Southern Vietnam is a dream destination for lure anglers. The region’s brackish waters — where rivers meet the sea — are full of powerful and exciting fish species that respond well to artificial lures. Whether you’re casting in mangrove creeks, exploring saltwater lakes, or fishing along oyster farms in the rivers, there’s always a chance to hook into something memorable.
Here are the top species you can catch with us on a guided tour in Southern Vietnam.
1. Barramundi
The iconic barramundi is the star of Vietnam’s brackish waters. Known for explosive strikes and powerful runs, barramundi are a lure angler’s dream. They often hide around mangrove roots and ambush their prey, making them a thrilling target for anglers of all levels.
👉 The best part? Barramundi can be caught on all of our tours — whether you’re exploring mangroves, salt field lakes, or rivers.
2. Sea Bream
Strong fighters for their size, sea bream are a fun species to target on light tackle. They are plentiful in estuaries and respond well to small lures, making them an excellent species for anglers looking to test their finesse skills.
3. Barracuda
With razor-sharp teeth and lightning speed, barracuda are one of the most exciting predators in Vietnam’s coastal waters. They are aggressive lure takers and will give you a heart-pounding fight when hooked.
4. Grouper
Often hiding near structure, grouper are powerful bottom-dwellers that love to strike at lures worked close to cover.
👉 On our new Oyster Farms – River Fishing Tour, groupers are a common catch, giving anglers a thrilling test of strength.
5. Mangrove Jack
Called the “bulldogs of the estuary,” mangrove jack are aggressive and strong for their size. They attack lures with explosive force and are a favorite target among serious lure anglers.
👉 You’ll often encounter mangrove jacks during our Oyster Farms river fishing adventures, where they patrol around oyster structures and ambush lures.
6. Ladyfish
Also known as the “poor man’s tarpon,” ladyfish are acrobatic fighters that leap out of the water when hooked.
👉 They are most common on our Salt Field Lakes Fishing Tour, where their aerial displays make for an unforgettable experience.
7. Threadfin Salmon
Recognizable by their long pectoral filaments, threadfin salmon are excellent sportfish that strike hard and fight strong. They’re a prized catch in Southern Vietnam’s brackish rivers.
8. Crescent Grunter
Often found in schools, crescent grunters are smaller but aggressive fish that make light tackle lure fishing lots of fun. They’re a great species for action-packed days on the water.
9. Snakehead (Freshwater)
While most of our tours target brackish waters, the snakehead deserves a mention. These freshwater predators are highly aggressive and will smash surface lures, giving anglers explosive topwater strikes.
Catch Them All on Lures
The best part? All these species can be caught on artificial lures, making every strike an exciting, skill-based encounter.
👉 On our Fishing Tours, we provide all the gear, private transport from your hotel, and expert local guidance. Whether you’re after barramundi, mangrove jack, or ladyfish, we also run private tours, so you can target your dream fish at your own pace.
