Koh Samui, Thailand
Thailand’s No.1 specimen lake, run the way anglers want it run
Ten shaded salas, guides who’ve worked this water for years, and a set of rules built for the fish’s welfare as much as your catch.
8am–8pm
Daily fishing hours
10
Shaded fishing salas
Included
Bait & core tackle
2 rods
Per angler
How Your Trip Works
From arrival to the trophy shot
A numbered walk-through of a typical session at TopCats.
01
Arrive & kit check
Guide meets you at your peg, sets up rod pods and checks any tackle you brought yourself.
02
Baited & briefed
Boilie and particle rigs go out first; your guide talks you through the swim and likely species.
03
Fish your peg
Waitress service and shade mean you do not need to leave the rods to eat, drink or cool down.
04
Guide lands it
Your guide nets and unhooks the fish, treats the hook hold, and lets it recover in oxygen.
05
Trophy shot & release
Into the water for the photo when the guide says it is ready — then straight back to the lake.
The Details
Salas, bait, tackle & the rules
Reference detail most anglers check once — collapsed by default.
Salas & guides
Ten shaded salas with power, cool boxes, lighting and daily towels — some doubles for fishing with a friend, plus 3 private swims reserved for suite-bungalow guests. Waitress service throughout, so you are never away from the rods for long. Guides are long-serving and net, unhook and care for every fish for you; by policy, fish are not weighed on the scales — your guide gives a trained estimate for your records instead.
Bait — included in every session
A full daily bait pack is included in every ticket and holiday price: 1kg of 20mm boilies in a choice of flavours, Pallatrax Jungle Pop Ups, TopCats’ own Mufford/feeder mix, maize, bread and dead bait. Full-day sessions are usually better with 2kg of boilies — extra is available at a reasonable rate if you are going through it.
Tackle — what’s supplied, what to bring
Two rod set-ups per angler (one predator rod at a time) on Century rods, Shimano Bait Runner reels and Delkim alarms, with Gamakatsu hooks as standard. Everything needed is included — if you would rather fish your own end tackle, a guide checks it first. Worth packing: barbless or micro-barb hooks (crushed), size 2 for carp / 0-1 for predators; braid hooklinks 45–140lb, mono line 36lb+; baiting needle, catapult, PVA mesh, bright pop-ups; sun protection (factor 50+), a hat, and a camera for the trophy shot.
Etiquette & rules
Fishing runs 8am–8pm, last cast 7:50pm sharp. Guides set drag settings — please do not adjust them. Bait runners must stay engaged while a rod is in the pod, and your second rod gets wound in by the guide while you are playing a fish. Rod sharing is not permitted, and anything broken or lost through negligence is chargeable. All of it exists for the fish’s welfare as much as your safety.
Honestly I cannot recommend this place enough. 12 fish caught in a day. Thanks to Simon for looking after us.
Brett Davy · Day Fishing