South Bali Spearfishing Trip With Alex Drieihann-Holenia

South Bali is not only famous for all the amazing surf spot but it also the location for amazing underwater ecosystem. The terrain is perfect spot for Reef species, full of underwater canyon, cave, chanel and amazing rocks.

We can only access the southern part of Bali when the swell is small or else get ready to get scatches and bruise from the swell surge. All the fish are concentrate just behind the swell break. There is some spot that are quiet deep around 15-20 meter to hunt the famous green Jobfish.

First Spot we found school baitball on the surface and we suspect there is something hunting around it. Our instinct was correct. The first dive Alex shot a queenfish. Then i made the second dive. I was not to prepare to expect Giant , i am talking about massibe Bigeye seabream coming straight for me. As soon i move the Speargun the swim away. Not long after i when up for a breath and Spanish mackerel swim right underneath me, i quickly dive down and got a good shot.

After secure the spanish we couldn't find the bait fish anymore so we move to the next spot. The next spot we were played by the moari seaperch and few other reef fish. We couldn't get a good shot because most of the fish have rock behind it.

Third spot a good size spanish mackerel swim right next to me and i got a good shot. The last spot was the best one. While i was chumming using the guts and inside of all the fish we shot. Alex was in the water waiting for the famous green jobfish but instead 2 spanish mackerel swim for the chum. Alex couldn't get close enough to get a good shot.

Getting ready to chum with spanish Mackerel Inside

Spanish Mackerel

Second Spanish Mackerel

The best captain in Southern part of Bali, always a big smile when we catch something

Alex and his catch

Overall it was amazing trip with good condition to hunt in south. We cam home happy with fresh tasty fish for dinner.

2 day Spearfishing Trip With Tom Nixon

Despite The raining season, we manage to get 2 good days, avoiding the rain and bad weather. We started the trip in North Bali, the plan was to go to the FAD but the thick cloud in North Was not a good sign. We went straight to the reef and hunt in our favorite spots. There was mild current which give us a little trouble going to the outer reef that stick on from the Bay. We manage to to shoot some fish for Dinner , Tom Bent his Shaft and lost 25 Kg Giant Trevally. The GT was stuck in reef with ripping currents. Tom Tried so hard to secure his fish but the Current was to strong.

The next day we went to East Bali to hunt for wahoo and Spanish Mackerel. We spotted few Spanish and wahoo but they were to shy. Kept their distance. We saw lots of Big Milkfish, school of Bigeye Trevally and GT. Tom shot Green Jobfish and lost the fighting battle pulling the fish up to the surface.

A video posted by Indonesia Spearfishing Charter (@indospearfishing) on Jan 18, 2017 at 7:38pm PST

Diving South with freezing water

Flat ocean South Bali

Start Spearfishing too early during  low tide, the water visibility was only 10 meter, and the water was freezing  around 24 degrees. The fish are no where to be found only small maori sea perch  and nice long nose emperor playing hide and seek.  Frustration level getting higher , not counting Brett have a hang over from tequila shots and beer and i have a slight hangover from 3/4 bottle of red wine from the night before. Then we give up and decide to go to one of penicle for some pelagic fish action.

Half way to the spot we give up, the boat is just too slow, so we head back to another spot: a channel with a nice sand bed. not long Brett landed his first Jobfish. Then more Jobfish came few small one  and two big one. I took a shot and miss ( i have my reason blame it on the red wine from the night before)

Second dive the Jobfish kept it distance and nice size rock cod. Then we try 2 other spot but visibility was getting worse. Big lesson for you boys, don't dive with hangover, is so annoying!! Dive safe!

                           

Brett Levingston first Green Jobfish

Yesterday dive in freezing water but come back home with a nice reward. @indospearfishing #peacockrockcod #gropers #rockcod #spearfishing #fish #gopro #goprohero4 #reef #coral #dive #freedive #apnea #spearfishingbali #indospearfishing

A video posted by Peter Oprandi (@peteroprandi) on May 25, 2015 at 1:42am PDT

New Spearfishing video on the last month of April: Bali Indonesia

Last Week We had the opportunity to visit one of our favorite spots in Bali Indonesia. Is only accessible when the ocean swell is low and the visibility is crystal clear. Result Bigeye Seabream, Yellow lip Emperor,Trevally, Maori Seaperch, and Gold-Saddled Goatfish.

