10 Best Deep Sea Fish In Thailand
The waters surrounding Thailand offer some unique fishing experiences, a large variety of game to reel in on your line. Below is a list of the 10 Best Deep Sea Fish In Thailand.
Grouper
Groupers typically have a stout body and a large mouth that is used for sucking in prey from a distance. The fish can grow up to sizes greater than a meter and weighing in over at 100 kilograms. In the nearby waters of the Strait of Malacca a 180-kilogram grouper was reported caught.
Queenfish
The Queenfish is an elongated and slender species of fish that has been recorded to reach a length of 30 centimeters. The fish is a bluish hue on the top, has a body of silver, and the fins of the fish are yellow. Squid is often an attractive bait that is used for trying to catch Queenfish when deep sea angling.
Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin Fish)
Although having no relation to the dolphin, the Dolphin Fish is more commonly known as its Pacific nomenclature of Mahi-mahi and is also referred to by the name of Dorado. The fish is known for its dazzling colors of gold, blue, and green. The general weight of the fish is 7 to 13 kilograms and exceptional catches weigh greater than 18 kilograms. The mahi-mahi is one of the most popular recreational angling fish and is prominent throughout the Pacific.
Rays
Rays are closely related to sharks and are known for their flattened bodies. The general habitat of rays is on the sea floor and coastal waters. They are capable of living in a variety of environments and can be found in estuaries, open ocean environments, and even in fresh water. The most common ray that inhabits the coast of Pattaya is the Sand Ray, one of many species of rays.
Pompano (Jacks)
The Pompano is also known as jacks and is a group of fish that is composed of 20 recognized species. Often their appearance is considered similar to that of the mackerel and the fish is of a silver color with forked tail. Most species of Pompano are recognized for their value as food and some are considered to be a prized delicacy because of their red meat content.
Mackerel
Mackerel is medium sized fish that generally weighs about 2.2 to 13 kilograms. However, it is been known in occasion to weigh more than 40 kilograms. Mackerel are known for their strong swimming and massive schools that move synchronously through the water. Some species of mackerel can burst at speeds of up to 5.5 meters per second. The fish is well known for its value as a food item and as a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Cobia
The cobia is another fish found in the Gulf of Thailand and it can reach the length of 2 meters and 68 kilograms. The largest size caught using a rod and reel measured a weight of 60 kilograms and was caught off the coast of Sharks Bay, Australia. The fish is popular commercially and it commands a high market price due to its fine texture and its excellent flavor.
Shovelnose Ray (Guitarfish)
The Shovelnose Ray or Guitarfish is easily recognized by its body that is a mix of a ray and a shark as its tail appears to be similar to that of a shark but has a flattened and triangular head. The species is also generally known to travel in schools along the ocean floor. In the Gulf of Thailand they can typically be found near the shoreline of the mainland and the islands in the shallower waters.
Tiger Shark
Tiger Sharks generally reach a length 3 to 4.2 meters and can weigh as much as 635 kilograms. As it is an apex predator, it is known to eat nearly anything and to enhance its hunting ability the shark uses countershading for camouflage. From below the shark appears to be lighter as to match the lighter water from the sunlight hitting the surface while from above it appears darker to match the darker ocean below. The Tiger Shark is often sought after for the sale of its valuable fins, liver, and flesh. Unfortunately this has led to its status as a near threatened species.
Marlin
Marlins are recognized by their spear-like snout or bill and long dorsal fin. The name is believed to have originated from the sailor’s marlinespike due to a similarity in appearance. Marlins are also incredibly fast swimmers and can reach speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour. Although it is a tropical fish, the marlin is usually caught and released by modern sport anglers.
