Freshwater Reports

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Third fishing trip for our regular japanese angler Yamada & Sahara

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Yamada and Sahara fished for the 3rd time Bolgoda Lake and it was 3 nice fishing days like usual.

The first day Yamada caught a nice Wild Golden Barramundi and they caught so much Mangrove Jack : 23 in one day !!!

Sportfishing Lanka Bolgoda Lake Wild Golden Barramundi Bomber Long A Gold

The second day, Yamada lost a big barra just before to put the fish on the landing net and they caught some juvenile GT's and some usual MJ.

Fishing Bolgoda Lake Sri Lanka Sportfishing Lanka Mangrove Jack

Last day, Sahara caught an usual catch : a cuda.

Fishing Sri Lanka Sportfishing Lanka Bolgoda Lake Cuda

Afternoon session, they concentrate their effort on the elusive featherback and finally Yamada caught it's first ever, he was so happy.

Fishing Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Featherback Sportfishing Lanka

Another great trip in Bolgoda Lake for our regular anglers from Japan.

See you soon guys !!

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

 

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Fishing break at Bolgoda Lake for a Finnish angler

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Markku was travelling in Lanka with his wife and decide to go fishing one day at Bolgoda Lake last week.

He caught a nice barramundi, a couple of mangrove jack and a baby GT.

Fishing Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Barramundi Sportfishing Lanka

He tried to catch some featherback but this elusive fish was not keen to play with him.

“Thanks, it was an excellent fishing day and the guide Shaktivel was super”
— Markku from Finland

See you next time Markku.

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

 

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Great day fishing for Expat Japanese angler at Bolgoda Lake

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Last Sunday, after 2 good days fishing with our Malaysians anglers, we received Hiro san who works in Kandy in Sri Lanka. He heard about our fishing charter from Kamiyashiki san blog and booked a day fishing at Bolgoda Lake.

His main target was to catch a Wild Golden Barramundi and a Spotted Featherback. Mission accomplished for Hiro san, he caught 2 Golden Barra, 1 Featherback, plus a nice Mangrove Jack and the second Black Sea Bream caught on lure in Bolgoda Lake !

A superb fishing fishing like Bolgoda can give. Hiro san was so happy, then he has already booked another fishing day this month with one of his friend. See you very soon Hiro san !!

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Brian & CK from Lure Fisher at Bolgoda Lake

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Last Friday and Saturday, I have guided two Malaysians anglers : Brian and his friend CK from Lure Fisher. These 2 days fishing was good with some nice catch, like this Wild Golden Barramundi caught by CK.

During these 2 days, predators fish were active like the Mangrove Jack, CK caught a big one up to 40 cm on popper !! 

Some nice Lady Fish give good time to Brian, these fish are incredibly strong on light tackle.

Spotted Featherback was also a target fish for our anglers and they caught some nice one. We were waiting for the Juvenile GT but they don't want to show to our Malaysians how hard they fight.

It was a really pleasure to guide Brian & CK, lot of fun and good time, I know I will see you soon guys.

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Very good fishing week-end for Expat Japanese Anglers from India

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Another good fishing week end at Bolgoda Lake with japanese anglers Fumiaki san and Norifumi san from Bangalore, where they are working. Like expected, water color in the lake and his backwater was a bit better compare to last week end and made the predators also more active.

Fumiaki san caught a proper Golden Barramundi of 58 cm but sadly his friend Norifumi miss 2 barra, one was really big !

Fortunately, Norifumi san has a great time with the Mangrove Jack and honestly we could not remember how many he caught, but enough for giving him the nickname of "Mister Jack". Some Mangrove Jack were very close of the 50 cm mark (48 cm and 49 cm).

They also caught some others species like juvenile GT which give so much fun to catch on light tackle, and also Fumiaki caught 2 featherback with the finesse technique, plus some oxeye tarpon and ladyfish.

