sea shore fishing in Saudi Arabia/Jeddah

[rizwan_hu]

HI 5,

i am from saudi arabia and basically Pakistani, working in Jeddah. RED SEA always inspiring to me. its very hard to find professional advice on Sea angling, Looking for some help from you fellow's on following.

1 - what type rod and reel i need to use as biggener?
2 - tips on Baiting?
3 - Advice on Sea shore Angling?
4 - if any one from saudia / Jeddah city please contact as partner?:boat:

gone through the articles, but need simple word and brief helping, friendly advice. Fisihing is passion to me from childhood but now got chnace to execute it.

Looking forward

Regards
Riz khan

[PanamaJack]

Hi Rizwan
And firstly welcome to the forum.

Um...I can't recall any previous posts regarding Saudi Arabia on the forum. And what enquiries/reports for that area that have been posted before - Oman and Dubai - relate of course to the Gulf side of the pennisular. You will however, if you look back at previous threads, see references to the Red Sea coast of Egypt. They may possibly be of some use?

Just googling one possible source of information might be the relevant forum on the Virtual Tourist web site - http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/Saudi_Arabia/Mintaqat_Makkah/Jiddah-1806894/Sports_Travel-Jiddah-Swimmingfishing-BR-1.html. If there's currently nothing relevant you could try posting to that.

Alternatively here's a url link to an individual that posted to the web regarding a fishing trip - http://www.saudicaves.com/saudi/bigtony.html. Or you may at least see the type of species found in the area and illustrations of tackle used on this web site - http://www.oceanactive.com/.

Sorry I can't be of any more help.

Regards
Dave

[Skate King]

Can anyone give me any advice on Fishing in Saudi Arabia? - Going to be working there soon, not too far from Jeddah. I'd like to do some beach casting or charter boat fishing if poss. I guess I need to know everything - what type of fish? what bait? what tackle? etc.

Cheers,
Skatos

[Afraz]

I was born and raised in KSA (Jeddah) i come back every year to visit from Canada, i'll be headin there this year come August. And guess what i am a fishing feind, anyone lookin to find out about fishin locations and what to use and what to do and where i'll be more then willing but please email me, becuase i don't use these forums too often. As for the Pakistani dude, shikaar per chalna hai to program banatay hain kia khayaal hai ?:victory:

[Lough-Carra]

Hi Skate King.
Are you still in the KSA? Just arrived and trying to learn the ins and outs of sea fishing here in Jeddah. Any advice before I make costly mistakes would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

[bahruddina]

I am also looking some info on fishing in Jeddah / red sea. Any info on this is greatly appreciated.

[Lough-Carra]

Hello Bahruddina,
Looks like there's not much conversation on this subject. I guess it's a matter of meeting the right local people. I'll keep you posted if I hear of anything.
Cheers, Lough-Carra

[bahruddina]

Hi Lough-Carra,

Yes you are right; I end up meeting local people here in Rabigh (actually we are working in same company). I have been fishing with him for few times but he is not much on "real" fishing; he is only spear fishing. Anyhow, I found here in Rabigh the fishing ground is very productive. Just fishing from shore located inside our Company housing beach area will produce GT below 4KG, grouper, and small fishes (up to 800 g). Some of my friends even hook-up with massive GT but loose the battle and in last 2 months my Japanese friend got hooked up with YTF around 14KG size. Majority of local people here charging somewhere around SAR 800 to 1400 for a offshore fishing trip (I think for 8 hours duration...not so sure though). Let me know if anybody interested, I am also interested to join if anybody planning for for group fishing trip in Rabigh.

And with regards to Jeddah area, I searched around and found one shop which provide offshore fishing trip which will cost you around >= SAR 1000 per trip.

If anybody in this forum would like to arrange group offshore fishing trip in Saudi Arabia is very much welcome and please contact me....I am interested to join. I am in opinion that > SAR 1000 for few hours fishing trip is not really worth it....that is why I am interested to join group fishing trip so that the cost can be shared together. Based on my brief research, some areas that I think are very productive is Al-Lith (farasan banks) and Farasan Island located in Jazan area.......

