13 MARCH 2025 / VINNY & FINLAY

Plenty of rod time for Finlay

Vinny’s account of our Koh Samui fishing trip, with photographs from his family album posted on 13 March 2025.

I chose Koh Samui Fishing Club with a particular aim: I wanted Finlay to get plenty of time on the rod. We had Palm Tree Lagoon in mind for a future trip, and this was a chance for him to build experience with carp and smaller Mekong catfish, get more comfortable around the fish and enjoy catching them.

Tyler had taken to the fishing with real enthusiasm. Finlay was a little more laid-back. He enjoyed the fish, but I wanted to give him the opportunity to get properly involved at his own pace. Taking him to Samui was a deliberate choice, and he caught loads of fish. That was exactly what I had hoped for.

Finlay supporting a carp at the surface beside a blue-rimmed landing net.
Finlay’s March 2025 visit: getting involved and spending time with the fish. Family album

A trip measured in experience

Compared with the huge fish I had been chasing on other trips, the catches here felt more manageable. I did not take photographs of everything. The fishing was good, though, and the value of the visit was seeing Finlay getting so much practice. There were carp, catfish and, as I remember it, alligator gar among the variety he caught.

For me, this was a useful place to learn: repeated chances to play a fish and become more familiar with handling it with help. Finlay did not need every catch to be enormous to enjoy it. Watching him take part, and seeing how much he liked the fish, made the trip worthwhile.

That is how I would introduce this visit to another family or a less experienced angler: a chance to enjoy guided fishing and build confidence. The medium-sized fish we encountered suited what we wanted to do. For our family, Samui had its own purpose in the journey towards bigger fishing adventures.

Our experience, in context. “More manageable” is Vinny’s comparison with his other trips, not a size limit for the lake. The operator also advertises larger fish. Tell the fishery about your experience and the kind of session you want before booking.

Memories from the March album

Finlay supporting a pale carp in the water with help beside the landing net.
Carp were part of the experience Vinny wanted Finlay to build. Family album
Finlay smiling with a catfish supported at the water’s surface.
A smile worth bringing home: Finlay enjoying one of the catches. Family album
Vinny in a blue cap supporting a pale carp beside a fishing platform.
Vinny enjoying the carp fishing too. Family album
Finlay with a spotted catfish with a cream flank stripe in the lake.
Different fish added variety to Finlay’s time on the lake. Family album
Vinny supporting a pale catfish in the water, with the lake behind him.
The lake setting and another catch from the family album. Family album
Vinny supporting a pale fish in the lake with sunlight behind him.
One more memory from the collection shared on 13 March 2025. Family album

Seven selected photographs from the album posted on 13 March 2025. The posting date does not establish the day of every catch; photographs may show different moments with the same fish. Individual weights have not been assigned. The alligator gar is part of Vinny’s recollection and is not pictured in this selection.

Continue with our Palm Tree Lagoon family stories or Tyler’s first Jurassic Mountain trip. Our Mekong giant catfish and Siamese giant carp profiles introduce two of the fish behind the family’s interest in Thailand.

Planning a day as a beginner

Vinny recommends the experience for someone who wants practice and support. When enquiring, explain who will be fishing, what they have caught before and whether the aim is learning, variety or targeting a particular fish. Ask how the guide will help throughout the session and what equipment is included.

Before the first cast, ask for a demonstration of the bite indication, reel controls and what to do when a fish takes. Arrange for the guide to lead landing, unhooking and release. A manageable catch is still a fish that deserves careful handling; use the help available and follow the venue’s rules.

Choose a session length that suits the least experienced angler, with time for breaks. Catching regularly gave Finlay valuable practice on our visit, but nobody can promise the same number or size of fish on another day.

Fishing within an island trip

The venue website locates the resort in Namuang, in southern Koh Samui. It advertises fishing sessions and accommodation. Our March 2025 visit gave Finlay plenty of fishing practice; the account above describes that visit.

Decide whether the fishing is the main purpose of your stay or one activity within a wider family holiday. That choice helps you decide how much time to reserve and whether everyone wants to spend the session at the lake.

Book the fishing as well as the room

The operator specifically says that a room booking does not guarantee fishing, and asks guests to reserve fishing separately. Its homepage displayed a five-hour ticket at THB 4,000 when checked on 1 October 2026. Confirm inclusions, availability and the full price directly. Official booking information.

Ask for both reservations to be confirmed together if they depend on one another. Keep the agreed date, session length, number of anglers and room arrangement in the same travel note.

The venue’s approach to fish care

The published rules require guide supervision, supplied or on-site bait and barbless hooks. They prohibit lures and treble-hook rigs, and require fish to remain in the water. Read all the fishery rules.

Before casting, ask the guide to walk through bite indication, what to do when a fish is hooked and how to signal for help. The photograph should fit around the landing and release plan, rather than the other way round.

Make the day work for the family

Check seating, shade, food, guest charges, toilets and the arrangement for children directly. Agree a pickup time that leaves room for finishing the session and gathering belongings. A map estimate from another part of the island may not suit your own starting point.

For us, this visit was about Vinny and Finlay spending time fishing. If your party includes people who will not fish, discuss their plans with the venue rather than assuming a fishing ticket covers everyone’s day.

Start with our trip checklist and fish-care guide.

Sources & checks

Research checked 1 October 2026. A website check is not a booking confirmation or an independent inspection.