Please remember that all staff and management at EFT want you to have a fun but safe experience while here. A lot of our rules may seem a little strict but they are for your own safety and our precious fish’s safety. Accidents can happen easily especially when dealing with these extremely powerful fish.

Exotic Fishing Thailand is strictly a catch and release fishery. The prime concern is that everyone takes care of the fish so that you give the opportunity for others to catch specimen fish in pristine condition. Our fish are very rare and are often some of the largest in the world of their kind.

Everyone who fishes here will have a fishery guide available to assist them particularly in the netting of and handling of the fish. Please listen to the guides and take note of what they say as their decision on rigs and fish care is final.

The guides look after up to 2 groups of anglers at one time. They are there to offer advice, make sure you are fishing safely and to net your fish and take care of the fish’s safety .They are happy to help as needed where they can. Before commencing to fish we will check your drag setting on your reels. Once the fish is ready to be netted the guide will net the fish for you.

NO fish are allowed to be taken onto the bank. If you want to be photographed with your catch you will have to get into the water at your own risk. The guide will tell you when you can enter the water for a photo at your own risk. Please remove all watches, rings, necklaces, etc and get your camera ready before entering the water and handling the fish. This will help to release all fish quickly and safely. If the fish is showing signs of stress it will be returned immediately without a photo.

When holding fish for photos please step back at least 2 meters from the concrete swim, keep the fish as low to the water as possible and keep your hands away from the fish’s gills and mouth. Most fish have some sharp spikes or gill plates etc so please listen to the guide.

We DO NOT routinely weigh fish at EFT. We give weight estimates based on our experience. Our weights are usually to the low side as we don’t like to inflate any weights unrealistically to the upside.

Please keep in mind that you are in Thailand and our staff speak very limited English and do not speak Russian, French, German, Dutch, etc. Their first language is Thai so please be patient if there are any misunderstandings. Google translate can be helpful and sometimes fun.
If for any reason there is an accident or someone needs medical assistance please blow the whistle as loud and often as you can to attract attention to a guide or anyone close by who can assist you or the person in need of assistance. Please also inform restaurant staff or management immediately by phone or in person.

All guests will be given a paper copy of the RULES OF THE FISHERY & WAIVER upon check in which they will be expected to read and sign before fishing to acknowledge that they agree with and will abide by all the rules.
By signing our waiver you also agree that Exotic Fishing Thailand its directors and employees will not be held responsible for yours or your accompanying guests safety while on our premises. This includes while in the lake and especially while handling the fish.

You also acknowledge that Exotic Fishing Thailand may use photos of you or your guests while at our resort for promotional purposes on social media and by any other means.

SPECIFIC RULES OF THE FISHERY
1. Exotic Fishing Thailand is open for fishing between 08:00 am and 07:00 pm, you may start fishing when the whistle blows at 8 am. Lines MUST be removed from the water promptly at 7pm.

2. Fishing guests are required to pay for their Fishing Ticket upon arrival, leave a copy of their passport or appropriate identification, and then settle for drinks and food in full before leaving.

3. A charge of 6,000 baht will be charged to any anglers who LOSE a rod and reel in the lake. If the bait runner is engaged and the rods are not left unattended then there should be no lost equipment.

4. Do not place rods on the concrete. You will be charged for broken rods.

5. You will be assigned a fishing swim/sala where you are expected to fish all day. Fishing in other areas of the lake is not allowed, as this damages banks, gardens and often fishing equipment too.

6. Only bait supplied by Exotic Fishing Thailand is to be used.

7. Only hook links supplied by EFT will be permitted. Back leads and PVA are allowed.

8. Only EFT predator and EFT Carp tackle to be used. (I would be looking to simplify this and ensure you actually ARE open to allowing anglers to use their own equipment but only subject to a detailed inspection of the same upon arrival. Pointing out there is NO SAVING to be made by bringing your own tackle (not for tourists anyhow).

9. Please check rigs for damage before every cast and particularly stoppers after every cast so they do not slide up the line and cause deep hooking.

10. Do not play the fish too hard or too soft. We will be checking drag settings to avoid this and adjust them to YOUR playing style if necessary. If you fight too hard you may lose or harm the fish and too soft you may also harm the fish.

11. Do not strike fish too hard or more than once; a single firm strike is enough to set the hook.

12. No swimming or wading in the lake or stock ponds – ONLY enter the water after being instructed by the Guide for the purpose of being photographed with your catch.

13. No litter to be left at any time including cigarette ends. Use the litter bins and ashtrays provided.

14. Do not use the boats under any circumstances.

15. ALL fish must be landed by the guides using an EFT landing net or cage.

16. Do not leave rods unattended anytime. Lost rods are the responsibility of the angler 6,000 baht.

17. Anglers must ALWAYS signal to a guide by blowing the whistle once they have hooked a fish.

18. ALL additional rods must be reeled in when playing a fish for the safety of fish and angler.

19. No illegal substances to be brought onto or consumed on EFT property. This is our property and we abide by all Thai laws. IF ASKED by any visiting police we will point out any issues.

20. No OUTSIDE alcohol, drinks of any kind, or other unidentified liquids will be allowed onto the premises.

21. Please report immediately any injured fish or fish you see acting in an unusual manner.

22. All junior anglers under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult who has signed for them.

23. Angler under 12 may only fish as part of a Family Package as our fish are too strong to be handled without the assistance of an adult who must be a paid angler. Exotic Fishing Thailand is not responsible for your child’s safety while on our premises.

24. No shouting across the lake or playing loud music. Please respect other peoples fishing experience and privacy.