Which Rod

[kenny999]

Not sure how to go about getting the right Rod, I have seen rods with 10kg or 20kg drag, I would like a rod capable of dealing with at least 100kg fish should I ever be lucky enough to hook one, I like a long rod excuse the pun maybe around 8ft any advice please.

[jackinbkk]

You're not lifting the fish out of the water with the rod mate so a 100kg fish wont pull with 100kg of force.

I'm sure you understand that but i'm just saying.

An 80kg fish from experience pulls pretty hard but not 20kgs. Possibly 10kgs at times but the game is not to stop the fish

stone dead in the water. If you were trying to stop a grouper getting back into the rocks and breaking you off then stopping the fish

and turning it fast is a priority. A lot of drag is required.

Catching mekongs in the pay lakes is a case of wearing the fish down. It may take you 20mins or 1 hour+ depending on the fish.

The lakes are fairly snag free apart from the platform you fish from. At that point you can reach down and free the fish or a brave guide

will jump in.

You wont find many reels that could handle over 10kgs of drag. It'll also be a back killer. Rods in the 20kg class are often designed for you

to be strapped in and in a chair. Reels running high drag also get very hot!

Also think about it. If you've been to the gym how long can you lift/pull 10kg and 20kg weights before you have to stop.

Also as you should be setting drag at 1/3rd of line breaking strength you'd want to be fishing 30kg line for the 10kg rod/reel and 60kg line for

the 20kg rod/reel. Also tying knots in line can halve the breaking strain so 30kg line will often break at 15kg mark.

15kg of drag would require super strong hooks as well.

So with a super strong rod you'll feel confident and have a lot of power but you'll never utilise it. The reason I bought a strong reel initially

was so I could lob the massive baits out.

I have a 6ft rod rated at 15kg of drag max. I've used it with an abu capable of 7kgs max drag and a jigging reel I've tested to 14kgs.(not tested at 14kg on the rod)

I dont think I could hold the rod long at 14 to 15kgs because of the leverage.

A few people at the pay lakes use Boss Magnum reels and from what i've found/researched they have a max drag of 30lbs/15kgs.

I have in the past caught a 60kg fish on a 100g spinning rod with a 6500 size reel that only had 4kgs of drag. Took 40 mins and a hot thumb

but I did it. Catching these fish on the abu is also hard work in the heat. Use a minimum 7000 size reel for the big fish.

You're unlikely to find any big enough in Phuket. Bangkok or Hua Hin is the place.

Good luck.

[kenny999]

You're not lifting the fish out of the water with the rod mate so a 100kg fish wont pull with 100kg of force.

I'm sure you understand that but i'm just saying.

An 80kg fish from experience pulls pretty hard but not 20kgs. Possibly 10kgs at times but the game is not to stop the fish

stone dead in the water. If you were trying to stop a grouper getting back into the rocks and breaking you off then stopping the fish

and turning it fast is a priority. A lot of drag is required.

Catching mekongs in the pay lakes is a case of wearing the fish down. It may take you 20mins or 1 hour+ depending on the fish.

The lakes are fairly snag free apart from the platform you fish from. At that point you can reach down and free the fish or a brave guide

will jump in.

You wont find many reels that could handle over 10kgs of drag. It'll also be a back killer. Rods in the 20kg class are often designed for you

to be strapped in and in a chair. Reels running high drag also get very hot!

Also think about it. If you've been to the gym how long can you lift/pull 10kg and 20kg weights before you have to stop.

Also as you should be setting drag at 1/3rd of line breaking strength you'd want to be fishing 30kg line for the 10kg rod/reel and 60kg line for

the 20kg rod/reel. Also tying knots in line can halve the breaking strain so 30kg line will often break at 15kg mark.

15kg of drag would require super strong hooks as well.

So with a super strong rod you'll feel confident and have a lot of power but you'll never utilise it. The reason I bought a strong reel initially

was so I could lob the massive baits out.

I have a 6ft rod rated at 15kg of drag max. I've used it with an abu capable of 7kgs max drag and a jigging reel I've tested to 14kgs.(not tested at 14kg on the rod)

I dont think I could hold the rod long at 14 to 15kgs because of the leverage.

A few people at the pay lakes use Boss Magnum reels and from what i've found/researched they have a max drag of 30lbs/15kgs.

I have in the past caught a 60kg fish on a 100g spinning rod with a 6500 size reel that only had 4kgs of drag. Took 40 mins and a hot thumb

but I did it. Catching these fish on the abu is also hard work in the heat. Use a minimum 7000 size reel for the big fish.

You're unlikely to find any big enough in Phuket. Bangkok or Hua Hin is the place.