Yellow-lip Emperor, Maori Seaperch and Yellow-Saddled Goatfish

Bige-eye Seabream aka "Mu"

INDONESIA SPEARFISHING CHARTER: HUNTING BARRAMUNDI BALI VIDEO

Short video hunting Barramundi at the shipwreck in Bali. condition of the water was good for only 3 hour and visibility was 4-6 meter. Ideal condition will be strong current and good visibility but you cannot always get both at our favorite spot. enjoy the video. +World Spearfishing Tv +Indonesia spearfishing charter +ADRENO Spearfishing Supplies +Blue Tuna Spearfishing

                       

The last month for Barramundi aka Asian Seabass

The indospearfishing boys had some luck today hunting  giant Barramundi. The size range between 14 kg - 17 kg. Water condition was good, and ideal to see the giant seabass lurking in our favorite spot. good job Anto and David.

Anto's Catch

                                                 

The Indospearfishing boys did it again!

Weather havent been so friendly in Bali. As soon, the sky clear up yesterday, the boy went to the Barra spot and result could not have been any better. The picture will explain in more detail...

Barramundi season in Bali Indonesia

We have been waiting for half year for the raining season to start. The month when the raining season is the best time to seee the gentle giant roaming our favorite spot for Barramundi. Hopefully after 6 month the Barramundi have fatten up and ready to be harvest. Well the waiting payoff the boys caught enough fish to have a feast for Christmas eve with their family. Merry Christmas everybody from the Indospearfishing crew..

Anto and his Barramundi

Spearfishing Barramundi

Anto and David Catch

Good size of mullet and Baramundi

Unexpected Hunting success in Bali

The view before the Dive

A few days ago Eenk decided to try a new spot that he heard marvelous stories about it from the local villager. He heard tales about the good old days, when fish flourished and were abandoned on their doorsteps. Eenk will try anything even if the water is infested with crocodiles! Unfortunately I couldn't go because I had a bad flu; Bali weather has lately been very unforgiving to me and my family at home.

It didn't take Eenk too long to start with some action; how he described the day was hard to believe; the Visibility was 3-4 M and the depth 5-7 M. The fish were approaching him in a close distance, from every directions, and it didn't stop until the next hour.

Like usually barramundi do, they would approach you slowly and sometime you cannot tell the size if the fish is heading to you head to head. As soon as it turns you will be surprised by the size and make sure that you take a good shot at the fish.  You will also find barramundi hiding between rocks and not moving much. The smaller size barramundi will come in school and they don't waste time, so do not wait for the biggest one because they will disappear in a glimpse!

The hunt was successful with a long list of catch:

• Mangrove jack 5 3-4 kg size, 
• 1 Baramundi 6 kg and 
• 1 Grouper 7 kg, 
• Bream 10 1-2 kg size 
•  5 rabbit fish .5 -1.5 kg.

Arvid, Eenk and I wanted to try our luck and we went to the same location a week afterwards. The water visibility was the same and the fish scattered because it was high tide. However, we managed to bring back a 5 kg grouper, a 6 kg mangrove jack and big smiles on our faces back home!

5 KG steam soy sauce Grouper

Unsuccessful Fishing Trip Ending with a Good Feeling

Some friends and I went out on a special fishing trip to dive at seamount. There are three spots and there are all equally amazing places to catch fish you would dream about. Once we arrived on the first spot, the water was murky and we found the same condition in the second and third spot. 

Read more

2 different location same size fish (Giant Trevally) 16th April 2013

The day I got back from  from east java trips. The boys surprise me with a good catch. Eenk2 aka kretekman. shot 15 kg GT, the water condition was not bad and the spot was fill with school big unicorn fish. when you see a school of good size unicorn fish you know something will come out. after he shot the GT he went back in to shot the big Unicorn fish.

GT Spearfishing Bali

In another part of Bali (same day) Matteo shot the same size GT or maybe bigger but he never manage to land it because the giant fish bend the brand new shaft.

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Predict the currents and tide balinese ancestoral ways

The moon phases have guided the balinese fisherman for century. It has help them choose the best location, what type of bait and warning of danger in the ocean. This knowledge was pass down a long line of ancestry roots  originate from china.

Few days before and after new moon and full moon the swell are big and the current are very strong. This due to the moon and sun both gravitational forces combine create very high and very low tide.

Southern part of Bali fisherman has followed moon calendar that indicate on the 5th day after new moon or full moon the current start to weaken. Between 5th and 9th (called konda) day the current are mild. The low and high tide are usually either  on the  "morning rise" or "evening rise" (These time the fish are active: one hour before and one hour after high tides, and one hour before and one hour after low tides). Also another important note, fishing is better on an incoming tide after full moon until new moon (waning) and the opposite for outgoing tide is better fishing after new moon until full moon (waxing).

