THAILAND REPORT FOR NOV 20-27

Had the pleasure to revisit Thailand during November 20th to 27th for a shot at more monster fish. I travelled many miles along with friends Steve Ryan and Cole Lundquist for a shot at Monster Mekong Catfish, Giant Siamese Carp, Giant Snakeheads, big redtail catfish, plus many more monster fish.

After flying to Seoul Korea from Chicago we then boarded for a flight to Bangkok where our adventure would begin. After a much needed rest, we met up with guide/outfitter Eddie Mounce of http://www.fishthailand.co.uk/ for a day at the famous Bungsamran for Monster Mekong Catfish. These brutes are tremendous battlers and are easily caught. Our largest was about 70lbs.

The following day we rested our arms and took a city tour. We did not see any of the recent flooding which has dampered most of Thailand recently.

Our next fishing adventure led us to Pilot 111 fishing pool for a chance at Giant Snakeheads. Snakeheads are very mean and put up a great fight. They were readily landed on minnow type lures.

My favorite destination in Thailand, IT Monsters was up next. Here you can catch giant redtail catfish until your arms give up. This again was the fact plus Steve landed a big arapaima around 70lbs. We catch numerous alligator gar and pacu. I land a big 55lbs Chao-Praya Catfish which is a tremendous battler and a 20lbs barramundi. Numerous doubles are hooked especially near dark.

We then headed to Greenfield Valley Fishing Resort which is near the seaside town of Hua Hin. Check out http://www.siamfishingtours.com/ We were targeting the monster arapaima which is the world largest scaled fish on this planet. All of us landed a few arapaima but no giants. We later headed to Cha Am for a chance at a really monsterous arapaima.

Steve landed the largest at around 85lbs but we saw numerous giants exceeding 200lbs.

Boon Mar was next on our list for barramundi fishing. Barramundi are similar to our snook. The fishing was unbelievable with over 200 barras up to 18lbs landed in only 6 hours. Steve had his new reel gears burned up by these battlers.

Our final day was spent again at Bungsamran but this time we targeted the Giant Siamese Carp which are extremely difficult to catch. Steve and I both land monster Siamese Carp of around 65lbs under Eddie Mounce's watchful eye.

Thailand is definately the "HOME OF MONSTER FISH". These fisheries are practically untapped by Americans. Thailand is a very friendly crime free country waiting for fishermen to come visit and catch some monsters.

I already dream of more big arapaima, Giant Siamese Carp, Giant Mekong Catfish, Redtail Catfish, Pacu, Chao-Praya Catfish, Alligator Gar, Giant Snakeheads, plus more than I can list.

THAILAND "HOME OF THE MONSTERS"

Most all have heard in the news about the terrible flooding taking place in Thailand. The flooding took place mostly in the northern Thailand. The government did a great job to stop the Savarnabhumi Airport from flooding and to have the tourist areas around Bangkok to remain dry.

Now would be a great time to take advantage of the numerous cancellations by fishermen due to the reported flooding which allowed the majority of the fisheries to remain unfished for some time.

Thailand is a very long flight from the United States. The majority of flights go through Seoul, Korea or Tokyo, Japan to Bangkok Thailand where you will be met by your fishing guides.

The majority of fishing in Thailand is in private ponds where many monsterous fish live. Numerous species such as Arapaima, arawana, alligator gar, amazon red tail catfish, black pacu, giant snakehead, giant stingray, Julian's golden prize carp, Mekong catfish, Siamese carp, sorubim, barramundi, plus numerous others reach monsterous sizes and are waiting to be caught.

The majority of fishermen, veteran or first timers, will likely catch the largest fish of their lives in Thailand. The majority of fishing is done from the bank unless you venture into the wild jungles.

Thailand is a very friendly, crime free country. The food and hotels are outstanding. Bangkok also is world know for it's nightlife which I can attest to!

So, if your looking to catch the fish of your dreams, look no further than Thaland for your next International fishing destination.

