Hua Hin Fishing Lodge

[Terry]

As previously stated

.............
So, I checked with Mrs.T and she confirmed it was the same young man and that he had caught many more. ........

Today I received some photos from the customer (Dad) as below

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The young man in the video

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Mum gets in on the act

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Followed by Dad

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Who then gets himself a young Arapaima

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Mum responds later on with a Redtail

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Dad says - I can get one of those too...........

Family fun at Hua Hin Fishing Lodge

[kendo]

Terry was there red tails caught at the back of the lake at dusk.
Kendo.

[Spitfire]

Hi Terry, just a few spectulative questions as I'm inquisitive, but how long do you allow the fish, like in the photos above (very cool mind you), to be handled or kept out of the water for photos or whatever? How is it enforced? Is it supervised by staff? Is it different lengths of time depending on size/species or not?



Edit: Added a couple of extra questions and thus had to change the make-up of the post.

[Khundon1975]

That little lad in the first pic, will remember catching that one for the rest of his life.

Well done.

[Terry]

Kendo

Amazon Redtail Catfish are generally regarded as dusk feeders. However we have caught them at all times of the day.
They will also take any bait but generally favour small live bait, chicken, prawn, dead bait and even lures.
At the Lodge we are sure that they spend most of the day under the concrete walkway of the bottom pond and venture out to feed when hungry.
They rarely 'take' at the back of the lake, but if hooked they will go anywhere where they can attempt to get off the hook. This includes the weeds, the aerator and even back under the walkway to tangle the unknowing anglers line.

Spitfire

'how long do you allow the fish, like in the photos above (very cool mind you), to be handled or kept out of the water for photos or whatever?'

Basically as short a time as possible. Also, some varieties are not allowed to be taken out at all - the customer has to get IN the water with the fish if a photo is required - to avoid damaging the fish's internal organs by too much unsupported lifting. This applies to Arapaima, Giant Mekong Catfish over 20Kg and to other species as they get bigger. Basically any fish over 20Kg is better off staying in the water. When I am back there full time I will be building a special 'fish lift' - kind of like a framed stretcher attached to scales to achieve this and avoid stressing the fish.

How is it enforced? Is it supervised by staff?

It is enforced and supervised by my staff. There have been occasions when this has not been so - and my staff are given a severe bollocking with a day's pay deducted

Is it different lengths of time depending on size/species or not?

As I have said - as short a time as possible, but some species are tougher than others. Bearing in mind the 'lifting and internal organ issue' the other consideration is of course oxygen starvation and the tiredness of the fish.

Ironically Arapaima do not suffer with lack of oxygen as they are air breathers anyway - so too the Alligator Gar and the Snakehead.

Amazon Redtail seem to tolerate up to 4-5 minutes without too much problem and Pacu seem to be 'tough as old boots'. Carp, on the other hand are returned as soon as possible as they are more delicate.

Khundon

My guess is that the lad weighed about 25 Kg and the fish about 15 Kg - thank God he didn't get a 50+Kg Giant Mekong or Arapaima - it would probably have pulled him in. But I agree, a great photo for him.

[Terry]

We have had many inquiries for accommodation at the lodge and are please to announce the re opening of our two bungalows - details as below

[Terry]

Just an update of some recent catches at the Lodge

'Arry's been at it again and now tops 70 kg I'm told....

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The Giant Mekongs are also active. This one at 45 kg........

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Together with the North African Sharptooth Catfish......

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And the Giant Siamese Carp - just get gianter & gianter........

Dave B Cohor 1.jpg (41.31 KiB) Viewed 1093 times

And with the bungalows reopened - you can stay the night as well!

What are you waiting for?

[Terry]

Found these two videos in my files - so I thought that I would put on Youtube - first time I've tried........

Both were taken whilst I was not there to witness the events........

First one is of 'Arry the Arapaima taken by a customer when 'Arry decided to give my baitman a 'Glasgow Kiss'

Second is of one of the Giant Mekongs from the bottom pond - again taken by a customer





Enjoy

[splitlid]

wow, never seen Jit move so fast, 'arry wern't 'appy

[Spitfire]

And with the bungalows reopened - you can stay the night as well!

Hi Terry, if you are staying the night, do you get some sort of night or very early morning fishing option, either in the offer or at a small extra cost? Would be incredibly mellow to be fishing with almost no-one around at day break or late at night.

Or is it too problematic to organise or not conducive to the fish?

[Terry]

Splitlid........
Very observant of you.
As you well know, as a baitman, there are few who can better Jit. I’ve known him for 12 years and he has worked for me for the past five. There is precious little that he does not know about fish and how to catch them. Someone once said that he ‘charms them out of the water’.
That said, he has one fatal flaw. I’ve warned him time and again about it.

