Questions regarding our planned trip

Question:

Stuart

Can you give me some further info on the following:

What is the main species that people target here?
I would really like a Mekong if possible – do you have many?
Do you do any night fishing at all?
If I am only doing a day, is it possible to stay the night before and the night after?
What other activities have you got around your area? I need to keep the wife happy, possibly do something the day after fishing before departing to Krabi. If I did can you look after my luggage for me?

Many thanks

Lee Mansfield UK.

Stuart’s answer:

Dear Lee.

Thank you for your reply, here are your answers.

1. What is the main species that people target here?

Arapaima, red tail catfish, Siamese carp and Mekong catfish. We have 30 different species in the lake so there is a chance of all these also, but by far the most sought after are the above, and in that order.

2. I would really like a Mekong if possible – do you have many?

Yes we have around 100 in the lake from 70lb to 260lb-plus. We have at least 15 over 200lb; they are growing at crazy rates in here with the abundance of natural food. Our Mekong are in pristine condition due to their rich diet of shrimp. In the wild Mekong are plankton feeders; they feed like a whale, swimming along with their mouths open filtering plankton. When they are farmed they are converted to feeding on larger food items. Our Mekongs have reverted back to their natural ways, but feeding on shrimp, which must seem to them like giant plankton. Sometimes when they are caught they cough up fry. We have an abundance of both shrimp and fry hence our Mekongs having a pearly sheen and unheard of weight gains. They do get caught, but not as easy as places like Bungsamran Lake in Bangkok where they are overstocked and in poor condition. When you catch our Mekong they are special. You can target them here using plenty of feed with additives such as condensed milk, coconut milk, dessicated coconut, maize meal and maize, with flavors such as scopex or creams. By feeding heavily you will pull them to you, along with the carp species. Obviously we can get all these extra additives, but they are extra to the fishing price, although we will supply you with as much maize and meal as you need at no extra cost.

3. Do you do any night fishing at all?

Our hours are 7am through 8pm for staying guests, with 8am through to 7pm for day ticket fishing. We allow fishing outside of these hours at 500 baht per hour. The fishing starts to drop off after 8pm, as in the tropics you get massive oxygen drops once darkness falls. By midnight our oxygen levels have dropped to a level where our fish stop feeding, not really coming back on the feed until 7am. In fact we have never had a fish caught between midnight and 6am despite many keen anglers trying.

4. If I am only doing a day, is it possible to stay the night before and the night after?

Sure, the night either side of fishing is fine at the quoted price of 2,000 baht per night front room, and 700 per night rear room. Checkout is 11am. You can also rent our bungalows out per night to use as a base for your holiday at 2,800 baht per night front bedroom 700 baht rear bedroom. After day trips etc you can fish odd hours at 500 baht per hour.

5. What other activities have you got around your area? I need to keep the wife happy, possibly do something the day after fishing before departing to Krabi. If I did can you look after my luggage for me?

For other activities check our website. Check the sections "About Krabi", also check "Resort".
These two places will tell you all what is on offer here in Krabi. All these activities can be arranged from here for you with transportation, which is what makes Gillhams such a good base for your holiday, not to mention the bonus of sneaking in a few hours' fishing before and after the trips, thus keeping her who must be obeyed happy! And finally yes we can look after your luggage and you can also use our house to shower and change at the end of your day.

Hopefully that answers your questions, but should you have any more please feel free to ask.

Best regards,

Stuart.