Species › Asia › Asian Redtail Catfish

Freshwater

Asian Redtail Catfish

Hemibagrus wyckioides · Asian red-tailed catfish, Kaeng Krachan catfish, Pla kot khao

Water temp
75–86°F
Peak season
Mar–Apr
Best light
Night
IGFA record
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Asian Redtail Catfish (Redtail-catfish 01.jpg)

Photo: Meneerke bloem · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

OverviewWhere & WhenHow to CatchGearRegulationsRecordsForecastCatches

Overview

The Asian redtail catfish is a thick-shouldered, grey-brown bagrid with a broad mouth, long barbels and a distinctive red-orange tail. It is native to the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, where it hunts fish, crustaceans and insects along rocky river bottoms, mostly at night. Wild fish are now scarce, but reservoirs such as Khao Laem and stocked fishing parks hold fish past 100 lb (45 kg). Anglers rate them above every other catfish for brute power: hooked fish bulldoze along the bottom and simply refuse to come up.

Typical size10–40 lb (5–18 kg); 24–40 in
Trophy70 lb+ (32 kg+)
Table fareGood — prized white flesh in local markets; sport-lake fish are released

Where & when

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Stocked lakes fish year-round; the hot pre-monsoon months of March–May and the night hours are best, while cooler December–January water slows the bite.

Khao Laem Reservoir, ThailandBig wild-type redtails in flooded river bedMekong River, LaosNative rocky stretches; wild fish rareBungsamran Lake, ThailandBangkok fishing park with 60 lb+ fish

How to catch

Bottom-fished dead baitFish a whole small dead fish or a chunk of mackerel on a strong 6/0–8/0 hook with a running lead, cast to deep margins and structure. Let the fish take line against a slack clutch before striking, then expect a long, grinding fight.
Live bait under a floatA live tilapia suspended a foot off the bottom beside sunken timber draws redtails at dusk and after dark. Use a sliding float rig so the bait can move and a wire-free heavy mono leader to beat abrasion.

Gear

Rod7–8' heavy or extra-heavy spinning
Reel8000–10000 spinning or large baitrunner
Line65–80 lb braid; 80–100 lb mono leader

Lures

Large paddletail swimbaitDeep-diving crankbaitHeavy jig with soft plastic

Baits

Whole dead fishFish chunksLive tilapiaChicken parts

Regulations

Thailand requires no national angling licence for most waters, but commercial fishing parks and reservoirs set their own rules and are strictly catch-and-release. Wild populations are depleted, so release river fish.

Records

IGFA all-tackle world record: not listed. State and regional records are kept by each fish & wildlife agency.

Frequently asked

Why are Asian redtail catfish so hard to land?

They combine a heavy, muscular body with a habit of diving straight into rocks, timber and deep holes. Unlike Mekong giant catfish they never give up early, and a 50 lb fish can take 20–30 minutes on heavy gear. Strong hooks, 80 lb leaders and constant pressure are the only way to turn them.

Bite forecast — Asian Redtail Catfish

Recent catches

Posted by anglers on the live map, filtered to Asian Redtail Catfish.

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