These pages and links will take you on a tour of Freshwater Fishing in Bangkok and Thailand. There are an increasing number of anglers from the USA, UK and Europe who have discovered that Thailand offers some World Class Fishing with some holding multiple world records under the IGFA rules and many more Personal Bests
Please click on the link above - Bunsamran now has it's own page.
The Bungsamran Fishing Page has information and video clips of bait preparation and techniques along with equipment guides and my personal preferences.
Take away the myths about fishing at this world class fishing park - Click on link above
Shadow Lake ( Gnao Nam)
Shadow Lake is known as Gnao Nam by the locals - It is not very often that you will see any non-Thais at this venue. This is the longest running big fish venue in and around Bangkok and holds many of the local records. The stock levels are not as high as Bung Samran and it is a less physically exerting day until you hook a monster.
I think that the percentage of large fish in this venue is greater than anywhere else and is well worth a visit
GPS Coords 13.74559 N, 100.37262 E - Google KMZ file is available Here
Costs for 12 hours fishing is cheaper than Bungsamran and is also open 24hrs - Price for all Anglers is 150 THB per rod for Day fishing and 150 THB for night fishing - increased from 100THB
No bungalows are available and the shelters are basic - not too good for non fishing visitors - food and drinks are available
Again because the fish have been in this lake for a long time and have a regular diet, the bait used has little similarity to what could be used in a natural environment - A few visits with a guide is needed to have a fair chance of a good days fishing at this venue - I do not recommend trying this venue without help form one of the local anglers or using one of the local guides if you can speak Thai.
Bung Kwarng
Bung Kwarng is located on the outskirts of Bangkok in Minburi - It is a friendly fishing lake that is popular with the locals and I have yet to see a non-Thai at this venue
GPS Coords 13.80989N, 100.75700E - Google KMZ file is available Here
Costs 100 THB per day for all anglers
Open from 0930hrs until midnight every day
Food and drinks are available
The owner of this lake (Khun Uee) is very helpful and always has time to answer any questions you may have. This lake has a wide range of fish species and some of the large carp are very hard to catch - I have included a few photographs of some of the fish in Bung Kwarng
Fishing Tours and Fishing Guides in Thailand
There are many advantages of using a guide or fishing tour company especially if you are visiting a venue for the first time. Some of the top class fishing venues in Thailand are expensive to fish, so making the best of the trip is a priority. Admittedly using a Fishing Tour Company in Thailand will cost you more money, nothing is free! but you will be guaranteed to have the best days fishing possible at the time.
There is very little information on fishing tour companies in Bangkok and Thailand in general, apart from the commercial websites of the respective tour companies. Choosing a fishing tour company to guide you in Thailand can be a hard decision to make. I would recommend going on personal recommendations from Anglers who have used the services and I will add what info I have on this page.
Fishing Adventures Thailand
The original fishing tour company in Bangkok, founded by Jean-Francois Helias who has over 22 years experience of fishing in Thailand. Jean-Francois holds over 172 IGFA World Records to date and has many unequaled angling achievements in Thailand such as
407 lb (185 kg) Arapaima - The biggest predator fish ever caught on rod and line in the history of Southeast Asian angling.
332 lb (151 kg) Mekong Giant Catfish - The biggest catfish ever caught in the history of Southeast Asian angling.
264 lb (120 kg) Siamese Giant Carp - The biggest carp ever caught on rod and line in the history of sport fishing .
Jean-Francois has been presented with a Life Time Achievement Award from the IGFA and Ranked 1st in the 2007 IGFA Top 10 Freshwater Anglers.
The Anglo-Thai fishing tour company that is the pioneer of Freshwater Stingray Fishing in Thailand and is actively involved in research and conservation of some of Thailand's rarest fish.
Headed by Managing Director Khun Wuttichia Khuensuwan "Boy", a Thai national who is generally regarded as one of Thailand's best all round anglers, Fish Siam have hit the ground running with exposure on National Geographic, the international fishing press and are official field testers for Owner Hooks of Japan. They have guided customers who have caught some of the biggest fish ever caught on rod and line. I have personally witnessed a Fish Siam customer catch a Giant Siamese Carp which was over 50kg under the guidance of Boy.
Fish Siam Ltd. is currently working with Dr.Zeb Hogan from the National Geographic Society (Megafish Project) to monitor Giant Freshwater Stingray population in the Ban Pakong and Maeklong Rivers in Thailand.
During the day Shadow Lake is usually very quiet, the busy period being late afternoon until after midnight when the local fishermen take advantage of this excellent venue - it is considerably cheaper (a quarter of the price) than Bung Samran for a day or nights fishing but does not have the trimmings or comfort available at Bung Samran.
