Freshwater

Giant Siamese carp (giant barb)

Carpa gigante siamesa

Catlocarpio siamensis

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

Fishing-park fish 20–100 lb.

Depth

5–40 ft.

Best time

Daylight hours, especially early morning and late afternoon.

Found in

1 area

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: The world's largest carp: a huge, deep-bodied fish with an enormous head (about a third of its length), a big toothless mouth with no barbels, large silver-bronze scales and gray-pink fins.
Typical size: Fishing-park fish 20–100 lb.
Maximum size: About 10 ft and over 600 lb (300 kg reported).
Diet: Plankton, algae, fruit and plant matter.
Behavior: A slow, heavy fish of big river pools that moves into flooded forests and floodplains in the wet season. Nearly gone from the wild; farm-raised fish are stocked in Thai fishing lakes.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam). The Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins (wild fish very rare); stocked fishing lakes around Bangkok and in other Thai provinces.
Habitat: The Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins (wild fish very rare); stocked fishing lakes around Bangkok and in other Thai provinces.
Depth: 5–40 ft.
Fishing depth: Mid-water to bottom, 5–15 ft, in fishing lakes.
Best season: All year in fishing lakes.
Best time: Daylight hours, especially early morning and late afternoon.
Best tides: No tide in fresh water; rising or steady water levels after rain are usually best.
Best weather / conditions: Hot, stable weather.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Groundbait balls (rice bran, fruit and pellets) packed around the hook, fished under a float.
Best artificial lures: Not caught on lures.
Tackle setup: Heavy carp or catfish rod and a big spinning reel with a strong drag.
Hook size: Strong barbless 2/0–6/0 hooks.
Line: 50–80 lb braid.
Leader: 50–80 lb monofilament.

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: The Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins (wild fish very rare); stocked fishing lakes around Bangkok and in other Thai provinces.
Rig up: Heavy carp or catfish rod and a big spinning reel with a strong drag. 50–80 lb monofilament.
Pick your bait: Groundbait balls (rice bran, fruit and pellets) packed around the hook, fished under a float. Lures: Not caught on lures.
Fish it: Fish a ball of groundbait under a large float in a fishing lake and be patient; the bite is gentle, the fight is long.
Time it: Daylight hours, especially early morning and late afternoon. No tide in fresh water; rising or steady water levels after rain are usually best.

Fishing techniques: Fish a ball of groundbait under a large float in a fishing lake and be patient; the bite is gentle, the fight is long.
BigJoe's tip: Big carp feed in the lake's own groundbait trail; keep feeding the spot steadily.
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: Do not keep — protected.
Cooking suggestions: Do not keep: protected in the wild and released in fishing lakes.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Use a harness for big fish and keep the fish wet and supported; heat stroke is a real risk on the bank in Thailand.
Regulations: Critically endangered (IUCN). Wild fish are protected; fishing lakes are catch-and-release with barbless hooks. 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: One of the world's most threatened big fish. Release every one.

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Sources & photo credits