The waters of the Maldives have a vast diversity and variety of aquatic life. Apart from the tourism, fishing in the Maldives is on of the primary economic industries in the country. The lagoons, the coral reefs and the ocean around the archipelago are home to many exciting fish species.
Reef Fishing
Reef fishing in the Maldives with cut bait can produce all kind of tropical bottom fish. Around the atolls and the coral reefs you can target grouper, snapper, jack, shark and sea bream for example.
Offshore Fishing
The archipelago lies on a vulcanic ridge that is orientated roughly from north to south. Sailing west and east the seafloor drops to deep areas, home to pelagic fish. Big game species such as blue marlin, black marlin, sailfish, wahoo, yellowfin tuna and skipjack pray on forage fish in the open ocean. Trolling is the most common offshore fishing technique in the Maldives.
Jigging & Popping
Jigging & popping in the Maldives are probably the most spectacular techniques. Giant trevally, bluefin trevally, queenfish and rainbow runner will take poppers over the reefs. Large jigs are also used to target them in deeper areas, near dropoffs for example. Here, you can also hook dogtooth tuna, yellowfin tuna, several tropical species of grouper, and humpback wrasse for example.
Fly fishing in the lagoons & beach fishing
The Maldives are a unique fly fishing destination. There's nothing more exciting than wading the the flats looking for a fish that is in casting range. Depending on the species you're targeting, you'll need 8 or 9wt gear for smaller fish, bigger fish such as GT require 10 or 12wt gear. Make sure your reel holds enough backing (200-250 meters).
Inshore fly fishing in the Maldives will produce tropical species such as indo-pacific permit, giant trevally, bonefish, triggerfish, jobfish, milkfish and bluefin trevally.
