Success! First Korean River Tarpon - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

philr21 · 09-08-2013, 06:08 AM

During my tour in Korea I'm definitely trying to catch a couple species of fish that I hadn't ever caught before. I heard the Korean River Tarpon called gangjuchi in Korea, were in a river about 45 minutes from where am at. They are actually a predatory carp. Average size is probably about 14 inches. Not having a clue of where to start, I took an ultralight rod with 5lb floro, and some ultralight Shad Raps, and decided to troll from the kayak along the shorelines. After a couple of hours, I found some fish holed up.

I was quite surprised when I had snagged the bottom, and the bottom moved on me. I was sure I had snagged a carp in the side as the fish was too heavy to move. After about ten minutes I got the fish to the net, and it barely fit.

I was happy just to catch the smaller ones, and thought maybe at some point I'd catch a larger one. Had no idea I'd catch one this size on my first attempt. Was a good day on the water.... hope to get out and do it again soon. All fish were released.

philr21 · 09-08-2013, 06:09 AM

More pics.....

Cadillyak · 09-08-2013, 07:28 AM

Beautiful fish. Average size 14 inches huh, that one must of been a huge surprise. We're there any tarpon like jumps? Great catch. One day...

William Novotny · 09-08-2013, 07:43 AM

Is that a banded krait snake swimming in the water? Wow you don't wanna get bit by that bad boy

philr21 · 09-08-2013, 07:59 AM

Unfortunately, no jumps. Easy to tell the bass because they all jump right away.

The large one definitely pulled hard enough to make it interesting though. I thought for sure I was bringing something up sideways, I just couldn't get the fish up.

Think the snake is what we call Yamakagashi in Japan, or tiger keelback. Very poisoness but beleive rear fanged so they really would have to get ahold of you. Then again could be wrong.

roadx · 09-08-2013, 08:27 AM

that looks like a ladyfish. i was catching them in the surf last month when i was in Florida. they are in the tarpon family

kobra · 09-08-2013, 12:17 PM

Congrats on another successful mission. Great looking frog water. Looks like a real blast.

philr21 · 09-08-2013, 02:17 PM

Yep, have caught plenty of ladyfish, and they seem fairly similar. These guys are actually in the carp family which makes things a bit odd.

They also have slime like a ladyfish.

Frogging here sucked. Tried for a couple hours without a hit. Was hoping fora snakehead in the shallow canal but wasn't meant to be.

lowprofile · 09-08-2013, 02:47 PM

i think they look like silver snook. lol. pretty cool! hope i can scratch those off the species list one day!

rpd · 09-08-2013, 06:05 PM

Very Interesting. Looks like if I ever visit Korea I have a few species to cross off. Thanks for the report!!

William Novotny · 09-08-2013, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philr21

Unfortunately, no jumps. Easy to tell the bass because they all jump right away.

The large one definitely pulled hard enough to make it interesting though. I thought for sure I was bringing something up sideways, I just couldn't get the fish up.

Think the snake is what we call Yamakagashi in Japan, or tiger keelback. Very poisoness but beleive rear fanged so they really would have to get ahold of you. Then again could be wrong.

Ahhh, very cool. Couldn't see the checker pattern from the picture, looked like straight bars. I love reps like this that give us a glimps of nature on the other side of the planet. Thanks for sharing. Beautiful photos and write up

09-08-2013, 06:08 AM	#1
philr21 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Yokosuka, Japan Posts: 228	Success! First Korean River Tarpon During my tour in Korea I'm definitely trying to catch a couple species of fish that I hadn't ever caught before. I heard the Korean River Tarpon called gangjuchi in Korea, were in a river about 45 minutes from where am at. They are actually a predatory carp. Average size is probably about 14 inches. Not having a clue of where to start, I took an ultralight rod with 5lb floro, and some ultralight Shad Raps, and decided to troll from the kayak along the shorelines. After a couple of hours, I found some fish holed up. I was quite surprised when I had snagged the bottom, and the bottom moved on me. I was sure I had snagged a carp in the side as the fish was too heavy to move. After about ten minutes I got the fish to the net, and it barely fit. I was happy just to catch the smaller ones, and thought maybe at some point I'd catch a larger one. Had no idea I'd catch one this size on my first attempt. Was a good day on the water.... hope to get out and do it again soon. All fish were released. Attached Images

09-08-2013, 06:09 AM	#2
philr21 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Yokosuka, Japan Posts: 228	More pics..... Attached Images

09-08-2013, 07:28 AM	#3
Cadillyak Team Get $$ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 841	Beautiful fish. Average size 14 inches huh, that one must of been a huge surprise. We're there any tarpon like jumps? Great catch. One day... __________________ The "Y" is silent 2012 Olive PA 12 2011 Papaya Outback

09-08-2013, 07:43 AM	#4
William Novotny The carpetbagger Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: tha newps Posts: 1,474	Is that a banded krait snake swimming in the water? Wow you don't wanna get bit by that bad boy __________________ "The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope." http://www.badinfluencetattoo.com/gallery.php?artist=21

09-08-2013, 08:27 AM	#6
roadx . Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,155	that looks like a ladyfish. i was catching them in the surf last month when i was in Florida. they are in the tarpon family __________________

09-08-2013, 07:59 AM	#5
philr21 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Yokosuka, Japan Posts: 228	Unfortunately, no jumps. Easy to tell the bass because they all jump right away. The large one definitely pulled hard enough to make it interesting though. I thought for sure I was bringing something up sideways, I just couldn't get the fish up. Think the snake is what we call Yamakagashi in Japan, or tiger keelback. Very poisoness but beleive rear fanged so they really would have to get ahold of you. Then again could be wrong.

09-08-2013, 12:17 PM	#7
kobra Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: oceanside Posts: 880	Congrats on another successful mission. Great looking frog water. Looks like a real blast.

09-08-2013, 02:17 PM	#8
philr21 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Yokosuka, Japan Posts: 228	Yep, have caught plenty of ladyfish, and they seem fairly similar. These guys are actually in the carp family which makes things a bit odd. They also have slime like a ladyfish. Frogging here sucked. Tried for a couple hours without a hit. Was hoping fora snakehead in the shallow canal but wasn't meant to be.

09-08-2013, 02:47 PM	#9
lowprofile #1 on fishstick's hitlist Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sea level Posts: 1,478	i think they look like silver snook. lol. pretty cool! hope i can scratch those off the species list one day! __________________ MLPA- My Largest Poaching Area

09-08-2013, 06:05 PM	#10
rpd Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 41	Very Interesting. Looks like if I ever visit Korea I have a few species to cross off. Thanks for the report!!