This trip is Kevin Second time hunting the FAD. First FAD we saw few Mahi Mahi but after few shot the become to Shy. Second FAD there were smaller Mahi Mahi and we manage to shoot Enough for Kevin's BBQ inn his Villa.
Spearfishing at The Bali, Indonesia FAD for Mahi Mahi
First Day We arrive at fishing village and sit down with village elder to have some coffee and tea. after our short break after driving for 2 hour we headed to the FAD open blue water spearfishing. The Result was good we saw many Mahi Mahi and Wahoo.
Second Day We went Spearfishing at the Reef and Visibility was good and We caught Maori Saeperch, Red Bass, Midnight Snapper, shark Mackerel
Short Video Spearfishing around Bali with Indospearfishing Charter. The New FAD is producing after 1 month at sea. The video contain footage of rich diversity of marine life in Bali such as Whitecap Shark, Dugong, beautiful reef fish, Sea Turtle, Maori Seaperch, Midnight Snapper, Wahoo, Bluefin Trevally and MahiMahi.
Mahi Mahi caught in our Brand New FAD/ Rumpon
Good Day with Indospearfishing Charter 35kg of Mahi Mahi and 8 kg of Wahoo
We met in North Bali, to dive at the famous Indospearfishing FAD. Indonesia Spearfishing Charter bought the FAD 2 years ago and it was the best investment!! All year we had interesting visitor such as school of Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Spanish Mackerel, Wahoo , dolphin , sailfish and naughty pilot whale. But with Pelagic fish we cannot predict who will be lurking at the FAD hunting our little fish farm.
The condition was perfect, no wind or swell. When we arrive no current which is not good because usually there is no fish. But there was plenty of mahi-mahi. We shot few for dinner, then on our last dive we saw school of baby yellowfin tuna. We couldn't get close but there was 100s of them.
Then we went back mainland to dive at the reef to hunt some snapper. When we finish we had some fresh unicorn fish Sashimi that Justin and Antok prepare for all of us and many cold beer. We had interesting conversation, but the highlight was Ayman Comment, " I think the ocean here is Desert, and over fished !" That is very good point Ayman and i hope our Fishery minister the Ibu Susi cantik read the Blog because ayman made very good point about our amazing ocean, we need strict quota, strict regulation and tell the Chinesse and Taiwanesse vessel to fish their own desert water!!. It was good dive and company. Ayman Hajo thought me many interesting lesson from his experience diving all around the world. It was good start of friendship and looking forward to dive many more trip with you brother!
The water condition was perfect, no swell or wind. We cruise to the FAD smoothly. When we arrive there were litter lay hundred of Mahi maui surrounding us. It didn't take long until Antok start shooting and filling up the cool box. There were few Wahoo also. Watch the video and it will explain how bless we are to be in the island of God...
First day we start spearfishing early in the morning at the FAD. The effort of waking up extra early payoff. We were greeted by mahi mahi, amberjack , rainbow runner and Wahoo.
We had no luck getting close to the wahoo, but manage to shoot some mahi mahi and amberjack. On the way back we stop by our favorite reef and shot some reef fish and big barracuda.
The next day we saw some fat doggies but out of range. Then we decide to go back to the FAD to give the wahoo another shot. We made the right decision, the water is like a lake , and the FAD was full of fish. we were busy shooting and loading the gun until we are tired. Michael shot his first Wahoo and it was the best way to end the two day spearfishing trip.
Mahi Mahi caught in North Bali season start October until January
Last week, we Went Hunting to the FAD with Michael O'Halloran and Antok and end up with full of surprises. I waited for several month after purchasing one of the FAD in North Bali. the waiting was worth it, knowing that The FAD was all fill with Mahi Mahi. Size a relatively small 2-4 kg range for all the female and some good size bull 6-8 kg size.
The fish are found around Bali water, they are rated according to the best dining experiences, Rarity, and difficulty of hunting them.