Thanks & Regards

[Afraz]

Guys its not about meeting the locals, if you can't speak Arabic good luck finding any spots to fish with a decent catch ratio.

Not many expatriates out doin their thing either, for those fellas who live in Jeddah i suggest youlearn how to make MAJROORS small filleen boats that carry your jalab (line) our at least 500 - 1000 meters from shore this is for big game hand lining...

As for the anglers there are a few spots in Junoob (south) when you google it you will see south of the Jeddah Port there is this long thing we call it Zabaan its like a long tongue of semi flodded crushed coral or something.. basically a path that leads straight into the deeper waters of the red sea. You won't be getting snagged on the corals here if you fish straight out...

In the north near Al Bilad Hotle Movenpick and Westin Hotel on Corniche there are two jetties one is called Saghalla another is called Saghalla Kori, both have decent catch ratios, i find that getting into gar during early morning is the best using small mackrel under a floater..

You can also fish from Hamara across from King Fahad fountain that entire bay there in January is a spwanign ground for queen fish (bayaad) they come in as hordes, they are so thick in there people even get em on shrimp (go figure :P)

So many places the further out of teh city you go the beter it gets, Shoaiba, Il-Lith, Mujairma all these places are great for fishing..

Darut Al Uroos has some decent fishing opportunities but its a highly regulated area so i dunno..

I have seen Barracuda and all forms of snapper being caught there but thats about it..

Anyway Hope this helps

PM me if anyone needs any help fishing Jeddah

Or email me at:

emadfarooqiHotmail.com

( i live in toronto Canada but visit the kingdom every year to meet up with my folks and fish to my hearts content.. and Pakistan too :P )

[Afraz]

Hi Lough-Carra,

Yes you are right; I end up meeting local people here in Rabigh (actually we are working in same company). I have been fishing with him for few times but he is not much on "real" fishing; he is only spear fishing. Anyhow, I found here in Rabigh the fishing ground is very productive. Just fishing from shore located inside our Company housing beach area will produce GT below 4KG, grouper, and small fishes (up to 800 g). Some of my friends even hook-up with massive GT but loose the battle and in last 2 months my Japanese friend got hooked up with YTF around 14KG size. Majority of local people here charging somewhere around SAR 800 to 1400 for a offshore fishing trip (I think for 8 hours duration...not so sure though). Let me know if anybody interested, I am also interested to join if anybody planning for for group fishing trip in Rabigh.

And with regards to Jeddah area, I searched around and found one shop which provide offshore fishing trip which will cost you around >= SAR 1000 per trip.

If anybody in this forum would like to arrange group offshore fishing trip in Saudi Arabia is very much welcome and please contact me....I am interested to join. I am in opinion that > SAR 1000 for few hours fishing trip is not really worth it....that is why I am interested to join group fishing trip so that the cost can be shared together. Based on my brief research, some areas that I think are very productive is Al-Lith (farasan banks) and Farasan Island located in Jazan area.......

Thanks & Regards

Are you crazy ? i fish there every year with Captian Jahnzeb and i pay him 100 riyals per head there are usually 4 - 5 ofus. And thats how it goes all night plus some day well over 8 hours depending on fishing..

No way in hell is anyone going to be paying 1000 Riyals for a fishing trip per person no bloody way, these ppl are trying to rip you off caue youa re an Expat, PM me and i wil give you all the contact numbers i have of captians who speak english and put u on the fih (mind you my sources are junoob southof Jeddah) and to my understanding rabigh is to the North.

Cheers

[bahruddina]

Afraz, yo've got PM. Thank you very much your informative reply. 100 riyal per head for offshore trip???That freakin cheap and very good deal.

[Lough-Carra]

Hi Bahruddina and Afraz, my apologies for not checking this forum in a while as I've been on the road for a bit. Thanks also for the great local fishing info. I've heard of a great spot in Abhor but unfortunately I've not been out there yet. Will let you know when I'm back in town and would like to get out on a fishing trip. Cheers, Lough-Carra.

