My last two past has been about fishing the Bungsamran pond in Thailand. You may be wondering why I am spending so much time on it. Well, for starters, it’s a really cool and awesome place with so much potential to catch something really big. And for that potential, they are charging only B5,000 per rod per day’s fishing, that’s roughly equivalent to S$50 or US$35.

If you did not bring your rod because you were just visiting or on a business trip, they rent you a reasonably good quality rod and reel outfit for B500 or S$25 (US$17). And if you are not sure how to mix your own bait, a guide will cost you another B1,000 (S$50 or US$35). This are really attractive prices considering that you are almost sure to catch something. In fact, the pond gives you a guarantee… if you catch nothing, they give you your money back!

So what can you catch at Bungsamran?

Well, take a look at some of the pictures here. This one below is a signpost at the doorway to the resort. It even says there are Arapaima (another South American Giant Freshwater fish) in the pond, and I absolutely do not doubt it.

Here’s a picture displayed at the pond showing an Arapaima caught here.

Here is another picture of another Giant Mekong Catfish caught at this same location. If you are worried about not catching anything, worry not. As mentioned in my last post, in one hour, we counted 5 hooked giant cat fish and 2 landed… and we were only patroling a short stretch of the fishing ground. Hooking up a giant is not even an issue, landing one is!

What’s really great about this fishing resort is that if you are not in a hurry, you can even stay there overnight. They have nice wooden, air-conditioned chalets available at very reasonable prices… with a nice restaurant that serves great Thai and oriental food. There’s even a bar and billiard table, if you get thirsty (check out the picture below).

And if you are a fly fisherman, don’t fret. There is an equally good chance of landing something on fly. There are Pacus, Arrowana (Saratoga to the Aussies), Snakeheads and a range of other fish that will go for the fly. In fact, our Barramundi guide reported that he landed a Giant Catfish weighing 35kg (ok a smaller specimen) on a 9wt fly rod. He “chummed” the fishes to the surface using bread crumbs (available there) and when the fishes got into a fishing frenzy, he tossed in a bread fly… almost like catching the elusive milkfish!

Check out their website at http://www.bungsamran.com. I’d be very keen to plan a trip there to try my luck at one of those freshwater giants.

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During our last trip to Bangkok, we paid a visit to Bungsamram Fishing Resort and had the opportunity to witness anglers fishing for the famed and mighty Mekong Catfish. I’ve heard alot about them, read about them in fishing journals etc… but I never had the opportunity to see one landed until now! And what a sight it was!

Commercial fishing for the Mekong giant catfish is illegal in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, but the bans appear to be ineffective, with the fish continuing to be caught in all three countries.However, in recognition of the threat to the species, most Thai fishermen agreed to stop catching the endangered catfish in June 2006, to mark the 60th anniversary of Bhumibol Adulyadej’s accession to the throne of Thailand.

Attaining an unconfirmed length of 3 m, the Mekong giant catfish grows extremely quickly, reaching a mass of 150 to 200 kg in only six years.The largest catch recorded in Thailand since record-keeping began in 1981 was a female measuring 2.7 m (roughly 9 feet) in length and weighing 293 kg (646 lb). This specimen, caught in 2005, is widely recognized as the largest freshwater fish ever caught (although sturgeon can far exceed this size, they can be anadromous ie they are classified as both salt and fresh water). Thai Fisheries officials stripped the fish of its eggs as part of a breeding programme, intending then to release it, but the fish died in captivity and was sold as food to local villagers.

Grey to white in colour and lacking stripes, the Mekong giant catfish is distinguished by the near-total lack of barbels and the absence of teeth. Like all catfish, they are generally scavengers and will almost eat anything, although their main diet consists of vegetation, weeds and algae.

Fighting the Mekong Cat is no child’s play. The tackle used by the anglers were heavy stuff, equivalent to the popping gear for big GT’s in the Maldives. The picture above shows the bait ball used by the anglers to catch the Mekong Catfish. It’s as big as a tennis ball and probably 4 times heavier. Heavy gear is needed just to cast that bait ball. Yet, despite the heavy arsenal, we witnessed on two landed out of five that were hooked over a period of an hour or so.

Catching the Mekong Catfish is an experience every angler must have at least once in a lifetime. Even if you don’t catch one, at least see one being caught. It’s a wonderful experience and gives you bragging rights for a lifetime. Enjoy the video I took below.

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Ask any angler where to find the best selection of fishing tackle shops in the world at the best prices and the answer is sure to be the same : Singapore. Yes, indeed, Singapore has probably the largest number of fishing tackle shops per square kilometers than any other country in the world. Plus the fact that Singapore is virtually tax free (except for the 7% GST which is redeemable for tourists) and our prices are definitely one of the lowest in the world. If not for the cost of running an operation, especially with the recent increase in rental, Singapore fishing tackle prices are definitely one of the lowest in the world.

There are at least 12 fishing tackle shops in the Beach Road area, at least 4 at Changi Point and a few scattered all over (Toa Payoh, Tampines, Marine Parade etc…). All in, I am sure there are easily 25 tackle shops throughout Singapore; so this would be an Angler’s shoppers paradise by any standards… or is it?

Well, may not necessarily be so! I’ve seen some pretty impressive tackle shops in Malaysia with prices as competitive but my recent trip to Thailand really opened my eyes, as far as tackle shops are concerned. At the Bungsamram Fishing Resort, are two large tackle shops with some of the largest selection of fishing tackle I have ever seen. Reels (including costly ones) and rods are displayed openly for potential buyers to try. Both shops also show a good selection of fishing clothings, bags and accessories, some of which cannot be found in Singapore (possibly made in Thailand). They even sell higher end brands like Columbia casting shirts.

Real Estate in Thailand cost alot less, so their shops can afford to be a lot bigger (as can be seen in the picture). Also, the larger size allows displays to be properly laid out, giving you space to flex that rod to check out the action etc… This is a luxury we do not have in Singapore, unfortunately!

Ok, for those of you who’ve been to Japan (or even the USA), this is nothing. Some fishing shops in Japan are 3 or 4 storeys high and you can easily spend a day shopping there. Some fishing and outdoor shops in the US sells canoes, kayaks, shoes, all weather outer wear and are more like a fishing and outdoor shops combined. However, I still think we get better prices here in SE Asia, although some exotic Japanese made reels can be cheaper in Japan.

Okuma has also opened a showroom in Siam Square directly across the road from the Siam Novotel Hotel. While this is not as big as the two in Bungsamram, it is also impressive. All models of rods and reels made by Okuma are on show here.

Here, you will find some pictures of the fishing tackle shops at Bungsamram. I certainly won’t think that Singapore has the widest selection in SE Asia after this experience. Enjoy and make sure you drop by them during your next trip to Bangkok. It is definitely worth the hour long or so taxi ride.

However, does that mean that your chances of finding a good bargain

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