This page will take you on a tour of Freshwater Fishing in Bangkok Thailand. There are an increasing number of anglers from the USA, UK and Europe who have discovered that Thailand offers some world class Fishing Parks with some holding multiple world records under the IGFA rules and many more Personal Bests
It is not unusual for Fishing Tour companies to offer a money back guarantee if you do not catch a 30lb fish for a visit top Bung Samran - you will be likely to catch a 20-30kg Mekong Catfish on you first visit. On my first visit 3 years ago I caught a 22kg Giant Mekong Catfish (plar buk) and several other 10 to 15kg striped catfish (pla sawai). Recently on a fishing trip I beat my personal best with a 156.5 lb (71kg) Giant Mekong Catfish - see photos below
Located in Bangkok district Sukhapibahn 1 on Nawamin Road Soi 42 Bung Samran is top of the list for places to fish for Giant Mekong and Striped catfish and Siamese Giant Carp.
GPS Coord 13.79858 N, 100.66373E - Google Earth KMZ file is available Here
Cost per Rod is THB 1000 for 12 hours
Local Guide is THB 1000+ for the day
Bungalow hire is from THB 800 to THB 5000
No Rod Licence is required anywhere in Thailand
It is recommended for any visiting angler to go with a Fishing Tour Company to ensure that you have the best day possible
The Tour Service that I recommend to use for your trips to Bungsamran is Siam Fishing Tours. The owner of the company has personal knowledge of the various guides abilities which can help match a guide to the anglers expectations. Some of the guides like to target the carp and some really dont have the patience for it, some are excellent on float fishing for large Mekong Catfish - Jules (the owner of Siam Fishing Tours) will ask you what you want and will match you up with the best guide to increase the odds that you will get what you expect even on a short trip.
.I have seen visiting anglers try it alone and come away from Bungsamran without catching any fish at all. The techniques and baits used are fairly specific and get it a little wrong and the fish will not come near. Although you will pay for the service with a fishing tour company you will most likely be given a money back guarantee that you will catch a 30lb plus fish if you are chasing Mekong Catfish and most likely will going away with memories of the best days fishing you ever had
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I have included a few photographs (old and new) and a 360 degree panoramas of Bung Samran since the update.. The bungalows and facilities are good enough for the non-angler to have a reasonable time and if you pay a little extra and go for the THB 2000 bungalow/house you get satellite TV, refrigerator, comfy chairs and a bedroom with AC - unbeatable luxury for a fishing park. One point that is worth a mention is the very clean and modern toilet blocks around the lake for ladies and gents - excellent!
There are a lot of female anglers and one tour company has a female guide so the wife or girlfriend will not feel out of place. Click on the bungalow panorama movie below for a look at a THB 1000 baht bungalow - you will notice the amount of space and seating available.
The other panorama movie is a 360 look at BungSamran from the pier - the pier is free of charge and I have seen some of the biggest catfish caught from here
Bung Samran has the 7 Seas Pro Shop on site and they provide equipment hire, tackle and a wide range of Equipment, Rods and Reels for freshwater and Sea fishing
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
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 or a fishing tour company is needed to have a fair chance of a good days fishing at this venue - I do not recommend trying this venue without help
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 photgraphs of some of the fish in Bung Kwarng
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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 hard to catch
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If you do want to try Bung Samran without the Tour Company I would recomend that you give Mr Boonsong a call - He is a very experienced and attentive guide and will give you 100% - Please call to check availability - works 7 days per week.
