TopCats Fishing Resort:
Castaway in Arapaima Paradise
Welcome to Topcats
Located in Taling Ngam on the southwest of the tropical island of Koh Samui, Thailand, TopCats Fishing Resort is a renowned destination for freshwater sport fishing, especially for anglers seeking to catch a colossal “monster” fish.
Established in 2006 and under new ownership since late 2019, it has built a reputation for its high stock density and diverse range of species.
The Resort and Fishing Experience
TopCats is built around a large, L-shaped lake covering approximately 24,000 square meters
(around 6 acres) with depths up to 6-7 meters.
The Resort emphasizes an eco-friendly ethos to ensure the fish thrive and grow.
Anglers can choose from full-day tickets (8 am to 8 pm) or half-day sessions. For serious anglers, special packages, including multi-day stays with fishing days, are available. The resort prides itself on a high catch rate, with the average angler landing 40 to 50 fish per week, and a “guaranteed catch policy” for full-day ticket holders.
The resort offers more than just fishing; it provides a comprehensive holiday experience with:
Lakeside bungalows are available, catering to various budgets.
An on-site restaurant, “The Poachers Paradise Restaurant,” serves a diverse range of Western cuisine and local Thai favorites. There’s also “The One That Got Away Bar” for all your drink requirements.
A swimming pool and well-maintained grounds set in a tropical, palm, and mango tree-lined landscape.
The resort provides all necessary fishing tackle and bait, along with friendly and qualified fishing guides who offer assistance and advice, particularly for newcomers to the sport.
Fishing Available at TopCats
TopCats boasts an impressive stock of over 4,000 fish across 42 different species, making it a mixed-species fishery capable of producing significant hauls. The lake is home to both native and imported freshwater species.
The main target species that attract anglers from around the world include: Giant Mekong Catfish, Amazon Redtail Catfish, Alligator Gar, Ripsaw Catfish, Pacu, and Tambaqui.
You can read about the fish here and download the full species list here
The Star of the Show: Focus on Arapaima Fishing
Arapaima are the flagship species at TopCats, drawing anglers from around the world due to their immense size and powerful fight. The resort is a premier destination for catching these Amazonian giants.
Here a the key stats and facts :
Population:
There are 130+ arapaima stocked and reared in the lake. A significant and managed population within the controlled environment of the resort.
Size:
The arapaima at TopCats is known for their impressive dimensions. The lake record for arapaima is a monumental 420 lbs (approximately 190 kg). Although more recently, and since the new ownership, the biggest is estimated at 380lbs. This puts them among the largest arapaima caught in controlled fishing environments anywhere in the world. Anglers regularly report catching arapaima weighing well over 100 lbs, with some reaching much larger sizes. Catches of 150lb + are commonplace.
Behaviour & Fishing
Arapaima are described as “dirty fighters” due to their tendency to jump and try to shed the hook, requiring specific angling techniques and careful handling. The resort provides expert guides who instruct anglers on the best methods to handle these delicate yet powerful fish, emphasising care when landing and photographing them.
Conservation
TopCats emphasises that while arapaima are endangered in their native environment, they are breeding well in captivity in Thailand. The resort treats the fish “like our pets” and has strict guidelines for their handling to ensure their safety and continued health. This includes instructions on not changing drag settings or hook lengths, and avoiding contact with the head of the fish during photos due to its solid bone structure.
Specialized Arapaima Fishing
TopCats offers a “premium specialist peg” known as the Arapaima Peg (TopCats Swim No 9), located in Arapaima Bay, which can be viewed from the restaurant. It can be booked specifically for a 5-hour arapaima fishing session. This dedicated spot is also known to hold other large predators, adding to its appeal.
Fishing Methods and Tackle at TopCats
In essence, the tackle and methods used to catch Arapaima in the wild can work even in the enclosed Lake environment, but there are extra fishery rules that must be adhered to, all designed around fish and, indeed, angler safety. Some angling techniques need to be refined due to the tackle that is used. The key at TopCats is that, generally, no long casting is involved.
Black Cat, 8ft Cat Buster. A powerful rod made of composite materials with Big Game guides and Fuji reel seats. It has a parabolic action that will naturally facilitate all techniques, and particularly tough and dirty fights.
Reels:Shimano Big Baitrunner. A powerful workhorse of a reel with a robust front drag.
Line:Gamma Polyflex, 53lb Breaking Strain. Low diameter, irradiated with anti-abrasion properties
Weights:Min weight 100g, Stonze. Non-toxic supplied by Pallatrax. People often ask why we use such a heavy weight, and it’s because any less and the fish will likely be gut hooked.
Hooks:Pallatrax Catz or Eagle Wave hooks, size 1/0. Gripz pattern
Arapiama are opportunistic feeders, even at TopCats.They have been known to take boilies, sweetcorn, and even bread. They will eat anything, but the preferred bait to use is half or a whole fish, deadbait. Sometimes, more exotic baits like chicken hearts and livers are employed, but only ever as hookbait. Too much of this type of bait is very bad for water quality.
Arapaima Conservation and Safety at TopCats Fishing Resort
The filtered water at TopCats Fishing Resort is optimum for Arapaima with a pH at 6.8-7.1 and water temperature between 26-30 deg C.
They are fed not only by customer baits but also by the vast natural Tilapia stocks in the Lake. In the low season, there are supplementary feed programmes and stockings of live feed fish when and as required.
During the catching process, all rigs are designed to facilitate lip hooking, and at no point are barbed hooks used. After the fight, the guides take care of the fish. Arapiama are extremely delicate once out of the water and are given antiseptic treatment to any hook holds or any areas where there is scale damage.
The fish are dangerous, ask Jeremy Wade, not because they might bite you, but because they could severely damage you with their granite-like heads or the powerful whip-like tail.
So the rule of thumb is always let the guide deal with the head end, don’t touch the net, and lift just above the waterline as instructed. Under 80lb the it’s 2 people; up to 300lb, it’s 3 people, and over 300lb, it’s a 4-man lift !!
The majority of the Arapaima have been brought as juveniles and raised on. There is an inherent risk in buying very big fish that have never been caught. Bird Aquatic supplied the latest batch of 14. They were delivered at 30cm each, individually via courier from Bangkok in November 2024, and reared on until release in June 2025, where some were approaching 80-90cm in length and weighing between 16 and 20lb.
11 were stocked into the Lake. Some lucky anglers have already caught them. 3 will be reared on to a big size so our customers can see them up close and personal.
In essence, TopCats Fishing Resort provides a world-class opportunity to target a wide array of monster freshwater fish, with a particular focus on the majestic arapaima, offering not just a fishing trip but a complete angling holiday experience on Koh Samui.