Fishing in Pattaya

Some people come to Pattaya for the nightlife; some come for the beaches, bathing and nightlife; some come for the superb variety of adjacent golf courses and the nightlife: some though, come for the excellent off-shore fishing (the still water stuff is pretty good too) and the nightlife.

Pattaya originated as a small fishing port and today it remains the same, although you have to look in between the buildings to find the fishery. Pattaya is a city full of fresh fish, just caught from the Gulf of Bangkok. If you are walking along Beach Road at night you will usually see lots of lights out to sea in a large arc. This is your tomorrow’s lunch being caught by the local fishermen.

In the tropics they use lights and fish at night with nets as it’s cooler, the day boat traffic has finished, the fish are attracted to the lights, and the catch can be sold at the market next morning (4.00am/6.00 am usually), although some crustacean boats fish and land during the day too.

The bountiful wealth of sea-life, despite the pollution at the top of the Gulf means that there are bigger fish out there too, if you know where to look for them.

From Pattaya and Jomtien most rod fisherman’s boats head south into blue waters for the game fishing there. Many people have caught their largest fish around here, and come back again year after year to try for its larger friend.

Barracuda can be caught up to a very decent size from the piers and promontories, but they are far larger out to sea if you go with a knowledgeable skipper. 50lb king mackerel, 140lb black marlin, 57lb sailfish, 48lb Cobia and 17lb barracuda have all been taken in the last few years.

There are quite a few reputable skippers around Pattaya and a half a dozen good fishing guides. Unless you want to bring your own tackle, for some reason, it will all be provided by the guide, as will any necessary bait.

Usually a group of fishermen will charter a boat for a day (usually 8.00 until 6.00) and share the costs, although if you are going for the really big fish, an overnight trip will take you further south in the Gulf and the likelihood of bigger fish in those waters.

The boats used are usually traditional Thai fishing boats up to 60’ (18 metres) long and ride the gentle swells of the Gulf extremely well in normal conditions.

The Pattaya Sports Club, who have a posh new clubhouse on 3rd Road opposite Pattaya Driving Range, has a large following of fishermen and even run weekly tournaments with staggering results in terms of fish landed.

You can get them on psca@loxinfo.co.th . There are quite a few bars the fishing folk frequent too, including the Fisherman’s Bar, J&M Bar, Bullring Bar, Wonderful Bar and Café Kronborg.

Some good days can be booked from the different skippers, but unless you are familiar with the area it is advisable to take a fishing guide too.

This author was very surprised to catch a 6lb barracuda whilst fishing for bass off Jomtiem one evening. If I can do this then a ‘proper’ fisherman should be able to have a really very good time in Pattaya. The secret is to give your fish to the cook on the way into your hotel, or bar/restaurant of choice, tell him how you like it, and it will be ready for you and your friends to eat by the time you have showered and changed.

Do the fish taste good? What a silly question. “Best I’ve ever tasted” or “melts in the mouth” is the normal rejoinder, and is because it’s fresh and it’s cooked properly.

If you are looking to charter a boat for you and five or six others it really is worth looking around to get the best deal, but that is no use without a good fishing guide. The club members will point you in the right direction, but may be not altogether without certain personal preferences, so use your own judgement.

Game fishing from Pattaya is really cheap compared with a lot of places in the world. The real ‘season’ starts in November and goes on until about March or April, coinciding with the tourist season, but there are good fish to be had all year from Pattaya. It’s really easy to join the weekly matches even if you have not fished before and get the thrill of your first fish. Give it a go! It’s very exiting at times and good fun for the rest.

Advice: When you have caught fish and have brought them home…..do have a very good shower before you go out for the Pattaya nightlife, because the local girls may not be quite as unimpressed with your fish as they are with your smell.

List of fishing parks in Pattaya

Submitted by : Rod Edwards
09-July-06

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