NEMBWE

The NEMBWE is found in South Africa. It's coloration is olive to bright green with a deep olive band along the midbody.
This predatory bream resembles the bass in appearance and fighting ability. When hooked, Nembwe often take to the air with numerous jumps in an attempt to free itself of the hook.
Standard bass lures such as spinnerbaits, spoons, rapalas, and soft plastics to name a few will catch the Nembwe.
According to the IGFA, the World Record Nembwe was caught by Donald Bousfield on September 2007 on the Zambezi River. The Nembwe weighed 7lbs 15oz.

GOLDEN MAHSEER

The Golden Masheer is in the family Cypinidae (carp). It is found in the cold, oxygen rich rivers of Malaysia, Thailand,Indian Himalaya's, and Nepal.
The Masheer can reach lenths of 9ft and weights up to 120lbs.
The Masheer has large scales with an elogated body with pointed snout.
AFter much poaching the Masheer is now protected by law and endangered.
To catch a Masheer contact STeve Yatomi of www.adventuretravelalliance.com or head into the Thailand jungles with Capt. Francois Helias at www.anglingthailand.com

RATCHABURI LAKE MONSTERS--THAILAND

Ratchaburi Lake Monsters is about a 2 hour drive from Bangkok. Here it is stocked with one of the largest freshwater fish on this planet the arapaima.
On May 13th, Texan Kyle Burgess while fishing with Capt Francois Helios landed a monster 165lbs arapaima.
Arapaima are air breathers and are seen ocassionally gulping a breathe of air. They can be seen in the Amazon and have been stocked into ponds in Thailand such as the Ratchaburi Lake Monsters.
Ratchaburi Lake Monsters also has an abundance of redtail catfish, sorubim, pacu, alligator gar and many other exotic species.
On your next trip to Thailand get in touch with Capt Francois at fishasia@ksc.th.com and maybe you will catch a LAKE MONSTER!!

GIANT SNAKEHEADS

Giant Snakeheads can crawl on land and breathe air. They have been known to eat fish, animals, and even attack humans.
Giant Snakeheads are the largest in the Channidae family and capable of reaching lenths of 6 feet and weights up to 66 pounds.
The Giant Snakeheads have a long rounded body with a large snakelike head and a mouth full of fang like teeth. They are black/grey in coloration with silver/purple patterns across its upper body and a white belly.
During breeding the male Giant Snakehead looks after the fry while the mother attacks any preditors even sometimes humans which get too close.
Giant Snakeheads were found in Maryland in 2002 and are abundant in Florida while the largest are found in places such as Thailand.
Giant Snakeheads are fantastic fighters which put on drag buring runs when hooked. They routinely take topwater lures and subsurface spinners and minnow type lures.
If you looking to add the Giant Snakehead to you list of trophies, contact
Francois Helias at www.anglingthailand.com

ALLIGATOR GAR

Alligator gar are the largest of the 7 known gar species. These gar get enormous reaching lengths of possibly 10 feet and weighing over 300 pounds.

Alligator gar have been in existance for years swimming with the dinosaurs. However, today they live in only North and Central America and have been introduced into a few ponds in Thailand.

These behemouths are generally green in coloration and have a heavily scaled body. They have an alligator-like snout with hundreds of needle-sharp teeth.

Recently many large alligator gar have been landed from the Trinity River, Texas.

In earlier years, alligator gar were considered "dangerous" and were reported to attack humans. Many thought this predator destroyed game fish stocks so there were large scaled commerical fishing to get rid of these beasts.

However due to its recent exposure on television, alligator gar are now protected by law.

