Since there's no real mention of that infamous lake by the name of "Bung Sam Lan" I shall fill you chappies on my 5 days there last November. All the sordid details and methods! My first impressions of this lake were very promising; resembling a giant fish farm of 20 acres.. of which I thought the tide was coming in due to lots surfacing fish and incessant tail patterns on the water seen all over. Strictly catch and release with hut, bait, tackle shop, nets and sustenance provided. Dreamy!
Species: Pacu
Method Used: Light spinning rod and reel, 20lb braided mainline, float, 8in braided hook-link, size 4 hook.
Bait: Small chunk of banana with skin to thread on hook.
Species: Gurami (delicasy)
Method Used: Light spinning rod and reel, 20lb braided mainline, float, 8in braided hook-link, size 4 hook.
Bait: Bread skin.
Species: Striped Catfish - 14lb
Method Used: 7ft boat rod - 20-50lb (castable) and baitrunner, method feeder (float optional), 80lb - 8in braided hook-link, heavy-duty wide gape size 4/0 hook.
Bait: Bread with coconut milk and local powder enhancer. Or caught on rye or "lum" on a pop-up hook.
Species: Siamese Giant Carp - 28lb
Method Used: 7ft boat rod - 20-50lb (castable) and baitrunner, method feeder, 80lb - 8in braided hook-link, heavy-duty wide gape size 4/0 hook on small poly-ball.
Bait: Mainly caught on rye or "lum" on a pop-up hook. Sometimes caught on bread with coconut milk and local powder enhancer.
Species: Mekong Giant Catfish - 59lb
Method Used: 7ft boat rod - 20-50lb (castable) and baitrunner, method feeder (float optional), 80lb - 8in braided hook-link, heavy-duty wide gape size 4/0 hook.
Bait: Bread with coconut milk and local powder enhancer.
Plenty of other species to be caught like that elusive arapaima that surfaced twice in my whole time there. Looked like some alien with red scales coming out from the depths. Wets the appetite somewhat.
I rather overdid it my first day and was grateful for the fighting belt as seen with the striped cat. The cats have some real strength and stamina, had me panting like a woof-woof dog..

although the real skill is navigating these beasties around your pontoons once you have the fish in close. So if any of you are in or planning to go to the land of the

, do yourself a favour huh? I went through the lines on my first jaunt, with the assistance of that cheeky-chappy Francois. Rather pricey but I went the whole hog wanting expertise and a world record so.. who's coming next time?!