Sri Lanka

[bluester]

Hi all, I'm going to Sri Lanka next week and need some help about what tackle to take. I'm going to use a 4 piece 9ft uptide rod for all fishing (I expect more shore than boat) which iv used successfully for spinning, bait and all, but i'm not sure about the type of reels, whether to take a couple of multipliers (i have the abu 6500 mag) with different pound line on each or a fixed spool with 3 spools, also any advice about how big and toothy the fish are in shore and what pound line to fill the spools with so i may know what to expect . Ill rent any tackle for the bigger game on a boat but can any one give me a clue please, it would be deeply appreciated.

[Estuary Perch]

bluester, I live and fish in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has two distinct monsoons. At present we are experiencing the SouthWest monsoon which results in rough seas and is therefore the 'off season for fishing on the South/West coast. These conditions will last till end August at which point the rains stop and the sea gets very calm and the fishing is good again.

However, at present the other coast ie. the East coast has good conditions and the fishing, I hear, is great there at the moment, but the security situation is such that going to the East coast is unadvisable.

For shore fishing, especially on the beaches at estuary mouths your 9' rod with 20 to 30 lbs mono line is sufficient. Live bait consisting of prawns or minnows (obtained from the locals in the area) and lures (spoons and plugs heavy enough to cast) work well at dawn and dusk with mainly Giant Trevally, Barracuda and Barramndi - all very good sport / fighting fish as well as table fish being caught. Your Abu 6500 will be too small for larger GT and Spanish Mackerel (both get up to over 45 pounds + caught from shore) that freqent these locations but should suffice for other fish you may catch.

Let me know more details of your visit to enable me to better advise you.

[bluester]

Hi Estuary Perch, you sound like the perfect person to talk to, thanks for the reply. I think i'd better go for a 7000 real if I have a chance of catching a large one. I'm traveling to Waikkal (Negombo) for two weeks from the 26th june and really not sure what to take in the way of heavy or lighter weights ,gripped, or not or if i could obtain them out there easily enough if needed to save the weight in the case. i was thinking of taking a range of hooks, lures (Bass type stuff weadges, poppers ect), jellies and traces but also some basic bait methods as i would usually fish at home. Will I need a wire trace for all fishing or a thicker leeder/ N/A? anything to catch me a fish or few will do. Or on the other hand is it worth taking tackle out of season where I'm traveling to?

[Estuary Perch]

Ok, that narrows it down some and eliminates the East coast.
Waikkal (Negombo) is on the West coast about 20 minutes drive from the International Airport and about one hours drive from Colombo. As said before this is the 'off season' for fishing on this coast so going out (to sea) by boat will not be worth doing and the sea is too rough for surf fishing also. However, there are a few rivers and a large lagoon in the Negombo area and some of the hotels there are a very short walk to the Negombo estuary. Your best bet would be to get the hotel to hire you a boat with a boatman who is a competent fisherman (this is no problem as most boat owners there are fisherfolk) and do some boat fishing inside the estuary or a short way up river. For this your Abu 6500 will suffice (no need for the 7000) and a shorter rod - say a light 7 footer (for boat fishing) will be ideal. 18 to 20 lbs breaking strain line will be fine. Trolling a 11 to 13 CM shallow runner such as a Rapala Original floater or a shad rap should get you Barramundi, small Barracuda and small Trevally (in the region 2 to 10 pounds). Using prawns, either dead or live, also should work - your boatman should know the spots to fish. No need for heavy weights just a few 1 to 2 ozs leads (you can even buy them in Negombo) and an assortment of hooks. Trace wire is a good idea if Barracuda are around and 30 pound test wire with a few swivels and snaps are required.

There is good Barramundi fishing, even during this off season period, at a lake called "Bolgoda Lake" in the Bolgoda area which is about 10 miles South of Colombo city and about 1 1/2 hours drive from Waikkal - if travelling very early morning. Main method is to troll and cast (from boat) close to structure the small lures mentioned above, and some impressive fish of around 25 to 35 pounds have been caught there very recently. I am planning to fish there on either Saturday 30th June or Sunday 1st July morning and you are welcome to join. PM me for contact details if you wish to join us.

[Lilitu777]

Hi there.
this looks like a great forum ;O)

Ive just joined and will be travelling to BERUWALA in Srilanka in early May. but am a little worried re the monsoons..... will this affect the shore fishing......

also, can you recommend what fish are edible out there (fishing either from the shore) or if there are any lagoons, rivers etc near by.

thanks for any help you can offer..

Mellissa

p.s was thinking of using the Dexter Wedge... is this a good lure for out there? any other suggestions?

[hillen]

Hello

I am making boats in Sri lanka since One year
foir teh beginning of next season I will have a boat readdy I think that it will be in Galle to do some ofshore fishing
aney advice ?
Until now I didn't have the time to fish I am only one week every two moth in Sri lanka