The top outfitter I have found is Francois Helias who can be reached at fishasia@ksc.th.com Make sure to check out his informative website at http://www.anglingthailand.com/

I am making a return trip shortyly so watch for updates on this blog and facebook!

TACKLE FOR MONSTER TIGERFISH

Giant tigerfish, especially those of the Mnyera and Ruhuji Rivers, are one of the toughest freshwater fighters I have experienced. These tigerfish jump often to toss hooks, have a very bony mouth preventing good hook sets, and are as fast as lighting.

On the Mnyera and Ruhuji Rivers, which are located in Tanzania, the tigerfish can exceed a whopping 25lbs.

Casting to structure is a key to land these monsters. Log jams and rocks are excellent spots to make multiple casts.

Since these rivers enforce the use of single barbless hooks finding the right hook is a key. The hooks must be strong as steel and razor sharp. I had excellent results using the Owner AKI hook. Numerous hook sets are necessary to drive the point into the tigers mouth.

Double split rings are necessary to have the single hook ride true. Those made by OWNER or SPRO are excellent as the eye of the AKI hook is too small for the triple coiled spilt rings by Wolvernine tackle.

Minnow baits such as saltwater Rapala X-Raps in gold were excellent along with OWNER Cultiva Minnows and Savoy Rads. Large spinnerbaits such as the extra strong models made by SOB caught numerous tigers.

If you are planning on heading to Africa for the amazing tigerfish, be prepared to battle one of the most ferocious beasts that swims!

La Zona Reports for October

Friend Steve Cihat led a group of 4 to the Uruguay River in seach of monster golden dorado. Steve fished during October 14-17. The fishing was absolutely fantasic as Steve landed his personal best, a monster 50lbs dorado which was caught on a Rapala Shad Rap. He also caught a 46lbs while another in his group landed a 48lbs. The water levels were slightly high so the topwater action was off.
During October 21-24, friends Dr. Gary Clark and David Fields took their turn for giant golden dorado. This was Dr. Clark's 2nd trip while a first time adventure for David. The water levels were again high with much rain the last 2 days. However fishing was excellent with Dr. Clark landing his personal best at 40lbs on his homemade doradokiller spinner bait! David topped off at 37lbs.
Both groups are planning at least 1 trip next season.
As you might know, La Zona is indeed the "Home of the Monster Dorado". This should definately be on every fisherman's "wish list". I can vouch for this fisery as I have visited it 5 times and will make a return trip in April, 2012.
For booking information on this "dream trip", contact
Steve Yatomi
zato1@earthlink.net
www.adventuretravelalliance.com
18002543474
Book soon as this trip is in much demand and fills rapidly!

The following is from my peacock bass friend on hook strength testing. For golden dorado I have had great success with the Owner ST-66 which was not tested.

I tested 13 hooks in total.

Owner ST-76TN 5X 3/0 (0.305 Oz.)

Owner ST-66TN 4X 3/0 (0.245 Oz.)
Owner ST-66TN 4X 2/0 (0.170 Oz.)
Owner ST-66TN 4X 1/0 (0.115 Oz.)
Owner ST-66TN 4X 2 (0.080 Oz.)

VMC 8527PS 6X 4/0 (0.185 Oz.)
VMC 8527PS 6X 3/0 (0.140 Oz.)
VMC 8527PS 6X 2/0 (0.125 Oz.)
VMC 8527PS 6X 1/0 (0.095 Oz.)

Daiichi Bleeding Bait 7X 4/0 (0.185 Oz.)
Daiichi Bleeding Bait 7X 3/0 (0.140 Oz.)
Daiichi Bleeding Bait 7X 2/0 (0.125 Oz.)
Daiichi Bleeding Bait 7X 1/0 (0.095 Oz.)

============
Testing Method:

I kept things simple ... I tested all hooks at my max testing weight of 110 pounds of pull (except for the 1/0 sizes which were done at 90lbs) on a non-reinforced hook on the treble. What I mean by non-reinforced is each treble may have one or two of its hooks that is welded on and not part of the steel that is used to make the eye. I assume this to be the weakest hook and tested that.

