Chapter 52
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Pujimaki
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Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 52
As the boat traveled west, carrying seven traps, Karlos tried to recall the location of an island he had visited during a fishing trip years ago.
"If I remember correctly, there's a small island around this area."
He had already passed his usual fishing spot and continued further west, keeping his eyes sharp on the horizon and scanning the sea. An hour later, Karlos spotted a small island. He decided to place his traps here instead, remembering that it had shallow water with no corals or reefs that could snag his traps, making it safer.
He found the best spots and set his traps in different locations to spread them out, hoping at least some would yield a good catch.
"Since this is in the same direction as my fishing spot, I can just come here."
Still, Karlos wasn't sure if he would actually catch anything at this location. Other fishermen also knew about this spot and sometimes rested on the island.
"This is better than leaving my traps in the mangroves and letting a thief steal my hard work."
Karlos left eight traps in his territory near the mangrove trees so that the thief would have to go out of his way to reach them, hoping this would discourage him from going deeper into Karlos's area.
After finishing, Karlos returned to his fishing spot, hoping to catch enough fish to ease both his frustration and the financial hole left by the thief. He had spent money on fuel yesterday, and now someone had stolen half of his catch, so he was determined to make it back.
He considered asking the island manager for compensation but decided against it, knowing it would only complicate things. He hadn't helped the stranded man for money, and he wasn't even sure the man was trustworthy. Karlos had asked why the man was floating in the sea, but he hadn't answered, which made Karlos decide it was better to stay out of the situation.
Despite the rising sun, the cold breeze persisted. In fact, Karlos noticed the wind was colder today than yesterday, making his fingers stiff throughout the sail.
Once at his fishing spot, he quickly set up his bait with renewed determination. He wanted to catch as much as possible to earn more.
His first catch was unexpected: a big salmon, a species called King salmon or Chinook salmon. Locally, they referred to it as King salmon.
"Considering the sea is getting colder, I guess the salmon migration has started in the region."
Every November to December, as the temperature dropped, Timog-Kanluran became a migration route for salmon heading north. Locals eagerly anticipated this rare opportunity to catch such prized fish.
During this period, fishermen could catch salmon, especially in December, the peak season when salmon traveled in large schools, rippling the water as they moved.
"This salmon is almost as thick as my leg," Karlos said with genuine excitement, momentarily forgetting the fatigue of the past few days.
Salmon were rare in their country and expensive. Even during peak season, the price only dropped slightly since demand always exceeded supply. King salmon could sell for 500 pesos per kilo. This species could reach 1.5 meters, or 5 feet, and was known for being both delicious and highly valuable.
The salmon Karlos caught was about 25 inches long and probably weighed 5 kilograms. One catch like this alone could cover household expenses for several days.
As the sun rose, Karlos continued fishing. To his surprise, every fish he caught was salmon, ranging from 15 inches to 40 inches.
"Seven King salmon..."
He was speechless. Perhaps the salmon season had arrived early this year, a blessing.
"But yesterday I didn't catch a single salmon. It doesn't matter, the more money the better!"
Now, he wasn't bitter about losing his catch. The sight of the shimmering silver-and-pink scales stacked on his boat lifted his spirits.
At the fish port, other fishermen were surprised to see Karlos with seven King salmon.
"Has the salmon season started? But it's still early November."
"Perhaps."
When buyers saw the catch, they eagerly asked Karlos how much he wanted to sell it for, knowing salmon could fetch at least double the price in city markets. Many loved salmon, and seeing Karlos with so much, they competed to buy it.
"I'll buy all your salmon for 450 pesos," one buyer offered.
"470 pesos."
"500 pesos!"
"521 pesos!"
A sudden bidding war broke out. Karlos sold to the highest bidder at 535 pesos per kilo, leaving even his fellow fishermen in awe.
The seven King salmon weighed a total of 62.5 kilograms, earning Karlos 33,437 pesos and 50 centavos. He also sold crabs and prawns for 2,825 pesos.
In one day, Karlos earned 36,262 pesos and 50 centavos, a sum far beyond his usual earnings. His heart raced with excitement.
Other fishermen asked where he had caught the fish. Karlos answered vaguely, not wanting to reveal his usual fishing spot. Sharing that information would be like giving away his family's future. He simply said he caught them while fishing for fun.
"A few months ago, you caught a Bluefin Tuna, and now King Salmon. Karlos, tell us your secret."
"I have no secret. I just attend Ocean Church every Sunday, religiously."
"We do too."
"Well, I offered 1,000 pesos every Sunday."
"Now that's bullshit! A family can live on 1,000 pesos for two weeks if they live frugally. How can you give that without blinking?"
Karlos shrugged.
"I'm not lying. You asked my secret, so I told you. I just follow the Ocean Church doctrine faithfully."
The other fishermen stared at him with awe, some whispering among themselves, wondering if the Ocean Goddess truly favored him above all others.
Karlos bid them farewell and left with his earnings. Some fishermen were curious to follow his pattern, but most thought 1,000 pesos was far too much. They wanted to earn money, not give it away.
Karlos returned early that day, around 1 p.m., and Maya was delighted. She was even happier when she saw he had brought back 36,000 pesos.
Later that afternoon, Karlos was invited by his friends to drink. Maya reluctantly gave him 100 pesos, lecturing him softly not to stay out too long. She wasn't supportive of his drinking habits.
---
[Author's Note: Hello, I just want to say thank you guys for all of your support.]
