Sportsfishing in Palau

Sportsfishing

Palau has an abundance of the most spectacular sportsfishing opportunities. One can troll for game fish such as mammoth 400-pounds blue marlin, sailfish, giant trevally, wahoo and tuna. As a matter of fact, sport-fishing is so popular in the islands that there are serious fishing derby competitions that are open to anyone. Generous cash prizes are awarded for the biggest catches in several categories including tuna, barracuda, wahoo and marlin, to name a few. Most recently, catch and release sports fishing has become a popular activity and is offered by tour companies.

Formal competitions aside, it’s truly a rare day when one of several fully-equipped custom sports fishing vessels fails to come back with the proverbial “big catch,” when guided by friendly local guide. And, for die-hard fans of the intriguing sport, the joy of tug-of-war combat with formidable predators of the deep is likely to be the unforgettable experience of a lifetime. Choices for those who favor more relaxing activities include spear fishing, reef casting, hitching a ride on a bamboo raft, or simply bringing a hand line to the Rock Islands to catch lunch, the local way, bottom fishing.

Especially in remote areas of Palau, one of the best experiences you can have at the end of the day is hearing the stories of the local fishermen after a day on the reef.