Frequently Asked Questions
No matter how 'daft' your question might seem, don't worry, we have been asked it numerous times before. Please have a look below for any questions you may have and hopefully you will find the answer you are looking for. We understand some people can be a bit apprehensive if they've not travelled this far before or not experienced big fish angling. If you cannot find the answer to your question then please email us at gillhamsfishingresorts@gmail.com or drop us a message through our social media platforms.
Do I need vaccinations and malaria tablets for visiting Thailand? You would need to contact your local doctor’s surgery to seek advice on what is needed. Legally we are not allowed to offer medical advice, equally for Malaria tablets; we can tell you that there has not been a case of malaria in this area for more than 15yrs. Personally we keep up to date with Tetanus and Hepatitis A vaccinations, we do not take any other tablets or vaccinations. I have to leave it to you to decide whether to bother or not. To enter Thailand you must be vaccinated against Covid-19, rules and regulations on this are changing all the time so please feel free to email us for all up to date information.
Do you provide all-inclusive packages? We don’t provide all inclusive packages; breakfast is included in our prices, all other meals can be purchased from our restaurant.
Can I we stay at the resort without fishing? We are primarily a fishing resort; catering for guests who stay at the resort to fish. We do not sell holidays without fishing; at least 75% of the stay has to include fishing. All fishing days to be pre-booked at time of making a reservation. You only need one paying angler per bungalow, all other guests do not need to be fishing.
Is there a problem at the resort with mosquitoes? We are only one mile from the ocean; we are surrounded on three sides by lime karst mountains, the wind funnels up from the sea most evenings and keeps them at bay. We also have a huge head of diamond headed guppies and other mini species; we introduced these to keep the mosquitoes at bay. There is alway a chance of the odd one, we do sell repellant products in the shop, should you need any.
We are a family looking for a family holiday destination. In the past we have been to Koh Samui, Pattaya, and Phuket, but to be honest they are not really family type destinations. We are not prudes but we hate being around the Thai bar scene. We are not into nightlife and hate hassle. We heard from friends that Krabi is more of a family destination and that your resort is stunning and peaceful. I have checked out Krabi, and it does seem to be a family destination. Could you please answer honestly – are we going to get pestered in Krabi as in Patong, etc? We chose Krabi for our resort because it is a family destination. Krabi province has been promoted as a family holiday center; we do not have the girl bar scene here or the sex shows and gogo bars. It is not allowed to be on display here. Even the street hassle you’ll get elsewhere, with people trying to sell you suits, trips and other junk is not as bad here. Deckchairs and jet skis are banned on Krabi beaches, Gillhams resorts do not allow sex workers on the resort, if you check in single you remain single. We discourage load and noisy groups; we have a zero drug tolerance. People breaking these rules are removed from the resort without refund.
Can I bring my own bait to Gillhams? We used to allow outside baits from recognized bait companies, however recently jealousy between rival fisheries has resulted in threats to poison fish with poisoned bait and on top of that a new trend of adding hormones to glugs etc has made us have a strict no outside baits rule. In view of this we have taken the precaution of banning all outside bait other than pop ups. To be honest the amount of our bait the fish see it was always a problem to switch them onto another bait, however good it was claimed to be.
Do you allow junior anglers, if so what are the age limits? We do get plenty of experienced children here, from 12 years of age upwards most are OK with the big fish we have here especially with a parent to help them. Our rules for under 16 year olds fishing are, they must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Children must be supervised at all times by their parents or guardians, who must accept full responsibility for children in their care. A lot of parents take advantage of a system we allow for fishing with their children, our standard set up is two rods per angler with the option to use a third rod. For parents with children we allow rod sharing, so they use three rods and share with their child. This also saves money as you don’t have to pay for two anglers, if a child wishes to fish with two rods they are charged adult price.
How many fish will I catch per day? A poor day here is 1 fish, an average day is 3 to 5 fish and a good day is 8 or more fish. Fishing being fishing a bad day would be no fish and it can happen! Please bear in mind Gillhams is not a venue were fish get caught in vast numbers, here you have the opportunity to catch 51 species of fish to huge sizes. To enable our fish to attain the sizes they do, our stocking density is lower than some other fisheries were they sacrifice size for quantity. What you will get here is fishing in stunning surroundings with the chance to catch the fish of a lifetime.
