Thousands of avid deep sea fishing enthusiasts visits the Maldives every year to experience the pleasure of this activity in one of the world’s greatest locations. While deep sea fishing in the Maldives can be enjoyed throughout the year, the best months are between November and March.
Fishing Spots
Fishing in the Maldives is not only a great tourist attraction, it is a main part of the economy – about 30% of the workforce are employed by the fishing industry. With the Maldivian Ocean being so vast, deciding where to fish may be left to your tour guide. It depends on where you are staying and whether you are going to charter a fishing excursion through your resort. They may stay relatively close to the resort and while you will enjoy the outing, it may not fulfil the need you have for true deep sea fishing. For that you may need to hire a professional charter who will take you into deeper waters and have the option of exploring areas around uninhabited islands where fewer fishermen go. Fishtrack.com is a website that will give you an idea as to where the greatest density of fish are found at any time.
These waters are teaming with fish, so expect variety and some success.
Types of fish you can catch
In these waters 5 of the most common fish you can expect to see include the massive yellow fin tuna, dorado, sailfish, barracuda and wahoo. The yellow fin tuna is one of the largest species of tuna. It may reach a weight of 180kg. On a good day you may encounter schools of yellow fin tuna as they like to travel with similar sized company. The dorado is also known as a common dolphin fish or mahi-mahi. They are often found in the warm waters of the Maldives and weigh between 7 & 13kg. The sailfish has a massive dorsal fin and a bayonet shaped snout. The habit of the sailfish is to travel and a deeper level but they will rise to medium depth to feed. Barracuda are long streamlined fish that weigh up to about 9kg. Wahoo are mackerel-like fish and are a prized deep sea fish to catch. They are very fast and can grow up to 83kg.
The fish usually feed at dawn and dusk, so those are the best times to be out on the water. Cloudy days are also good days to venture out as there is reduced light penetration.
Safety requirements
There are a number of tips when it comes to safety and fishing. Before going out on a boat, check the weather. If inclement weather is forecast, you may want to reconsider your plans. Make sure you know where you are going or use a reputable company that knows the region. Make sure the vessel is equipped with navigational equipment and is safe. Taking additional safety items is also a good idea such as a cell phone, maps, torch and additional water.
While on board, always wear a life jacket and appropriate footwear. Also make sure you are protected from the weather – take a rain jacket and warm clothes as well as sun protection cream.
Be careful with the fish and how you handle them. Also take care with other fishing equipment such as bait and hooks and fish knives.
Finally, ensure you have the correct permits for fishing and that you do not fish in a prohibited area. Fishing in the Maldives is regulated and it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the regulations.