01 — The Expedition

Snakeheads have always fascinated me. Their prehistoric appearance, ability to breathe air, and even survive outside of water make them unlike almost any other freshwater fish. But the Giant Snakehead, locally known as Toman, is something special. With their incredible colors, aggressive behavior, and explosive topwater strikes, they’ve always been a fish I wanted to pursue.

Our adventure began in Bangkok, where Erin and I spent time exploring the city before heading into the mountains. We visited some of the most breathtaking temples we’d ever seen, attended a Muay Thai fight at the famous Rajadamnern Stadium, and ate more mango sticky rice than I care to admit.

Then it was time to trade the city for the jungle.

At 3 AM, our fishing guide picked us up with his bass boat in tow. We drove five hours into the mountains before boarding a ferry across a massive reservoir to our floating houseboat.

Surrounded by lush, jungle-covered mountains, beautiful birds, and wildlife, the scenery was unlike anything we’d experienced before.

Our houseboat sat directly on the water, complete with air conditioning and a dock for the bass boat. Every morning, we could wake up, step outside, and head straight onto the water. It was the perfect base camp for a three-day fishing expedition.

Being this remote wasn’t always comfortable. The heat could be exhausting, and we had to give up some of the conveniences we were used to. But that’s part of the adventure. Sometimes you have to embrace being uncomfortable to experience something truly special.

02 — The Fishing

TECHNIQUE / STALKING FRY BALLS

Our target was the Giant Snakehead, one of Southeast Asia’s most formidable freshwater predators. Rather than simply covering water and casting blindly, our main strategy was to locate breeding pairs guarding schools of their young, known as fry balls.

Giant Snakehead are fiercely protective parents. Their fry gather in schools near the surface, with the adults rarely far behind.

Every 2–5 minutes, the fry would rise to the surface to breathe air. That was our opportunity. We had to make accurate casts directly into the school with topwater lures or crankbaits, creating enough commotion to trigger a defensive reaction from the parents.

Sounds simple, right? Far from it.

We sometimes spent one to two hours stalking a single fry ball before getting a committed strike. Often, the adults would simply swipe at our lures with their tails rather than actually bite. Sometimes it took 20 minutes of repeated casting just to get the first reaction.

The biggest lesson was persistence. It was tempting to abandon a school and chase another, but every time we switched, we were essentially starting over. We learned to stay with one fry ball, keep making accurate casts, and gradually provoke the parents until they finally attacked.

To make things even more challenging, the fry constantly moved, sometimes surfacing in tight spaces surrounded by flooded timber or disappearing altogether. And when you’re spending hours casting in the tropical heat, it’s easy to get frustrated.

But the effort was worth it.

Over three days, Erin and I landed seven trophy Giant Snakehead, including some of the most beautifully colored freshwater fish I’ve ever seen.

One particularly memorable Toman displayed an unbelievable combination of deep blues, greens, purples, jet black, and a striking white chin. Seeing those colors in person, surrounded by the wild mountains of Thailand, was something I’ll never forget.

And watching Erin land a trophy of her own made the experience even better.

After spending an hour stalking a single school, there’s nothing quite like seeing a giant snakehead finally explode on your lure.

03 — Equipment Used

OUR FIELD SETUP

Why This Setup Worked

Targeting Giant Snakehead requires a rod with a strong backbone to drive the hook through their tough, bony mouths, paired with a fast, responsive tip to work lures effectively.

The 7’6″ Hey Skipper Predator Rod, paired with a Shimano Twin Power 5000 and 40 lb braid (PE 3), provided the strength and control needed to work lures accurately around flooded timber and handle powerful fish.

Toman are incredibly fast and aggressive predators, capable of chasing down rapidly moving lures. Fast-moving topwater presentations, particularly buzzbaits and skipping frogs, are ideal for triggering explosive strikes.

05 — Plan Your Trip

For adventurous anglers who want to experience something far beyond an ordinary fishing trip, Thailand’s remote mountain reservoirs offer an unforgettable opportunity.

Our expedition began in Bangkok, followed by a five-hour drive into the mountains and a ferry crossing to our floating houseboat. We spent three days fishing with a local guide, exploring remote waters surrounded by tropical jungle and incredible wildlife.

We recommend this experience for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts who appreciate remote destinations and don’t mind stepping outside their comfort zone.

Interested in planning a similar trip? We’re happy to share information about our fishing guide, trip arrangements, and approximate costs. Contact: info@heyskipperfishing.com