The angling in the Andaman Islands is nothing short of spectacular. These are the most fertile and untouched fishing grounds you can imagine.
The area is so vast (8,249 sq. Km) that most of it is still unexplored. By virtue of its position, the Islands receive a continuous south / south west current which brings with it plenty of baitfish as well as Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Dogtooth Tuna and Dorado.
You can pursue virtually every method of blue water fishing with exceptional results. Troll for Marlin and other pelagic species off the 1000-2000 m drop-offs on the east and west coast. Pop for Giant Trevally, Yellowfin Tuna and Coral Trout or go jigging for world record size Dogtooth Tuna, or night fishing for Giant Grouper, Snappers, Swordfish and Shark.
The Andaman’s has been one the word’s best-kept secrets because of its remote location and inaccessibility making it the last undiscovered angling paradise. Come discover it for yourself.
Black Marlin (Makaira Indica)
The Black Marlin is found in tropical and subtropical waters not far from the surface. Known for its aerial displays, this large commercial game fish is one of the most exciting fighters you will come across.
The Black Marlin’s body is blue-black above, and a silvery white below, sometimes with light blue vertical stripes. The first dorsal fin is blackish to dark blue with other fins dark brown with tinges of dark blue.
Black marlins primarily feed on cephalopods and fish, especially tuna, which they stun and kill with side to side slashing movements of their bill.
Blue Marlin (Makaira Mazara)
Blue Marlin can reach up to 16 ft (5 m) in length and weigh more than 1,984 lb (900 kg)
The Blue Marlin’s body is not very compressed. Its nape is highly elevated and its body is deepest at the pectoral fins level.
It has two dorsal and two anal fins. The pectoral fins have 20–23 rays that are depressible against sides of the body. The pelvic fins are shorter than the pectoral fins with one spine and two rays. Its body is covered with densely imbedded scales, each with one or two long, acute spines.
Its body is blue dorsally, silvery white ventrally, first dorsal fin membrane blue-black, unspotted; body has approximately 15 obscure vertical light bars.
Blue Marlin can reach up to 16 ft (5 m) in length and weigh more than 1,984 lb (900 kg)
The Blue Marlin’s body is not very compressed. Its nape is highly elevated and its body is deepest at the pectoral fins level.
It has two dorsal and two anal fins. The pectoral fins have 20–23 rays that are depressible against sides of the body. The pelvic fins are shorter than the pectoral fins with one spine and two rays. Its body is covered with densely imbedded scales, each with one or two long, acute spines.
Its body is blue dorsally, silvery white ventrally, first dorsal fin membrane blue-black, unspotted; body has approximately 15 obscure vertical light bars.
Barracuda (Sphyraena Barracuda)
The Barracuda belong to the genus Sphyraena and is a member of the order Perciformes. Many of these fish weigh over 100 lb (45 kg) and reach a length of 10 ft (3 m). The larger species, such as the great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), are solitary and not found in schools. Generally, all species are hard fighters and good food fish.
The Barracuda’s canine like teeth occur both in the jaws and on the roof of the large mouth. The jaws are long, with the lower projecting beyond the upper, and the upper incapable of being protracted. Its head is large and pointed, and its body is long and compressed. The body is covered with cycloid scales, and the lateral line is well developed.
Coral Trout (Plectropomus Leopardus)
The Coral Trout are warm water reef dwellers and are usually red to greenish brown and grow up to 75cm in length. The larger trout prefer the drop offs that have plenty of current.
The median fins and upper two thirds of the head and body have numerous small dark-edged blue dots. The median rays of the caudal fin often have a white margin.
Their color can vary with the time of day based on the light, the surrounding habitat and the type of activity the fish is pursuing.
Dogtooth Tuna (Gymnasarda Unicolor)
The Dogtooth Tuna is a large fast-swimming fish in the family Scombridae. It is one of the apex non pelagic predators. Also the Dogtooth is not really a Tuna, but more closely related to the Bonito. It has large teeth and a straight edged first dorsal fin that’s characteristic of all Bonito.
Appreciated as both a game fish and food fish, a large specimen can put up a serious fight.
It is a near shore fish, with smaller fish in shallow reef areas and larger ones in deep reef drop off areas. It will readily attack most fish that will fit in its mouth: mackerels, sardines, etc.
Giant Trevally (Caranx Ignobilis)
The Giant Trevally is a species of fish found in the waters off the Andaman Islands and are the largest of the jack family. They can reach over 200 lb and swim the surface waters of reefs and islands.
Frequently found with tiger sharks, they use the larger shark to hide behind and then ambush prey.
