My fishing trips in Vietnam

[kman]

The one in the pic was caught in Vietnam, but I've heard of Snakehead being caught in most of the reservoirs in Hong Kong. You just have to put some time in chasing them. Most of them are commons, but you do get the odd giant as well. I suspect that might have something to do with the local population (particularly buddist) releasing them on a regular basis.

[XV2PS]

Good for you you could catch something decent. I would say Channa asiatica, definetly not the micropeltes.

Next time you are around, if time and tides allow, send me a mp and I will be happy to board you.

[kman]

Cheers XV2PS. Will look you up if / when I head over there next.

Harry -- Here's a pic of a locally caught one. I haven't caught any biggies, but what they lack in size they surely make up for in numbers. Plus it's always a buzz catching them off the top on poppers.

[Harry Palmer]

Kman

That's definitely a Giant. Thanks for the PM too. Maybe Baxter and I will join you for a snakehead fish one day

If you are ever in Triton Wan Chai, take a look at the faded newspaper photo - massive Giant Snakehead caught in the place you fish at. I'll post a few pics of our snakehead caught in Thailand. I've yet to really fish for them here.

Cheers HP

[XV2PS]

I am just back with the kids from a fresh water party.
Next to us a local fisherman caught in his net a pangasiidae of around 10Kg. Could not believe it (he neither). We got several archer fishes (Coius), one huge tiger prawn, one medium seabream and other stuffs. Always amazes me.

[code2110]

for detail get in my blog. you all might have a different view.

[XV2PS]

I thought I would also add some pics.
First is river, others are in the Bay.

[housefull]

I accept with information:
+ some of the most exciting (but rare) species are supposed to live in these waters such as giant mekong, giant fresh water sting ray,... Just to know they may be somewhere around you is exciting. Reality is probably much different.

+ some places are very deep and escape to traditional commercial fishing. It is not uncommon to read depths of more than 25 meters. I even spotted one 41 meters deep spot (unfortunately in the middle of the port channel).

+ There is a quite consequent mangrove between the city and the sea. Difficult to get in by boat, but knowing what this environment represents is still exciting...

+ And after all, it is not as polluted as some would think.

That was for fresh / brackish waters.

[rmb1971]

Originally Posted by XV2PS

Well, I thought I would open a topic about fishing in Vietnam.... This may interest some "fishing forums cross readers" lurking what sort of fishing happens here. I often read on other forums "any fishing in Vietnam?".

Well let me write about "my" fishing..... Lots a locals like fishing with very heavy floats, and I am not sure they get much. Not meaning I get more...

I am located in Saigon where I have my pilot house boat.

Although 30 nm upstream from the sea, we are still in tidal waters (up to 3.5 meters!). Water is slightly brackish. That dense river network is also connected to the Mekong basin, although it is not the Mekong basin.

So you may find most of lower Mekong fishes.

Rivers show quite strong tidal currents. 2-5 kts, some places more. Bottom is usually clay. Due to strong current and clay/silt basin, waters are very muddy. Lot of water hyacinths floating by due to a certain level of eutrophisation.

Rivers are quite over fished. The few fishes caught (bottom sinker) are cat fishes (Pangasianodon, Hemibagrus, Plotosus), some young sea breams, eels or others. Soup sizes. What is so exciting? nothing... except to go by boat.

Well yes, there are some exciting aspects:

+ some of the most exciting (but rare) species are supposed to live in these waters such as giant mekong, giant fresh water sting ray,... Just to know they may be somewhere around you is exciting. Reality is probably much different.

+ some places are very deep and escape to traditional commercial fishing. It is not uncommon to read depths of more than 25 meters. I even spotted one 41 meters deep spot (unfortunately in the middle of the port channel).

+ There is a quite consequent mangrove between the city and the sea. Difficult to get in by boat, but knowing what this environment represents is still exciting...

+ And after all, it is not as polluted as some would think.

That was for fresh / brackish waters.

For brackish / sea waters?

Well I so far just identified 2 spots near shore. Lots of venomous cat fishes (Plotosus from 20 to 60cm), quite easy to get, and than seconded by medium sizes sea breams (up to about 30cm).

For trolling, I have never been successful. Continental shelf is far off shore and over fishing leaves few targets. I however already spotted dolphins and big fishes.

And that's it.

i'm busting to find a good saltwater tackle shop in ho chi minh. anybody who know's one or 2?

[XV2PS]

I do not know a good one, but I often buy at Bich Chieu, address

Vung Binh Cay Go (near district 10).

Dont hope finding gold.