Bali Bites - Fishing Bali Update 1

Well finally the wet season has relented on Bali and this has resulted in it being a little drier, less humid, less windy and the water is warming up (despite the unseasonal spell mid March).  Most importantly the fish are starting to move.  Fishing on numerous trips has been by traditional Jukung from either Kuta fishing the Batu Belig area or better still from Serangan fishing the deeper more tidal waters out from the Nusa Dua area.  These are great fishing vessels although the outriggers make the ride very wet if there is chop.  We have also managed a few trips over to Nusa Penida, which is highly favored territory.  Indeed this water towards Lembongan Island, Nusa Penida and Lombok is spectacular and a real eye opener as to what Bali has to offer with so much bait abundant in the form of rainbow runners, fusiliers and mac tuna and funneled by at times very strong currents, this is of course what brings the GT's.  A look at navionics charts for the area shows amazing potential for billfish and the bigger tuna.  The long line fleet working wide off Bali to the south return with plenty of marlin and yellowfin tuna to add fuel to the fire!  Whilst we have now scored plenty of deep water ruby snapper jigging and plenty of GT's up to around the 40 kilo mark one of my main targets the dog tooth tuna remains elusive (although we have had our chances and blown it) as do the amberjack but there is plenty of time for that, the focus at the moment is still on the big Nusa Penida GT's before the water cools off in the middle of the year.  If you ever plan a holiday to Bali, consider a days fishing with one of the islands better operators.  Please contact me for recommendations.  Please enjoy some images from the first three months, when the time is right I cant wait to write about this place!    

A very special big GT taken on an Adhek Pom Pom aboard the aptly named GT1 with local pioneer Adhek Amerta

Don't you love a chopped up popper?

The locals are a resourceful lot!

Lembongan with Nusa Penida behind - the local fisherman in Jakung troll for small tuna

Double hook up on ruby snapper

Matt Cini sweats it up after pulling this ruby up from 200 meters!

Jigging is the name of the game when the fish are not switched onto surface presentations

One of the local Serangan fisherman hooked up tight

Fast Edi with happy clients from a days jigging

Greedy guts

Mark Harris getting stretched by a nice GT at Batu Abah on board GT1

Fisherman's hut at Batu Abah

Catch and release of GT's is mandatory aboard GT1, from the moment a fish hits the deck for a de-hooking and photo, the welfare of the GT is the priority.

Mark Harris is a top water specialist in Bali

Fish The Top End

Partners of Ebb Tide Adventures, Fish The Top End are a Darwin based travel agency specialising in Northern Territory fishing tours, here is a little introduction....

The Northern Territory and Darwin are known around the world as a top class fishing destination. A flourishing fishing tourism industry supports many top class Darwin fishing guides, camps, lodges and fishing charters.   Working with the best charter operators and fishing guides, Fish The Top End have a complete range of tour options that cover a vast cross section of top end fishing.

Whether you are looking at barramundi fishing around Darwin or trying your hand at a bluewater fishing charter Northern Territory style, Fish The Top End are ideally situated to help make your fishing adventure happen with their cadre of charters and guiding services.


When you think of fishing the Northern Territory of course barramundi is probably the first thing that comes to mind. Fish the Top End caters for the fisho who has barramundi on the top of their bucket list with tours ranging from a ½ day chasing barramundi in Darwin Harbor, a full day fishing one of our scenic billabongs or big rivers to an extended adventures at a remote camps or on a live aboard mother ships or fishing one of the famous big tidal rivers like the Daly, Mary or South Alligator.

Of course there is much more on offer than barramundi in the top end.  Extended bluewater reef fishing charters are becoming very popular with boats heading far afield and fishing some very remote reef systems. Small group sport fishing targeting queenfish, longtail tuna, GT’s, mackerel and more can done on a day tour going no farther than Darwin harbor or of course remote options are also on offer. If you are keen on fly fishing, sight fishing on light spin and/or fishing soft plastics the arms and estuaries of Darwin and Bynoe harbors can see you tangling with any number of tropical species.

All in all the NT has a diverse and exciting fishery and Fish the Top End are ideally situated to help you plan your next fishing adventure. Drop into Fish The Top End to take a look at the various tour options available or to book your spot for the up coming run off season drop owner Mike Jones an email.