Big Game Fishing at Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort

To charge around round the azure waters of the Indian Ocean in the pursuit of big game fish is a truly mesmerising way to spend time. From Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort it is possible to go out for a half or whole day on a customised fishing boat that is both comfortable and fast, with the advantage of plenty of comfortable seating outside for sunbathing and air conditioning inside where there is a small cabin, (full of fishing kit) a heads (toilet), a saloon (seating area with a table) and a galley (small kitchen). Outside our Captain had access to all mod-cons, radar, GPS, and most importantly a large colour display fish finder. Over the side of the boat hung fishing booms which make it possible to have four to six fishing lines all out at the same time with minimal chance of snagging.

We set off after a leisurely beach BBQ and were told that we had a good chance of catching barracuda, tuna, whahoo, and if very lucky sail fish and marlin. To be honest I did not hold out much hope as I am better known as ‘No Fish Fergus’ following several disastrous fishing trips in other parts of the world.

For the first hour we chugged along the reef edge, maybe fifty meters from where the waves were crashing over the reef but we were safe in over 150 meters depth of water, our Captain had not turned on the fish finder assuring us that he did not need it but there was little or no sign of any fish let alone Big Game Fish. Still we were happy to look at the passing deserted islands and discuss Maldivian culture and politics with our host Sharmin who worked as guest relations at Vilu Reef.

After a while the boat turned around as Captain advised that the current had changed direction and so we should start heading back to the resort, I think by this stage we had resigned ourselves to the fact that the title of ‘No Fish Fergus’ was going to remain intact, but no matter we had had a lovely time. Captain then turned on the fish finder (he too was obviously feeling my effect to scare off the fish).

Then bang, one of the fishing booms practically bent in half and about 200 meters behind us we saw a huge fish launch out of the water about ten feet in the air. Cries of ‘Big fish’ could be heard from the crew and I was hurriedly taken down to the fighting chair and once in the rod was passed to me, the thrill of feeling that much fish on the end of a stubby five foot rod was immense and fighting it in was no mean feat, imagine doing a really heavy weight session in the gym and times it by ten!!

Then bang again, another one of the rods bent in half and the line started screaming out of the reel whilst we were still fighting the first fish! More cries of ‘Big fish’ and another monster from the deep launched itself into the air like a ballistic missile heading into space.

No sooner was the first fish safely on the deck then the second rod was passed to me and we started all over again. This fish was not giving up as easily as the first and I was getting serious cramp in my arms, so much so that towards the end of the fight one of the crew was stood in front of me acting a rod rest whilst I furiously wound in several hundred meters of fishing line. We landed the second fish on the deck and were able to stand back and look at our catch.

Two 100 pound Sail Fish – very similar to a Blue Marlin but with a beautiful deep blue sail like dorsal fin. These fish are very long and pure muscle with a sword point nose, built for speed and so stunning to look at that it was almost a shame to kill them, but for the Maldivians catching fish is their life and rest assured that not a single morsel of these delicious fish would be wasted.

After this blistering action I was exhausted so we decided to call it a day and return to the resort victorious, and I am now affectionately referred to by the Captain and his crew as ‘Two Fish Fergus’, the duck was broken and true style!!

On returning to the dock it seemed that half of the resort had turned up to see our catch, and there was much clapping and back slapping whilst photos were taken for posterity. The next night we were treated to a beach BBQ where Chef served one of our Sail Fish as the main course and it was absolutely delicious, so fresh and cooked in lemon butter and rosemary on the BBQ, simple food beautifully cooked under a starry Maldivian Sky. If I imagine what heaven for a fisherman must be like, this must be close.

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