It was a really nice fishing week end, I enjoyed to guide Fumiaki and his friend Norifumi, they promised me to come back soon for another week end at Bolgoda Lake. See you soon guys.

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Mangrove Jack fishing week-end for Yasuda San

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Yasuda san from Japan came fishing at Bolgoda Lake last week-end. A bit thought condition after the heavy rain of the last week which made water color murky. 

Despite this water conditions, Yasuda keep casting, waiting for the bite of Barramundi, his main target. Sadly, Barramundi seems not keen to play the game during these 2 days fishing. Hopefully for Yasuda san, the other predator of Bolgoda Lake and especially the feisty Mangrove Jack give him some good time, like this 50 cm + he caught in heavy structure, a hard fight and good fun on light tackle. See you next time at Bolgoda Lake for another trip Yasuda san.

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

* No more rain this week, we are expecting some better conditions to fish the lake with our next anglers this week end.

Fishing week-end at Bolgoda Lake

Last week-end, we have received 2 japanese anglers at Bolgoda Lake. Both are working for Toyota, Sugimoto san in Dhaka and Hashimoto san in Colombo. 

Despite these two rainy days, Sugimoto and Hashimoto never gave up and they kept casting. Some very nice mangrove jack were caught these last days and it was also the case for our 2 japanese anglers.

Sugimoto caught some nice Mangrove Jack, biggest one was a 50cm+ with his old school lure Bomber Long A and Hashimoto caught his first Wild Golden Barramundi ever. Sugimoto, miss a big fish last afternoon, for sure a nice barra !!


It was nice to guiding you guys and we have a lot of fun. See you next January for a second fishing week-end at Bolgoda Lake.

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

 

Half day fly fishing at Bolgoda lake with Dave

Last Friday, we had the privilege to guide for an half day the expert fly fisherman and famous fly tyer working at Umpqua, Mr Dave Student.

The water color at Bolgoda Lake has changed after the last days heavy rain, but Dave caught some mangrove jacks on fly, here is the biggest.

It was a pleasure to meet you Dave and talking fly fishing. Special thanks for the Umpqua chest pack full of flies ;-) We will fish with them soon and give you our feedback.

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

Day fishing at Bolgoda Lake to finish 1 week holidays in Sri Lanka

Hervé from France was travelling in Sri Lanka with his girlfriend and want to go sea fishing. Sadly , it was not yet sea fishing season, then we propose him to come fishing at Bolgoda Lake.

Hervé caught plenty of Mangrove Jack and his first ever Golden Barramundi. Biggest fish of the day was a very big 52 cm Mangrove Jack caught on soft plastic lure.

Congrats Hervé for these nice catch !

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Ota san is back in Bolgoda Lake

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Ota san, from Japan, fished with us 3 years ago and has a good trip at Bolgoda Lake. Then he decide to come back and this time he has a better trip with good action with Wild Golden Barramundi, Mangrove Jack and Oxeye Tarpon.

First day, we concentrate our effort on the main lake in search of Mangrove jack and Ota san has a great morning catching them. Afternoon, we go for Barramundi spots. Water color were perfect but the wild golden barramundi don't seems to bite... But on our last spots we found plenty of Oxeye Tarpon rolling on surface. Ota san caught some with small silver color minnows. I suggest him to put a small popper for fun and he has a great time catching these jumper fish on light tackle. A good way to finish the fishing day.

Second day, we try again some Mangrove Jack spot and Ota san caught 2 nice one with his Duel Hardcore Minnow. Just before lunch, we go for Barramundi spots and Ota san miss one and after a coupe of cast caught a nice 63 cm Wild Golden Barramundi. Afternoon, we went to our featherback spot. Last trip Ota san was unlucky with this elusive fish, but this time he came with some good soft plastic bait. Featherback were there rolling in surface, but they don't seems interest by Ota san lures. Hopefully, Oxeye Tarpon were there also and like last day he has great fun to catch them with popper.