Northern part of Bali: The 8th day after new moon or full moon the current start to weaken,  between 8th and 12th day the current are mild  (called mande)

There a different factor that will alter the current and tide beside the moon phases:

1.  When the barometer is indicating high pressure systems it will result low sea level affects (sunny days) opposite affect to low pressure high sea level (usually cloudy and rainy day)
2. Swell will affect the speed of change in tide. if big swelll then the tide change process will be longer.
3. Onshore wind will cause the tide to be higher, especially during storm. the opposite affect for offshore wind the tide level is lower.
4. The geographic location also affect how you predict the tide. the shape of the shoreline, Bathymetry,  shape of the bays and estuaries.

( so local fisherman knowledge is very useful if your going to unfamiliar spearfishing spot)
Best date to go out fishing 2013:

March 17–23
April 15-22
May 15-22
June 13-20
July 13-20
August  12-19
September 10-17
October 10-17
November  8-15
December  8-15

Note: Please check weather and swell to maximize your catch

South bali spanish mackerel and trevally 22 february 2013

Enk new nickname is "kretekman" he will smoke several clove cigarette before he dive and between dive. in the office he goes spearfishing around south bali. His new job description is to kill fresh fish for tourist to have sashimi on the boat.

If there is no tourist he is free to dive and catch his own meal. Today catch was the spanish mackerel that antok and enk keep encountering the last 3 month. Today finally enk got close enough to have a perfect shot.

Not long after a trevally got curious and he landed another good size fish. All we can do is wish we were there. Also enk famous saying after dive, "you should have been there to shot the other fish that was circling the speared fish" ever-time he says that is like adding fuel to the fire!

Spanish Mackerel and Golden Trevally

South bali 6 dec 2012 " eenk sea turtle hero"

We start diving around 8 in the morning, water visibility was not good. No mackerel, no gt, or even barracuda anto favorite target. The boys manage to shoot local favorite fish unicorn fish, Gold-saddle rabbitfish and octopus.

Second spot visibility was excellent but no scribbled snapper or emperor. There was plenty of sweetlips close to but is not my cup of tea. I end up swimming with whitetip to have some enterteiment. Again the boys shoot local favorite ela ela, batfish, unicorn fish and sweetlips.

Third spot the water visibility was getting worse, i manage to see one scribbled snapper who swam away as soon as he see me diving down, anto amd eenk experience the same thing. There was few trevally but kept its distance. Anto end up with few rabbitfish.

The last dive we move back to the first spot and the visibility was terrible. I stop diving the boys kept going. No one shot anything but eenk manage to come back with nylon string, plastic, diaper, squid bait, hooks, rope , seaweed and small clams. We are all clueless why he brought back to the boat. He explain all that came from  50cm wide turtle tangled with all that. The front arm was heavily infected and almost came off. Judging from the looks of all the item, it looks like it has been on turtle for months. He explain that the turtle was able to use the arm to swim again but very slow.

Sadly in bali the local consider seaturtle meat as a delicacy. Balinese still used turtle for offering in certain ceremony and the meat are serve daily at ketewel, sanur and serangan island. Usually is serve as sate and lawar. The sea turtle are harvested from the wild around bali and neighbouring islands.

Everyone can save turtle like eenk eenk, by supporting seaturtle organization. Please support them and save more turtles..

http://www.baliseaturtle.org/

Eid Al-Adah

Some people on our humble little island got together to slaughter some goats and start one of the biggest Muslim holidays of the year. We decided to book a boat and see what there is to catch around Bali and some of the outer islands.

Our trip started at 8 am in Tanjung Benoa and we headed to Nusa Penida first. The first stop made was a couple of bays down from christal bay. The visibility was generally ok but that didn’t help the fact that there were no big fish around. After about 1.5 hours of swimming the bay up and down all we have seen was a group of big Emperor fish and few bigger groupers that where hiding deep in the caves of the bay. Other than that there were just the standard schools of unicorn fish and a lot of small reef fish. Nobody knows where but of course Eenk was able to catch something decent which was a medium sized barracuda. Approx 4-5 kg.

Next stop was also a little bay up the wall of Nusa Penida in the channel between Penida and Cunningan. The spot was a bit similar to the previous bay and we didn’t see any big  or even smaller good eating fish. After a not to long stay we left and went to have a quick bite in the more quiet waters around Lembongan. It was quickly decided that we would try our luck in Nusa Dua as we wanted to catch the good time for the bigger fish between Tanjung Benoa and Nusa Dua.