The toilets are a bit basic but there is work starting on new buildings to improve this.
Recent catch reports from Shadow Lake have included large 80kg plus Mekong Giant Catfish and an Arapaima of similar size.
Bor Num - Barramundi Fishing Park
This is an excellent venue for lure fishing and fly fishing for Barramundi in Thailand. This lake is well known amongst the local fishing community and is very busy at the weekends.
The fish are mainly Barramundi (Pla Kapong in Thai) up to 12 kg plus (26.5 lbs) and a few Common Snakehead (Pla Chon) The fish are rotated between fished and recuperation ponds and the stock levels are topped up weekly to replace the one caught by non catch and release anglers - A fair number of locals come to catch and eat, the fish cooked on site and eaten in the restaurant.
GPS Coords 13.508929N, 100.959428E - Google KMZ file is available Here
Costs 100 THB per day per rod for all anglers - An unbeatable price for this type of fishing. Rod and Tackle hire costs 100 THB per day
Fishing for Barramundi at Bor Num
Fly Fishing at Bor Num, Bangpakong, Thailand
Bor Num is set out so that around 40% of the perimeter of the pond has a clear area for back cast so it is ideal for fly fishing beginners and the more experienced hands as well, the shop has a limited number of fly rods for hire and basic instruction is available from the staff at Bor Num. The price for fly fishing is the same as the other rods at 100THB per rod per day and rod hire is 100 THB per day.
The fly fishermen seem to have a better catch rate than the other lure methods so a great days fishing is almost certain.
My equipment is an 8 weight rod and floating 8WF line and a fly usually used for sea trout - again the staff at Bor Num will recommend a fly if you take a selection or a limited selection are available in the on site shop - click on the thumbnails for larger better quality pictures.
Bung Chum Narng - Fishing Lake
Bung Chum Narng is located outside of Bangkok in Samut Prakarn Province
GPS Coords 13.643208 N, 100.660559 E - Google KMZ file is available Here
No bungalows are available and the shelters are basic - not too good for non fishing visitors and the toilets are all but non existent- food and drinks are available along with a small stock of tackle and hire rods
Costs for a days fishing - 0800hrs to 2000hrs is 70 THB per rod
Very expensive - more than 2500 THB to fish in a barramundi fish farm - many serious anglers that have been to this location have walked away within a couple of hours due to the ease of catching the Barramundi at this location and the fact that it is a fish farm - fish in the 5kg Barramundi pond and suprise suprise you catch a 5kg Barramundi and so on with each pond of barramundi sorted by size, not really a sporting event. An expensive trip for fishing in a pond that is stocked with Barramundi that you know will take your lure and know the size. May appeal to some anglers.
It Lake Monsters - Amazon Fishing, Ban Pong - Ratchaburi
Also known as Bor Pee-It, บ่อพี่อิท, Predator Lake and Monster Lake this is the venue for world class predator fishing. Work began in late 2004 on a narrow pond and in 2005 the lake was filled with water and that was the start of the world class fishing venue known is It Lake Monsters (named after Mr Itt)
It is located in Ratchaburi Province in the Ban Pong sub district - GPS Coords
13.863170° N, 99.835789° E - Download Google KMZ file Here
Prices as at December 2008 are
Full day live baiting 7,000 baht
Half day live baiting 3,500 Baht
Lure and fly fishing full day 3,500 Baht
The lake is open to foreign anglers at full price, local anglers are allowed a discount in pre booked trips of 20 persons or more (They receive the discount price of 500-750 baht per day for Lure or Fly Fishing). The local guides will advise and help when needed and will unhook all fish caught - they are responsible for the well being of the fish and will be there to assist and guide as necessary. There is no tackle hire so you will need your own equipment.
Telephone to confirm availability.
Fishing Tour Companies - If you have your own transport and are kitted out for the Thai fishing scene it may be worth going it alone, otherwise it would be wise to take a trip with a tour company - shop around and you will get a good deal.
The location, directions and road map for IT Monster Lake are below - click on the thumbnails
Mr Tawan - Tel: 08 599 99646 or Mr It - Tel: 081 944 8427 - Limited English
The best value for money Barramundi fishing in the area, with Baramundi up to 8kg and over with 5 large artificial lakes.
Pilot 111 Fishing Park Barramundi Lure Fishing and Fly Fishing
Click on the thumbnails for a larger picture of the Barramundi Fly and Lure Fishing Park at Bang Pakong
Pilot111 has English Speaking owners and Excellent food with a very clean kitchen and modern toilets (excellent in fact)
Great for fly fishing - most of the lakes have adequate room for the back cast on at least two sides.
