Some countries have one or two productive fisheries that they flaunt, attracting tourists and stoking pride in locals with bold statements and carefully-edited photographs. Indonesia is not one of them. After all, when you span an eighth of the world’s surface and stretch across 13,000 islands, snappy taglines just don’t cut it. Fishing in Indonesia is almost impossible to stereotype. Which is no bad thing.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to Indonesia’s most exciting sport fish and outline some of the best places and techniques to target them. And then it’s your turn. Because Indonesian fishing is not about famous hotspots and fancy boats. It’s about creating your own adventure. Let’s get going!
Top Target Fish in Indonesia
The marine life around Indonesia is astounding. From athletic pelagic fish to fierce guardians of the reefs, thousands of species call these waters their home. Here are a few that you won’t want to miss.
Tuna
Indonesia accounts for more commercial Tuna catches than any other country. Yellowfin and Skipjack Tuna are the most common targets. But it’s the Yellowfin that we’re interested in.
Notoriously fast and famously tasty, Yellowfin Tuna are some of the most popular fish to catch wherever they are in the world. They’re most common in Indonesia between May and October, when you can find large schools in deep waters.
Believe it or not, the traditional way to catch these ultimate sport fish is with nothing more than a handline. A sizable part of the country’s commercial fleet still fishes this way. But if you’d rather troll for them, we won’t blame you!
Tuna by name, but not by nature, Dogtooth Tuna deserves a mention, too. This monstrous fish is more closely related to Mackerel than Tuna, but that makes it no less exciting to catch. These fierce predators hunt around Indonesia’s reefs all year round. You can find them across the country, but the biggest ones live around remote islands northeast of Borneo in the Celebes Sea.
Giant Trevally
Nothing says fishing in the Indian Ocean like an oversized grey fish balancing on a wild-eyed angler against a backdrop of rocky outcrops. Target Giant Trevally (GT) in Indonesia, and this could be you.
Komodo Island has played a big part in establishing GT fishing’s global popularity, and the Flores Sea is still a hotspot for the species. In fact, you can catch them everywhere from Aceh to Papua, as long as you follow one general rule – look for underexploited waters away from heavily-populated areas. Indonesia’s population is large, fishing is common and under-regulated, and Trevallies rarely get the chance to reach maturity near busy settlements.
Seeing as only about 1,000 of Indonesia’s 13,000 islands are inhabited, there’s no shortage of remote spots to target real giants. Cast your biggest poppers around reefs and dropoffs, and you might be in for a monster catch.
Papuan Black Bass
The Western Pacific’s answer to North America’s favorite freshwater fish may share a name, but the similarities stop there. The Papuan Black Bass is actually a type of Snapper that lives in fresh and brackish waters. It reaches enormous sizes and can tip the scales at well over 40 pounds.
If you’re coming to Indonesia to practice mindfulness and relaxation, this probably isn’t the fish for you. But if you’re looking for an angling challenge like no other, look no further. These monsters lurk deep within gushing rivers, holding their position against forceful currents before launching at their prey with a single, deadly strike. When the prey is a lure and you’re at the other end of a fishing line… let’s just say you’d better hold on!
You guessed it – the best place to catch this behemoth is in and around Papua. The rivers around Timika in West Papua are a good place to start.
Mahi Mahi
Fishing in Indonesia doesn’t have to involve wrestling monsters out of oceans and rivers. Mahi Mahi are colorful, enjoyable to catch, and make for some of the finest sashimi you’ll probably ever taste.
Although these golden-blue fish swim all around Indonesia, the old rule of fishing away from populated areas holds true for them, too. Look for them around Bali’s FADs or offshore from any of the country’s numerous islands between March and December
What else?
Indonesia’s numerous coral reefs hold thousands of species, including Snappers, Groupers, Jobfish, and Red Bass. Larger fish like Amberjack and Narrow Barred Spanish Mackerel hunt the same waters, while Blue and Black Marlin and Sailfish drop by from October to November. Stalk the flats around the northern islands, and you may even find a Bonefish!
Inland, Barramundi reach impressive sizes in the very same rivers that hold Papuan Black Bass. Pacific Tarpon join them, alongside exotic sportfish like Saratoga, Snakehead, Hampala Barb, and various types of Catfish. All in all, there’s no shortage of variety when it comes to fish!
How to Go Fishing in Indonesia
Throwing poppers for monster GTs, destroying lures in remote Black Bass territory, hooking small reef fish from a traditional Balinese boat, handlining for Yellowfin Tuna… The intersection of the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific offers more fishing techniques than you can shake a stickbait at. Here’s how to get started.
Indonesian Fishing Charters
Fishing with a local is the tried and tested recipe for success, wherever you are in the world. In Indonesia, where fishing hotspots can be remote and distant, it’s almost essential.
Most developed tourist areas in Indonesia offer their fair share of fishing charters. These either use modern sportfishing boats or, more often, traditional Balinese “jukungs.” Lots of them cater predominantly to newer anglers, offering some light reef fishing as well as snorkeling and sightseeing. You can usually also find people to take you deep sea fishing out of places like Bali and Lombok, too.