How much bait will I need, will I need to purchase extra bait? We recommend using bait on a little and often basis; the free bait provided is enough for this way of fishing. 50% of the fish here are shoal fish, they permanently move around the lake seeking food, when they come across anglers bait it is gone in minutes, they then move off looking for more but always return to where they fed before. When the fish are feeding heavily and an angler is catching well, expect to spend a maximum extra of 1,000 baht per day. Anglers will be limited to NO more than five kilo of extra bait per day, this is for the safety of the fish and control water quality which in return keeps the fish healthy, fighting hard and of course a steady and healthy growth. No matter how much bait people put out, the fish will clear it up move on and return later looking for more. We have seen anglers in the past spending over 6,000 baht per day, with no increase in catch rate over the guy feeding little and often.
Do you allow children at the resort? We welcome well-behaved children at the resort, they must be supervised at all times by their parents or guardians, who must accept full responsibility for children in their care.
Do you provide flights; which airport do we need to fly into and are transfers included. We do not provide flights but recommend Kenwood Travel, our contact there is Aaron Hyde. Aaron is a regular visitor to our resort and is happy to arrange all flights and onward travel plans, you will find details on our web site under Flights. You need to fly into Krabi airport to take advantage of our free transfers. Krabi airport has two terminals they put passengers through both terminals, this causes utter confusion for the life of us we don’t know why they do it! Your ticket provider will not be able to tell you which terminal, it is decided when you check your bags in on your first flight. Should you be on an international flight to Bangkok and check your baggage all the way from your home airport through to Krabi you will exit through terminal one. Should you check your baggage in at Bangkok (ie you have stayed the night before in Bangkok) or your carrier is not able to check your bags all the way through to Krabi. You will exit arrivals via terminal two. Please inform us which terminal you will be coming through, so our driver can be at the correct terminal. If you do not know until check in if your bags are going all the way through to Krabi, or if you have a flight delay please emai or text to +66861644554.
Do you operate a minimum stay at the resort and do you have set check in and out days? We have a minimum two-day two night stay, unfortunately we do not sell one night stays. The three bedroom villa is a minimum five nights. We only sell trips over the Christmas period for a minimum eight nights 24th December to 1st January. As we have staff on holiday for the Christmas period, this keeps our check in and check outs free, and causes minimum disruption during the period. We do not operate set check in/out days, check in is 14-00pm onwards, check out is 11-00am.
What are the best fishing months, and how does the seasonal weather work in Krabi? Below is how our weather should work, however weather patterns world wide seem to be all mixed up lately so it is only a rough guide. The best fishing months are May through to mid-December; best sunbathing months are January through to April. Don’t get me wrong the fishing is consistent all year, but during these months the fish feed for longer periods due to lower temperatures. Below is a rough guide to our weather patterns but as we are sub-tropical it can rain at any time, this also affects the guide below. Mid-April through to the end of September we get light showers in the evenings with sunny days and temperatures ranging from 21c -70f to 32c -90f. October we get prolonged heavy rain again mainly at night, with overcast days and temperatures between 18c-65f to 26c-80f. November to the end of December we get some light showers in the evenings with sunny days and temperatures ranging from 23c -75f to 35c -95f. January through to mid-February dry and sunny with temperatures ranging from 29c -85f to 37c -100f. Mid-February through to end of March dry and sunny with temperatures ranging from 32c -90f to 48c -120f, the fishing is still good but early morning late afternoon as opposed to all day. By the end of March we get some heavy rain at night which lowers the temperatures back down to what they are mid April.
Do you provide electronic bite alarms? Yes we do; however ours get a lot of abuse hence we only buy the cheapest alarms available, if you have your own alarms we would recommend to bring them. This also applies to indicators, we use fox swingers but again they are abused, if you have your own we recommend bringing them.
Can I bring popups and additives, what size flavor and color popups? We allow Popups 14mm work best in white or yellow, fruit flavors, Cell & Krill work better. These must be in a factory sealed container and be from a recognised bait company.
Will I have any problems with customs bringing bait and additives to Thailand? Regarding customs; all additives and baits can be a problem as you should be carrying a full break down of every ingredient and the amount, you should also have a certificate to prove the product is fit for human consumption. Most times you will get away with bringing things through, but should you be checked the penalties could be severe. We do not get involved with obtaining you permission as it is a nightmare, we have enough problems importing our own things.
Do you allow night fishing? Sorry with the size of our fish most are impossible to land on your own, plus they need specialist care. Our fishing times are longer than most other fisheries 07-00 am start with 19-00pm finish. Our guides start work at 06-30am and finish at 20-00pm making it a very long day for them. Also as the sun goes down the oxygen levels start to drop, after 19-00pm the fishing is slowing down.