Barramundi up to 8kg
6 large fishing lakes, 2 of which are home to the bigger fish.
Open 0900-1800hrs Wednesday - Sunday,
Closed Monday & Tuesday
500 Baht per Rod per day
GPS coordinates - Location is 13 33.021' N 100 56.749' E
The nearest exit on the Buraphar Whittee Expressway (above Bangna-Trad Highway at about km 42) is East 4-06 near the junction of Highway 3 and Highway 7
Contact Lek on 086 316 8773 - Khun Lek speaks English and she is the joint owner of the fishing park.
Bang Pra Dam - Chonburi
GPS Coordinates - Location is 13 13.615'N 100 58.431'E - Bang Pra Reservoir on the 3144 road in Chonburi Province
Bang Pra Reservoir in Chonburi
Click on thumbnail for larger picture
Fishing with Somkuan Bangpra Fishing and Pleasure Boat Hire
Half Day 300 Baht (Thai Baht)
Full Day 600 Baht
Boat comes with an Oarsman / Guide for the trip
Recommended 1 fisherman per boat unless experienced with the narrow Thai style rowing boats
Fly fishing, Lure Fishing, Live and Dead Bait on Request - fish for Giant Snakehead and Jungle Perch along with other local fish.
Book minimum of 2-3 days in advance if boats required at weekend or bank holidays. Inform Khun Somkuan of your desired style of fishing and intended species and he will pair you up with the best guide.
The guides are only paid to row the boat so a tip of 100 - 200 Baht is usual, or more if you wish.
Food and chilled soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are available from the boat hire area and ice coolers for the boats are free of charge.
Contact K Somkuan 086 545 9532 - limited English, use a Local to make the arrangements if you do not speak Thai.
A great venue for Giant Snakehead Fishing and Jungle Perch on Fly
Skunar Fishing Park
Skunar Fishing Park is located in Samut Prakarn Province (about 30 min from central Bangkok) and is a popular venue at weekends
Largest residents are Mekong Giant Catfish which are approximately 60 kg and a good selection of other local fish. A good and cheaper alternative to Bungsamran and more comfortable than Shadow Lake (Ngao Nam) it is well worth a visit.
Google Earth KMZ file is available for download here - Skunar KMZ - The google KMZ file will enter a place mark on Google Earth enabling directions and other services via Google Earth and Google Maps
Open Daily 0900-2000hrs and the cost per rod fishing is 100 THB per day
Competitions held on Sunday for largest fish and other weights
Lots of Catfish and other species.
Good food and service and a clean quiet environment
Telephone 02 755 4474 for further inquiries.
Competitive Fishing in Bangkok
There are nearly a hundred small fishing lakes in and around Bangkok who make a living out of competitive fishing for Striped Catfish (pla sawai). The matches are held by each lake once or twice a week and the lake will set a weight for the day, for an example 4.0kg - the match is run over a set time period and the last fish caught nearest the set weight but not over wins the 1st prize which can be up to THB 200,000 depending on the venue. There prizes for 2 to 4th place and sometimes a small prize for the biggest fish caught.
The competitions are a busy time with hundreds of anglers present. Some of the locals make a good living from these competitions as there is usually one or two matches every day of the week somewhere in the area. I have fished alongside some of the "pro" anglers and they are willing help you and will answer any questions. These lads know what distance to cast and depth to fish for a specific size and the tactics at each lake vary.. but they pull out a catfish every 5 to10mins on average
Each lake usually has a few big Mekong Catfish 60kg plus which are very difficult to catch
You will need some protection from the relentless sun - it is never less than 30 deg C in this area and you will get a serious sun burn if you do not cover up - sun block is as much use as an ashtray on a motorcycle here.
Lures
Depending on the day the staff at Bor Num will recommend a type of lure and the best technique to use - on the day that the video clip was taken, poppers with a fly attached 30 to 70 cm behind on a 30lb leader was the order of the day. All the normal Barra and Bass lures can be used but listening to the staff is the best advise I can give for a great days fishing.
Unlike some venues for Barra in Thailand, hooking one of these fish is not a certainty - get it wrong and you will blank all day. Bor Num is a good venue as you know the fish are in the lake and it is up to your ability to hook them - definitely not a fish farm like most of the other Barra locations in this area
Disclaimer:
This website is not affiliated with siamfishingtours, fishthailand, fishsiam or any fishing tour business in Thailand - This page is for information only and is not for financial gain within the fishing or tourist related industry.
Click on the link above to go to a page dedicated to Fly Fishing in Thailand, where to go, where to buy equipment and general Fly Fishing Information for Thailand.