1. Longface Emperor " ikan moncong"
Only been spotted by me and Arvid 5 time since the last 6 years. Found in sandy coastal areas, lagoons, and reef slopes.
Juveniles are found in shallow sandy areas. Often occurs in large
schools. Adults deep along coastal slopes and drop-offs, usually
solitary. Arvid was the only one who manage to shot it. It was 5-7 kg Emperor.
Rating: Rare 5/5 Edibility 5 Star Difficulty 5/5
2. Jobfish "Kempar Pati"
There is three place we ever saw jobfish, west java, East Java and Flores. South Bali used to have healthy population but we never see them again. The Green Jobfish is a shallow-water snapper and, often found on coral reefs.
Rating: Rare 5/5 Edibility 5 Star Difficulty 5/5
3. Maori Seaperch aka scribbled Snapper "Kampuh"
It can be found everywhere in Bali. There are some spot that have over 5kg size and some area are below 1kg.
Rating: Rare 4/5 Edibility 5 Star Difficulty 4/5
4. Coral trout " kerapu sunu"
Are found mostly East Bali and some area in North Bali. Coral trout are a warm water reef dweller with smaller fish inhabiting
coral reefs and the larger fish found off deeper reefs around 10 - 20m
in depth. Prefers areas where the reef drops off and has plenty of
current.
Rating: Rare 3/5 Edibility 5 Star Difficulty 3/5
5. Mangrove Jack "Ikan jarang gigi"
They are found in North Bali, West bali and south Bali. They
are attracted to snaggy areas of submerged trees and mangrove roots
along the edges of estuaries, rivers and tidal creeks. Mature fish move
out to offshore reefs.
Rating: Rare 2/5 Edibility 4 Star Difficulty 3/5
6. Tripletail "Kakap hitam"
Found on most FAD in Bali. Tripletails prefer the mouths of rivers, passes and bays opening into
the Gulf displaying some indifference to salinity. They congregate
around ship-wrecks, buoys, boats, beacons, pilings, jetties and floating
objects.Very easy to hunt and good eating to impress the ladies
Rating: Rare 3/5 Edibility 4 Star Difficulty 1/5
7. Golden Trevally or GT "Jakal"
Found all around Bali, good fighting fish and good steaks. They are
found near reefs and rocky outcrops as well as coastal estuary systems. A
schooling fish, often making migratory runs up and down the coast
Rating: Rare 3/5 Edibility 3 Star Difficulty 2/5
8. Dolphinfish "Tumpek"
Found in north bali and east Bali. Good for the bbq and steak.
Rating: Rare 3/5 Edibility 3 Star Difficulty 2/5
9. Reef Cod "Kerapu"
They are found on most of Bali healthy corals, or dropoff. Amazing taste when is prepare steam, with soy sauce, ginger and garlic sauce
Rating: Rare 3/5 Edibility 4 Star Difficulty 3/5
10. Dogtooth Tuna
Dogtooth tuna frequent reef environments, with smaller fish being more
commonly found near shallow reef areas and larger ones haunting deep
reef drop off areas, sea-mounts and steep underwater walls. Dogtooth are generally solitary but sometime you can find them in school of 6 or less. They swim 10-100 meter deep(temperature ranging between 20-28 degree Celsius) for 15 kg up size , and you will be shocked to know where you can find the juvenile size in Bali, but i will keep it as a secret, lets wait until they mature and fat enough!
Start early in the morning, current was strong, but the water is still crystal clear. I love blue water spearfishing, you never know what to expect from the dept.. First spot we were greeted by small Mahi mahi, then finally the size we have been waiting for since the beginning of this year. 10 kg mahi mahi went right in front of Arvid and he claim the spear didnt go through, i reckon he miss!! unfortunately that was the highlight of the day. the rest of the fish was amberjack, rainbow runner and triple tail. All the size weren't too big. Again a sad day for Bali...
