River & Dam (Da)

Da River

Da River and dam is a 40km stretch of dam that is fed by the red river running though most of Laos and Vietnam. This dam, which is surrounded by Tall limestone mountains, Jungles and Vegetation, has nearly no shallow spots, Even, 3m from the bank can be 60m deep already. With the deepest points up to 200m deep. Da river houses some absolute monsters. Yellowcheek up to 50kg. Baramundi up to 25kg and giant Toman as well.

Scenic view of a river with people in boats and mountains in the background.

How to catch Yellowcheek

YellowCheeks mostly feed on schools of fish called skygazers (similar to minnows). But with waters this deep, they employ a strategy of schooling the fish into a ball. Once the school is dense enough, they will blow up on it. These blowups can be seen and heard from up to 1 km away; they are fierce and aggressive.

While fishing, use Topwater buzzbaits, wopper ploppers, or Jerkbaits. If you see a school of minnows rising to the surface, they are being schooled. Wait for your chance — don’t choke, be patient. When you see a fin or blowup, cast onto or near the ball with fast twitch motions using all kinds of lures. Their instincts tell them to kill the weak, and a buzzing minnow or a twitching Jerkbait will be too good to resist.

Although they can be caught throughout the day, their hunting time is from 6 am to 11 am and 3 pm to 7 pm.

Best yellowcheek carp of the year, hitting topwater buzzbaits

Top 5 Reasons to fish Da Lake

Yellowcheek are the apex predator, reaching up to 50kg
Yellowcheek are a bucketlist species, found only in a handful bodies of water
Crystal clear water and fish diversity (Yellowcheek, Giant snakehead, Skygazers)
Bass boat with sonars and Fishfinder
Personalized tour or group tour available

Fishing in the vietnamese weather can be tough

Trophy Yellowcheek caught in vietnam during the winter

Yellowcheek are greedy, and will take lures almost half their body size

Itinerary

Multiday

Best Lures for yellowcheek

Poppers

A fishing lure designed to resemble a fish, with a blue and white body, black scales pattern, red accent near the head, and red feathered tail, set against a black background.

A wide variety of poppers will do the trick, But after testing countless designs, the Rapala Skitterpop (Blue/silver) has just the right aboumt of pop and splash to get the yellowcheek blowing up

Jerkbaits

Jerkbaits are always a safe option when fishing for predators. Through testing and experience, The Rapala XRAP showed the highest results in getting the fish interested and commited to a hit. The design and action closely mirror the baitfish they hunt

A fish-shaped fishing lure with a realistic fish eye, colorful body, and a feathered tail, against a black background.

Whopper Plopper

In order to mimic baitfish from a school fleeing as they are being chased, The whopper plopper is the go to lure. Fast action, ripping through the water in bursts catch the Yellowcheek during the moment they hunt bait as the plops sound like baitfish jumping

A fishing lure designed to resemble a small fish, with a gradient from blue to silver and red accents, against a black background.

Miscellaneous

Jigs

Spoons

Spooks

Flies

These lures work very well during certain times and for certain circumastances

Man wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap holding a large fish on a boat in front of a lake with rocky cliffs in the background.

An older man with sunglasses and a beard smiling and holding a large fish he caught while fishing on a boat, with a lake and green hills in the background.

Man on a boat holding a large fish with a scale, surrounded by water and mountains.

Boat and Accomodation

Yamaha 100 Horsepower 4 stroke Engine

Hydrasport 5.8m Bass boat

Lowrance Elite FS 9 3 in 1 Sonar + Lowrance Active target live sonar

A fishing boat on calm water with fishing equipment and electronic devices on board.

Accommodation

Floating House on the lake

4 Bedrooms

Toilet and Shower

Electricity

Fridge

Fish farm on a body of water with several tanks and a house structure on stilts, surrounded by trees.

Wifi

Price includes

Includes all transport, Food Fishing gear, Boat, Guide

Gear: Choice of baitcasting or Spinning rods

Baitcasting: Shimano Zodias MH Rod. Shimano Zodia SLX DC (LEFT/RIGHT) 40lbs Suffix Braid. (Note. Angler has to be proficient in baitcasting if choosing this option)

Spinning: Shimano Zodias MH Rod. Shimano Sienna Reel. 40lbs Suffix braid

Lures: Wopper ploppers, Buzzbaits, Poppers, Jerkbaits, crankbaits (NOTE Unable to fish some areas with sinking lures as floating houses are anchored with ropes)