Good luck.

thanks for the Info I have a Shimano baitrunner 8000D and Shimano 3500 baitrunner, would not have a clue what the figures for those reels are, I have seen a nice rod 10kg drag and I assume that is plenty for what I will be doing with it,

Recently I hooked a large carp and was not able to stop it reaching a snag some 50mtrs away the same happend with a large Redtail, I am not technical minded but I do understand what you are saying, cheers

[kenny999]

You're not lifting the fish out of the water with the rod mate so a 100kg fish wont pull with 100kg of force.

I'm sure you understand that but i'm just saying.

An 80kg fish from experience pulls pretty hard but not 20kgs. Possibly 10kgs at times but the game is not to stop the fish

stone dead in the water. If you were trying to stop a grouper getting back into the rocks and breaking you off then stopping the fish

and turning it fast is a priority. A lot of drag is required.

Catching mekongs in the pay lakes is a case of wearing the fish down. It may take you 20mins or 1 hour+ depending on the fish.

The lakes are fairly snag free apart from the platform you fish from. At that point you can reach down and free the fish or a brave guide

will jump in.

You wont find many reels that could handle over 10kgs of drag. It'll also be a back killer. Rods in the 20kg class are often designed for you

to be strapped in and in a chair. Reels running high drag also get very hot!

Also think about it. If you've been to the gym how long can you lift/pull 10kg and 20kg weights before you have to stop.

Also as you should be setting drag at 1/3rd of line breaking strength you'd want to be fishing 30kg line for the 10kg rod/reel and 60kg line for

the 20kg rod/reel. Also tying knots in line can halve the breaking strain so 30kg line will often break at 15kg mark.

15kg of drag would require super strong hooks as well.

So with a super strong rod you'll feel confident and have a lot of power but you'll never utilise it. The reason I bought a strong reel initially

was so I could lob the massive baits out.

I have a 6ft rod rated at 15kg of drag max. I've used it with an abu capable of 7kgs max drag and a jigging reel I've tested to 14kgs.(not tested at 14kg on the rod)

I dont think I could hold the rod long at 14 to 15kgs because of the leverage.

A few people at the pay lakes use Boss Magnum reels and from what i've found/researched they have a max drag of 30lbs/15kgs.

I have in the past caught a 60kg fish on a 100g spinning rod with a 6500 size reel that only had 4kgs of drag. Took 40 mins and a hot thumb

but I did it. Catching these fish on the abu is also hard work in the heat. Use a minimum 7000 size reel for the big fish.

You're unlikely to find any big enough in Phuket. Bangkok or Hua Hin is the place.

Good luck.

thanks for the Info I have a Shimano baitrunner 8000D and Shimano 3500 baitrunner, would not have a clue what the figures for those reels are, I have seen a nice rod 10kg drag and I assume that is plenty for what I will be doing with it,

Recently I hooked a large carp and was not able to stop it reaching a snag some 50mtrs away the same happend with a large Redtail, I am not technical minded but I do understand what you are saying, cheers

I use Suffix ultra knot 30lb I like it as it is suple, what is your opinion on the best line to use?

[zoso]

I have the Shimano baitrunner new series models 4000,6000 and 8000 which is too much for Phuket except for the 4000. But they can't compare with the Shimano baitrunners old model 6500 which I use for my 3 rods at Bungsamran. Used the 6000 and 8000 at Bunsamran and very disappointed with the performance.

As for rods perhaps a model with PE 3-4 is more than suficient to fish at Phuket Fishing Park and I doubt there is 100kg fish. To have more fun and action then a lighter rod and line.

[jackinbkk]

for messing about in Phuket I used mono because supercheap had it for 65 baht per ~300 yards.

For serious fishing I like to use a braid but the mono is ok too.

At 65 to 150 baht per spool of mono you can afford to change it often.

The 10kg rod will be more than enough. The red tails are very strong.

I've had 15kg fish pulling line off my multiplier at about 10kgs of drag to

stop them getting under the houses. They are exceptionally strong but

soon tire unlike the mekongs and carp of Bangkok.

Even the sawai in the Bangkok lakes are incredible. 20+kg specimens are tough.

Very strong and solid.

[kenny999]

for messing about in Phuket I used mono because supercheap had it for 65 baht per ~300 yards.

For serious fishing I like to use a braid but the mono is ok too.

At 65 to 150 baht per spool of mono you can afford to change it often.

The 10kg rod will be more than enough. The red tails are very strong.

I've had 15kg fish pulling line off my multiplier at about 10kgs of drag to

stop them getting under the houses. They are exceptionally strong but

soon tire unlike the mekongs and carp of Bangkok.

