Find your next fishing spot

FreshwaterRiver & streamLure fishing

Haruan · Striped snakehead

Channa striata

Haruan occurs in freshwater swamps, canals, lowland rivers and slow water. It is predatory; look around cover, but confirm access and local rules before fishing.

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Photo: renjus box · CC BY 4.0 Source

FreshwaterRiver & streamLure fishing

Toman · Giant snakehead

Channa micropeltes

Toman inhabit lakes, swamps, lowland rivers and larger slow-flowing channels. Adults prey mainly on fish; look for open water near structure and vegetation.

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Photo: George Chernilevsky · Public domain Source

River & streamFreshwaterLure fishing

Sebarau · Hampala barb

Hampala macrolepidota

Sebarau are associated with clear, flowing rivers and streams, and also occur in reservoirs. Look for current seams, pools and submerged structure.

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Photo: Sahat Ratmuangkhwang · CC BY 3.0 Source

Estuary & brackishSea & coastBait & lures

Siakap · Asian seabass

Lates calcarifer

Siakap can live in marine, estuarine and fresh water, and is found around coasts, lagoons and rivers. Depth, tide and access vary by location.

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Photo: John Robert McPherson · CC0 Source

FreshwaterRiver & streamBait fishing

Patin catfish

Pangasiidae · several local species

Farmed patin are common in fishing ponds; wild species occur in large freshwater rivers. Ask pond operators about bait, fees and catch rules before fishing.

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Photo: Trương Minh Khải · CC0 Source

FreshwaterRiver & streamBait fishing

Puyu · Climbing perch

Anabas testudineus

Puyu occur in ponds, swamps, canals and slow freshwater. They are hardy fish, but pond conditions and rules vary.

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Photo: Sahat Ratmuangkhwang · CC BY 3.0 Source

River & streamFreshwaterBait & lures

Kelah · Mahseer

Tor tambroides

Kelah are sought-after river fish; access and conservation rules vary. Confirm permission before entering a river.

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Photo: Bernard DUPONT · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source

Sea & coastEstuary & brackishBait fishing

Kerapu · Malabar grouper

Epinephelus malabaricus · representative species

Malabar grouper inhabit marine and brackish water, often around reef structure. Check local restrictions and size limits.

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Photo: Jon Hanson · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source

Sea & coastBait & lures

Tenggiri · Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel

Scomberomorus commerson

Tenggiri are marine predators found in coastal and open water. Boat, current and sea conditions affect safety.

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Photo: Rickard Zerpe · CC BY 2.0 Source

Sea & coastEstuary & brackishLure fishing

Giant trevally · GT

Caranx ignobilis

GT are associated with reefs and coastal areas; they are powerful fish that need safe casting and handling space.

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Photo: Nasser Halaweh · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

FreshwaterRiver & streamBait & lures

Lampam Sungai · Tinfoil barb

Barbonymus schwanenfeldii

Lampam Sungai is a Malaysian native freshwater fish; distinguish it from Lampam Jawa.

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Photo: Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) · CC BY-SA 2.5 Source

FreshwaterRiver & streamBait & lures

Jelawat · Hoven's carp

Leptobarbus hoevenii

Jelawat are large local river fish and are also farmed; access and permitted bait depend on the venue.

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Photo: Zahar AZ · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

FreshwaterRiver & streamBait fishing

Ketutu · Marble goby

Oxyeleotris marmorata

Ketutu often hide near the bottom and structure in still freshwater; check the bottom before placing a rig.

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Photo: W.A. Djatmiko (Wie146) · CC BY-SA 3.0 Source

FreshwaterRiver & streamLure fishing

Bujuk · Forest snakehead

Channa lucius

Bujuk are freshwater predators associated with swamps, canals and vegetated rivers; work cover with controlled casts.

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Photo: Wibowo Djatmiko (Wie146) · CC BY-SA 3.0 Source

FreshwaterRiver & streamLure fishing

Kerandang · Indonesian snakehead

Channa marulioides

Kerandang are Southeast Asian freshwater predators; local names for Channa species vary by region.

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Photo: Candramawa99 · CC0 Source

FreshwaterRiver & streamBait fishing

Patin Buah · Giant river catfish

Pangasius nasutus

Patin buah are local river catfish; size, access and catch rules differ between rivers.

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Photo: Lord Mountbatten · CC BY-SA 3.0 Source

FreshwaterRiver & streamLure fishing

Peacock bass · Cichla

Cichla ocellaris

Peacock bass are native to South America and introduced in some waters; do not move or release live fish.

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Photo: Petruss · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

Estuary & brackishSea & coastBait & lures

Siakap merah · Mangrove jack

Lutjanus argentimaculatus

Mangrove jack use mangrove estuaries and coastal water; structure, current and local rules shape the approach.

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Photo: NasserHalaweh · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

Sea & coastBait & lures

Leopard coral grouper

Plectropomus leopardus

Leopard coral grouper are associated with tropical reefs; follow protected-zone, size and catch rules.

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Photo: Leonard Low from Australia · CC BY 2.0 Source

Sea & coastEstuary & brackishBait fishing

Fourfinger threadfin

Eleutheronema tetradactylum

Fourfinger threadfin are often sought in coastal and estuarine water; check tide and bottom before choosing a rig.

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Photo: BEDO (Thailand) · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

Sea & coastLure fishing

Talang · Talang queenfish

Scomberoides commersonnianus

Talang are coastal marine predators that hunt small fish; look for bait schools and keep casting space clear.

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Photo: Abdullajid U. Basali · CC BY 3.0 Source

Sea & coastLure fishing

Great barracuda

Sphyraena barracuda

Great barracuda are toothy predators in tropical seas; use suitable leader and handle fish with pliers.

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Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

Sea & coastBait & lures

Cencaru · Hardtail scad

Megalaspis cordyla

Hardtail scad school in coastal seas and chase small fish; schools move with current and conditions.

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Photo: Neeraj Kumar Muniyasamy · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

Sea & coastBait & lures

Cobia

Rachycentron canadum

Cobia are large marine fish often found near floating structure and objects; boat anglers should follow crew guidance and wear life jackets.

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Photo: Jorge Alarcon or Dr. Daniel Benetti · Public domain Source

Sea & coastBait & lures

Kawakawa · Little tunny

Euthynnus affinis

Kawakawa are fast pelagic tuna that hunt small fish; watch for birds and bait activity rather than a fixed spot.

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Photo: Mohammad Moazzam Khan · CC BY 3.0 Source

Sea & coastBait & lures

Longtail tuna

Thunnus tonggol

Longtail tuna are tropical pelagic fish; assess sea, current and boat safety before heading out.

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Photo: Muhammad Moazzam Khan · CC BY 3.0 Source

Sea & coastBait & lures

Dorado · Mahi-mahi

Coryphaena hippurus

Mahi-mahi are open-water pelagic predators; plan with an operator and follow boat-safety guidance.

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Photo: Citron · CC BY-SA 3.0 Source

Sea & coastLure fishing

Indo-Pacific sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

Sailfish are powerful open-water sport fish; use an experienced operator, wear a life jacket and favour careful release.

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Photo: Ed Bowlby, NOAA/Olympic Coast NMS; NOAA/OAR/Office of Ocean Exploration · Public domain Source