Deep Sea and Big Game Fishing in the Maldives

Deep sea fishing, also called big game or offshore fishing, means heading out beyond the atoll rim into the deep blue water of the Indian Ocean to fish for large pelagic species. In the Maldives the deep water starts just outside the reef of every atoll, so a deep sea fishing trip doesn't need a long run offshore: the boat can be trolling along the drop-off within minutes of leaving the island.

The main targets are yellowfin tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi, with sailfish and marlin further out. Skipjack tuna are often found in large schools, and dogtooth tuna and giant trevally live along the reef walls, so many deep sea trips in the Maldives mix offshore trolling with a session of popping or jigging on the reef.

Trolling is the main technique. The crew sets several rods with skirted lures, diving plugs or rigged baits at different distances behind the boat, and runs at trolling speed along the outer reef edge for wahoo or offshore for tuna, mahi-mahi and billfish, watching for diving birds, floating debris and fish breaking the surface. When a fish strikes, an angler takes the rod and fights it from the boat.

When yellowfin tuna are feeding on the surface, anglers can also cast poppers and stickbaits into the school, and live bait is used for sailfish and marlin that come up behind the boat. Trolling tackle is supplied on the boat.

• Trolling in the Maldives
• Big game fishing in the Indian Ocean

The calmer northeast monsoon, from December to April, is the best time for deep sea fishing in the Maldives. The sea is flatter, which makes long trolling runs more comfortable, and it is peak season for yellowfin tuna and wahoo (December to March) and mahi-mahi (December to April). Sailfish and marlin are caught offshore at different times of the year; ask us about recent catches when you plan.

Trips still run through the southwest monsoon, from May to November, choosing calmer days, and it is the most commonly reported season for giant trevally on the reef.

• Best time to fish in the Maldives

Our private boat, Emperor, is a 32-foot fishing boat with twin 200 HP engines for up to 5 anglers, based on Maamendhoo in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, where deep ocean lies just beyond the long outer reef. For offshore fishing we recommend a full day: USD 1,380 per boat, or USD 276 each with five anglers. A half day costs USD 980 per boat. Both include a professional captain and crew, fuel, soft drinks and snacks, and basic fishing gear.

Near Malé, the site also lists big game trips run by resorts and independent operators; see the charters below. For several days of fishing, our packages at the Maldives Fishing and Holidays Lodge include the lodge, meals, the domestic flight, the transfer and a private charter on every fishing day.

• Emperor private fishing charter
• All fishing packages
• Maldives fishing trip cost

Billfish are the ultimate deep sea fishing targets. Sailfish, with their huge dorsal fin and acrobatic jumps, are often caught closer to the reef than marlin; marlin are a longer-range target in deep blue water, so a full-day charter gives the best chance. Billfish are normally released: keep the fish in the water, hold it alongside facing into the current and let it swim away.

• Marlin fishing
• Sailfish fishing