Fishing Reports
and News
Catch of the day : big barra of 93 cm for 10 kg !!! This beast was caught by japanese expert angler Kamiyashiki san from Mangrove Studio company, who is coming to do a fishing report for japanese Salt World Magazine.
Certainly one of the biggest Barramundi caught in Bolgoda Lake on casting lure.
Stay tuned for the report in Salt World Magazine !
Nico - Head Fishing Guide
Since a long time I wanted to fish snakehead. So when I heard that some rivers and lakes in Sri Lanka have some, to fish them became obsessive. This is some pictures of my last explorating trip in Lanka to catch this amazing fish. Here is a "Great Snakehead" (Channa Marulius).
Tight Line
Nico - Head Fishing Guide
During a day charter at Bolgoda with japanese angler Takahiro san, we caught a snakehead (Channa Striata) with a rubber frog in lily pad. We have also caught some nice mangrove jack with this lure, then don't forgot to bring some rubber frog for your next fishing trip in Bolgoda Lake !!!
Nico - Head Fishing Guide
Keith and his son Andrew are British, live in Honk Kong and love fishing. No so much fishing in this part of Asia. Then, they decided to come fishing at Bolgoda lake.
It was a great 4 days fishing trip with a lot of action and great result with Wild Golden Barramundi & nice Mangrove Jack.
Lures of the trip : Duo Realis Jerkbait, Duel Hardcore Minnow and Lucky Craft Flashminnow.
Let's talk the pictures !
Nico - Head Fishing Guide
Last week, we had 3 Malaysian friends fishing at Bolgoda Lake. Their goal was to catch Featherback on lure. This year the monsoon is late and there has been little rain. The Featherback are most active when it rains and the water is slightly turbid. However our 3 fishermen, instead of being worried on hearing the news were more motivated than ever.
The tide was not favourable to fish Featherback on the morning of the first day, so we focused our efforts on finding the Mangrove Jack and other species that can be caught at Bolgoda Lake. Our 3 fishermen caught Mangrove jack, a couple of Herring and missed a fish identified as Barramundi.
In the afternoon, after a delicious Sri Lankan rice and curry prepared by our chef and a small nap, we reach one of our favorite Featherback spots. They were there, rolling on the surface, few but active. The boats are anchored and lures fuse towards the elusive « knife fish ». After an hour without any bites a spot of rain arriving, one of the boats decided to return. The other boat decided to stay and it was a good idea because in the late afternoon after the rain, the Featherback were active and they caught three along with a nice mangrove jack and some herrings.
The next morning we set off to ours Barramundi spots and Chang was lucky to catch one of 61 cm with our favorite lure for barramundi in Bolgoda the Rapala Flat Rap.
The other boat missed one and caught some Mangrove Jack. Chang was happy to catch a tarpon as it’s a new species for him.
After lunch and a short nap, it was rainy and we decide to wait little bit before to going out again. When headed out to our Featherback spot expecting good action after the rain stopped. The fish were there and they were active. Chang wanted to try a small jig head and soft plastic shad. A few casts and he caught his first Featherback that gave a good fight in the current. Chang was very happy and after some pics, the fish was released.
He cast immediately in the same area where the Featherback were increasingly active and has a bite as soon as his lure fell. This time it was a nice Mangrove Jack.
The other boat caught some Featherback too and Chau landed a proper Giant Herring, a beast ! and one of the biggest we have seen in the lake!!
The morning of day 3 we concentrated our effort on Barramundi but without success. Instead we caught some small mangrove jack. The afternoon was better with some fish lost or missed especially Featherback but our fishermen were happy, fishing is fishing…
The plan for the last day was Mangrove Jack in the morning and Featherback in the afternoon. We caught some Mangrove Jack and one of the boats missed a nice Barramundi. In the afternoon, Chang caught another Featherback with his soft plastic lure and lost another one on the first jump. His two friends caught Herring, Tarpon and Mangrove jack but Chang was the only one to catch a Featherback that day.
It was a pleasant trip, our 3 Malaysian friends enjoyed these 4 days of fishing at Bolgoda Lake and tell us they are very impressed by the quality of our accommodation, food, boats and diversity of fish species that can be caught.
Sportfishing Lanka Team
I picked up Brian & John from their hotel in Colombo early in the morning. They are from UK and had come to Sri Lanka for a couple of days to support their sons who were playing rugby in a friendly match with a local team.