Of note, the Owner Hooks are not of comparable sizes to most manufactures, they must use a different standard than the VMCs or the Diiachis. I assume them to be conservative and rated them at least one to two sizes larger than stated. You can also see this by their weights listed above.

===============
Results:

See for yourself in the photo linked below:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/20111017026.jpg/

The two 3/0 Owner hooks are beasts, but I really think they should not be considered for even the woodchopper front hook, due to their weights. The ST-76TN in 3/0 size did not even deform at all at 110lbs, while the ST-66TN had a slight visual deformation, but it was not permanent. BTW, they don't make the ST-76TN in sizes smaller than their 3/0 size.

I do like the Owner ST-66TN 2/0 treble. It had only a moderate deformation at full pressure, and only a slight permanent bend. It is a tiny bit shorter than both the VMC and Daiichi 4/0 trebles, but hook size seems a bit bigger than the VMC and Daiichi 3/0s (So i might call it a 3.5/0). It is light and strong ... good hook in the comparable 4/0 or 3/0 range and can be considered for the front hook on a full size woodchopper. Only con is it is the most expensive treble of its size you will likely find.

That's all the love I'll give for Owners. The 1/0 and 1 sizes failed miserably w/ heavy to extreme permanent bends.

Both the VMCs and the Diiachis are EXACTLY the same weights ... EXACTLY the same dimensions ... and have the EXACT same cone cuts on their tips ... If I was just judging by how they look under very close examination, I would say they are 100% the same hook ... just one was painted red. I tried to find some evidence that they could in reality be the same hook, where one brand was licensing it to the other, or they are related companies, but I didn't see anything obvious on that. Maybe they just use the same type of equipment .. who knows.

However, there was some slight differences in results. The 4/0 sizes came in about the same, but they rest of the smaller sizes were in VMCs favor ... but only by a bit (you can see that in the photo linked above).

Final Recommendation:
If price is not an issue and you need a large and light front lure hook, go with the Owner ST-76TN in size 2/0, otherwise go with the VMCs in any size. You could chose the Diiachi 4/0 for a front hook if you think the red color can help in attracting strikes, but otherwise VMCs are better and cheaper.

I did sneak in a test of the VMC in size 1, and it did surprisingly well with a 90lb force.

Split Rings

A peacock bass friend of mine recently preformed numerous tests to find the strongest split rings and hooks. With his permission I will give a recap of his findings on the strongest split rings.
The rings tested were
1. Owner Hyperwire Size 6
2. Joe Butcher Outdoors Super Strength Size 5
3. SPRO Power Size 5
4. Lure Parts On-Line 3x Super rings size 5

The results are as follows:
Owner Hyperwire Size 6 held up to 60lbs
Joe Butcher Outdoors Super Strength Size 5 held up to 70lbs
SPRO Power Size 5 held up to 80lbs
Lure Part On-Line 3x Super Size 5 held up to 100lbs

I sent my friend a few of my Size 6 Wolverine triple coiled rings to compare to the Lure Parts On-Line 3x rings size 6.
http://imageshack.us/f/32/splitringtest.jpg/
The Wolverine rings held up to his testing max of 120lbs while the Lure Parts On-line started to come apart around 110lbs.

I have used the Wolverine triple coiled rings for years catching monster golden dorado. I highly recommend anyone targeting "tough" fishing fish to switch over to the best rings in the world, Wolverine triple coiled rings!

VENICE REDFISH REPORT FOR OCTOBER 14TH

Friend and longtime redfish fisherman, Gary Clark led a group of three to tremendous non-stop bull redfish while fishing out of Venice, LA. Gary fished with Capt. Keith Kennedy who runs Born To Fish Charters.

Clark's group landed 41 big bull reds up to 30 pounds with all the reds being over 20 pounds. Many doubles and triples were reported by Gary.

To get into this amazing fishery where big bull reds are caught everyday, contact

Capt. Keith Kennedy at (504) 908-3108