Ian Welch from Anglers Mail fishing Bangkok – 02 04 2009
Anglers Mail reporter and globe trotting specimen hunter Ian Welch returned once again to Thailand.
With only four days at his disposal Ian returned to Bungsamran Lake in Bangkok in search of Mekong Catfish and Giant Siamese Carp.
Fishing on the public area Ian used 4 oz Fox method feeders with fluorocarbon leaders and super sharp Owner hooks on short braided hooklinks popped up with rig foam.
After baiting heavily in a quiet marginal area close to structure the angler waited for his first take.
Only five minutes after casting out his baits the line pulled tight as a fish powered off with the bait.
With line disappearing from the spool of the reel Ian bent fully into the fish in an attempt to stop the powerful run.
A fifteen minute battle ensued which saw him twice having to steer the fish clear of the snags the Mekong Catfish was netted on the first attempt.
After hoisting the catfish onto the unhooking mat the fish was estimated to weigh 25kg’s and a short photo session followed.
After releasing the fish the rods were once again repositioned on the baited area in readiness for more action.
It was twenty minutes before the next fish picked up the bait this time charging along the margins at high speed.
A mass of bubbles hitting the surface in the immediate area of the initial take indicated that the fish was most likely a Giant Siamese Carp.
Playing the fish with great care the anglers were forced to follow the fish along the platform in an attempt to retrieve the rapidly departing line.
Several powerful runs towards the snags were successfully stopped before the fish was finally netted on the first attempt.
A good sized Giant Siamese Carp was carefully hoisted onto the unhooking mat and quickly displayed for the camera.
The Giant Siamese Carp was estimated to weigh 20kg’s+ and was released after a few trophy shots for a forthcoming article in the Anglers Mail.
Ian fished for the rest of the day adding several more good sized Mekong Catfish to an estimated 30kg’s.
At the end of the days angling the Anglers Mail reporter had accounted for an eighteen fish haul with Giant Siamese Carp, Mekong Catfish and Striped Catfish to an estimated 30kg’s+.