How do you allocate swims, do you work on a daily draw? Our rules regarding swims are; upon arrival the customer can choose any vacant swim, or our guides will help them to pick a swim if they ask. Anglers are welcome to move at any time to any vacant swim. Once an angler is in a swim they can keep the swim for as long as they wish as long as they are fishing consecutive days. A lot of fisheries are new with naïve fish, here at Gillhams the fish respond to bait being introduced on a little and often basis. It is the same as fishing in your home country, you build a swim up and over a day or two the fish respond and visit the swim more often. We feel that making a draw for swims is grossly unfair. Imagine you have taken the guides advice; you have worked hard and baited up properly and the fish are responding, while someone in another swim casts out in the morning does nothing all day and winds in suffering a blank. The next day because of a draw system you are moved from the swim you built up and have to start all over again, while the angler from the other swim does the same in your swim from yesterday and wastes an opportunity. We do not allow pre-booking of fishing areas, we work on any swim that is vacant on arrival is yours until you choose to move, it would be unfair to pre-book swims as an angler could have been in a place for a few days fed the swim and got the fish feeding only to be asked to move for a pre-booking.
What end tackle do you recommend me to bring? You do not need to bring any of the tackle below as we do supply everything, unless you wish to make your own rigs, all the rigs we use incorporate the items below and are made up by our guides. Please don’t feel you need any of the stuff below it is just a list covering every question we get asked. Should you wish to purchase your own tackle please take a look at www.fishontackle.co.uk and check out there specially designed page for Gillhams Fishing Resorts. Fish On Tackle owner Ricci Conolly is a frequent visitor here at Gillhams Fishing Resorts and has dedicated a page on his website to all things Gillhams, Ricci also has a very reliable and fast online delivery service so no matter where you’re based in the UK you can purchase everything you need on line and have it sent direct to your door step. You will see we recommend OMC or Korda rig components all of which can be purchased in our onsite shop. Hooks, micro barbed; for pellets and boilies we use OMC Cassien hooks & Korda Wide Gape XX in sizes 4 down to 6. For deadbaits Korda Wide Gape XX size 2 work well. Hooklinks for carp etc; OMC 50LB Ammo or Korda Kamo 65lb or 50lb Arma cord. Hooklinks for arapaima etc; 65lb Korda Kamo hook link. We don’t use tubing; instead we use Durakord 65lb, with this product you need Korda sinkers to weigh it down, plus the Korda super Strong Splicing Needle (Orange Handle). Leads: all leads must be coated; we recommend the Korda range, we use 3 ½/ 4 oz inline leads, if you are tying your own rigs you need your own leads. We recommend bringing back leads; this enables you to leave your rods out while other anglers are playing a fish, we recommend retainer back leads, also flying backleads can be useful. Rig bits; Korda size 8 swivels, Korda sinkers, tail rubbers, hair stops, power gum, boilie needle, braid scissors, stringer needle, marker float and knobbly feature finding lead, pike style floats with weights to suit. Plastic corn/ pellet is worth bringing. We do not allow any plastic baits over 6mm. Catapult and spomb. We do sell PVA bags here in our onsite shop, I would recommend you bringing Godman slow melt PVA bags. As I say we do provide all tackle but having your own does help, and allows you to make up your own rigs. We recommend all anglers to bring a light rain jacket and head torch.
What species of fish do you have in the small lake? The small lake has 26 species in sizes ranging from 1lb to 50lb. Species available are; arawana, Amazon and Asian red tail, brycon, peacock bass, snake head giant striped and cobra, Thai maser, wallago attu, giant and spotted feather back, pacu, Hovens carp, miagal, Julian’s golden prize, bambooza, Siamese carp, Mekong catfish, striped catfish, tiger catfish, tilapia, java barb, and giant gourami.
Do you allow fly and lure fishing? We allow fly and lure fishing on our small lake. We do not allow this type of fishing on the main lake, the main lake is bait fishing only.
How do I know where I will be fishing? Every afternoon the guides will make a swim list for the following day. Everybody already fishing will get asked first and given the option to stay or move swims. Once in a swim, you get priority to keep it, should you wish. New starters will then be asked where they would like to fish. The guide will ask about what species you would like to target during your trip, whether you want to fish close to your room, or be near to the swimming pool etc. The guide will put you in the best available swim. Once the list is complete you cannot change as it will have a knock on effect on other anglers positions and the guides may have already moved equipment and set up swims. The following morning, if you want to move, ask your guide and they will help move equipment etc. This will be after all new starters have been given help and started fishing. It is your choice whether you stay in one swim or move every day. Some people enjoy a change of scenery or fishing a different tactic each day, others prefer to sit it out and build a swim throughout their trip.