The current IGFA record was landed by Bill Valverde while fishing the Rio Grande in Texas during 1951. The monster weighed 279lbs. However, reports are the Kenny Williams landed monster alligator gar weighing 327lbs that had a length of 8 1/2 feet and girth of 47.95 inches on Feburary 2011 while fishing Lake Chotard in Mississippi

PACU

Pacu are close relatives to the piranha. However they have squarer straighter teeth with a less severe underbite. They are primarily found in South America and have been introduced into ponds in Thailand.
In South America there are a few different species which fit into this catagory such as the Tambaqui and Pirapitinga.
The Tambaqui can get huge with specimens of 3 feet in length and over 70lbs being reported. They are extremely strong fish and put up a fantastic fight when hooked.
The Tambaqui has a golden to olvie green back and an purple to black ventral area. Their set of teeth reminds one of a set of human dentures.
The Pirapitinga is very similar to the Tanbaqui however it is slightly smaller and has a second row of molars in the upper jaw whereas the Tambaqui has a single row.
Both species are some of the best fighting fish in freshwater. Both are known primarily as fruit, nut, and flower eaters unlike the piranha!
Both species are very good tablefare and are highly sought after by local fishermen.
To catch some monster Pacu contact Francois Helias at www.anglingthailand.com to fish in Thailand and/or Rodrigo Salles at www.untamedangling.com where you can catch monster Pirapitinga in Bolivia

TIGERFISH

Ever since I seriously got involved in fishing for exotic species in foreign lands, Africa was always on the top of my dream list targeting tigerfish! I dreamed of fishing along side giant man-eating crocs, boat flipping hippos, dangerous elephants, lions, cape buffalo, plus other man eaters!!!

In 2010 my dream came true when I had the opportunity to fish the Mnyera and Ruhuji Rivers in Tanzania. The Tigerfish found here grown to impressive sizes and are considered to be a cross between the Tigerfish and Goliath Tigerfish. Our group landed a few over 20lbs. Many of our Tigers bite through the landing nets with their massive teeth and our guides had numerous bite marks on their arms and legs.

Tigerfish are known for their set of massive teeth. They are among the best known and most important game fishes in Africa. The tigerfishes belong to the Chjaracidae family which contains species such as piranhas and payaras.

The tigerfish has a deep folked caudal fin which is red in coloration with a black edge. Black horizontal stirps run through each scale row. They grow to about 34lbs but average around 4 to 6lbs.

Goliath Tigerfish are found mostly in the dangerous Congo River. They are silver in coloration with no strips as found on the tigerfish. It has 14 or more teeth in the upper jaw.

Both the Tigerfish and Goliath Tigerfish readily take lures. Both species jump repeatedly when hooked. Due to the sharp teeth and hard boney mouths they are difficult to drive a hook into. A wire leader is essential for both species due to the sharp teeth.

The current World Record Goliath Tigerfish according to the IGFA was landed by Raymond Houtmans on July 9, 1988 which weighed a massive 97lbs. Dr. Henry Gillet writes in his "Game Fish of the World" that he landed a Goliath weighing 87 1/2lbs but lost one that weighed at least twice that weight.

The current World Record Tigerfish according to the IGFA was landed by Jennifer Daynes on September 12 2001 weighing in at 35lbs 7oz.

Hopefully some day the Congo will become politically safe and I can hook up to a Goliath and again return to Tanzania to battle again with these teethy critters!!

SILVER SALMON (COHO)

Silver Salmon are found in the Pacific Ocean and the rivers following into it from Northern Japan to the Anadry River, Russia, and from Northern Alaska south to Monterey Bay, California. They were transported into the Great Lakes and into freshwater lakes in Alaska and the U.S. Pacific coast as well as into Argentina and Chile.

Silver Salmon are also known as Coho Salmon. As with most Pacific Salmon they spending the majority of their lives in the Ocean for 4 to 6 yrs where they reach maturity.

An estimated 85 percent of native Pacific silvers return to spawn in the same stream where they began their life. Once entering the freshwater, these salmon will never return back to the ocean and die after spawning is complete.

