Giant Mekong Catfish
Posted on 2009-05-06
Justin is studying in Bangkok and living with his wife who works for the Australian Embassy. Justin was joined by his friend Tristan who was holidaying in Thailand for a few weeks, after a visit to Koh Chang they were looking for a different day out and found us... Catfishing at Bungsamran was the choice of day trip.
The difference in fishing for Bass in Australia and hooking up with the powerful Mekong Catfish in Thailand was fishing from one extreme to the other for the lads. They sweated and strained for the day and between them they landed over 500kg of Mekong Muscle, the largest of which went to Tristan. Although the fish didn't come in easily.
After the best fish went stripping line off the reel like it was going out of fashion Tristan managed to get some line back but then the fish decided it might find sanctuary under one of the bungalows ! Sure enough it did. A little bit of diving from our guide with rod in hand and a game of musical bungalows the fish was free and we were now fishing off of another bungalow.
Oh no...the crafty cat tries the same tactics under another bungalow a few doors along so that means more aquatic adventures for our guide, luckily enoung the rod stayed firmly in Tristans grip. The fish is finally guided back out into the open water and after another few minutes fight the fish is netted. It looks like a nice specimen, unfortunately the unhooking mat, scales, cameras and Justin are on the other side onf the lake so theres only one way back there with a netted fish...all into a log boat and get paddling.
Back over on the other bungalow we climbed out and weighed Tristans Mekong at 36.7kg, which is his personal best for any fish. The lads took yet more fish during the rest of the day but this fella could not be beaten. Perhaps the next time you come Justin (or Tristan) then you might top the weight.
Justin is studying in Bangkok and living with his wife who works for the Australian Embassy. Justin was joined by his friend Tristan who was holidaying in Thailand for a few weeks, after a visit to Koh Chang they were looking for a different day out and found us... Catfishing at Bungsamran was the choice of day trip.
The difference in fishing for Bass in Australia and hooking up with the powerful Mekong Catfish in Thailand was fishing from one extreme to the other for the lads. They sweated and strained for the day and between them they landed over 500kg of Mekong Muscle, the largest of which went to Tristan. Although the fish didn't come in easily.
After the best fish went stripping line off the reel like it was going out of fashion Tristan managed to get some line back but then the fish decided it might find sanctuary under one of the bungalows ! Sure enough it did. A little bit of diving from our guide with rod in hand and a game of musical bungalows the fish was free and we were now fishing off of another bungalow. Oh no...the crafty cat tries the same tactics under another bungalow a few doors along so that means more aquatic adventures for our guide, luckily enoung the rod stayed firmly in Tristans grip. The fish is finally guided back out into the open water and after another few minutes fight the fish is netted. It looks like a nice specimen, unfortunately the unhooking mat, scales, cameras and Justin are on the other side onf the lake so theres only one way back there with a netted fish...all into a log boat and get paddling.
Back over on the other bungalow we climbed out and weighed Tristans Mekong at 36.7kg, which is his personal best for any fish. The lads took yet more fish during the rest of the day but this fella could not be beaten. Perhaps the next time you come Justin (or Tristan) then you might top the weight.
