Hand-line fishing, catching fish using a single hand held line is one of the most popular vacation activities in the Maldives while being an environmentally friendly way of catching fish. It is also one of the easiest methods to land a fish given that the house reefs of resorts generally teem with fish. Handlining is within reach of every experienced and non experienced vacationer as it is offered as an activity by most resorts.
The method is very simple and perhaps has been practiced in the Maldives for several hundred years. All that is needed is a line, a weight or float, a hook and bait. The bait is put on the hook, the line dropped into the water and hereafter the only thing the fisherman has to do is to wait for it to reach the bottom of the sea. Once the line reaches the bottom it needs to be jiggled up and down to lure the fish, but carefully so as to avoid damage to corals and thereafter wait patiently for the fish to bite. Snappers, groupers, squid and ground fish are the types most commonly caught. Throw a ‘dhoni’ or a traditional Maldivian fishing craft into the equation and hand-line fishing becomes quite an interesting experience. Vacationers are generally taken by the idea of catching their meal, barbecuing it on a secluded beach and enjoying it with their favourite beverage by the light of a gorgeous tropical sunset. Luck may play a role in landing a catch but some expert advice aided by reefs teeming with fish, catching some fish for a meal may not be such a problem.
Some add romance into the night or sunset fishing by cruising among the islands on a traditional ‘dhoni’ or a modern well outfitted boat and trying out hand-line fishing at several locations. This is another way to enjoy the sport and experience the beauty of the Maldives specially towards evening when the feeling of ‘being at one with nature’ is most pronounced.
Enjoy the best water sports options that the Maldives can offer at Anantara Veli Maldives which will be the perfect highlight of a relaxing tropical beach holiday. Stay at some of the most comfortable and contemporary Maldives Bungalows of this prominent Maldives resort and experience relaxation and privacy the cornerstones to a great getaway.