A great sportfish, the Giant Trevally is always an entertaining catch, no matter its size. The Andamans is known to tournament size GT.
Green Jobfish (Aprion Virescens)
This is beautiful olive green fish reach lengths of 1 m and a weight of 13 kg (28 lb.) A hard fighter and a prized table fish, it has conical teeth along the outer margin of the jaw.
Freshly caught specimens are beautifully tinted with bluish purple. Its body has a somewhat speckled appearance due to the dark based scales. The olive green dorsal fin is bordered with lavender, and has a series of black blotches towards its base.
Dorado (Coryphaena Hippurus)
The Dorado, also known as Mahi Mahi or Dolphin fish, is one of the most exciting offshore gamefish. Coloring ranges from a dark blue along its back and changes laterally through a green – gold – yellow color spectrum. They can grow up to 80 lbs and live for around 5 years. When hooked, this beautifully colored fish lights up with an almost neon like glow and puts on an exciting, high jumping fight.
The males are easily distinguished by their high flat forehead and are usually larger than the females.
Mangrove Jack (Lutjanus Argentimaculatus)
As its name implies, the Mangrove Jack is commonly found in mangrove-lined estuarine systems. They can grow up to 12kg or 1m. As ambush predators, they often dwell around mangrove roots, fallen trees, rock walls, and any other snag areas where smaller prey reside for protection.
An excellent sport fish, Mangrove Jacks respond well to lures cast into heavy cover. Once hooked, the Mangrove Jack makes an explosive run for cover. An angler needs to exercise authority soon, or risk getting busted off by these feisty characters. Mangrove Jacks out pull most other fish many times their size and are great fun to take.
The Yellowfin Tuna, is found in open waters off the Andaman Islands. The second dorsal fin and the anal fin are both bright yellow and the main body is dark metallic blue, changing to silver on the belly. Divers off the Andaman Islands have reported sightings of 3 m record size Tuna.
Compared to other less active fish, tunas have hearts that are ten times larger for their body weight and pump three times more blood. They also have a much higher proportion of red muscle in their bodies than the average fish.
A popular sport fish, they’re prized for their speed and strength and often test even the most hardened angler.
Sailfish (Istiophorus Platypterus)
Sailfish reach a maximum size of approximately 11 ft (3.5 m) total length and 220 lb (100 kg). They are blue to gray in color and have a characteristic sail (dorsal fin) on top, which often stretches the entire length of the back. Another notable characteristic is the elongated bill, resembling that of a swordfish..
The sail is normally kept folded down and to the side when swimming, but it may be raised when the sailfish feels threatened or excited, making it appear much larger than it actually is.
Red Snapper (Lutjanus Malabaricus)
The Red Snapper commonly inhabits waters from 30 to 200 ft (10 to 60 m), but can be caught as deep as 300 ft (100 m) or more on occasion. Red Snappers are normally around 10 lb (4.5 kg) and 20 inches (50 cm) in length. However, fish over 40 lb (18 kg) have been caught.
Like most other snappers, Red Snappers will form large schools around wrecks and reefs. These schools are usually made up of fish of very similar size. Red Snappers will eat almost anything, but prefer small fish and crustaceans. They can be caught on live bait as well as cut bait, and will also take artificial lures, but with less vigor.
Wahoo (Acanthocybium Solandri)
A tropical game fish, the Wahoo belongs to the mackerel family. It has a pointed snout, narrow body, and long dorsal fin. The back is an iridescent blue green, while the sides are silvery, with a pattern of vertical blue bars. Wahoo have been recorded at up to 2.5 meters (8 ft) in length, and weighing up to 83 kilograms (180 lb) and can swim up to 75 kilometers (47 miles) per hour.
Some say that the name "Wahoo" is a derivation of the name of the Hawaiian Island Oahu, while others say the name derives from the exclamation of some fishermen, "Wahoo!" who have hooked into the extremely fast running fish.
Broadbill Swordfish (Xiphias Gladius)
Swordfish grow to 4.5 meters and over 600kg. They are easily recognized by their relatively long and wide flattened sword, which distinguishes them from the marlins and sailfish. They have dorsal fins that are widely separated and they do not possess ventral fins. A large keel is present on each side of the body in front of the tail. Swordfish are blackish-brown on the upper body, fading to light brown on the belly, deep azure blue to bright metallic purple on the back. Their eyes are very large and black. Their fins are brown or blackish-brown. Adult swordfish have no teeth or scales.
Larger Swordfish are usually caught at night using squid or live fish baits drifted near the edge of the shelf.