Ultimate Guide to Fishing in Bali: Best Spots, Seasons, and Tips

The average cost of chartering fishing boats in Bali ranges from US $800 if you charter a modern boat to US $100 if you choose the traditional boat. The fishing trip usually includes lunch, fishing gear, permits (if needed), and catch handlings (cleaning, filleting, and storing). Here are some of the best boat charters you can check out, whether for deep-sea fishing or game fishing.

At Pulau Private Charters, your need is their command. They can customize your needs, from diving in Bali and boat parties to cruising and fishing. Contact them if you want options because they have different boats serving different purposes. The Inami fast boat is the best choice for off-shore fishing. Book the Rhino boat for an overnight fishing trip with family and friends, whether you plan on deep-sea or game fishing.

Beginners and fishing enthusiasts, come aboard at Bali Fishing Charters! They specialize in fishing and have different packages: half-day for 4–5 hours and professional and full-day fishing for a maximum of 8 hours. They focus on exploring Nusa Dua and Nusa Penida areas, which are perfect for deep-sea fishing and game fishing. They are confident you can catch the Spanish mackerel, mahi-mahi, tuna, sailfish, and barracuda with their fishing equipment.

The best thing about King of The Sea is you get Captain Bajil, a local fisherman who knows the water around Nusa Islands like the back of his hand. His 33-foot custom-built traditional jukung boat can fit ten people. Whether you only want an offshore half-day trip or deep-sea fishing, get ready to cast your rod. You must bring snacks and drinks, while the charter will provide the fishing gear. After the trip, you can arrange to cook your catch with a local beachside restaurant!

Forget the rainy season because, with Bali’s tropical climate, you can plan a fishing trip all year round. Catching barramundi or groupers is just a matter of the right timing and locations! Once you book the fishing charters in Bali, your options to try different fishing methods just multiply. And have we told you Bali has over 900 fish species because the water is part of the Coral Triangle?

Don’t know where to go and what fish you can potentially catch? Plan your fishing tour in Bali by looking at the map.

• South Coast. Stretching from Nusa Dua to Uluwatu, the zone gets plenty of grouper, tuna, snapper, mackerel, and coral trout.

• East Coast. Amed and Padang Bai is the zone for blue marlin, dogtooth tuna, sailfish, and squid fishing at night.

• West Coast. The strong currents from the Bali Straits that stretch from Medewi to Gilimanuk bring yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi.

• North Coast. Lovina is not just a spot for spotting dolphins because you will find plenty of giant trevally, barracuda, snapper, and Spanish mackerels.

• Nusa Islands (Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan). The water around Nusa Islands is where you can find rainbow runners, giant trevallies, and dogtooth tuna. If you’re lucky, you may spot manta rays!

Are you still in the dark about which types of Bali fishing you should try? Let us show you in the most understandable way about different types of fishing in Bali and what you can expect.

Rule number one when fishing is to stay patient because each type has quirks and challenges. You may hate deep-sea fishing, but that doesn’t mean you will not enjoy game or fly fishing. Give each fishing style a try and find the pros and cons. When you find the one you like, go all the way and explore the endless possibilities of fishing in Bali. Let’s roll your reels!

Deep Sea Fishing in Bali   

The name should be a dead giveaway. Because if you guess it has something to do with the depth of the ocean, you’re spot on! Deep sea fishing means the fishing charter boats will take you to the middle of the ocean in Bali to catch large and migratory fish.

Padang Bai, Nusa Penida, and Lombok Straits become prime destinations for attempting deep-sea fishing. Deep-sea fishing often lasts 4 to 10 hours, so forget deep-sea fishing if you cannot get stuck in the middle of the sea for hours. But if you’re a fishing aficionado, expect to catch dogtooth tuna, wahoo, barracudas, marlin, and giant trevally.

When looking for a fishing charter in Bali, you can never go wrong with renting reputable ones as you need the most experienced crews, modern and special gear used for deep-sea fishing, and know the spots very well.

Shore Fishing in Bali        

Shore fishing means you cast the line from the shoreline. Perfect if you’ve never tried fishing because you can shorefish anywhere in Bali. Shore fishing lets you catch various fish, whether queenfish, snapper, groupers, or surgeonfish.

Where to go for shore fishing in Bali? Expect trevallies when you choose Sanur. The snapper reigns in Jimbaran Bay, and if you have time, drive to Amed for some squid fishing at night.

