One of the most thrilling and distinct methods of catching reef fish (faasanna geun) is by using long fishing rods made of thin, straight branches of Alexandrian laurel (funa) and fishing line with meyvaali, especially fishing lines made after winding threads of cotton (ui). The tip of this fishing rod is thinner than the rod used in elhevadiedun. The thickness of meyvaali is woven to the required size of fish being targeted. For these fish, it is equivalent or it physically resembles the monofilament size of 15 to 30 lb, or slightly thicker than monofilament.
The rod is very long—normally 10 to 15 ft in length. Abdomen (foolhu) of marine hermit crabs found on the reef flat is used as the bait. The organ is rigged onto the hook, and red or blue threads are wound around the bait. In early days fiber of banana tree was used for winding.
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The fisherman casts the rod and holds the rod straight. They jerk the tip of the rod and pull the fishing line horizontally with very short flips that move the bait in an enticing way. This method targets species such as bigeye trevally (korakali), blue sea chub (vaalaa), six-fingered threadfin (Keyla maha), white-spotted surgeonfish (kandi raabado), grouper (goshani) and bar-tail goatfish. This method is very effective on sandy beaches, as blue sea chub and bigeye trevally inhabit crystal clear shallow waters.
The modern or alternative method of this fishing technique can be called ultra-light casting. This very method involves the use of the abdomen of a marine hermit crab rigged onto a hook. It is soft. In ultralight casting, small soft lures to catch perch, chub and trout are used especially on sandy beaches.
Although a long rod and a thick thread are used in this technique, the action is very similar to ultra-light casting. The signature movement of the rod—short jerks while pulling the fishing line over the surface of water—is enticing to fish. This action attracts the fish. The bait wobbles and moves erratically to fully elude the hungry fish moving around the shallow depths. Faasanna geun is a unique and rewarding experience.
