Freshwater

Asian redtail catfish (Mekong redtail)

Bagre cola roja asiático

Hemibagrus wyckioides

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

5–20 lb.

Depth

5–60 ft.

Best time

Dawn and dusk, and at night.

Found in

1 area

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A long, gray-brown catfish with a flat head, long barbels, a big fatty (adipose) fin and a bright red tail. Not related to the South American redtail.
Typical size: 5–20 lb.
Maximum size: About 4 ft; fish over 150 lb have been reported from Thailand's Mae Klong.
Diet: Fish, shrimp and crabs.
Behavior: A predatory catfish of rocky rivers and reservoirs that hits lures and live bait hard and fights deep.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam). Big rocky rivers and reservoirs of the Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins, such as Thailand's Srinakarin and Khao Laem lakes.
Habitat: Big rocky rivers and reservoirs of the Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins, such as Thailand's Srinakarin and Khao Laem lakes.
Depth: 5–60 ft.
Fishing depth: 10–40 ft.
Best season: All year; the dry season is best on rivers.
Best time: Dawn and dusk, and at night.
Best tides: No tide in fresh water; rising or steady water levels after rain are usually best.
Best weather / conditions: Warm, stable weather; the build-up before the wet season and calm, overcast days are excellent. Heavy rain muddies the water.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Big rocky rivers and reservoirs of the Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins, such as Thailand's Srinakarin and Khao Laem lakes.
Rig up: 7 ft heavy spinning or baitcasting rod. 60–80 lb monofilament.
Pick your bait: Live fish and fish strips. Lures: Deep-diving crankbaits, jigs and soft plastics.
Fish it: Troll or cast deep divers along rocky drop-offs, or drop live bait to the bottom near submerged rocks.
Time it: Dawn and dusk, and at night. No tide in fresh water; rising or steady water levels after rain are usually best.

Fishing techniques: Troll or cast deep divers along rocky drop-offs, or drop live bait to the bottom near submerged rocks.
BigJoe's tip: Fish the rocky bottom: redtails rarely come up far for a lure.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Good, firm meat, popular in Thai curries.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp, serrated pectoral and dorsal spines — handle with a towel.
Regulations: Rules differ by reservoir and country; many Thai fishing parks are catch-and-release. Rules differ by country: many lakes, reservoirs and fishing parks sell day permits, national parks and marine sanctuaries restrict or ban fishing, and some species are protected. Fish with licensed operators and check local rules.
Conservation: Keep only what you'll eat and release the big breeders; wet your hands, support the fish's belly and get it back in the water fast.

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Sources & photo credits