An hour later we reached the Villa and after a coffee we headed out on the lake. We started fishing at our Mangrove Jack spots. It was really windy and the conditions were not ideal so after casting for a while we moved to the Barramundi spots. There were lots of small bait jumping and we saw a big swirl. The guys cast in the area but unfortunately nothing come to bite theirs lures. Around 11 am, I decide to try our Featherback spots. The fish are there – rolling on surface. Brian & John are so excited to see some fish. I change their lures for models that the Featherback find more attractive and after few cast Brian has a bite. The fish takes some line but the hook comes off. The Featherback appear active. Two casts later Brian has another bite and this time the fish is well hooked. The fish makes a couple of jumps and finishes in the landing net. Quick picture and we release the fish.
I show John where to cast and give him some tips on how to retrieve his lure. On the third cast, he is on with a Featherback and he lands it. John is so happy.
Later, Brian has another bite but the fish comes off. After that John has a bite and the fish makes a strong and long rush. That’s not a Featherback !!! We see a large Barramundi shaking his head on the surface. The fish fight is strong on light tackle and it takes a lot of line, but John follows my advice and we finally put the fish in the landing net. There’s an explosion of joy on board. John cannot believe the size of the fish. I take the measurement tape and it’s a beautiful 88cm Barramundi that John has caught. I estimated it’s weight at 7 kg. What a fish !! We take a couple of pictures and release the fish, who is gone quickly.
After that we head back to the Villa for a nice lunch.
I have lot of hope for the afternoon session, but strangely the fishing is tough. I spot some fish chasing around baits but nothing comes of it. John and Brian enjoyed their day fishing & the wildlife at Bolgoda. Like they said: "this lake is a natural pearl at only one hour from the noisy Colombo and it’s priceless !"
Good luck for your son’s rugby match and I hope you enjoy your trip in Sri Lanka, like you enjoyed your fishing day with us at Bolgoda Lake.
Nico - Head Fishing Guide
I picked up Su Lin from her hotel in Colombo early in the morning and we headed for Bolgoda Lake. She had come to Sri Lanka to meet one of her friend who lives in Colombo and like a true angler she was looking for some fishing. She found us on Facebook and booked a day’s fishing.
On the way she asked me a lot of question about the fish she could catch on the day. I told her about guiding some Japanese anglers a few days ago and they had good action with the elusive featherback. Su Lin was excited & eager to catch one. The boat was waiting for us at the Villa when we arrived and we headed out to fish. We started on a nice spot, a structure where the tide current was strong and offers a perfect place for a Barramundi or a feisty Mangrove Jack. After a few casts Su Lin caught a Giant Herring, her first one and she was surprised by the strength of this fish compared with its size.
After that, we tried some other spots for Barramundi but nothing came. I decided to head to the spot where we had caught Featherback with our last group. When we arrived, we saw some fish rolling on surface but nothing compared with last time. Anyway, Su Lin tried and after some casts she caught a Mangrove Jack.
We stayed a while till lunch time and then headed to the Villa where the cook has prepared a nice Sri Lankan rice and curry.
After a short break, we went back to fishing and I decided to try for Barramundi in the main lake of Bolgoda.. We tried a spot where I had good action a few weeks ago but nothing come. On the second spot, Su Lin caught a Mangrove jack, then another one a bit bigger and another even bigger for a total of 6 Mangrove Jack in less than 15 minutes.
After that Su Lin asked me to take her to the Featherback spot because she really wanted to catch one. We reached the spot and the knife fish seemed more active. But as usual, to catch them requires a lot of patience. Su Lin cast the lure I advised her to use untiringly. It was on her last cast, just after I told her that we would go before nightfall, she caught one and she was so happy. The last minute fish was the perfect end to a very nice day’s fishing for Su Lin at Bolgoda Lake.
Su Lin is planning another day fishing at Bolgoda Lake when she comes back to meet her friend in Colombo. I look forward to guiding you again Su Lin and next time we will focus on a Wild Golden Barramundi;-)
Nico - Head Fishing Guide
I picked up Naoya san and his friend at their hotel in Colombo early in the morning. On the way to Bolgoda Lake, we talked fishing and Naoya asked me how the condition of the lake was after all the rainy days in Sri Lanka. From my experience, these aren’t the best conditions for Barramundi but they are really good for Featherback. Good news for Naoya, who has never caught one of these fish before. Naoya’s friend joined him at the last minute, he knows fishing but he is not an expert like Naoya and came along mainly to enjoy a day out on the lake.
