Thailand's Monster Fish!

[Wild_Bill_Hiccup]

I thought that I'd share a few pics of some of the unusual freshwater fish to be caught in Thailand. Some of these are truly prehistoric monsters and certainly a bit strange. The outfitter/guide that I represent in Thailand is one of the most successful fishermen/guides in IGFA history, with 195 records! To include:

· 407 lb (185 kg) Arapaima - The biggest predator fish ever caught on rod and line in the history of Southeast Asian angling

· 332 lb (151 kg) Mekong Giant Catfish - The biggest catfish ever caught in the history of Southeast Asian angling

· 265 lb (120 kg) Siamese Giant Carp - The biggest carp ever caught on rod and line in the history of sport fishing

You've probably seen him and his Thai guides on ESPN and National Geographic TV's "Hooked". With the exception of 4 record book entries, all records set in Thailand have come from our fishing trips/guides/clients! Gotta brag just a little bit.... ;)

The following are pics of the huge predator fish called an Arapaima.


http://www.adventures411.com/uploads/kik_1__11.jpg
Current IGFA World Record Arapaima

http://www.adventures411.com/uploads/huge-arapaima2008.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh65/wild_bill_hiccup/ArapaimaThai3.jpg

[Wild_Bill_Hiccup]

http://www.adventures411.com/uploads/934975629_TIM_20BIG151KG.jpg

http://www.adventures411.com/uploads/mekongcatfish.jpg

http://www.anglingthailand.com/data/pics/mekcatfish/565387521_82%20KG%20m.%20W.jpg

[Wild_Bill_Hiccup]

http://www.adventures411.com/uploads/kik_kik-WRecord-SiameseCarp-265lbs.jpg
IGFA World Record ~ 265 lbs ~ Siamese Carp

[Wild_Bill_Hiccup]

http://www.adventures411.com/uploads/404488176_DIMit31.jpg

http://www.anglingthailand.com/data/pics/alligator/689205602_merritt598.JPG

http://www.anglingthailand.com/data/pics/alligator/529661104_ALIG3291.JPG

[Wild_Bill_Hiccup]

http://www.anglingthailand.com/data/pics/arawana/1030281781_Arawana%2012.jpg

http://www.anglingthailand.com/data/pics/arawana/1030281781_Arawana%2003.jpg

http://www.anglingthailand.com/data/pics/arawana/1030281781_Arawana%2008.jpg

[Bushman]

Aren't there any Paraná in Thailand waters? Those are some big fish alright, and weird looking too. I was watching Animal Planet last night and they had an hour on Paraná and then another hour on those huge South American catfish that they get out of the Amazon river system. Man eaters they said that can get upward of hundreds of pounds!!!

Then they had a segment on these little catfish that burrow into animals (or people) and eat them from the inside out! They found as many as 100 of these fish inside a guy at an autopsy! They also interviewed the guy who had one of these little flesh eaters, and it wasn't so little, swim up his penis. Scared the hell out of me so the only fresh water that I'd be in in South America would be the bath tub.

[Wild_Bill_Hiccup]

Nope... none of those nasty guys in Thailand.... not that I know of anyway. About the worst you have to worry about there is a big ol'leech or having to watch your step if off the beaten path a bit, as you may run into a cobra hiding under a banana tree leaf or something- but they're really not as much a problem as many make them out to be.... I've probably killed a dozen of them (because they were around a village school/kids). In general, Thais tend to have a very low tolerance for things that harm people on a regular basis and tend to rid their domain of them (sometimes sadly so... i.e. the tiger).

While in the Amazon, I was warned about those fish that can swim up your urinary tract... can't recall their name now... but I never saw any real sign of 'em... mind you, I didn't take a 'wizz' anywhere near the river bank! ;)

I've also heard of those little fish that can literally 'drill' a hole right into you and eat their way right through your body... nasty little farts they are.

[Wild_Bill_Hiccup]

Chao Phraya Catfish
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh65/wild_bill_hiccup/ChaoPhrayaCatfish.jpg

[Wild_Bill_Hiccup]

Jennifer's Giant Snakehead
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh65/wild_bill_hiccup/Snakehead_Jennifer1.jpg

[Wild_Bill_Hiccup]

The prehistoric Grey Eel Catfish
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh65/wild_bill_hiccup/GreyEelCat008.jpg

[Wild_Bill_Hiccup]

Another massive Arapaima!
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh65/wild_bill_hiccup/arapaima280_ARA_2009.jpg

[JustaNobody]

These are some real hogs, Bill! I love it!

