The waters around Abu Dhabi hold a wide mix of reef fish and fast open-water species. What you catch depends on the season, the type of fishing and how far out you go. Here are the fish our guests catch most often, with how and when to target them.
Hammour
The best-known fish in the Gulf and a favourite on every dinner table. Hammour live around reefs and rocky bottoms, so you catch them by bottom fishing with cut bait.
Kingfish (Kanaad)
Fast, long and silver, kingfish hunt in open water and strike lures pulled behind the boat. A classic catch on deep sea and trolling trips.
Queenfish
A strong, acrobatic fish that often jumps when hooked. Queenfish chase small baitfish near the surface and around channels.
Barracuda (Jid)
Long, sharp-toothed predators that hit lures hard. Barracuda are found in deeper and open water all year round.
Sultan Ibrahim
Small, colourful and very common over sandy and reef bottoms. Perfect for children and first-time anglers because the bites come often.
Trevally (Jesh)
Powerful fish that fight hard for their size. Trevally hunt around reefs and structures and will take both lures and bait.
Spangled Emperor (Shaari)
A popular reef fish with blue spots on the face. Shaari feed on the bottom and are caught with bait over reefs and rocky areas.
Yellowfin Seabream (Faskar)
A silver bream with yellow fins, common in shallower water. A steady catch on half-day trips and a good choice for families.
Rabbitfish (Safi)
A local favourite that grazes around reefs and seagrass. Safi bite on small baits close to the bottom.
Cobia
A big, strong fish that often swims near floating objects and other large fish. A prize catch for anglers on longer trips.
Longtail Tuna
A fast open-water tuna that gives a long, tough fight. Longtail tuna are a target on full-day deep sea trips.
Fishing rules in Abu Dhabi protect some species during their breeding season and set minimum sizes for others. Your captain follows the current rules, and protected or undersized fish are released back to the sea.
Which Trip for Which Fish?
| You want to catch | Best trip | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Hammour, Shaari, Faskar, Safi, Sultan Ibrahim | Bottom fishing over the reefs | 4 hours |
| Kingfish, Queenfish, Barracuda, Trevally | Trolling | 4–6 hours |
| Cobia, Longtail Tuna, bigger Kingfish | Deep sea fishing | 6–8 hours |