He’s a poser!

After that event in the video, and having to pay another hospital bill (This time for some stiches in his lip and a badly dislodged tooth), I gave him a monster of a bollocking………………
Basically he should have known better as to just how powerful and quick an Arapaima can be.
He got no sympathy from me – and he now cautions clients about the risk in handling large fish.
So – I guess ‘Arry can be considered as a tutor of common sense who leads by example.

Hi Spitfire
A short answer is YES
Room rates are as per http://www.huahinfishing.com/rooms
Our fishing rates are as per http://www.huahinfishing.com/booking
But some explaining may be necessary…………
We have been open for just over 5 years and during that time we have of course built up experience of customer needs and just what they expect for their money – as you would in any business.
When we first opened the bungalows we tried to introduce an all-inclusive tariff on a sliding scale for 1, 2 or three occupants. This was based on accommodation with breakfast and included all fishing and bait. We found that bookings were light and that not all of our customers wanted the all-inclusive deal. So after a minor refit to the bungalows, we have re-opened them just as accommodation only. All food & fishing charges are levied at current rates.
You will see that we DO offer night fishing and evening fishing – but these are charged at a higher rate simply because we must ensure staff cover and security. This obviously costs us more.
We have also observed that night fishing DOES have a minor detrimental effect on the following days fishing – don’t ask me why – but it does.
After a lot of careful thought we arrived at the latest tariff that came into effect on 01 September and represents our first price increase since opening five years ago.

However - should a customer wish to be 'incredibly mellow to be fishing with almost no-one around at day break or late at night'. - as a guest he or she can - at the ruling tariff.

I must admit, when I am at the lodge, I often fish in the early hours or after our customers have gone - it can be very rewarding and yet peaceful..............

[Nereus]

Giant fish finds new home

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/br ... -new-home/

A giant fish has been saved from an uncertain future.

At more than 30kg, one metre-long Percy - a cousin of the meat-eating piranha - was facing homelessness as his UK aquarium of 23 years was closing.

But due to his size, finding a new tank for the 30-year-old pacu was not an easy task.

However, Bristol's Blue Reef Aquarium stepped in following an international appeal by his owners.

Blue Reef's Becs Smith said: "We were originally contacted by the curator of an animal collection in Cheshire that was closing down.

"Percy had been at the aquarium there since it opened 23 years ago and was fully grown when he first arrived, so he's a real veteran.

"The curator had been in touch with aquariums throughout Europe in the hope of securing a new home for him but he's so big that most sites simply did not have the space to accommodate him.

"Fortunately we have a large Amazon-themed display here at Bristol that's perfect."

Percy is from the same family as the piranha but, unlike his fierce relative, he is vegetarian.

Originally from South America, the pacu's diet is mainly made up of fallen fruit and nuts.

Miss Smith added: "He has settled in really well and although he is five times bigger than our own pacu he's also extremely placid."
.................................................

Terry, how long do these buggers live?

[Terry]

Interesting one Nereus.........

I know for sure that the Pacu (In the right conditions) can live well over 40 years

The article states - "Originally from South America, the pacu's diet is mainly made up of fallen fruit and nuts."

This is true , however they ARE related to Piranha and I'm not so sure that they are all 'Vegetarian'.

We commonly catch them on chicken, prawn and anything else that takes their fancy - lures and fly also. They just about eat Anything.

I did once read some theory that they remain omniverous until around 8 - 10 years of age. At which time, their viscious teeth start dropping out and then they become more vegetarian!

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I have previously posted this picture of a littl'un demonstrating the knashers, but have done so again for the benefit of those who haven't seen the nice little fellas teeth before............
Some of our now bigger specimens (around the 12kg mark) are a bit 'gummy' - perhaps supporting the vegetarian theory

[Big Boy]

Bristol's Blue Reef Aquarium stepped in following an international appeal by his owners.

I've lived in Bristol for over 20 years and didn't even realise that we had an aquarium - I do now

Sorry, I had to say it

[Terry]

Well - Party Season is approaching and we will be using our facilities at the lodge

First of all - NEW YEAR

Last year we had a great time and also learnt a lot.............. as you do

Instead of everyone running separate drinks tabs which is a pain in the a**e to administer, I have decided to run the party with 'FREEFLOW' drinks

In other words SET PRICE and all you can eat & drink.
Adults THB 2,400
Children (Under 12) THB 1,000

The fireworks that went with a bang ( ) last year, will be EVEN better & the lanterns are also included.

Full details given below

We are also taking bookings for the festive season - works parties, birthdays - whatever!

Why not let us give you a quote for YOUR party

We can offer...

So - you can contact me as below or send a PM

COMING VERY SOON - NEW CHILDRENS PLAY AREA