Options for more serious anglers also exist. Sourcing a fishing trip outside of tourist hotspots can take some legwork (and, usually, an interpreter). But fishing in remote parts of Indonesia is seriously impressive and well worth the effort.
Fly Fishing in Indonesia
Saltwater fly fishing is still in its infancy in Indonesia but a handful of professional outfits run specialist trips. And we think they’re about to take off big time! The flats around Raja Ampat in West Papua are a fly fishing paradise. GT, Bonefish, Triggerfish, and Milkfish are just some of the species that patrol the local reefs and shallow, sandy waters. Pack your gear and go there before the secret gets out!
Freshwater fly fishing in Indonesia will put you to the test in an entirely different way. Anglers fishing Indonesia’s rivers need to deal with gushing currents, overhanging jungles, and ferocious river monsters. The Hampala Barb, Giant Snakehead, and Mahseer in Borneo’s remote river systems attract fly fishers from across the planet. Meanwhile, Papuan Black Bass provides the ultimate challenge in Indonesia’s far east.
Spearfishing in Indonesia
Want to really understand the habitat of your target fish? Leave the boat behind and dive in. Sumatra, Kijang, and Lombok are just some of the excellent places to go spearfishing in Indonesia.
It’s illegal to spearfish while using scuba gear here, so the sport is restricted to freediving only. But that makes it all the more exciting. Just bear in mind that the local seas have been heavily exploited by harmful fishing techniques, so make sure you spearfish responsibly.
The Best Places to Fish in Indonesia
Indonesia’s 34,000 miles of coastline straddle two oceans and seven seas, forming a natural barrier between the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific. A large part of the country sits within the Coral Triangle, the richest marine ecosystem in the world. Suffice to say, this enormous collection of islands offers several lifetime’s worth of fishing spots. Here are a few of our favorites to get you started:
- Papua. Very possibly the best all-round place to fish in Indonesia, Papua’s saltwater and freshwater fisheries both deserve a place on the world stage. The islands to the north offer easy access to extremely deep waters, where huge Yellowfin Tuna hunt shoals of bait fish. Meanwhile, reefs, atolls, and coral islands around Raja Ampat and the Biak Islands attract everything from Jobfish to GTs and giant Red Bass. The island’s southern coast also has a strong Tuna fishery around Kaimana, while the nearby rivers hold Papuan Black Bass, Barramundi, Saratoga, and much more.
- Bali. The commercial and local fishing pressure around Indonesia’s favorite tourist hotspot can make you think that there are no decent-sized fish left near Bali. But go off the beaten track and the fishing takes off. The FADs off Lovina Beach are a good place to start. Mahi Mahi, Tuna, and even Marlin are possible target fish around here. Otherwise, hop over to neighboring Lombok for less fishing pressure and big GTs.
- Aceh. Indonesia’s eastern tip juts out into the Andaman Sea, one of the most renowned deep sea fishing destinations on the planet. You can access this from Weh Island, a developed tourist destination that has a few good fishing spots for Snappers, Groupers, Amberjack, and Giant Trevally. Offshore, Marlin, Sailfish, and Yellowfin Tuna swim by on their annual migrations.
- Mentawai Islands. The chain of islands off the coast of Sumatra is most famous for its surfing. But the conditions that create these iconic waves also make for incredible fishing. Right on the edge of the continental shelf, these islands are home to Golden and Giant Trevallies, Coral Trout, and Dogtooth Tuna. Marlin and Sailfish swim relatively close to shore, too. Focus on Setan Island in the north or the Lance’s Right area on Sipura Island.
- Morotai. The furthest reach of the Maluku Archipelago is home to one of the country’s first certified sustainable Yellowfin Tuna fisheries. Recreational anglers in the “Spice Islands” can join in with the Tuna action, as well as targeting Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and Giant Trevally.
- Lake Toba. The largest volcanic lake in the world is also Indonesia’s largest – and deepest – freshwater fishery. Sitting nearly 3,000 feet above sea level and home to the vibrant Batak culture, it’s a stunning place to explore in its own right. The fact that it’s also home to Snakeheads, Walking Catfish, Tilapia, and Carp makes it all the more enticing.
Indonesia Fishing Regulations
At the moment, recreational fishing in Indonesia is relatively unregulated. The country focuses more on reducing harm from disastrous international commercial fishing operations than recreational angling. That means you don’t need a license to fish in Indonesia, and there are no official size or bag limits. However, professional fishing operations are regulated and it’s important to book a reputable charter operator in order to avoid trouble with the authorities.
Find Your Own Secret Spot in “Tanah Air Kitah”
Indonesians often talk about their country as “Tanah Air Kitah” – Our Land and Water. For them, the sea is just as important as the land where they live. And while some of the local waterways have been pushed to the limit by destructive fishing techniques, there are already signs that they’re bouncing back.
Saltwater is key to life here. And that makes fishing in Indonesia doubly special. This is a country that rewards explorers, offering enormous sportfishing potential to anyone willing to go off the beaten track. It also caters expertly to casual visitors, providing relaxing experiences on the water in accessible locations. Whichever type you are, we’re confident you’ll find your angling happy place in this most intriguing swathe of Southeast Asia.
Are you planning on fishing in Indonesia? Or do you have any recommendations to share with other visitors? Comment below and let us know!