 

Third day, we are looking on Barramundi spots, but the morning timing tide was not so good and Ota san caught some small mangrove jack and a nice Ladyfish. After lunch, tide was running well in Bolgoda Lake and his backwater, good time for Barramundi !! Straight away we reach a good barramundi spots.

On the third cast Ota san has a nice bite, immediately the fish rush and jump. Sadly on the second jump, hooks came off. Ota san was a bit disappointed, I told him to keep casting in the area and less than 10 minutes he caught a 56 cm Wild Golden Barramundi. He was so happy. On his barra lure he caught a nice featherback also and just before sunset time, Ota san lost a big fish at the edge of a lily pad patch. We don't see the fish but it was a powerful rush, certainly a nice Barra.

Sportfshing Lanka Golden Barramundi Fishing at Bolgoda Lake.JPG

The last day, Ota san was fishing only the morning due to his afternoon flight. I couldn't guiding him for this session but he gone with our local fishing guide Shaktivel and he has a very good morning session with 3 barramundi bites but he hasn't landed one !!! Shaktivel was telling me, Ota san lost an easy 15 pound barra just before to put the fish in the landing net. 

It was nice to guiding you Ota san and see you soon again at Bolgoda Lake.

Tight Line 

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Big Barramundi !!!

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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. 

Sportfishing Lanka Bolgoda Lake Big Barramundi 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

Sport Fishing Sri Lanka Bolgoda lake Sportfishing Lanka Barramundi jump

In search of Great Snakehead in Sri Lanka

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

Dad & son fishing trip at Bolgoda Lake

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

Sportfishing Lanka Barramundi Bolgoda Lake
Sportfishing Lanka Mangrove Jack Bolgoda Lake
Duo Realis Jerkbait Sportfishing Lanka Bolgoda Lake
Sportfishing Lanka Featherback Bolgoda Lake
Sportfishing Lanka Wild Golden Barramundi Bolgoda Lake
Sportfishing Lanka Mangrove Jack Bolgoda Lake

Fishing trip at Bolgoda Lake with Malaysian group

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.

Sport Fishing Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Mangrove Jack Rapala

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.

Sportfishing Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Mangrove Jack

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.

Sportfishing Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Barramundi.jpg

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. 

Sport Fishing Sri Lanka Oxeye Tarpon Bolgoda Lake

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.

Sport Fishing Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Featherback Soft Plastic Bait

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.

Sport Fishing Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Mangrove Jack Soft Plastic Bait Bass Assassin

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!!

Sport Fishing Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Ladyfish Giant herring

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.

Sport Fishing Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Featherback

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

Angling Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Sunset

Big Barra & Featherback for UK guys

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.

Sportfishing Lanka Bolgoda Lake Feataherback


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.

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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.

Sportfishing Lanka Barramundi Bolgoda Lake

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

 

Fishing day at Bolgoda Lake with Su Lin

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.

Sportfishing Lanka Bolgoda Lake Giant Herring

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.

Sportfishing Lanka Bolgoda Lake 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.

Sportfishing Lanka Bolgoda Lake Featherback

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

 

Rainy day at Bolgoda Lake, it's good time for featherback

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 !

Sportfishing Lanka Featherback Bolgoda Lake

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.

Sportfishing Lanka Bolgoda Lake 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

 

The Jerry's at Bolgoda Lake

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.

Mangrove Jack Ima lure casting Bolgoda Lake Sportfishing Lanka

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.

Mangrove Jack double hook up fishing Bolgoda Lake Sportfishing Lanka

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.

Barramundi Ima lure casting Bolgoda Lake Sportfishing Lanka

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.

Mangrove Jack luring fishing Bolgoda Lake Sportfishing Lanka

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.

Barramundi Sportfishing Lanka Bolgoda Lake Maria lure

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.

Mangrove Jack Ima Lure casting Bolgoda Lake Sportfishing Lanka

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

 

Nice fishing day at Bolgoda Lake

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