Interview with the Mekong Catfish Legend:

Khun Boomsong was born in Kon Kaen, which is a province in the North East area Thailand. He is one of the leading authoritative guides for anglers wishing to catch the Large Mehkong Catfish. His reputation and experience is second to none; a highly respected man in a competitive industry, where many local Thai anglers can only dream of becoming employed as a guide. A modest man he works at the world famous Bungsamran Lake in Bangkok. Here, in his very first interview (purposely for an English speaking audience), he gives us a fascinating insight into his life and just what makes a true local fishing legend tick.
Q1: How old were you when you first started fishing, and who introduce you to it?

I started fishing when I was still at school and I have been sport fishing since 1996 at Bungsamran.

Q2: Where did you catch your first large specimen fish, what was it and do you recall the fight?

I caught a 95kg Mekong Giant Catfish at Bungsamran using heavy duty tackle, the fight was a draining 45 minutes and when I landed the fish it was a moment I will never forget. I was surprised at just how much power these fish can generate.

Q3: What is your favourite fish to catch and why?

The Giant Mekong Catfish is my favourite, it takes all my ability and knowledge to catch these fish. Even if it is my customer who lands one of these monsters, the feeling is still just as good for me, knowing that I have help them to land a fish of a lifetime gives me enormous satisfaction.

Q4: Do you ever get chance to go fishing just for pleasure?

When I came to Bungsamran in 1996, I was first employed to deliver bait and food orders to the fishing customers, this gave me the opportunity to see many different styles and techniques that I would try out in my spare time. These days though, it is not very often that I have time for pleasure fishing. The next two weeks for example, I am booked solid, I will even be working some nights.

Q5: What aspect of angling do you enjoy the most?

Big Fish on Heavy Tackle! I don’t enjoy using light tackle (for the smaller fish); I am always worried about hooking a big one.

Q6: What is the largest Mehkong catfish you have caught and where did you catch it?

The largest fish was a 115kg Mekong Catfish caught on the central pier at Bungsamran, at the time I was guiding an angler from Singapore, his face was a picture and I needed to sit down.

Q7: What is the preferred bait for these massive catfish, are they carnivores?

The Mekong Cat fish prefer rice bran; a few have been caught on Bread mixes. The majority of Catfish here though are caught on Rice Bran mixed with a little water and flavors and sometimes a little coconut cream helps; it depends on the way the fish are reacting on the day. No they are not predators.

Q8: Just how specific are these baits to the fish you catch. For example, in Europe we use many different types of bait to catch to catch well let’s say carp.

The base mix of the bait is basically the same rice bran powder called Lam for both the Siamese Carp and the Mekong Catfish; however changing the bait presentation (texture and density), flavours and hook length makes the set up more specific. Most of the fishing for the large Mekong and Siamese Carp is done on the bottom.

Q9: How many different Catfish species are there in Bungsamran and what is the difference between them?

There are four species of catfish in Bungsamran Lake: they are Pla Tapar (Chaopraya Catfish), Pla Tapo, Pla Sawai (Striped Catfish) and Pla Buek (Mekong Giant Catfish).

Q10: I hear some of the larger specimens are clever and do not get caught to often, is this true?

Yes, very true. Some of the oldest residents in the lake are the original big carp that Bungsamran had from the start and they have not been caught for about 10 years. The largest Siamese Giant Carp caught this year was an 80kg specimen caught on the central pier which splits the lake.
The big catfish are difficult to catch and a lot of patience and good old waiting is required if you want to catch a big fish. Many customers would rather catch a lot of the smaller fish then just one huge catfish; as for me, I am happy to do both.

Q11: The ones that do get caught must give one heck of a fight, what kind of tackle do you recommend to use?

My recommended tackle for catching the big catfish is a 5 to 5.5 foot rod, similar to a Jigging Master with a Shimano Stella for a fixed spool reel or an Accurate Boss Magnum twin Drag for the multiplier option. Reels loaded with PE 10 (100lbs test PE line) with 100lbs Fluorocarbon Shock Leader and Mustad Size 30 Hooks; with this set, up I am confident of landing the bigger residents of this lake.

Q12: Many European specimen hunters like to spend several days fishing by the lake, is that possible here?

I have some customers who live at Bungsamran for 2 weeks a year and never leave the lake. Some of the bungalows have showers and bedrooms and the new lakeside fishing houses have toilets, air conditioning, comfy chairs and an upstairs bedroom complete with furniture.

Q13: Bungsamran is obviously a fisherman’s paradise, what are the facilities on offer here?

There is a restaurant that also does take away food, there’s late shop, tackle shop, video games area, coffee shop and even a pool table. The bungalows and house rental start at 800baht (13GB pound) per 12 hours and the most expensive house is 3000 baht for 12 hours (50 GB pound). The 1000 baht 18 (GB pound0 and above bungalows have chairs and tables, TV, fan, sink, running water and a refrigerator.

Q14: Is it really that important to have a guide to fish these waters?

Yes, I think it is very important. I would say that 70 – 80% of the unguided first time angler’s blank at Bungsamran. To ensure you have a good day and provide a good basis for fishing, I would say use a guide for the first couple of visits.

Q15: Does Bungsamran have any other species of fish, if so what are they?

There are too many to remember – I would say over 30 species.

Q16: Are any of these fish dangerous towards man?

Some Arapaima in the lake are over 150kgs, Pacu up to 15kg (an omnivorous species of Piranha with flattened teeth) and we also have the Alligator Gar fish – all of these fish are capable of causing injury should they bite. I have never seen or heard of a human being attacked, though you will never see any ducks or birds on the water.

Q17: Are these fish protected or can you take your catch home?

The lake promotes catch and release; however you are allowed to take out fish up to a combined weight of 3 kg per rod, and many locals take out any Pla Nin (Nile Tilapia) they catch.

Q18: You are obviously a busy man, how does one go about hiring your services?

I can be contacted via email in English at Bokcedar@Hotmail.com or come to Bungsamran Lake and ask for Khun Boonsong. It is requested that bookings are made at least 3 days in advance.

Thank you very much for your time Khun Boomsong, you do a fantastic job and are so lucky. Keep up the good work and we hope to see at Bungsamran very soon.