The prolific gathering of Indo-pacific sailfish in Kuala Rompin has awed many sport fishing enthusiast who have visited this sailfish capital of Asia.
Sport Fishing Asia is a Malaysia registered company with 100% local crew, full-time professional captains and guides with experience stretching back to the founding days of the sailfish fishing industry in Rompin.
We operate 35 and 40-footer custom sport fishers including a catamaran and a luxury sportfishing yacht, the Sea Urchin.
The locally owned 72-footer Sea Urchin is the only luxury live-aboard sport fishing yacht based in Kuala Rompin and Malaysia.
About Kuala Rompin
Kuala Rompin offers one of the best spot for sailfish fishing in Asia and up there with the best sailfish hotspots in the world. Described at times as mind-blowing by those who have fished here – multiple hook-ups and double figure catches in a single day per boat is not uncommon.
The shorelines of Kuala Rompin drops gradually and you get to fish just a short run from the jetty and in relatively shallow waters of 20 to 30 meters (60 to 90 feet).
Adding to the above is the affordability of fishing in Kuala Rompin under the sunny tropical weather, downing exotic asian food and fishing in a typical Malaysian coastal town all adds to the experience.
Cannot wait to catch your sailfish? Contact us!
What is the best time to fish for sailfish in Rompin?
Fishing season is from March to early November. Sailfish is present throughout the season with their numbers increasing from July.
Peak months are August, September, October through early-November. Hint: Book early for the best dates as these gets taken up quickly, especially for the peak period.
Mid-November to February is the north eastern monsoon and there is no fishing as the sea gets too rough.
How many anglers can a charter boat take?
Most charter boats (30+ footers) here can take four anglers each, though smaller numbers per boat means better comfort and offers more action per angler.
The 72-footer Sea Urchin sleeps 6 guests comfortably (maximum of 8 guests in 4 air-conditioned cabins).
Rompin Sailfish Setup
General gear guideline for sailfish as below;
- Fishing rod of 15kg – 23kg (30lb – 50lb)
- Leader 60 to 80 pound
- Mainline 15kg (30lb) and above, minimum 300 yards/meters on spool
- Circle hooks size 6/0
See comprehensive list of fishing gear to bring: Kuala Rompin fishing tackle checklist
Our Accommodations
Our focus is on providing the best fishing experience possible – an incredible fishery and good service – in an environment that we describe as ‘comfortable but casual’.
We are not a ‘luxury lodge’. You have the options of staying in the few resorts here in Rompin or house everyone in your group in our homestay (guesthouse).
If you choose to go with our guesthouse accommodation, you will be housed in your own private home away from home – a house with multiple rooms, air-conditioning, kitchen, bathrooms, satellite TV and WiFi. No sharing of accommodations with strangers here.
The location is convenient, short distance to the boats and shops, the rooms are clean and comfortable and the food out at the restaurants are delicious. The overall feel is relaxing and definitely not formal.
Fish and Live Aboard Our 72-footer Luxury Sport Fishing Boat
The latest addition and alternative to hotel resort and guesthouse accommodation is our stylish Sea Urchin yacht.
Stay, entertain or simply enjoy fishing and even include a trip to idyllic tropical Tioman Island in comfort and style.
Book through us as we promise you the best deal and service. Find out more here.
Getting to Kuala Rompin
About the only way to get to Kuala Rompin is by road, unless you prefer to travel via helicopter which can be arranged.
Depending on your departure point, you can choose to come via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. We provide transport from both cities. The travel time it takes from either point is about the same.
Kuala Rompin is 270km, or about 3 1/2 hours by road from the Kuala Lumpur, about the same distance as coming from Singapore.
Via Singapore you’ll need to get across the border checkpoint in and out of Malaysia and get through customs and immigration. So have your travel documents handy.
Related: Detailed information How To Get to Kuala Rompin by car, bus or flight
Some of our guests have told us that they’ve been informed that the only way to get to Kuala Rompin is from Singapore and that the journey is shorter, that’s simply not true and quite silly, Kuala Rompin is located in Malaysia.
Just get here whichever way is convenient to you and if need to, we will transport you here as comfortably and as safely as we can.
The closest airport to Rompin is in Kuantan, about 130km north. It is a small airport catering to some flights from cities around Malaysia such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ipoh and Singapore. Flight routes often change, so be sure to check beforehand.
Hotels and Beach Resorts in Kuala Rompin
Other than our guesthouse and our live-aboard Sea Urchin options, you have the option of booking into beach resorts as well.
Staying in hotel or resort could be a good idea if you have partners that are not fishing. My advise is to go online and read some reviews about the places, expectations may differ.
For those who prefer a beach holiday feel with their game fishing pursuits, there are a few beach resorts in Kuala Rompin including one with a golf course.
Some of the more popular resorts here are Lanjut Golden Beach & Golf Resort and Rompin Beach Resort among others. Tip: Do read online reviews before booking as not all are what you may be expecting.
Staying in Tioman Island
There is also the option to stay on Tioman Island which is 40 nautical miles (74km) from Kuala Rompin.
Getting to Tioman Island
- Buses from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore followed by ferry transfer to island
- There are ferry services to Tioman island from the town of Tanjung Gemok and Mersing. There was charter flights but none are flying at the time of writing this post.
- We pick you up from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, fish in Kuala Rompin and we drop you off in Tioman Island
- Fish around Tioman island, and finally fish the way back to Kuala Rompin again.
Tioman island is a designated marine park and diving is popular here, too.
There are a number of hotels and beach resorts on the island, from budget to high-end: click here for more information about Tioman Island and some of its resorts.
Please note that although sailfish are sometimes close to Tioman island, they are often not. If sailfish are your main target, staying and fishing off from Kuala Rompin is the better choice.
Other Target Species
And, there is more than just sailfish on offer. Whether you are baiting, trolling, fly fishing for sailfish or popping for sailfish, you have the opportunity to try for other game fish, too. Other pelagic and reef dwelling species are regularly encountered in these waters.
Besides the usual saltwater gamefish suspects (narrow-barred spanish mackerel, cobia, dorado, trevallies, snappers, queenfish, etc), you never know what may strike at your bait – it can even be a bonefish.
Related: What Other Fish Species To Catch in Kuala Rompin
Customise Your Trip
When you book with us, you can be assured of some of the best personalised services as well as fishing with some of the most experienced captain, guide and crew members.
Click to read what some of our guests say about their experience with us.
We cater to almost any requests you might have as our packages are highly flexible from picking your party up from different airports or locations, sending you off to different destinations after your trip, to flying you in and out in your own private charter helicopter.
You can also combine a Rompin sailfish trip followed by fishing in the rainforest for the gnarly monster giant snakehead, or something else you may fancy. We offer attractive package rates when you opt for a combo trip.
We’re locals, so ask us for advice and recommendations.
Rates
Our pricing is really simple – it’s pretty much all-inclusive with packages starting from RM5,000 MYR depending on your requirements.
Our prices include transfers to and from the airport, accommodation, guided fishing, food and loaner gear. Your only additional costs during the trip are flight and gratuities for the staff.
You could literally come with just your cloths.
Some of our guests have also discovered fishing tackle can be a lot cheaper here than where they come from. As we work closely with some popular fishing tackle brands, we can also arrange for purchases of fishing gear for you. So you can come empty handed, use your own brand new tackle here and go home with them.
Trips can be of any length, starting on any day subject to availability – ranging from 2 nights / 1 day trips to multiple days. Recommended trip duration is at least two or three days.
For inquiries regarding availability and bookings, please contact us here.
More information
MORE POSTS about sailfish, CATCH REPORTS and photos