Are the fish dangerous? Some of our fish can be dangerous if not handled correctly. Our guides have been trained to handle every species in the lake, big or small. Do not panic. It is all part of the experience. We have never had any guests seriously injured due to our fish. Arapaima are one of the deadliest fish on the planet, with injuries and fatalities sustained by South American fish farmers every year. With Arapaima, their head’s are solid and the power created by their tails make them a heavyweight missile. Our guide’s will always handle the head end so our guests are away from the ‘danger zone’. It is not sharp teeth to worry about but it is like getting hit by a heavyweight boxer, if they catch you right - this can cause bruising, concussion or even worse. Don’t panic though - we have never had any guests inured by Arapaima. Stingray - both our Amazon and Asian Stingray do have barbs on their tails. These can pierce your skin and cause a painful, slow-healing injury. We do take the barbs off regularly but they can grow back, like finger nails. Some of our stock have had the tail removed. This is common practice in the Amazon where tribes will regularly take tails off Stingray before releasing them. This does not kill the fish but can help keep everyone safe. Alligator Gar - these fish look the most dangerous with vast amounts of sharp teeth. Our guides will always be situated at the head end as a precaution and Boga Grips are used to secure the jaw whilst handling the fish.
I will be fishing your small lake for the smaller fish, is there any tackle you recommend to bring? FOR THE SMALL LAKE ONLY: We provide one fishing rod and reel landing net rod rest and unhooking mat, plus end tackle, we provide a 3lb tc carp rod, baitrunner reel, with inline lead set up, we do not supply any other rods or set ups. You need to bring your own unhooking aid i.e forceps or long nose thin pliers. The standard set up provided is for ledgering, float fishing works well but you need to bring tackle for this. We recommend a 4ssg waggler float split shot and size 6 or 8 hooks. Fishing times on the small lake are between 9-00am and 6pm, we do not provide guides on this lake. The cost is 400 baht per angler per hour. If you are booked on the main lake to fish there is no charge to fish the small lake during your fishing days. Customers can bring own gear. 1 ¾ lb tc barbel rods are perfect, 6 to 8wt fly rods, any lure rod that suits the customer. Float fishing 1 ¾ tc barbel rod 10ft+, we use 3lb tc 12ft carp rods with baitrunner and 60lb braid. Plastic corn/ pellet is worth bringing. We do not allow any plastic baits over 6mm. For lure fishing any light drop shot rod, drop shotting with perch type lures and tackle works well. All lures must be soft rubber and single hook, for casting ¼ to ¾ oz rod small reel 30lb braid. Lures soft rubber small lures single hook, you are trying to imitate fry. We allow wire up to 35lb tc for lure fishing on the small lake only. Fly fishing any trout patterns work, especially weighted nymphs, tadpoles and fry imitations. Maximum hook size is size 4.
Can I use my own fishing equipment? Yes - however rods must be above 6lb tc (20lb line class), main line braid has to be 80lb or above or monofilament above 35lb bs, all reels must hold a minimum of 280 meters. Single hooks only with crushed barbs or micro barb, no hooks over 4/0. Hook links nothing under 50lb bs and must be flat braid hooklinks. No wire traces, no lure fishing on the main lake. All tackle is checked on arrival and our decision on its use is final, all anglers have to read our rules and sign agreement of them prior to fishing.
Can I drink alcohol whilst fishing? Yes, we understand people enjoy a drink or two whilst fishing and why not, you are on holiday. We will deliver beer in cans to you as we have a No Glass Policy outside of the restaurant. If you become too intoxicated and the guides feel you are not able to be in control of your fishing rods then the management reserves the right to wind in your rods until sober. We want everyone to enjoy themselves so please know your own limits and drink responsibly. Any verbal or physical abuse towards staff or staying guests will not be tolerated and removal from the resort will occur.
Is there room service available? We do not provide room service but our staff will regularly come around the lake to take any food or drink orders. You are more than welcome to order food from the restaurant as a take-away for you to take back to your room or balcony. We can provide lifts on our buggy if you are disabled and need some help moving between your room and restaurant.
How many fish are in your lake? We have over 2000 stocked fish in our Main Lake. This includes all species. Some species do breed in the lake but have to be very lucky to survive until maturity, with all of the predators swimming around. Our Siamese Carp stock is approximately 700, with the vast majority now over the hundred-pound mark. Like any lake in the world, we do have fatalities, not many but when we do, the fish will always float to the surface due to the warm climate so we know what we need to replace, fish for fish. The reason we can hold so many fish in the Main Lake is because of the diversity of the species - each one will have its preferred depths, fro example, Alligator Gar will spend a lot of time in the upper layer where as some Catfish species will spend the majority of their time on the bottom. We always keep a healthy stock of Arapaima but part of our fishery management means that we do not overstock this species. The more they have to compete, the more they will get caught and lifespan will decrease.