During the spawning ritual, the male silver tend to turn somewhat darker on the back. During the spawning run a red coloration is exhibited on it's body. The males develop a kype with both the lower and upper jaw being extended where it becomes almost impossible to close it's mouth. Like all Pacific salmon they do not feed once it enters freshwater on the spawning run. They however will constantly hit lures out of instinct.

According to the IGFA, the World Record Silver Salmon is 33lbs 4oz landed by Jerry Lifton on Sep 27 1989 while fishing the Salmon River in Pulaski, New York.

Silver Salmon can be caught in abundance in freshwater streams and river using convential lures such as in-line spinners and pixee spoons. They also are caught by various flies.

Some of the best silver salmon fishing I know of occurs each August and September on the Alaska Peninsula. Here 50 to 75 silvers landed in a day's fishing is possible.

I have fished the Cinder River on the Alaska Peninsula out of Gary LaRose's Pumice Creek Lodge and have experienced fantastic silver fishing. For more information on this fabulous lodge check out http://www.garylarose.com/

POTENTIAL WORLD RECORD REDEAR SUNFISH

According to Field and Stream Magazine, angler Robert Lawler has caught the potential World Record Sunfish. Lawler was bass fishing on Lake Havasu in Arizona on May 2nd when the monster hit.. Knowing the fish was record size, Lawler had it officially weighed where it came out at 5lbs 8oz. The current World Record is 5lbs 7oz by Amos Gay caught in 1998. According to the IGFA World Record Rules, fish weighing 25lbs or less must top the World Record by a minimum of 2oz, therefore, Lawler will gain a tie if his sunfish meets all IGFA requirements. Lawler was fishing with a 7 inch Berkley Power Worm.

PIRARARA

The Pirarara is a monster catfish caught in the Amazon basin and can also be landed in some of the Thailand ponds.

The name Pirarara roughly means "parrot fish" due to it containing "arara" which represents the vivid macaw. In English it is known as a redtail catfish.

Besides it massive tail, it possesses a monsterous head which makes up over 1/3 of its body. The head is covered with a bone like armour to protect it from it's enemies if any!

The body coloration is a dark black old leather colored skin and cream white underside.

Once landed the Pirarara lets out a bellowing sound from the air being expelled from its gills.

They have been known to reach weights of 51.5kg.

Normally they are landed using dead fish as bait. The Pirarara is a great fighter with drag burning runs.

In Thailand under the guidance of Francois Helios numerous Pirarara can be landed each day until your arms wear out. Contact Francois for more info to land this species at

fishasia@ksc.th.com

JULLIEN'S PRIZED GOLDEN CARP

The Jullien's Prized Golden Carp is found in the Chao Phraya and Mekong Basins of Indo-China and Thailand, and the Pakang and Perak basis of Malaysia.

These monsters can reach weights of 154lbs and 4.9 feet long.

The body is brown to red in color with dark brown stripes. The fins and tail are orange and it has a rounded snout with small lips.

The Jullien's Prized Golden Carp is threatened by overfishing and human capture of it's spawn that have a high market price. These fish are highly protected in Laos where it is forbidden to catch, trade, or transport the Jullien's Prized Golden Carp.

In places such as Thailand, fishing is allowed under strict catch and release rules.

Jean-Francois Helias of http://www.anglingthailand.com/ knows the best places and best times when this rare species can be landed. Anglers world wide have this species on top of their wish list to catch.

I personally have fished with Francois and have landed a few of these rare carp and find them to one of the best fighting freshwater fish worldwide.

For more information on Jullien's Prized Golden Carp and lots of other species in Thailand, contact Francois at fishasia@ksc.th.com

La Zona 2012 Season

A few prime dates remain open for La Zona in January, March, and April of 2012. These dates should provide excellent fishing for trophy golden dorado. Normally the topwater action is good during these time periods with low water.

La Zona is located on the Uruguay River on the border of Argentina/Uruguay. During your trip you will stay 5 nights at La Zona Lodge and fish for 4 days (Friday to Monday) . The meals at La Zona Lodge are probably the best world wide for fishing lodges.

