CATFISH SPECIES:

  • Chao Phraya Catfish
  • Chao Phraya Catfish
  • Giant Seacatfish
  • Grey Eel Catfish
  • Hemibagrus Wyckii
  • Hemibagrus Wyckioides
  • Mekong Giant Catfish
  • Salween Shovelnose
  • Shark Catfish
  • Striped Catfish
  • Thai African Catfish
  • Thickspined Catfish
  • Truncated Estuarine
  • Walking Catfish, African

SNAKEHEAD SPECIES:

  • Dwarf Snakehead
  • Giant Snakehead
  • Great Snakehead
  • Splendid Snakehead
  • Striped Snakehead

FEATHERBACK SPECIES

OTHER SPECIES

  • Alligator Gar
  • Pacu
  • Arapaima
  • Suckermouth Catfish
  • Barramundi
  • Boeseman Croaker 1
  • Boeseman Croaker 2
  • Fourfinger Threadfin
  • Freshwater garfish
  • Giant Gourami
  • Mangrove Jack
  • Marbled Goby
  • Nandid Tiger Perch
  • Northern Paradise Fish
  • Pacu
  • Parambassis siamensis
  • Swamp Eel
  • Tilapia Nile & Java
  • Tilapia, Blotched Red
  • Wrestling Halfbeak

The Giant Siamese Carp

The Giant Siamese Carp is Thailand's largest Carp, and in fact the world's largest carp species. Growing to weights in excess of 300LB, the Giant Siamese Carp is many visiting angler's dream catch. Find out more about the Giant Siamese Carp below.

A Giant Siamese Carp from Bungsamran weighing 242LB.

Current IGFA All Tackle Record:

52kg - The current record is low in relation to the size the Giant Siamese Carp can grow. Many specimens much larger than the record are caught (numbering in the dozens in recent years), but this carp is difficult to land within the rules!

Other Common names:

  • Catlocarpio - siamensis
  • Pla Caho
  • Giant Barb

Identification:

The Giant Siamese carp has large green thru olive to black scales with dark green to blue edges. Dark to black fins and tail. Short but high dorsal fin. Light to cream coloured cheeks. In some fisheries the colours change, to pale silvery scales, with a pinkish tinge to lower body and fins.

Dimensions:

Weights of up to 660LB have been reported for the Giant Siamese Carp, but not verified, the fish measuring 300cm nose to tail. We suspect that a more realistic ceiling weight for this species is around 350LB to 400LB.

Baits & Tactics:

The Giant Siamese Carp are mostly bottom feeders, so bottom fishing with lum, bread, potatoes, cheese or earthworm work well in most Thai ran fisheries. Some methods can be adopted to deter the attention of Giant Catfish. A bit like Carp fishing at home, one of the major challenges is to avoid other species taking your bait! Some western managed fisheries are now rearing their carp on boilies and similar UK style baits.

Fighting Characteristics:

Typically the hard fight of a Carp but the Giant Siamese Carp is more muscular, has more body mass and bigger fins than any Carp we are familiar with in UK waters. This results in a fight consisting of endless powerful runs in search of underwater snags.

Catch Report:

Although a difficult species to catch, Several Giant Siamese Carp well above the current IGFA world record have been caught at Bungsam Lan in the last 2 years, other bigger fish lost. Carp to 242LB (above) have been caught at Bungsam Lan on rod on line. This fish was returned alive into the lake to join, it is believed around at least 5 others of a similar size.

Venues:

Follow the venue links below to find out where you can catch the Giant Siamese Carp