World Record Giant Mekong Catfish?

[Elton]

It was weighed in a giant sling and tipped the scales at 260lbs - a new World record.

 

Full article in the Daily Mail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-20...o=feeds-newsxml

[Cart Man]

Full article in the Daily Mail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-20...o=feeds-newsxml

 

I googled these fish, and they're for real. How would you catch something like that? What kind of hook or line or even rod and reel would you use? Just when you thought it was safe to go into the water.

[Ken L]

Hi Cart Man. Tackle is fairly simple with an in-ine spring feeder.

Most folks target them in the various fishing parks out in Thailand and these places offer all inclusive deals that include, bait, tackle rental and a meal as well as hotel pick up.

Good fun for a day and you can do it for a reasonable price if you find yourself visiting Thailand if you're happy to do a bit of organising yourself - some details here.

[Dick Dastardly]

Tackle used isnt much different to what I use for big Wells Catfish-

 

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/overseas-artic...ing-tackle.html

 

An old mate of mine runs/owns the venue that has broke the record several times-

 

http://www.gillhamsfishingresorts.com/index.html

 

I often bang on about "real" fishing as in going to the countries and waters where big fish are indigenous but as fishing for the Mekong Catfish in its natural environment is more or less prohibited now (and quite rightly so due to conservation attempts) places where they are stocked are the anglers only realistic chance to get them now.

[stooby]

A piece of sweetcorn! How big was the hook!!!!.....

[Chris Plumb]

Tackle used isnt much different to what I use for big Wells Catfish-

 

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/overseas-artic...ing-tackle.html

 

An old mate of mine runs/owns the venue that has broke the record several times-

 

http://www.gillhamsfishingresorts.com/index.html

 

I often bang on about "real" fishing as in going to the countries and waters where big fish are indigenous but as fishing for the Mekong Catfish in its natural environment is more or less prohibited now (and quite rightly so due to conservation attempts) places where they are stocked are the anglers only realistic chance to get them now.

 

Some of the Thai venues even stock Arapaima - which are a LONG way from home......

 

 

C.

Edited June 14, 2011 by Chris Plumb

[Renrag39]

Some of the Thai venues even stock Arapaima - which are a LONG way from home......

 

 

C.

So're Carp...

 

Renrag

[Dick Dastardly]

Some of the Thai venues even stock Arapaima - which are a LONG way from home......

 

 

C.

 

 

And Alligator Gar! Chris plus several of the South American catfish species. I suppose if the truth be known its not so much the fisheries or their stocking policies I have had an issue with but more the anglers who try and compare captures of these species with ones from their natural environment.

 

But then again as Stu once pointed out to me Wells Catfish are hardly indigenous to France ,Spain or Italy! so who am I to talk!

[Dales]

An old mate of mine runs/owns the venue that has broke the record several times-

 

http://www.gillhamsfishingresorts.com/index.html

 

For any one who finds them themselves on holiday in Krabi, Gillhams is well worth a visit and the best of the fishing resorts I have been to in Thailand

 

I suppose if the truth be known its not so much the fisheries or their stocking policies I have had an issue with but more the anglers who try and compare captures of these species with ones from their natural environment.

 

I think those few lines sum it up really, I have fished a few fishing parks in Thailand and caught some nice fish and it's cracking fun but nothing like the same achievement from fish I have caught in the wild and you certainly do not need the same skill/knowledge/watercraft etc to catch them.

Edited June 22, 2011 by Dales

[Ken L]

For any one who finds them themselves on holiday in Krabi, Gillhams is well worth a visit and the best of the fishing resorts I have been to in Thailand

 

It would have to be very impressive to be worth £112 per day without accomodation etc.