Luckily Robert Grey is a physically strong guy - if not there would be no way he could play this size fish in like he did. From the strike it was not easy to tell much, maybe a foul hooked fish? Maybe a relatively strong small Mekong?
No and No - it was a beast that was so monstrous, large & heavy that it simply didn't realise that he was hooked, or at least didn't seem too concerned about it! Then with a release of energy that you could expect from a race horse, the fish turned his head, kited left and headed across the lake; but not at a fast pace but instead a worryingly slow, methodical and controlled pace.
30 minutes into the fight and it was as if the fight had not even begun for the fish, but for Robert it was getting painful. His sweat had caused his hands to loose grip on the rod, his lower back was in pain and his temperature rising. To add to the discomfort level the fish for the past 15 minutes had only been kiting left causing Robert to have to play the fish with severe right hand side strain for virtually the entire fight. To read this is doesn't sound like it would be so difficult or tiring, but have trust in us that it is most likely to be the biggest test of physical and metal strength and endurance you are likely to encounter. Remember its not like lifting weights at a gym, as in a gym you can put the weights down at any time or slow the pace of the treadmill at any point. When 200lb of Mekong giant catfish is in a bad mood and heading strategically for snags 150 yards away, you can't 'put the weight down' you have to keep battling. This is what Robert did gallantly, the next and final 15 minutes was spent fighting the fish in close quarters to the bungalow we were fishing from.
It is very deceiving when a big fish like this comes in close, it would usually mean the end of the fight; but with fish of this calibre they use their massive body weight to hug the bottom deep down below your feet. You can pull and pull but not gain anything more than a back ache, using the rod to apply correct and precise strain on the fish is the only way. Robert did this until the fish broke surface dangerously close to the bungalow supports, such a critical point of the fight. Alley was ready with the net as Eddy was watching every action of Roberts like a hawk to ensure the final moments result in a landed fish. The relief to see this incredible creature which fought Robert for a full 1 hour was immense - even more so for Robert; he beat this fish but don't forget that to do so he took one hell of a beating himself.
The biggest carp for lady angler in Bangkok.
English by nationality but living the past 19 years in Portugal, Annabel Worthington made angling history. In search of the largest species of carp in the world - the Siamese giant carp. Understanding and accepting the fact that a single fishing session for this particularly hard to temp carp species is at the very least a demanding challenge.
It is quite common for a girlfriend or wife of a fisherman to also participate in playing the odd the fish and 'have a go' while with Fish Thailand; this goes for farang and Thai women alike. However it is very rare to receive a booking for a specimen fishing trip from a lady angler alone. Annabel is all about the outdoors, she has been a dive instructor & an underwater archeologist in past years; having a passion for angling since she was a child.
One extra rod was setup for Annabel to experience the power and fury of the Mekong giant catfish. This technique quickly hooks up with standard size catfish of around 40lb, a few of these and Annabel was ready to drop this second rod into the baited margins alongside the other for carp.
Early afternoon crept along with the first and what was to be the only run from the carp rods during the entire day. Striking into a viscous and dogged fight, the carp ploughed towards the adjacent bungalow along the margin. Quickly turning the fish out of the snags and shaking violently from the fish's head shakes, Annabel was as ecstatic as the guides as the carp surfaced throwing its mouth up for us all to see. The Siamese giant carp is not as powerful in long runs as the Mekong catfish, and although the fight is much shorter; it is a much more crafty fighter utilizing a catalogue of 'dirty' tricks in attempt to throw the hook.
With some assistance from the guides at a rather heart stopping moment involving a heavy marginal snag - the fish was looking almost ready for the net. At this final stage a Siamese giant carp still has it's last & most effective technique of ridding itself from the hook. Looking lifeless and beaten it will glide on the surface towards the awaiting net, only to exert an enormous surge of power from it's tail and dive back down to the marginal snags. Many big carp are lost at the net by this as the angler is caught off guard, luckily this time the carp did not reach the snag and control was re-gained. Now with the netting, there is very rarely more than one shot at securing the head in the net. If missed the likely hood is that the hook will end up in the net and the carp will merrily swim away! Knowing this and seen this so many times, Mut timed the netting perfectly and the fish was secure!!
At around the 60Kg (130lb) mark - it took two guides to handle the fish and help raise it into Annabel's arms. As a large crowd of spectators gathered and snap shots from cameras and telephones were being taken by all - the moment for Annabel and realising her achievement was sinking in.
It is believed and most likely that this is the largest carp ever caught by a female angler; a moment in angling history.
Luckily Robert Grey is a physically strong guy - if not there would be no way he could play this size fish in like he did. From the strike it was not easy to tell much, maybe a foul hooked fish? Maybe a relatively strong small Mekong?
