If you love fishing, a special fishing trip might just be the right outing for you. They are not only entertaining but also let you get up-close with the lifestyle and unique fishing techniques of the local fisher folks. Opt for morning fishing to double your pleasures with a morning suntan, or spend a whole night to enjoy a bout of night fishing, angling for those special barracuda, groupers, snappers or squirrelfish. Big game fishing is yet another choice for those with greater grit.

Maldives, with over 99% of total area covered with water, has excellent fishing grounds that are second to none, and fishing continues to be a major lifeline for most Maldivian. Most resorts offer special fishing trips, boosted with a barbecue of the day’s catch at the beach by evening. They also arrange speedboats well equipped for big game fishing.

Morning fishing: The boat captain will navigate you to different spots in the open waters so you can explore and get a good catch. The waters are largely calm, with rowing and sail boats traditionally used by the islanders, and an occasional mechanized fishing vessel. The Maldivian seas abound in rich and diverse marine life. Enjoy the warm tropical sun as you focus on the line. And don’t forget to get your catch barbecued at the Coffee Shop Terrace.

If you are a starter, set out early at dawn on ahalf-day fishing trip because that is the best time of day to hook one of those big fishes that come searching for their food early in the morning. Quite a few things can add to your expertise and enjoyment of a fishing trip, such as knowledge of submarine conditions and physical seabed environment, the skills of a waterman and the knowledge and use of proper equipment. For all you know, you could be hauling up blue sharks or black marlins, barracudas or Spanish mackerels, southern blue fin tunas or yellow fin tunas, skip jacks or sail fish, and a lot more sooner than later.

Night fishing: And if you are serious about learning and enjoying the art of fishing, your boat captain can get you to an ideal spot that he knows where you can fish all night long. Just pick up your fishing kit from the crew who are ready at hand to assist you. You might return for a barbecue of your catch––barracudas, bull’s eyes, blue fin jacks, red and white snappers or small tooth groupers. Should you not be lucky to hook a catch, just turn in nonetheless for a barbecue on the Sundeck or in the Coffee Shop by late night.

Please note that sport fishing only allows the tag and release method. It is prohibited to hunt dolphins, whales, whale sharks and such large marine mammals with harpoon guns or other means. Also forbidden are fishing and/or possession of black coral, conches, giant clams, berried and small lobsters and turtles.

Also note that swimming to the nearby islands is strictly prohibited for safety reasons, unless prior permission is taken.

Big game fishing: Big Game fishing in the Maldivian waters can be one of the most unforgettable adventures of a lifetime for keen fishermen and first-timers alike.

The islands of the Maldives form a ridge which shelves steeply to the depths of the Indian Ocean. The coral atolls boast one of the greatest concentrations and diversities of sea life found on earth-big billfish are caught within meters of the tourist resorts. The fishing methods in the Maldives are interesting to watch, and bait less fishing is the most fascinating among them.

Fish caught during game fishing varies according to the weather. The Maldives, a country that straddles the equator, remains sunny almost all year around. There are two main seasons, however, - the South West Monsoon and the North East Monsoon. The South West Monsoon, which usually starts in May and continues until August, is the rainy season. Bad weather in the Maldives is not common but the varying temperatures can affect the underwater currents and consequently the movements of fish.

Please note that sport fishing only allows the tag and release method. It is prohibited to hunt dolphins, whales, whale sharks and such large marine mammals with harpoon guns or other means. Also forbidden are fishing and/or possession of black coral, conches, giant clams, berried and small lobsters and turtles.

Also note that swimming to the nearby islands is strictly prohibited for safety reasons, unless prior permission is taken.