Fishing at Bungsamran Lake in Bangkok for Mekong Catfish – 23 03 2009
Peter Lipah returned to Bungsamran for a final days angling in the hope of landing a Mekong Catfish or big Giant Siamese Carp.
Fishing with 4oz Fox Method feeders loaded with local groundbait the angler popped up super sharp Owner hooks with rig foam on 2 inch braided hooklinks.
After heavily prebaiting a marginal area close to underwater supports of a fishing platform the angler gently lobbed his baits underarm close to the snag.
Only a few minutes had passed before line began to disappear from the reel as a catfish moved away with the bait.
Peter disengaged the baitrunner on the reel and struck into the rapidly departing Mekong Catfish.
The fish continued its powerful run towards the centre of the lake before the angler could regain some form of control.
Pumping the fish back towards him and furiously reeling in short bursts saw the Mekong Catfish surface several yards in front of the fishing platform.
Another series of powerful runs saw the fish charging up and down in the margins requiring the angler to exert maximum side strain to steer the fish away from the nearby snags.
A further five minutes passed before the fish was finally netted and hoisted onto the unhooking mat.
The Mekong Catfish was estimated to weigh 35kg’s and was quickly released after photography.
After repositioning his rods the angler once again waited for more action.
A series of Striped Catfish followed in the course of the next hour with weights to an estimated 15kg’s.
After briefly stopping for lunch Peter once again cast his baited rigs towards the baited area.
Seconds after the feeder hitting the water the pulled tight as another Catfish powered off with the bait.
Another twenty minute battle followed which saw the fish repeatedly trying to enter the snags in an effort to evade capture.
A decent size Mekong Catfish surfaced close to the fishing platform which was quickly netted and hoisted onto the unhooking mat.
The fish was estimated to weigh 28kg’s and was released after a few quick photographs were taken.
The afternoon continued to produce a series of Mekong and Striped Catfish with weights to an estimated 30kg’s.
At the end of the German anglers short day session he had succeeded in landing fifteen fish with Striped Catfish to 15kg’s and Mekong Catfish to just over 35kg’s.