Don’t forget to pack the medium to medium-heavy spinning rod for shore fishing. The versatility can handle various fish sizes and casting distances, spinning reels between 3000-5000, and fishing line with thin diameters and long casts. Both live baits, such as worms, shrimps, or minnows, and artificial lures work best for shore fishing.

Fly Fishing in Bali  

The basic concept of fly fishing is casting artificial lures to imitate the fish’s natural food.  In short, you’re trying to trick the fish into taking the bait. While fly fishing in Bali is a niche market, we bet you will love the challenge once you try it. You must go further from the coastline and head to the inland or freshwater areas for this type of fishing.

Lake Batur, Buyan, and Tamblingan are great spots to fly fish, such as tilapia and carp. If targeting snakehead or jungle perch, then you need to cast your lure in freshwater Ayung or Unda River. The mangrove forest in Nusa Lembongan is the best spot to catch bonefish.

Go when during April-October, as the waters have less debris because of the dry season. Always check the tidal movement, especially if you fly fish in the river and mangroves. Fish become more active in the afternoon or early morning. That’s the best time for fly fishing!

Game Fishing in Bali         

If you have no idea what game fishing is, in simple words, you focus on catching powerful fish known for their speed and size. Once you catch the fish, you then rerelease them into the ocean. As Bali is part of the Coral Triangle, you can catch big fish almost everywhere!

Whether you head to Bali Strait or the Indian Ocean, the fishing enthusiast chooses Bali to get the adrenaline rush of dealing with giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, and Spanish mackerel.  The yellowfin tuna in Bali can weigh more than 100 pounds, while you can catch the blue marlin with up to 500 pounds in weight! Marlin and sailfish became the greatest prizes during the July-October period.

The adrenaline rush of game fishing is unmatched. But first, you need to find a fishing charter in Bali equipped with specialized fish-finding technology, fighting chairs, and complete with outriggers to get the maximum game fishing experience.

Here’s the breakdown of the gear you need to pack for different types of fishing:

You probably know where to find the best beaches in Bali. But do you know some of them, also known as the best fishing spots on the island? No matter the type of fishing you plan to attempt, whether you target pelagic fish or simply want to train your trolling or jigging, missing these places from the itinerary is a big no-no.

Nusa Dua  

Let’s forget Nusa Dua as the crème de la crème, where you can find world-class resorts, and talk about Nusa Dua as the fishing spot in Bali. When you fish, comfort should be high on the list, and add luxury to the mix, your shore or deep-sea fishing will be elevated to a new height. Feel free to splurge by chartering boats offshore or choose the traditional route by renting jukung boats.

The sheltered reefs make ideal spots for beginners and family outings to fishing for groupers, coral trout, or rainbow runners. In contrast, serious anglers will choose deeper sea spots to hunt for giant trevally and yellowfin tuna. We highly recommend night squid fishing if you want to try something new.

Sanur        

Long before Sanur gained a reputation as a family-friendly holiday spot, it was a quiet fishing village. The gentle waves and calm waters mean if you’re beginner-friendly, this is your spot. You can also plan a family outing with the shore fishing, catching shallow reef fish such as lane bream, triggerfish, or surgeon fish.

But renting a boat to take you further from the shore remains a must-do. The big action lies between Sanur and Nusa Islands. Deep-sea fishing is where you can fish for giant trevally or greater amberjack. Make friends with locals and join the local fishermen in the morning when they sail to the ocean using a jukung or traditional boat.

Amed        

No one would argue Amed’s status as one of the best spots for snorkeling in Bali. So why not add fishing to the mix? You don’t need to venture too far to catch mahi-mahi or Spanish mackerel using traditional boats. If you prefer shore fishing, head to Lipah Beach and Jemeluk Bay and cast your lines for snapper, grouper, and bluefin.

The sheltered bays and the deep water in the Lombok Strait mean many pelagic fish like dogtooth tuna and wahoo are waiting. The drop-off areas near the Japanese wreck are full of marlin and yellowfin tuna, especially during the July-October season.

In general, regulations regarding recreational fishing do not exist. Even when you don’t practice commercial fishing, we can’t stress enough the importance of responsible fishing. While you can fish anywhere in Bali, the methods of blast fishing and cyanide fishing are prohibited.

The West Bali National Park implements seasonal closures because it’s a marine-protected area. Bali also forbids the fishing of Napoleon wrasse and hunting manta rays. In Pemuteran, local villagers enacted laws by leading the coral restoration in the area. While game fishing is seen as the only way to prevent overfishing, Bali still has a long way to go to promote sustainable fishing.