Not a fan of pond fishing, but did some thinking and decided that Bungsamran would add a little spice to an otherwise mediocre family vacation to Bangkok, Thailand during school holidays in September.
Main weapon of choice is a loaned set of prototype PE3-5 jigging stick coupled to an Okuma Cedros 55S spinning reel packed with over 200 meters of new 63lbs Sufix 832 Superline with Gore® Performance fibres.
The original game plan was to let the two on-the-job trainees (wife and son) start with some decent patins for warming up and pick up some fish fighting skills before progressing to tackle some serious beasts.
However, John a.k.a. Bukkguy and his able assistant Boonsong connected junior to a lively Mekong estimated about 18Kg for the first run. After some groans and teeth grating moments, the fish was manhandled for some quick snaps before going back into the drinks.
Within minutes another Mekong of similar proportions was hooked and the loaded tackle was thrust into the hands of unwilling spouse. The Okuma setup is smooth like silk and more than adequate in subduing the schoolie Mekongs ranging from 18 to 25 Kgs. The supple, small diameter lime-green Sufix line packs neatly and it’s already my new favourite at the end of the day.
Things were out of control after that, with a schoolie Mekong hooked barely minutes after releasing the previous one, both troopers went AWOL after 5 schoolies between them, thus leaving me alone in the frontline.
It was great fun at the beginning. However, after battling close to a dozen schoolies almost back-to-back, I had to call for a truce. Mr. Able Assistant retort that the fishes will scatter if we were to stop baiting and all the berleying effort will be wasted therefore carry on we must.
A heavier, 80lbs setup would be very helpful and much less tiring during the continuous onslaught of schoolies. The heavy setup would kill most of the fun no doubt, but at least I would be in a better form when the “Big One” calls.
A very fun day despite no monster landed.
