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Sailfish
Costa Rica, Guatemala, Broome, Cape Bowling Green, and Watamu
are all world-famous sailfish "hot-spots". Dedicated
blue-water anglers make regular pilgrimages to these "angling
mecca's" to test their skills against one of the world’s
most popular game fish.
The fish-rich waters of The Andaman Sea are blessed with a vast
population of sailfish and Thailand’s spectacular island
of Phuket is the ultimate venue from which to target these remarkable
opponents.
Phuket has been a popular holiday destination for many years
and a remarkably sophisticated infrastructure has developed as
a result. Due to the lack of world-wide publicity, the extremely
high quality gamefishing offered by Phuket fleet is enjoyed almost
exclusively by holiday-anglers, while the majority of dedicated
specimen hunters, remain woefully unaware of the superb action
they’re missing.
This somewhat sad fact is about to change. Recently, Australian
fishing "guru" Rex Hunt and his equally respected fishing
partner Steve Starling, visited Phuket to film a fishing show
for Australian television. Their experiences stunned the well-travelled
pair and Rex was quoted as saying-"I have never seen so many
sailfish in one place in my life."
 Although
sailfish are present year-round, the monsoon months of July and
August always produce an impressive run which develops into a
staggering feeding population concentrated around a small island,
just one hour from the fleet’s base at Chalong Bay. Check
out our Seasons and Species chart for
further details.
In November every year, Asia’s most prestigious fishing
tournament the "Phuket International
Sport Fishing Classic" attracts anglers from all over
the world. The event is always successful and will eventually
place Phuket on the map as a top angling venue. What has not yet
been attempted is a " Sailfish Tournament". Such an
event would not only be welcomed by Phuket’s sportfishing
fleet but could provide competitors with unparalleled enjoyment.
There are numerous reasons why Phuket would be the perfect choice
of venue for such an event -- listed below are just a few.
10 good reasons to fish for Sailfish in Phuket
- A respectable catch is virtually guarantied.
- Phuket’s sophisticated and convenient international airport
offers visitors hassle-free immigration/custom formalities with
friendly, courteous officials and helpful staff.
- The wide range of accommodation on the island is designed
to cater to virtually every taste and preference. Choose from
stunning, world class resorts to clean, comfortable guest houses,
or anything in between.
- Thailand has long been know as the "Land of Smiles",
the warm, genuinely friendly Thai people will charm even the
most discerning visitors. Tourists can feel totally safe and
secure to walk anywhere, at any hour of the day, street crime
is virtually unheard of on Phuket.
- Thai food is enjoyed all over the world, and in Phuket numerous
restaurants feature tantalising dishes to suit every taste.
If exotic, spicy Thai food is not to your liking, Phuket boasts
a vast selection of international restaurants offering visitors
delicacies from virtually every continent.
- Phuket can offer accompanying family and friends of competitors
a variety of activities that many other angling venues lack.
Attractions include: world class golf courses, superb diving,
bare-boat or skipped sailing charters, numerous day tours to
outlying islands, elephant trekking, wind surfing, parasailing,
sea walking, mini golf, mountain biking, temple and culture
tours, Thai boxing and spectacular, exotic night-life activities.
- Phuket’s gamefishing fleet consists of over 20 well equipped
boats, ranging from sophisticated American/Australian style
sportfishers to converted local style vessels. The vast majority
of the fleet are skipped and crewed by very experienced personnel
with extensive knowledge of local waters.
- As Phuket has been host to tourists for many years, the infrastructure
of the island is geared to cope with the needs and demands of
overseas visitors. Most hotel staff and locals working in tourist-related
industries have a good command of English and are experienced
in dealing with problems often encountered by travellers.
- Phuket has several world class hospitals with highly trained
doctors and staff, and state of the art equipment.
- Finally, a phrase adopted by numerous visiting anglers says
it all. "There may be places in the world where the fishing
is better -- but there’s no better place to go fishing".
General
| Sailfish | Seasons
| Competitions | Charters
| Fishy Tales
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