The Arapaima, also known as the Piraracu is one of the largest freshwater fishes in the world. It is a native South American fish that had been brought into Asia a long time ago. Recently, they have provided a many sporting moments for keen anglers, longing for a one in a lifetime moment of landing one of these beautiful fish!

This fish is also commonly called the Pirarucu and can reportedly grow up to four meters long and weigh up to 200kgs. Its scales are large and hard enough to be used as nail files. They are often made into keychains and sold as souvenirs.

There is no better place to catch this awesome species than at the IT Monster Lake in Thailand. Located within a driving distance from Bangkok, IT Monster boasts many “monster” species for keen anglers. In my previous posting on the IT Monster Lake, I’ve shown pictures of Alligator Gars, huge Barramundis and Giant African Catfish caught at this fishing resort. These pictures were sent by a guide we engaged for our fishing adventures in Thailand.

In some of the latest pictures below, we see huge Arapaima’s being caught at night as well. This huge monster requires 4 anglers to keep still for a picture before it is released unharmed.

Smaller specimen of Arapaimas are often targeted by fly anglers as the picture below shows. This one was caught by one of the most experienced fishing guide in Thailand, Wuttichai Khuensuwan or “Bad Boy” as he is fondly nicknamed. Even smaller specimens like this require a solid 9wt fly outfit to subdue. Anything less and you’re really asking for trouble! You’ll either end up with a lost picture opportunity, a broken rod or sore arms and body!

 As mentioned earlier, the IT Monster lake is not just known for its Arapaima, although that is definitely one of its main draw. Other exotic species abound, such as this exotic catfish below (damn, I don’t even know where this catfish is from by it certainly look exotic enough to be in an aquarium?)

Even the common Toman or Giant Snakehead is commonly targeted. This one is a huge specimen caught by this happy angler!

We’ll be making a trip to the IT Monster lake in December and I am certainly looking forward to fish Thailand again after such a long layoff. We’ll definitely post our catch here, so keep a lookout for our report. If we get an Arapaima, you can be sure it will be on Video! Meanwhile, stay tuned and enjoy the pictures!

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In 2002, the US discovered the existence of the Giant Snakehead in a lake in Maryland. Instead of rejoicing at the presence of one of the most awesome freshwater sport and table fish in Asia, they kicked up a hullabaloo, citing environmental danger and spawning ridiculous claims like “can ‘walk’ on its fins and live on land for days”. They claimed that the verocious Snakehead will devour everything thing that lives in their path and will be a big threat to the ecosystem. They even drained the whole lake just to make sure these Giant Snakeheads did not stand a chance to survive, and the term, “Frankenfish” was coined. It even spawned a coupled of ridiculous movie like “Snakehead Terror” and “Swarm of the Snakehead” which puts the real Snakehead in a completely wrong light!

It such a shame to watch the movie, as the Snakehead is really such an awesome sportfish in Asia. In Asia, it is called the “Toman” and it is one of the most awesome sight in the water. Often, you see them gliding gracefully, their stripped bright green and black camouflaged back against the green weedy water. It is one of the strongest and “dirtiest” fighter ever, always choosing to fight low and dirtry, instead of high and clean. It will head for the nearest snag and the strongest of lines and rods will not dislodge it once it finds a snag to wrap the line on.

The Giant Snakehead will readily take a lure or fly. However, the best action can be witnessed when using poppers, when these ferocious fish will attack with wild and raw power. It’s been seen to attack birds and ducklings swimming in the water. They exists in heavily snagged waters where they lay in ambush for prey to come near, where they will then burst out with lightning speed for the attack!

One of the most popular place to catch the Giant Snakehead is in Thailand where legend has it that they originated. In fact, they’ve even been called the Siamese Snakehead even though they are found in most part of Asia.

Here are some pictures taken at the Fishing World Resort in Thailand where Snakeheads are one of the most sought after sportfish. They call for medium to heavy spinning or baitcasting outfit with lines of 15 to 20lbs to subdue (depending on the habitat you are fishing in). If you plan on catching them on Flies, a 8 to 10wt outfit will be ideal for muscling them out of the snags.

Incidentally, the Giant Snakehead also make excellent eating. They have fine white flesh that is firm and sweet when steamed or fried. They are farmed extensively as foodfish in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand as well. The chinese use the Giant Snakehead extensively to cook fish porridge and they are claim to have some medicinal powers for healing wounds as well. They are often prescribed and recommended in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Mothers who have just delivered their babies.

Naturally tales that they will attack humans while swimming are totally unfounded. There’s never been an attack on human recorded in Asia so far. Neither are there any truth to tales that they can ”walk” on land and live for days. When you catch them, you’ll know that they die without water just like any other fish. However, they do have a set of ferocious fangs though! Unlike Piranha which attack in schools, the Giant Snakehead is very much a solitary fish and search for their prey singly. The only time they are found in pairs is when they are guarding their young.

So there you go! If you ever come across any of these fishes… go grab your rod and be ready for battle, instead of rushing out to kill them all!

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In previous articles, we’ve seen some awesome fishing in and around Bangkok in the form for IT Monster, the Barramundi Ponds, Freshwater stingrays etc… etc… Recently, our guide in Bangkok, Wuttichai Khuensuwan, tried out a spot of Fly Fishing in BSR Lake (fishing resort) near Bangkok. BSR Lake is not an unknown place and had been well written about before; in fact it is quite a well known freshwater fishing spot. However, Fly Fishing this lake is something quite new and not often tried.

Fly Fishing here was definitely a success, judging from the pictures sent over. The Pacu were huge and yes, they are hungry for flies too. On a seven weight, a Pacu the size shown above (about 3kg) will put up a really good fight. They have strong jaws that will grid through monofilaments lines easily, so a fly tied on a longer shank hook stands a better chance of landing a Pacu.

Other fishes you find here include the Belida (knife fish), Giant Mekong Catfish, tilipia, Giant Snakehead etc… and other than the Mekong Catfish and a few other species of catfish found here, most of the predatory species here can be caught on fly fishing gear.

Here’s more pics on some of the catches, some on conventional gear and some of fly.

Enjoy!

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