Even the sawai in the Bangkok lakes are incredible. 20+kg specimens are tough.

Very strong and solid.

,

Thanks for your Info very good, to be honest I think I will always be fishing here in Phuket apart from the odd trip to Bangkok where I will hire equipment, going to Bungsamranlan Lake on the 13th and 14th with fishing Thailand (Eddie Mounce) so looking forward to feeling the power of the bigger fish,

[zoso]

Enjoy fishing at Bungsamran. If you hire tackles direct from Bungsamran the price for "standard" is 500baht but for 700baht they change the spool fitted with better quality lines. And 20kg Lam cost 500baht. "Wee"-in orange t-shirt-is a guide at Bungsamran is very hard working. Likely a "local" guide be hired.

[kenny999]

Enjoy fishing at Bungsamran. If you hire tackles direct from Bungsamran the price for "standard" is 500baht but for 700baht they change the spool fitted with better quality lines. And 20kg Lam cost 500baht. "Wee"-in orange t-shirt-is a guide at Bungsamran is very hard working. Likely a "local" guide be hired.

Yes thanks for that, I still want to catch the biggest fish in my local lake have been close, lost a very big Carp just could not stop it reaching a big snag, once there line just parted, also very big Red tail same storey was unable to stop it reaching snag and same happened, cant believe the power of these fish so god knows what I will think of a big Mekong.

So how much for a day's fishing at Bungsamran lake with guide and there good gear bait etc, can you just turn up on the day or have to book?

[zoso]

The price is standard. A day fishing is 1000baht per rod for farang and 400baht for Thais. If you book a bunalow-price 800,1000,2000,3000 and 5000baht-some have aircon room,shower & towels,tv from 9am to 9pm. It depends which day of the week you fish as weekends the central platform will be packed. If you fish at central platform you can fish till midnight.

Bungsamran guides-most fishing company engage one for their clients-cost 1000baht. My 2 regular guides are Wee and Boonsong-Weefor mekongs and Boonsong for carps. They can assist you with every aspect for your fishing.

As for bait there are quite a number of choices but recommended for mekongs is Lam with Buttermilk. 20kg Lam 500baht and 30baht per Buttermilk bottle. If you fish for 2 days it will be cheaper to buy a 20kg bag.

A day rental for 1 rod is 500baht and an "up graded" is 700baht. Food is relativey cheap deliver to you and buy drinks from the mini mart at Bungsamran-rent a cooler box and store whatever is your poison.

There are 3 fishing tackle shops-one specialise for luring and Seven Seas where you can buy most fishing stuff-much cheaper than Phuket-also you can custom make rods and they sent to you.

It's not for me to say whether to engage a Fishing Tour Company but one will inccur higher expenses. I don't engage one for Bungsamran except to go IT Lake Monster..

If you need contact number for Bungsamran,for Wee or Boonsong and this Fishing guide John tell me. I will pm to you

[kenny999]

The price is standard. A day fishing is 1000baht per rod for farang and 400baht for Thais. If you book a bunalow-price 800,1000,2000,3000 and 5000baht-some have aircon room,shower & towels,tv from 9am to 9pm. It depends which day of the week you fish as weekends the central platform will be packed. If you fish at central platform you can fish till midnight.

Bungsamran guides-most fishing company engage one for their clients-cost 1000baht. My 2 regular guides are Wee and Boonsong-Weefor mekongs and Boonsong for carps. They can assist you with every aspect for your fishing.

As for bait there are quite a number of choices but recommended for mekongs is Lam with Buttermilk. 20kg Lam 500baht and 30baht per Buttermilk bottle. If you fish for 2 days it will be cheaper to buy a 20kg bag.

A day rental for 1 rod is 500baht and an "up graded" is 700baht. Food is relativey cheap deliver to you and buy drinks from the mini mart at Bungsamran-rent a cooler box and store whatever is your poison.

There are 3 fishing tackle shops-one specialise for luring and Seven Seas where you can buy most fishing stuff-much cheaper than Phuket-also you can custom make rods and they sent to you.

It's not for me to say whether to engage a Fishing Tour Company but one will inccur higher expenses. I don't engage one for Bungsamran except to go IT Lake Monster..

If you need contact number for Bungsamran,for Wee or Boonsong and this Fishing guide John tell me. I will pm to you

Thanks for all the Info, I am going for the first time with fishing Thailand it is expensive but I have never fished for big fish like Mekong before so want to be taught by hopefully the best after that I can if I want to go on my own,

Cheers

[zoso]

Go to Bungsamran website. www.bungsamran.com/en/#