a triangle i have dubbed as the San Bernardino Strait opening; Catanduanes Island and Rapu-Rapu Island-Prieto Diaz channel and opening triangle. Big YFT roam in the channel and off the Pacific side of the island. I have spotted solitary 200 to 400 pounders leaping in the channel.

I personally believe that granders exist in the triangle. But.... there are only bigger fishing bancas to charter. No weighing stations and the possibility of an old man of the sea boat lashing of a big marlin scenario. My boatmen tell of marlin as big as mature coconut logs are wide. One talked about 200 lbs. handline being snapped by a fish he never saw surface. Talk about dorado, smoker mackerel, GT and huge sharks. Bottom fishing and jigging is good. Try popper trolling the reefs for grouper and snapper.

The Bicol Region is visited by many foreigners. Americans have also marvelled at the Mayon Volcano. This has been the recent site of repeat U.S./Filipino forces Balikatan Exercises. Humanitarian and medical missions are held here too.

World class accomodations are available at Cagragay Island. Discovery Bay resort and Misibis Land. Please see: http://www.misibis.com

Sorsogon has a good jump-off area in Bacon Beach resort areas. A good old roughing it style dive resort patronized by americans is the Sirangan Beach Resort. Please see: http://www.sirangan.com/

[Nonong]

The summer season is good. There is less chances of tropical cyclones. Check out U.S. Embassy travel advisories before departure. A good travel agency can get you there via Ninoy Aquino International Airport as gateway to the Republic of the Philippines.

Domestic flight connections are available in both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. Manila to Legazpi City Airport. Roadway tours via the South Luzon Expressway are also available. Hertz rent a car service is available in the Philippines. Tour escorts are the rule to avoid hassles. Bring a good digital as some security glitch makes it S.O.P. to X-ray scan loaded disposables or SLR's in airport departure areas.

[Nonong]

Transit thru road is an interesting experience. Photo buffs would love the scenery.

Naga City is one of the best places to load heavy fuel. Checkout their tourist restos and spots! Please see: www.bicoltourism.com

[phcarmaster]

Really I got so many Island to visit. Still wondering where to get enough money to visit them all. My next stop is Bicol. I got a good package from a site i saw in Google. hehe... Internet is the best.

Sharing you the link guys. I hope you avail it too. Bicol Philippines Budget Travel