Tasik Raban, Kuala Kangsar, Perak
Marucos Fishing Adventure in Malaysia Continues!
Meet Marucos. Straight from the energetic streets of Osaka, Japan, she isn’t exactly your typical angler. She is fearless, high-energy, and delightfully unconventional. With a YouTube community of over 700,000 subscribers, she’s built a massive reputation by showing the raw side of the sport—the grit, the sweat, and the unedited thrill of the chase.
As a fellow fishing influencer, she represents a level of commitment I’ve always admired. Seeing the "behind-the-scenes" reality, I know it’s far from easy; it’s about making your audience feel like they are right there in the boat with you, even when the fish aren't biting. What truly sets her apart is her connection with her fans. Even during her live streams, she takes the time for simple gestures, like a morning greeting, that keep her community tight-knit. Having watched her grow since we first met in 2017, I’m incredibly proud of the powerhouse she’s become.
The Surprise Arrival
Our Malaysian chapter started with a bit of a surprise. Back in April, she mentioned wanting to visit, and I was all for it—figuring I’d have months to prepare. Then, just a month later, a message popped up: “I’m coming to Malaysia tomorrow". Dang it, nothing was set up, and I had training the entire week. There went my fishing plans. Anyway, time to regroup, get things in order, and make it work.
I was completely caught off guard! Scrambling to clear my schedule on 24-hour notice was a challenge, but I knew I had to make it work. I quickly pulled together some last-minute arrangements, and thankfully, my good friend Jep—one of the most trusted guides in the country—was available to help host her in the village. That alone was a huge relief. In the end, I managed to squeeze out a day or two to spend with her, and that was more than enough to make it worthwhile.
Preparing for the "Great Amazon"
The timing of her trip wasn't just for leisure; Marucos was preparing for the Great Amazon World Fishing Rally, a prestigious international tournament where top influencers compete in the heart of the rainforest. Her main target? The Peacock Bass.
While Malaysia isn't the Amazon, our former tin mining pools across Perak provide a fantastic training ground. These man-made lakes are teeming with Peacock Bass, though the conditions and techniques differ slightly from their South American cousins. Jep decided to head toward Kg Beng Raya Battle, an annual Raya tournament held at Tasik Raban, Perak, our very own “Mini Amazon,” to give her a taste of the local waters. That casual tournament atmosphere definitely cranked up the pressure a bit, especially with her limited time in Malaysia. Every moment on the water had to count.
The first thing we did was get her ready for the Raya event in Kg Beng, which meant picking out a Raya dress, haha. We headed to Bangi, Selangor, a place well known for its wide range of fashion finds. While we were there, we also stopped by a great tackle shop called Heart Core Angler.
One thing I have noticed about international anglers is that they often look for locally made gear to bring back home. Heart Core Angler has a good selection of local products and is easily one of the better fishing shops in Selangor. It may not be the biggest store around, but the variety is solid and well suited for the local fishing scene. The owner was also really helpful and recommended a few items that would work well for Kg Beng.
From Wetlands to the Wilderness
With both fishing and shopping checked off our list, it was time to finally get into some proper action on the water. Because of limited time, and Jep needing to head to Tasik Raban right after work, I brought her over to Putrajaya Wetland. It was a decent spot for light lure fishing, and she even managed to land a nice common snakehead, haha. The heat that day was no joke, so we spent most of our time moving between shaded spots along the banks just to stay comfortable.
Marucos also went live during the session, doing an IRL stream to keep her fans updated while still working the water. It was a nice balance of content and real fishing time, and you could see how natural she is at bringing her audience along for the ride.
On the tackle side, I could tell her setup was still a bit limited for what she will face in the Great Amazon World Fishing Rally. For Peacock Bass, you really want larger topwater lures and reels with enough backbone to handle aggressive strikes and hard fights. The fishing there is also not straightforward. You are constantly casting into structure and heavy cover, which is exactly where the bigger fish tend to sit.
Despite that, we made the most of the session at Putrajaya Wetlands. This Green Lung stretches across more than 335 acres and acts as a massive natural filtration system for the city. It is a really scenic and peaceful place, but that tropical heat that day was absolutely relentless.
Marucos continued her IRL stream throughout the session, giving her audience a glimpse of both the fishing and the environment in real time.
As the sun started to dip, we called it a day and headed back to Kuala Lumpur to meet Jep in Bangsar. After a quick gear swap and a simple good luck farewell, she was on her way to Perak, ready for the next part of her journey.
The Highlight: Toman and Hospitality
Because it was the month of Raya, Marucos got to experience the true warmth of Malaysian hospitality, celebrating with the Kg Beng family. But the real trophy came during her session at Tasik Raban. She managed to land a beautiful adult Giant Snakehead (Toman)—the ultimate prize for any freshwater angler in Southeast Asia.
When she returned from the village, we decided to give it one last try around Putrajaya and Puchong. The conditions were tough, with the heat being absolutely unforgiving and the fish just not cooperating at all. Even so, the lack of catches did not really affect the mood of the day.
Instead of focusing on the fishing alone, we spent a lot of time just talking and enjoying the moment. We looked back on how much our lives had changed since 2017, the challenges we went through during the pandemic, and how those experiences shaped where we are now. There was also a lot of discussion about future plans and shared dreams, the kind of conversations that make long days in the sun feel meaningful even without much action on the water.
As I dropped her off, I wished her the best for the Amazon. If she can handle the Malaysian sun and our aggressive Toman, the Amazon won’t know what hit it. It was a simple goodbye, but one that carried a lot of respect for what’s ahead of her journey. She has already proven her resilience in our waters, and I have no doubt she will carry that same energy into the next challenge.
