Fishing for Catfish in Bangkok – 16 09 2009
With the TBS Network from Japan visiting Bungsamran Lake on the following day an exploratory session at Bungsamran Lake in Bangkok was arranged.
Fishing from the public bank Boy gave the TBS film crew a demonstration of the methods involved in the capture of Giant Siamese Carp and Mekong Catfish from the venue.
After assembling a floating bung set-up the rig was baited and cast out towards fish showing in the centre of the lake.
It was not long before the float was dragged across the surface before burying itself under the water as a Mekong Catfish moved off with the bait.
Quickly engaging the bait runner reel saw the rod looped over into full battle curve as the Mekong Catfish embarked on a series of powerful runs.
A ten minute battle followed which saw the angler having to follow the fish along the fishing platform in an attempt to regain line onto the reel.
After a few fraught moments at the time of netting the fish was finally pulled into the waiting landing net.
The Mekong Catfish was a relatively small fish by Bungsamran standards and was released shortly after a few pictures were taken.
The next cast landed perfectly and was instantly engulfed by another Mekong Catfish.
The battle on this occasion was a much more protracted affair which lasted for over twenty minutes.
After finally taming the Mekong Catfish it was netted almost one hundred metres away from where it was originally hooked.
The catfish on this occasion required two people to haul it out of the water and was estimated to weigh 40kg’s.
Several more catfish were captured in the short evening session on both floating bung set-ups and bottom fishing presentations before it was decided to retire in readiness for the following days marathon angling session.