Once back on the coast of Bali the visibility was a bit murky at the top but once diving under the layer of warm water the visibility on the bottom was fairly decent. It was an amazing spot and we all saw a different kind of nice and good eating fish. There where schools of medium sized dog tooth tunas, loads of different trevallys, mackerels and of course lots of medium sizes reef sharks.

It was once more a pleasure to see Eenk becoming one with the ocean and watch him diving 30m down and resting for minutes on the bottom waiting for the right catch. As you can see from the picture this tactic was a success and he shot what he calls a decent sized barracuda. Approx 22-24 kg. Apparently nothing compared to the 38 kg fish he shot in his home town in Java a few years ago but seeing him holding that fish (which btw is taller than him) with 4 cm long teeth lets you only imagine the fight this beast gave him before he could reel him in. This was obviously the catch of the day!

Other than that I shot a few trevallys, Pablo once again went for the beauty price as we can see from the fish on the left side and Rob added his sandal so he would also be represented on the catch of the day picture.

My last shot of the day was a fairly decent sized trevally that I had to share with some more or less uninvited friends. After seeing many small sharks all day I was aware that this could happen any time but I was shocked by the extend of the attack on my catch. Apparently I shot the fish just e few meters next to what seemed like a very well frequented shark cave. After reeling the fish in and almost holding the spear with my hands I realized that there where about 10-15 sharks following the shot trevaly and where asking for their cut of the catch. I figured it would be best to leave these boys what they came for as there were by far too many to battle. Even though we all regularly see some reef sharks while shooting it was a very frightening experience to be surrounded by a mass of fully grown grey reef sharks. It made me feel a little bit better when Eenk told me that he hasn’t seen so many sharks in a cave before. 

Other than that we had a great day out on the ocean and once we were all back on board we where waved good bye by a school of dolphins.

As we were all dead from too much sun and no one had the energy to start the bbq that night we did it the next day. As an appetizer we cut the bigger trevally into sashimi and made a Balinese style grill with the rest of the fish.

All in all a perfect weekend amongst friends and family out on the ocean and back at the BBQ. 

Keep our oceans clean and hunt with respect for mother nature!

South bali 18 October 2012

Today trip was short notice and we need to find the right spot because we are hosting a  local tv show called " Petualang" its hosted by our friend Al. I was unfortunately sick with flu but i didn't give up, i called  Mr Ketut his famous painful massage. He massage the nerve that connect to my sinus,  fever, and flu. After 10 min of painful massage i was better. My nose was clear, and my fever was gone. I was left with annoying cough but good enough to dive.

We decided to choose south bali because we  few location as an options. Also is mackerel season, and  the best spot to find spanish  mackerel is south bali. The first spot was murky, 5 meter visibilty. The only fish i saw was 5 kg scribbled snapper who sprint as soon he saw creeping to his hole. There was a lot of rabbitfish but i was hoping bigger fish come after, so i never dare take any shot. Ennk also use the same strategy, he know the pontential of big predator fish can come unexpected. Antok took different approach and shoot everything he sees or he thought he saw. So he shoot a rabbitfish and unicorn mistaken for GT due to poor visibilty.

Second spot the current was so strong, again all the predator fish no where to be seen. The famous emperor snapper spot was deserted and no one was home. Not a single scribbled snapper or trevally. Visibilty was the same 5 meter or worst certain areas.

Last spot the famous mackerel spot visibilty was amazing 20 meter plus. I had a great feeling, but my energy stock was getting low. This time i paired up with antok. Because if he shoot a fish there possibilties  other targeted fish will come close . I was right anotk shot a baracuda, first dive i shot a queenfish but it got off from the spear. Second dive i shot  trevally. Antok said when he shot the baracuda he saw a mackerel few meter away. He quickly retrieve the baracuda and we both keep an eye on the mackerel. Not long after that the visibilty change dratsically and all the fish dissapear.

29 August 2012 South East Bali

Anto with 15KG Barracuda

Anto and Eenk was so suborn despite the big swell on Wednesday. They still went and dive without a boat. The visibility was only 7-8 meter. Fish are coming from back . Like usual there is few Trevally and lots of reef fish. The most interesting one is Anto catch with is kill shot 15 Kg Barracuda. Another fun day at the office for the boys.

South bali 18 August 2012

Boys: 4kg scribbled snapper,  4.5 kg Green Jobfish, Trevallies, Queen fish, Sweet lip, and Peter: Malboro lights.