La Zona Lodge boasts of having the best head guides, Enzo and Elvio, on the Uruguay River. These guys know where the monster dorado swim and the best techniques to land them.

These prime dates will for sure fill quickly. Book now to get into the biggest dorado in the world!For more information contact Steve Yatomi at http://www.adventuretravelalliance.com/ plus you can follow http://www.untamedangling.blogspot.com/ for weekly golden dorado reports.

Making Wire Leaders

Wire leaders are necessary when battling fish with razor sharp teeth which can cut through the best of lines. Making your own wire leaders is simple and can save you lots of bucks $$$.

When fishing for species such as dorado, I use 135lbs coated wire from the American Fishing Wire Company. I crimp on a size #6 Berkley Cross-Lok Snap on one end of the wire and crimp on a size #4 SPRO Power Swivel on the other end. I normally make the leaders about 9 to 12 inches long.

For tigerfish and other species which don't grow as large, I might use 70 to 90lbs wire the the same above components.

Recently some companies have come out with knotable leader material such as TYGER. This wire is very flexible whereas you can tie all your basic knots and eliminate the crimps which are often the weakest portion of the leader.

So, try making your own leaders before your next fishing adventure and save some $$$$

CHEOW LAN RESERVOIR, THAILAND

Cheow Lan Reservoir is known for its jungle setting full of species such as giant snakehead, emperor snakehead, splendid snakehead, and striped snakehead, as well as jungle perch. Thai Mahseer and Stracheyi Mahseer are found in the rivers which feed the reservoir.

Capt. Jean-Francois Helias http://www.anglingthailand.com/ is putting together trips in July and August which are the best times to fish these species as the water levels are ideal during these months
.

Capt Francois will be hosting these trips which will be limited to 4 anglers per trip.

For more information contact Capt. Francois at fishasia@ksc.th.com

Opportunity to fish inside La Zona for 6 days

Untamed Angling which controls the exclusive Argentina permits (2) to fish inside La Zona for monster golden dorado has announced an opportunity to fish inside the zone 6 days. Normally the trips allow anglers to fish inside the zone for 4 days. However, Untamed Angling has negotiated with the Argentina government to fish Jan 3 to Jan 10th. The agreement will allow the anglers to fish inside for zone for 5 hours per day and fish outside the zone for 4 hours per day for a total of 6 days.
La Zona is known as the HOME OF THE MONSTER DORADO. This is an opportunity for dorado veterans and newcomers to take advantage of the extra time increasing your odds for the dorado of a lifetime.
For more information contact STeve Yatomi at www.adventuretravelalliance.com

Bull Redfish in Venice, LA

Friend Gary Clark had a fantastic day of fishing for giant bull redfish with Capt. Keith Kennedy of Born To Fish Charters phone (504) 908-3106 Gary along with 2 other friends landed over 25 bull reds on Monday with Capt Keith and most of them weighed in between 25 to 30lbs. Dr. Clark once again landed the monster at 40lbs.

Capt Keith knows where and when to land these monster bulls. He can provide everything from meals, housing, plus all fishing equipment. Make sure to give him a call as his bookings are filling fast!

CABELAS BARGIN CAVE

Each week, I check the bargin cave at http://www.cabelas.com/ for fantatic sales on fishing items and fishing clothes. Each week numerous rods, reels, and tackle are on sale at unheard of prices. I have a Cabelas store nearby and have all the items shipped to the store for pick-up which is a great option other fishing stores do not offer.

This week, I loaded up on Blue Fox Vibrax Spinners for my trip to Alaska for Arctic Char at Lava Creek out of Gary LaRose's Pumice Creek Lodge, http://www.garylarose.com/ Here, arctic char catches of over 100 at not unusual.

So, constantly check the Cabelas bargin bin and save lots of money which can go toward you next fishing trip!!