We arrive at Ruskin Island, where ours boats are parked, around 7 am. We take time to have a tea and prepare our tackle before we leave for fishing. Starting at some spots to target Barramundi, nothing comes up so we head on to our Featherback spots. When we arrive we see plenty of them rolling on the surface. Naoya and his friend are surprised to see so many fish. But as usual with Featherback you need a lot of patience and never give up. I advise Naoya to fish with special lures and give one of my favourite lures to his friend to use. After a while, heavy rain comes down. Just after when the rain stops, Naoya’s friend has a bite and lands a nice featherback. He is extremely happy, it’s his first fish caught on lure !
This fish boosts Naoya and I feel him start to concentrate more. I give him some advice about how to animate his lure and on his second cast he has a bite but misses the fish. A few minutes later the Featherback start to become more active. The surface of water is full of Featherback rolling everywhere. Naoya’s friend casts close to where the Featherback pack is rolling and immediately has another bite landing his second fish of the day. Naoya casts in the same area and catches a very nice Featherback.
We stay a while longer at the spot but it was time to head back and there was more rain on the way. We have a late lunch at the Villa and I drop Naoya and his friend to Colombo airport. Naoya enjoyed his day fishing and plans to come back soon to make a 4 day trip at Bolgoda.
Hope to see you soon !
Nico - Head Fishing Guide
After a great GT fishing trip in Kirinda the Jerrys had planned to finish their trip with two days fishing at Bolgoda Lake.
Day One : Early in the morning I met the guys on the pontoon where I was waiting with the Barra Boat. Quick check of tackle: rods are little bit long but the action seem good for the predators of Bolgoda Lake. Lure box is fine : with plenty of different kind of minnow – now it’s time to go.
I reach the main lake and start at some spots where I had good success some days before. We fish one of my favorite spots for Mangrove Jack but unfortunately the fish are not so active, despite a large amount of bait. There are a few swirls behind the lure but no proper bites. I decide to move to another area. After a 15 minute drive we start fishing again on the lookout for Barramundi. Big Jerry catches an average size Mangrove Jack.
The area is quite so I suggest checking to see if the elusive Featherback are active. We reach the spot and see a few Featherback rolling on the surface. The sight of the fish rolling make little Jerry crazy, he tries all the lures in his box to catch one of these Featherback, but the knife-fish don’t seem interested. We head back to the Villa for some lunch and a small nap before coming back to that spot later in the afternoon.
Around 2:30 pm we leave the pontoon for the Featherback spot. There are a few quick stops at some Barramundi spots with a couple of small mangrove jack. Finally, we arrive at the spot. The Featherback are there, untiringly rolling on surface. The Jerry’s never give up and cast their lure in the hope to have a bite of Featherback. But definitely, they are not active, finally little Jerry catches a decent Mangrove Jack. This first day was really tough, but I was confident with my plan for the next day.
Day Two : I follow my plan to fish the main lake where I have seen many baits and I decide to concentrate our effort there. On the first spot little Jerry misses a nice bite. At the second spot he catches a mangrove jack, another one and another one again, for a total of 7 Mangrove Jack. Big Jerry catches one and misses some.
We try another spot for Mangrove Jack and the Jerrys have a double hook up of nice Mangrove Jack.
After that, I decide to change the area to try some Barramundi spots. On the third cast little Jerry has a serious bite with a long rush, for sure a Barramundi. After a nice fight, he lands a nice barramundi. Quick picture and we release the fish.
We continue to fish the spot and it’s big Jerry who has a very serious fish, very long and powerful rush. We start to see the fish on the surface, it was a big barramundi in the 7/8 kg mark, but unfortunately on the last rush the fish was off, the lure comes back without the treble hook from the tail, split ring open. Very sad ! We try some other spots without success. Big Jerry catches a jumping Giant Herring and little Jerry a small Mangrove Jack to finish this very good morning session.
For the afternoon session, I decide to stay on the main lake. On the first spot there’s no activity so I try the spot where we had the Barramundi bite in the morning again and big Jerry catches a nice Barramundi.
On the next spot he had another one but again it got off. Unlucky ! We finish the day at some mangrove jack spots and little Jerry catches his 14th Mangrove Jack of the day.
The 2 days trip with the Jerrys was really a pleasure. Lots of fun onboard, we laugh and joke throughout the trip and enjoy every minute. It was a really good trip ! Hope to see you soon in Lanka guys.
Nico - Head Fishing Guide
Species Caught: Mangrove Jack, Giant Herring, Barramundi
Rod: Major Craft
Reel: Daiwa
Lures: Maria, Ima, Duel, Rapala
Barramundi, Featherback, Giant Herring & Mangrove Jack caught by japanese expat Horioko San in a hot & dry fishing day.
Nice to meet you and hope to see you soon to fish again Bolgoda Lake with us.
Sportfishing Lanka Team
