Unique Fishing Destinations to Visit in Asia
Asia is a great place to visit if you want to explore the great outdoors, especially if you’re into fishing. After all, the continent is rich in natural resources. According to findings on Statista.com, some of the top fishing nations in the world are in Asia — namely, China, Indonesia, and India. There are also several destinations in the continent perfect for recreational fishers to visit. So if you're planning on going on a unique fishing trip overseas, here are some places in Asia to consider.
Gushaini River, India
Gushaini River is found in the Tirthan Valley in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, reports TravelIndiaOne.com. Trout fishing is a peaceful experience here, as the region is relatively untouched. The best times to fish are between March and October. However, even during peak season there still aren’t many fishers, so you have the liberty to choose where to set up base camp. However, take note that the rainbow trouts are easier to catch than the wild brown trouts, as they’re mostly escapees from the local fisheries that use them for fishery feeding.
Coloane, Macau
For many tourists, Macau isn’t exactly known as a fishing destination. Around the world, the region is hailed as the Vegas of Asia, according to a post on Macau by Poker.org, thanks to its luxurious casinos and opulent hotels. However, it’s also rich in historical sites and outdoor activities like bungee jumping. Fishing fanatics will be happy to know that Macau was actually once a remote fishing village before it became an international trading port. To this day, there are many good fishing spots — one of them being Coloane, an island in the southern part of Macau. It’s located towards the South China Sea, so there’s plenty of diverse species to see such as sea bass, groupers, and snappers.
Mactan Island, Philippines
Just off the shore of Cebu City is Mactan Island, which is known for water sports like snorkeling and parasailing. While there are many commercial fisheries, sport fishing is also quite common. Regardless of whether you’re near the shore or farther out at sea, you can expect to see an amazing assortment of fish — from ladyfish and snapper, to barracuda and mackerel. There isn’t a standard, best time to fish because of the variety of species. However, if you fancy catching some groupers, the ideal time to fish for them is at night.
Pantai Wedi Ombo, Indonesia
This Indonesian coastline is found in the Jepitu village of the Gunung Kidul Regency. It’s known for its hills, reefs, and huge waves. The small fishes that are commonly used as bait can be easily caught by using a fishing pole or fishnets at the seashore. However, if you're up for something a little more extreme, check out how the locals like to fish. They typically fish from a coral cliff after a steep and slippery walk. While it sounds a bit scary, they are often rewarded with large catches, such as giant trevally and swordfish.
Mekong River, Southeast Asia
The world’s 12th largest river is without doubt the ultimate fishing spot. At almost 3,000 miles long, the Mekong River passes through six countries — specifically China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. As such, you have several options as to where to fish. There are over 1,000 species that call this river home, including striped tiger perch, and freshwater croaker. Keep in mind, however, that endangered species such as giant catfish and Irrawaddy dolphins are in the river as well, so fish responsibly.
When you’ve decided on a destination and are ready to go, check out our article entitled The 15 Best Fishing Backpacks 2021: Ultimate Guide. You'll definitely need a durable backpack to carry all your fishing supplies and travel gear!