[Assad]

Hi,
Does any one know where to buy a decent fishing boat in or around Jeddah. A normal size which can fit 6-8 people easily. Also I heard from someone about Fursan Island near Jizan. Actually to go to Fursan Island you have to go on a ship from Jizan port. There is a big market of used boats in Fursan Island.

Any information on this subject would be appreciated.

Thanks
Assad

[sohell]

Hey guys,
My name is Sohail from Jeddah and I have been going South Cornish every weekend that is Thursday early morning and tell you what South is the best place i can say for fishing. I haven't been that lucky enuf to pull out a big monster but the last weighted 5 kilo. I dont know what we say Abu Sanara in English, it looks like a sword fish with sharp teeth.
Anyhow; i am looking for a partner who is really interested to join me. Well ive been on boat trips as well and it costs really around 14 to 1500 hundred for 12 hours BUT paying a 100 on a boat trip sounds quite excited.
please let me know if there's gonna be a plan again.
Regards,
Sohail

[zubair]

Hi Guys - Nice 2 this forum. Well i am working in Jeddah from last 1 year. I have tried alhamra spot and Cornich rd spot Sagallah one in front of Westin Hotel.

From last few months i have been going almost every weekend but trust me i have Very rarely and i mean very very rarely seen some one catching big fishes. From last few months eople were catching a fish called Bayad on almost every kind of bait but sine last month even bayad is nowhere near. So if you will ask me about Jeddah then i have not seen any good spot i have seen local expert people sitting waiting for the fish to even touch the bait for many many hours. I personaly had the same experience by the way lol.

In my opinion the best spot i have been to is Al-lith. It is around 200 KM away from Jeddah going toward Jizan and just after Shoaiba plant. There is a bridge in Al-lith which is best and i have seen people catching big fishes and catching in notime.

Regarding the boat yes the rent is around 100-125 per person. Personaly i have never been on a boat trip but i am planing to soon. One of my friend told me that there is an island near Al=lith where people go for fishing on boat. But some times security does not allow expats to go. It depend on the mode of the security person. I will get more info on that and will let you know guys soon.

[sohell]

Hello Zubair,
I completely disagree on what you have mentioned that there are no spots in Jeddah, if you have ever tried on South Corniche you wouldnt have come up with your words. Anyways; there are good spots but depends even on the climate as these days as you might be aware of the winds and unexpected shower its hard to fish on the shores.
I am concerned of the boat trip as you mentioned it would cost 100 to 125 per person no way brother, the boat is for 2000 with 8 passengers 10 hours. I've been on the boat couple of times and paid 250 every time per head.
I would appreciate if you could let me know where would i get that facility to pay 100 per head for the boat trip??? every weekend i am fishing from the shores Thursday and Friday is off for me.
You need to know anything please do not hesitate and right me on rabs.sohail@gmail.com or we can set a time and catch up.
Pleasure to hear from you.
Regards,
Sohail

[JedFishing]

Hi Everyone,

This is a wonderful group. Finally. I would like to introduce myself.My Name is Zia and I have practically lived all my life in Jeddah, grew up here, went schooling here and now working here since past 9 years. I love fishing, I am no expert but I love to fish in Jeddah and wherever I travel to.
As for shore fishing spots in Jeddah, there were a few good spots in Hamra and Opposite Westin but these days its too crowded with spectators and families. The bridge in front of Westin is a very good spot, if you can find a spot that is. Its always too crowded for comfort.
As for me, I have been fishing since I was a kid. I took a break from it for a while ( career) but recently am back full scale. There is no stress reliever than a decent day/night of fishing. I have gone boat fishing couple of times and I am yet to find anyone who takes less than 1500 SR for 12 hours ( 8-10 people). If anyone knows anybody who charges less than this then please do let me know.
Me and my friends have been going to Buhairat for the last couple of weeks to check out spots and we managed to catch a nice size Bayad, around 1.2 Kilos three weeks ago. We caught some decent size Shaour too that day. But the biggest problem at that spot is the sharp corals below and one way or the other lines do get cut off. We tried some innovations to counter this but alas, the fish bite and within seconds swim into the corals and you never get to see them. They break the line and you are left to make a new one.