I was just looking at your website and see that I can go on one of these trophy fishing trips for like $1,100 for 5 nights........... man, that is a good deal.

Is it possible to combine a freshwater trip with a saltwater trip? It would be great to do both on one trip. I'd love to that in the very near future. Airfare cant be too high right now, with all the new security delay problems and all, right?

Hey, by the way, it is sure nice to see you back on the outdoors forums. It has been way too long.

[Bushman]

Yeah, we drop that and more just to catch "normal" fish in Canada very year. Wild Bill those are some odd looking fish that you have there. I'm afraid that I just don't run with the right crowd because if I had something like that mounted, my buddies would ask what the hell is that thing? Reminds me of a lot of those weird antelope that they have mounted at the local Cabela's. We have Holsteins around here with better horns than some of those things.

[Wild_Bill_Hiccup]

JustaNobody,

Thanks. Yes, they are some truly monster fish and very unique trophies/experience. Even with the recent fall of the U.S. dollar, the exchange rate is still such that places like Thailand are a real bargain. But, yeah, if you have a group of 3 guys coming together, the price would be $1,150 per person and include all licenses, lodging, most in-country transport ... with many add-ons possible. If clients book during a time when I'm in-country, I always personally show them around other lesser-known 'expat spots' that most tourists would never experience themselves. Anyway, yes, it's a good deal.

I was just checking airfare for myself and found a few deals in the $550 to $575 to $625 range for one-way flights (I only book one-way to Thailand because my agent in Bangkok can get me much better rates for my return or a round trip - once I'm there). Unfortunately, you'll need to buy RT from the U.S. as you won't have the official long-term visa/residence status that I have.... but, the price i quoted above is from a U.S.-based discount travel site. I'd guess that the round trip would be approx double... so, $1,100 to $1,200+ for RT airfare, if planned ahead and searching for deals. My last RT ticket, bought in Bangkok was only $800 USD, so a big savings compared to buying in the U.S., and it probably should be noted that I generally only use U.S. carriers - so I'm talking good service and safety (this was a ticket on Northwest/Delta).

Hell, with 195 IGFA records... must be doing more than a little right! :D
read > http://www.adventures411.com/about.html

Yes, I can arrange a combo with freshwater and saltwater fishing. The least expensive saltwater trips are currently on special right now at only $595 per person, but that requires a larger group. Shoot me an email and I'll happily see what we can arrange... it should be easy to stay under $2,000 for a combo, but it'll depend on how long you want to spend on the ocean fishing.

[Wild_Bill_Hiccup]

Wild Bill those are some odd looking fish that you have there. I'm afraid that I just don't run with the right crowd because if I had something like that mounted, my buddies would ask what the hell is that thing?

Don't feel bad, Bushman, I have some rather ham-fisted friends as well! :D

Ah, how many bass or trout or grayling or pike or walleye can a guy have on his wall without it seeming somehow redundant? ;) Hahahaa.... actually, I do mostly catch and release anyway. I do eat some, of course... depending on what I'm catching. But, the occasional 'conversation piece' on the trophy room wall is always fun. I think my shark jaw displays get the most interest... not entirely sure why, but people just ignore my big rainbows, cutthroat or pike and ask a bizzilion questions about the sharks or arapaima...

Actually, the uniqueness of some of these Thai fish is precisely why I fish them, and most others, I assume. I've always been the type who explores new realms and desires new experiences. I guess that's what first drew me into the Selway Wilderness all those many years ago, as to me as a young teenager, it seemed such a wild and unexplored place. I guess I don't do much 'normal', never have, really. ;)

We do catch some 'normal' stuff in Thailand... sailfish and shark are normal enough, I suppose... ;)
'Course... they'd be in the saltwater, not the fresh...

http://www.adventures411.com/uploads/kik_131-3103_IMG.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh65/wild_bill_hiccup/sand-tiger-shark-teeth.jpg

[Wild_Bill_Hiccup]

Barramundi are also quite 'normal' by U.S. standard... kinda like big bass...

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh65/wild_bill_hiccup/BarraMUNDI.jpg

[JustaNobody]

Sounds like a great deal and a super fishing guide. I'll send you an email tonight. Thanks Bill.

[Wild_Bill_Hiccup]

Just got around to replying to your email, JustaNobody. I was tied up in with some educational consulting that took forever. Yep, you could search long and hard for a better guide, and I doubt you'd find one better.

Take care!