Updated
There are two very different ways to fish in the Maldives: a relaxed handline trip at sunset that anyone can join, or a private boat with rods and lures for bigger fish. Here's how each one works, so you can pick the right trip.
Sunset handline fishing
The traditional Maldivian way: a weighted line with a baited hook, held in your hand rather than on a rod. You drop it over the reef as the sun goes down and feel for the bite. It's easy to learn, good fun for families and groups, and the catch is usually reef fish such as snapper and grouper.
The sunset fishing and BBQ trip ends with a barbecue of the evening's catch.
Big-game fishing
Trolling offshore: lures are towed behind the boat as it runs along the open sea, hoping for tuna, wahoo or mahi-mahi, and with luck a sailfish. You're out for hours on a private boat, so it suits people who want a proper day's fishing.
Popping
A popper is a floating lure that splashes and gurgles as you work it back across the surface. Cast along the reef edge, the target is the giant trevally (GT), famous for smashing lures on the surface and fighting hard.
Jigging
A heavy metal jig is dropped deep along the drop-off, then jerked back up so it darts like a baitfish. Jigging reaches fish that live deep, such as grouper, amberjack and dogtooth tuna.
Casting
Lures cast from the boat and retrieved along the reef, for trevally, grouper and other reef predators. A good choice if you know your way around a spinning rod.
Spearfishing
Free-diving on one breath with a speargun, along the outer reef. It's for confident swimmers who are happy diving down a few metres. Tell us about your experience in the note when you book.
Which one is right for you
- Families, groups and first-timers: sunset handline fishing, or the version with a BBQ
- A proper day out after big fish: big-game fishing
- Short, hard-fighting action: popping for giant trevally
- Fish from the deep: jigging
- Experienced free-divers: spearfishing
The private charters (big-game, popping, jigging and casting) are one price for the boat, so bring friends: it costs the same for one person or four.
Common questions
What fish can you catch in the Maldives?
Reef fish such as snapper, grouper and jacks on handline trips; tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi and sailfish when trolling offshore; and giant trevally on poppers along the reef edge.
Do I need fishing experience?
Not for sunset handline fishing, which is simple to learn on the boat. Popping, jigging and casting are easier if you've used a rod before, and spearfishing needs confident free-diving.
What's the difference between popping and jigging?
Popping works a floating lure across the surface for fish like giant trevally. Jigging drops a heavy metal lure deep and works it back up for fish that live along the drop-off.
How many people fit on a private fishing charter?
Up to four, for one price for the boat.