The boat was a nightmare, there was expose fiberglass all over the boat that need proper finishing. We all suffered from fiberglass rash and ridiculous itchiness during the whole boat ride. Second problem, its too windy and huge swells of course as usual Arvid already reminded me but way too stubborn as usual, and on top of that the boat that we uses are boat for flat water and it rocks like a cradle causing us motion sickness. For the first time in the years of our spearfishing, surfing boat trip etc, Arvid vomited in the water chumming school of fish with his regurgitated nasi bungkus. Jim Kiernan vomited at the first spot too, I was feeling sick moving from the first spot to the second spot. I couldn't focus or have the energy to dive at the second spot, the others were fine but annoyed with the boat instability and underpowered.


The boat ride to the first spot took us 2 hours due to the wind and swell, on the way there the captain spotted a big shark, i soon to realize it was a fat shark judging from the stomach size and length it was a 3 meter Tiger Shark , the captain confirmed it with the spots on the shark. It kept all the guys quiet and i am sure little bit scared.
When we reached the first spot Cody B Young our spearo from Kauai was the last to enter the water and saw 3 huge Manta Rays,  The last time i saw a Manta Ray i swam with them for 2 minute until they took off The width was bigger then my outrigger, and when i went back up to the boat the manta ray flew out of the water for at least 1-1.5 meter off the water surface. I guess is manta ray way to say goodbye.

Despite the promising huge reef formations and caves at the first spot we didn't see much, visibility was poor the swell is too strong we cannot stay still to get a good shot, everyone had difficulty spotting a fish and shooting one, So we move to a new spot.

On the way to the second spot we saw a school of Dolphin, hunting for small school of bait fish behind the reef. Well guess what, like the local superstition the Dolphin brought us luck at the second spot, at the second spot the visibility was the same but it got worst in less then a hour; I gave up and rested. After getting enough sun to warm up the body and fighting the motion sickness, i tried popping but no luck, not long after i saw female Dugong with its calve taking a breath and dive in, 10 minutes later they surface again pretty close to the boat. It has been 2.5 years since we last saw a Dugong. Around 4 years ago at same area, i  have the privilege to have swam with a family of dugong (Manatees) The calve was very friendly, it swam with me few time accompanied by both parent taking turn watching the baby.
Antok is very familiar with this spot and he went straight to all the best location. He spotted 3 scribbled snapper and shot a 4 kg one. Then he shot 2 parrot fish around 1.5 kg each. He also shot a trevally and it got away because the spear tip close.

Third spot was the highlight of the day. The water was clear, and teaming with fish, all 5 of us nonstop taking turn diving, I hear gun goes off nonstop it was a war zone.
We saw lots of different species of trevally, queenfish, grouper, big school of surgeon fish and many other reef fish. Me and arvid pair up taking turn dive down and informing what we saw below. Antok went furthest and saw big giant trevally, but he only manage to shoot  2 trevally. Eenk again become the star of the trip he shot a 4.5 kg green jobfish. Me and arvid was diving the same spot atleast 4 time and didnt see the jobfish. I guess it was eenk faith to have the honor to shot the trophy fish. Arvid shot 2 Queenfish. We were excited to go back to the boat to takes us to the drifting starting point again as at this time all the fish were out hunting against the current as it was almost five o'clock and the tide was going out, to our disappointment the captain have to give us the bad news during the best time of the day due to petrol situation, we only have just enough to go back.

The end of the day it all payoff all the hardship we went through, sighting of bad and good omen led to a good day of spearfishing at south of the island of the Gods.

The Spearos

Eenk Hendra aka fish finder or kretek lung

38 kg Barracuda West Java

Eenk a scuba instructor by profession, and a mad spear-fishermen from Pangandaran West Java. His love to the ocean started when he was very young where he use to company his father snorkeling collecting tropical marine fish.
Throughout the years Eenk have caught many incredible trophy fish, all over Java and now Bali. We are lucky to have him on board with us to share his stories and experiences diving and hunting in the big blue of Indonesia with respect and understanding the importance of protecting the habitat, he only kill what he eats and not for commercial purposes, we call him the freight train as he dives and never far from kretek in his mouth, he's a true indoe Fishermen!!!

40 Kg Dogtooth Tuna, The biggest out of 4 he kill that day

Coral trout and Dogtooth Tuna West Maluku

                         

23 kg Spanish Mackerel Near Ambon

27th April 2012  Serangan island

1.5 kg Grouper Benoa channel 23rd of April 2012

18 kg grouper west Java