Instant bookingFull Day Fishing Trips in MaldivesFree cancellation up to 5 days beforeFrom $1,500
Instant bookingLast Cast fishing chartersFree cancellation up to 1 day beforeFrom €250
In the Indian Ocean the name usually means one of the Plectropomus groupers, or the lyretail grouper with its crescent tail. They lie still under a ledge, burst out to take a small fish and turn straight back for the hole. That turn is the whole fight. Coral trout are among the most prized reef fish to eat, though very large ones can carry ciguatera in some areas.
From Malé, Tide Explorer fishes the reefs as well as open water, leaving at 06:30 for 4 or 8 hours with up to 6 guests. Coral trout come on the reef stops, to bait or a jig dropped close to the coral, along with bohar snapper and emperors. Gear is supplied, and the full day includes lunch.
Last Cast is a Baymaster 215 out of Grand Baie, run by Captain Belon and his mate Pravin for 2 to 4, leaving at 05:00 on 4, 6 or 8 hour trips. It is set up for big game around tuna schools and FADs, so a coral trout is a fish you meet when the crew switches to bottom fishing or jigging, not the reason to book. Ask for time on the bottom if a reef fish for the table is the plan.
Questions and answers
Short answers to what people ask before they book. Anything else, ask the captain in chat.
Can you keep a coral trout caught from Malé or Grand Baie?
It is a fish many guests hope to take home, but large ones can carry ciguatera and local rules differ. Ask Tide Explorer or Last Cast before you start what they keep and what goes back.
Which boat suits coral trout better, Tide Explorer or Last Cast?
Tide Explorer fishes the Maldivian reefs with bottom tackle and jigs, so it is the natural fit. Last Cast works offshore from Grand Baie; it can drop to the bottom, but a coral trout there is a bonus.