Phuket

[BigAl]

Hi all, first post on the forum and I'm looking for advice I'm afraid.
I'm off to Phuket, Thailand at the end of May and fancy doing a 2 day, 1night charter during our time there.
I've researched on the web and there are a lot of charter boats to chose from that all sound as though they will give you some great fishing. However what I'm really after is some info on boats that other forum members may have had personal experience of.
Any recommendations or contacts would be greatly recieved,
Cheers all,
Al

[PanamaJack]

Hi BigAl
And welcome to the forum. And there's really no need to apologise, that's what the forum is all about.

From previous postings a number of forum members have fished Thailand and, I'm sure, will respond. However, in addition, one of our Club members, currently based in Taiwan, regularly fishes Puhket and I will contact him and requests he responds with his assessment of the skippers.

The other person I can think of is Dustin Foo - a London-based barrister - who regularly posts updates from the skippers he's used on a US forum. Here's the url - http://www.marlinnut.com/dcforum/DCForumID1/1029.html. Dustin regularly views the site so could I also suggest that you post your enquiry to that thread. He'll probably respond in a day or so.

Hope that will get you started.
Dave

[BigAl]

Thanks for that Dave,
I'm on the case and doing as you suggest with Dustin Foo.

Its just a precautionary thing really. I've been told there are as many bad boats as good boats. Taking the wife so would prefer a good 'un.

Thanks again
BigAl.

[DaveIrving]

Hi Dave

Thanks for the intro! Good to see you are now moderator on here....will happily help you out if needed in the Asian section!

Hi BigAl

You have heard right there are as many bad boats as good boats in Phuket if not more. Most I would consider to be just tourist traps where they show you nice pics of dead sailfish caught 10 years ago!

The 2 skippers that I have fished with and would recommend (I am sure Dustin will add a couple of others) are John Pearce on the Reel Hooker - you can have a look on this website:

http://www.reelhooker-phuket.com/

John is very good at trolling for marlin and sails as well as popper casting for GTs.

The other skipper is Jonas who runs the Gecko - you can contact him or Michael through this website:

http://www.fishing-khaolak.com/saltwater_fishing/index.html

Jonas is also good at trolling for marlin and sails, and he is also very keen to do bottom fishing at night in the deep water.

May is reaching the very end of the peak season but you could still be lucky with the weather.

2 days 1 night does not give you so many options - but if you went for a 3 days 2night package to the Similans you would probably get better fishing.

For 2 days 1 night you may well be fishing around Racha Yai and Racha Noi - which on it's day can be very productive for both sailfish and GTs.

Both boats are extrememly comfortable with top class food onboard - so will be no problem for the Mrs!

Hope this helps a bit

Cheers

Dave

[BigAl]

Dave,
thanks very much, have e-mailed both boats and eagerly await replies,
Allan

[crazyplums]

how do you pronounce phuket ? is it how i think.. poo ket, or is the ph the ffff sound ? lol

[DaveIrving]

Hi Crazyplums

Unfortunately its pronounced Puket ;)

Hi BigAl

Forgot to mention - if you are passing through Bangkok - there is some amazing freshwater fishing there - where I can guarantee you will catch a fish over 40lbs (not many places can give you that guarantee)!

Let me know if that is part of your plans - and I will give you some details!

Cheers

Dave

[PanamaJack]

Hi Dave
Many Thanks for your offer. Don't worry, you're one of the one's I'd singled out when it comes down to Asian fishing! Oh, by the way I'll send you a copy of the Club's latest newsletter later on today.
Dave

and
Hi Allan
I guess at this rate your wife won't exactly be a fan of Dave's with him trying to tempt you with all of these add-ons. Any rate it's far removed from freshwater fishing in this country as it could be. Here's a hot link to Jean-Paul's web site - http://www.anglingthailand.com/ - plus urls of some of our other members trips - http://www.scbi.org.uk/pages/News_WhatsNewNfc200411.asp, http://www.scbi.org.uk/pages/News_WhatsNewNfc200412.asp and http://www.scbi.org.uk/pages/News_WhatsNewNfc200504.asp. I hope it's not going to whet your appetite too much!

One last point Allan. Once you're back could you please submit a brief report on this thread. It will give others, who subsequently read it, and indication of Phuket's angling potential.

Have a good trip. Every success!
Dave

[BigAl]

Thanks guys!!!
fishing is booked and it wont be long now till departure. Will post report as soon as we're back.
Cheers
Allan

[sailfish]

i've fished phuket loads,great for skipjack,'cudda,wahoo,sailfish,black marlin.
usually go with this lot http://www.phuketdeepseafishing.com/deep_sea/calender_liveaboard.php?whichone=3

[DaveIrving]

Hi Sailfish

This company is actually an agent...the boats they supply are not actually their own so I guess they work on a commission basis. It may work out cheaper to contact the actual owners and if the price seems more, then negotiate a discount.

Looking at their website the two top boats that I have heard of, are the Gecko (mentioned above) and the Catch 22. The local Thai wooden boats are cheap but the amount they catch is definitely less.

Cheers

Dave