Fishing in Thailand by Huiya Hilland

As with any part of the tropics, it can rain at any time, but prolonged periods of heavy rains occur only occasionally, even in the rainy season.

The peak season for fishing off the coast of Phuket generally coincides with the peak period for tourists visiting the island. October, November and December are usually the most productive month for marlin and sailfish action. During the rainy season, often Phuket enjoys a good run of sailfish. July and August regularly provide the fishermen with 'hot-bites' from Sailfish, Wahoo and Dorado.

Phuket, Thailand – fishing

There are three major fishing areas off the coast of Phuket Racha Yai, Racha Noi and the continental shelf. In addition, the Andaman Islands are 450 km away and can be reached by charter or boarding in Port Blair, India. The most popular fishing ground in Phuket are the waters surrounding the island of Racha Yai, especially off its northeast corner. It is a striking sailfish hot-spot and can often produce excellent action. Wahoo, dorado, barracuda and multitudes of skipjack, Kawa-kawa and Longtail tuna caught off the island regularly.

Racha Noi and pinnacles of rock in the south 'island has to offer sports sizzling with black marlin, sailfish, wahoo and many other desirable game-fish. When the large schools of jacks to take their delusions of power, popper-casting can result in a session of fishing experience. Jigging over the pinnacles can also produce exciting action with giant trevally, rainbow runner, and even the occasional-dogtooth tuna.

The drop-off on the continental shelf of Phuket, offers anglers their best chance of black marlin action relatively close to Phuket. The drop-off near the Similan islands is one of the places of yellowfin tuna, although they are rarely caught in trophy size. Big wahoo often cruise the shelf, as well as barracuda and impressive Dorado. The skipjacks are generally much larger than their cousins ​​caught in shallower water. Sailfish occur from time to time, but rarely in large numbers.

The archipelago of the Andaman Islands, which belongs to India and is located in the Bay of Bengal, is about 450 km west of Phuket and Thailand is closer to what is in India. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Group consists of 572 islands of rainforest-covered, of which only 36 are inhabited. This area is a new and exciting destination for deep sea fishing, where the fishing action, including large battles with massive pieces of the mighty black marlin, is exceptional, especially for the virtual absence of commercial fishing vessels.