Guide to Fishing
An Overview of Fishing in Goa
Learn to fish
​A must-do experience for all ages. This is compulsory for anyone getting into fishing for the first time. Here we are taught all of the basics from parts of the rod to casting and feeling a bite to catching your first fish and safe release.
Spinning (Hard plastic)
This is an intermediate-level fishing method where you cast lures Either from the shore or from a boat. The hard plastic lures are brought in slowly; the action is given by twitching the tip of the fishing rod.
Spinning (soft plastic)
Intermediate level type of lure fishing where a soft plastic is used.
The advantage is being able to manoeuvre the bottom part of the water column for species like grouper(below), snapper, etc.
Surface jigging
​This is an advanced method of fishing wherein metal lures called jigs are reeled in at high speeds along the water surface to attract fast-moving pelagic species like trevally, queen fish, kingfish, barracuda, etc
Vertical jigging
​This is an advanced method of fishing wherein metal lures called jigs are reeled in at high speeds along the water surface to attract fast-moving pelagic species like trevally, queen fish, kingfish, barracuda, etc
Trolling
Trolling is a method of fishing where a lure is dragged at a distance behind a boat. Fish seeing the lure move across the water try to eat it and are hooked up. This is another advanced method that has the advantage of covering larger areas with minimum effort
Night Fishing
Fishing at night poses its own set of challenges due to the lack of light. The advantage is that predatory fish are more active during the night. Remember to carry a bright and reliable flashlight🔦
​Crabbing
Crabbing is an activity that your entire family can enjoy. The locals in Goa use the method in the video to catch them by placing circular nets with a metal frame called 'Koble' in the water with some bait. The unsuspecting crab walks onto the net to feed on the bait and is caught while the fishermen come to collect the nets.
Monsoon fishing by a local expert
During the monsoons, the water is usually very rough. Here is a clip of our local expert hooking a grouper using a long rod to distance himself from the splashing waves.
Dipkavni (flashlight fishing)
This is another local method of fishing done at night. Here a bright light is flashed over the fish which stuns them momentarily. The fish are then caught with a small net.
Lobster hunting
This requires a lot of skill so please don't try it without proper guidance. Here you dive down to where the lobsters are and either shoot them with a spear or grab them directly from under the rocks. Please wear gloves as lobsters have a lot of very sharp spines.
Shirt fishing
Just kidding, when you don't have a landing net you are bound to improvise.