As the boat traveled west, carrying seven traps, Karlos tried to recall the location of an island he had visited during a fishing trip years ago.
"If I remember correctly, there's a small island around this area."
He had already passed his usual fishing spot and continued further west, keeping his eyes sharp on the horizon and scanning the sea. An hour later, Karlos spotted a small island. He decided to place his traps here instead, remembering that it had shallow water with no corals or reefs that could snag his traps, making it safer.
He found the best spots and set his traps in different locations to spread them out, hoping at least some would yield a good catch.
"Since this is in the same direction as my fishing spot, I can just come here."
Still, Karlos wasn't sure if he would actually catch anything at this location. Other fishermen also knew about this spot and sometimes rested on the island.
"This is better than leaving my traps in the mangroves and letting a thief steal my hard work."
Karlos left eight traps in his territory near the mangrove trees so that the thief would have to go out of his way to reach them, hoping this would discourage him from going deeper into Karlos's area.
After finishing, Karlos returned to his fishing spot, hoping to catch enough fish to ease both his frustration and the financial hole left by the thief. He had spent money on fuel yesterday, and now someone had stolen half of his catch, so he was determined to make it back.
He considered asking the island manager for compensation but decided against it, knowing it would only complicate things. He hadn't helped the stranded man for money, and he wasn't even sure the man was trustworthy. Karlos had asked why the man was floating in the sea, but he hadn't answered, which made Karlos decide it was better to stay out of the situation.
Despite the rising sun, the cold breeze persisted. In fact, Karlos noticed the wind was colder today than yesterday, making his fingers stiff throughout the sail.
Once at his fishing spot, he quickly set up his bait with renewed determination. He wanted to catch as much as possible to earn more.
His first catch was unexpected: a big salmon, a species called King salmon or Chinook salmon. Locally, they referred to it as King salmon.
"Considering the sea is getting colder, I guess the salmon migration has started in the region."
Every November to December, as the temperature dropped, Timog-Kanluran became a migration route for salmon heading north. Locals eagerly anticipated this rare opportunity to catch such prized fish.
During this period, fishermen could catch salmon, especially in December, the peak season when salmon traveled in large schools, rippling the water as they moved.
"This salmon is almost as thick as my leg," Karlos said with genuine excitement, momentarily forgetting the fatigue of the past few days.
Salmon were rare in their country and expensive. Even during peak season, the price only dropped slightly since demand always exceeded supply. King salmon could sell for 500 pesos per kilo. This species could reach 1.5 meters, or 5 feet, and was known for being both delicious and highly valuable.
The salmon Karlos caught was about 25 inches long and probably weighed 5 kilograms. One catch like this alone could cover household expenses for several days.
As the sun rose, Karlos continued fishing. To his surprise, every fish he caught was salmon, ranging from 15 inches to 40 inches.
"Seven King salmon..."
He was speechless. Perhaps the salmon season had arrived early this year, a blessing.
"But yesterday I didn't catch a single salmon. It doesn't matter, the more money the better!"
Now, he wasn't bitter about losing his catch. The sight of the shimmering silver-and-pink scales stacked on his boat lifted his spirits.
At the fish port, other fishermen were surprised to see Karlos with seven King salmon.
"Has the salmon season started? But it's still early November."
"Perhaps."
When buyers saw the catch, they eagerly asked Karlos how much he wanted to sell it for, knowing salmon could fetch at least double the price in city markets. Many loved salmon, and seeing Karlos with so much, they competed to buy it.
"I'll buy all your salmon for 450 pesos," one buyer offered.
"470 pesos."
"500 pesos!"
"521 pesos!"
A sudden bidding war broke out. Karlos sold to the highest bidder at 535 pesos per kilo, leaving even his fellow fishermen in awe.
The seven King salmon weighed a total of 62.5 kilograms, earning Karlos 33,437 pesos and 50 centavos. He also sold crabs and prawns for 2,825 pesos.
In one day, Karlos earned 36,262 pesos and 50 centavos, a sum far beyond his usual earnings. His heart raced with excitement.
Other fishermen asked where he had caught the fish. Karlos answered vaguely, not wanting to reveal his usual fishing spot. Sharing that information would be like giving away his family's future. He simply said he caught them while fishing for fun.
"A few months ago, you caught a Bluefin Tuna, and now King Salmon. Karlos, tell us your secret."
"I have no secret. I just attend Ocean Church every Sunday, religiously."
"We do too."
"Well, I offered 1,000 pesos every Sunday."
"Now that's bullshit! A family can live on 1,000 pesos for two weeks if they live frugally. How can you give that without blinking?"
Karlos shrugged.
"I'm not lying. You asked my secret, so I told you. I just follow the Ocean Church doctrine faithfully."
The other fishermen stared at him with awe, some whispering among themselves, wondering if the Ocean Goddess truly favored him above all others.
Karlos bid them farewell and left with his earnings. Some fishermen were curious to follow his pattern, but most thought 1,000 pesos was far too much. They wanted to earn money, not give it away.
Karlos returned early that day, around 1 p.m., and Maya was delighted. She was even happier when she saw he had brought back 36,000 pesos.
Later that afternoon, Karlos was invited by his friends to drink. Maya reluctantly gave him 100 pesos, lecturing him softly not to stay out too long. She wasn't supportive of his drinking habits.
---
[Author's Note: Hello, I just want to say thank you guys for all of your support.]