Tackle Source: BANGKOK JAM

This was to be a relaxing getaway to sunny Thailand, Bangkok in particular, but fishing's never far where ever we go. So we spent 2 days chasing some tails in 2 very different locales. Anglers in the know would be able to tell from the lures above that the first spot we visited was IT Lake Monsters, outside the city limits and a very good way to spend a day. This lake is stocked with exotic Amazonian species to impressive sizes and most are gregarious lure-takers. However, being a catch and release fishery they tend to be rather smart and only the most stringent selection of lures would pay dividends...

Sunrise at the landscaped lake, great to be away from the bustle of Bangkok...

Armed with new rod in hand - a very special rod from Majorcraft, the Arrival PE Special in heavy spinning guise. Deceptive on the spec sheet, this rod turned out to be a real powerhouse...

The most common catch on lure in the lake is the Amazonian Red Tail Catfish, here with a Jackall Bros Doozer in its gob...

An average sized Red Tail Catfish, taken on heavy baitcast gear...

Most fishes here are not shy when it comes to a feed, most lures are inhaled...

The smaller cousin - the Asian Red Tail Catfish, also on a Doozer...

Plenty of hits as the sun paints the place yellow. Red Tail on a Doozer...

A larger Asian Red Tail taken on the infamous Jackall Bros Giron lure...

Evergreen Temujin 'Amazon Ballista' heavy baitcast rod, a joy to toss big swimbaits with...

Majorcraft Offblow in the hands of a lady...

Enjoying every moment of pain...

The fruits...

Giron in the mouth of an Asian Red Tail...

Another big Asian Red Tail subdued...

The 'Arrival' rod doing its job, note the slick PE guides...

Fat Red Tail on a Doozer...

Red Tails were not the hardest fish to catch that day...

Another big one...

More thrills for the girl with the touch...

One more before release...

Asian Red Tail, they gave a good account of themselves even on heavy gear...

That's a better fish!

Giron latched onto another Red Tail...

And later accounted for this Alligator Gar...

A beautiful fish, if not a tad vicious looking...

Even the South American Pacu made an appearance, couldn't say no to a nicely placed Giron...

One fat Amazonian Red Tail...

Doozer in the gob...

More Asian Red Tails...

And this big Amazonian close to 40kgs...

Another Alligator Gar...

A day of Red Tail Cats would end, appropriately, just like it started...

The next day we chose an even easier event - head to the nearest Barramundi pond and throw a couple of lures at hungry fish! Couldn't get much easier. No brainer thrills at its best!