Sohail, this spot you talk about in South Corniche, can you share details? I have practically being location scouting in Jeddah and I found out that most of the places are rocky and lines get tangled in the rocks easily, to a point sometimes I get tired of it.
Also if people could share other open spots such as Laith and Rabigh, do let me know the details. Also I heard someone speaking of a spot in Abhur, where is this?
I and two of my friends are seriously into fishing. We dont mind any company for as long as they too are patient and love fishing. We usually go night fishing every Thursday night. As for me I go whenever I feel like it. Sometimes Wed evenings, Thursday Mornings or night or Fridays in the evenings.
Last Wednesday evening I went to my usual spot next to the new marina ( Park Hyatt, Jeddah) . There is a place towards the end ( opposite Meed Petrol station) where you can drive your car into the beach. The waters are pretty safe, you can walk into knee deep waters if you want to and you can catch decent size fish. While I was returning around 10 pm I saw a kid pull out a decent size (1 Kg) Shaour.

I dont mind meeting up for fishing trips and I would like to plan a deep sea boat trip soon maybe this week or the next with like minded people. I am looking for like minded fishermen. Mostly this will be night fishing with trolling in the morning and back by 9 am. If this would be your first time on the boat, I suggest you take some medication before the trip to avoid getting sea sick.
So if you are interested to do shore or deep sea fishing, Share spots and new ideas to fish here in Jeddah do let me know. I hope this forum really takes on and we have a decent fishing group in Jeddah. My email is ziaabdul@yahoo.com.
Good Luck Fishing everyone....

Regards

Zia

[sohell]

Hi Zia,
i have given u an email, check it out bro...
take care
Sohail

[bahruddina]

I am agree with Sohell that climate plays important role in fishing. For me in Rabigh, the most productive for landbased casting/popping fishing is during high tide and moderate wind. So far I'm only managed to land those GT in 6 KG mark and loose those GT, sea bass, coral trout estimated at > 10 KG due to line cut. So far lost at least 7 stick baits and poppers to the fish. The fishing ground in my area is very difficult place to fish as there are many corals and I fish mainly in dropoff area.

I only saw people land those GT at >2 KG using live baits found and caught on local water inside Petro Rabigh community area.

[JedFishing]

I went fishing with Sohail to south corniche last thursday morning and indeed its a nice spot, the walk to the spot is a bit tricky and tiring but the action is good. We caught a lot of the Abu Sanara or Needle Fish. It was good fun. Thanks bro.

[bahruddina]

Let me know if anybody interested to fish in Rabigh, I am expecting this weekend is good timing as the water will be high tide in morning and afternoon time.

[JedFishing]

Hi bahruddina,

Sorry saw ur post just tonight. So how was the catch? Is it possible for outsiders to come to Rabigh to fish? Lemme know. Maybe at the next best time.
Do drop an email at ziaabdul@yahoo.com when you want to plan another fishing expedition.. :)

[bahruddina]

I missed the fishing during high tide due to some other matters last weekened. Tried fishing yesterday but result not good. I am expecting the next best timing maybe on 3 and 4 Feb (Thursday and Friday) due to new moon and high tide. The spot usually I went is open to public. There is another spot inside Petro Rabigh community housing beach area, but this spot only open to Petro Rabigh employee. Outsiders can enter only with sponsorship given by employee living inside Community housing (BTW, I leave outside this housing). My email is bahruddina@yahoo.com.

[alec.peck]

I'm in Jeddah quite a lot and would love to meet up.

alec.peck(at)live.com

[sohell]

Hello there,
Nice to know and welcome to the forum.
My email address is rabs.sohail@gmail.com
looking forward to hear from you.
Regards,
Sohell