The Sebarau and Toman of Khao Laem Lake
Photography by Tan Kian Huat and Mr Lertsak Banklongsee (Bee).
Khao Laem Lake, located in Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province, is a 5-hour drive away from Bangkok. As in most fishing trips, weather is something rather uncontrollable and to a certain extent, unpredictable. We were informed it was going to be a wet, wet, wet trip! But as we’ve experienced before, the wet weather may not necessarily be good for Snakehead but will certainly be good for Jungle Perch (Sebarau / Krasoob)!
The north-western part of the lake is rather easily accessible by car and a short 5-minute boat ride from the simple, rugged ‘boat ramp’ brings us to our simple, yet cosy accommodation – a floating bungalow at the mouth of a little river.
Water ‘bungalows’ located at a little river.
Accommodation was basic – our beds were located right next to the dining area. Notice there were no walls!
The weather was gloomy throughout the trip.
Rain, rain go away! Come again another day!
The water had risen a bit and both Toman and Sebarau were hiding inside the weedy area.
The shallow-swimming Rapala Flat Raps were perfect for such conditions.
The Sebarau were quite big too!
Rainy days are… well, happy days… in a sense…
There were times when a lure or two got stuck in the sticks. Our helpful guides had no qualms about diving in to retrieve them!
The Toman were not large, but were around in good numbers. Twitching the Flat Rap got the sluggish ones excited.
There were some periods when the rains stopped and little insects came out for a breather.
Spidey needed a break from the rain!
Pi Too with a Krasoob on the new Rapala BX Minnow.
In slightly deeper waters, the Storm Smash Shad produced the fish.
On the other hand, the Rapala Scatter Rap Shads reigned supreme in the shallower waters. The Sebarau loved the erractic, zig-zag action!
Kian Huat displays a formidable fighter that took a Rapala Scatter Rap Shad in Alburnus pattern.
And another on the Rapala Scatter Rap Shad! This time it’s the Carribean Shad pattern that delivers!
Some majestic scenes from the lake.
Drop-offs about 4-5 feet from the banks often sheltered predators such as this Toman.
The Rapala X-Rap Countdown was a good candidate for these deeper areas as it could be worked at variable depths.
Also accounting for some Sebarau too!
Kian Huat was on a roll catching Sebarau after Sebarau on Rapala X-Rap Countdown.
We suspected the Sebarau were feeding voraciously – fattening up before spawning.
Mr Bee checking out every ‘fishy’ looking spot.
His efforts were not in vain. This Krasoob responded to a classic Rapala Count Down.
We’re always excited when we encounter flowing streams like these on rainy days!
Fishing the mouth of these streams often meant hitting the JACKPOT!
The Rapala X-Rap Countdown proving it’s worth for Kian Huat.
While the flashy chrome finish on the Flat Rap continues to draw interest in the shallows.
Amidst the Sebarau and Toman action, Kian Huat also managed to pull out a very nice Snakehead.
No prizes for guessing what’s Kian Huat’s favourite lure of the trip – yup, it’s the Rapala X-Rap Countdown!
Cattle crossing a channel.
There’s more crazy fishing action to come. Stay tuned for Part 2!
