Most of you know the number one target species for most visitors to Kuala Rompin is the Indo-Pacific sailfish. So, what other species are caught either as by-catch or targeted species?
Below are some of the more notable or sporting species for rod and line. Although not a comprehensive list of species, this should give you a rough idea of the type of fish in Malaysia and its surrounding waters.
Before you think we can go and catch any of theses species, do note that these are pelagic fish and may not be present all the time.
Many of these species are also may not be where the sailfish are, if sailfish is your main target specie.
Black marlin
Mostly juveniles although the odd plus minus 100kg fish have been landed.
Barracuda
Bonefish
Accidental catches on small/micro jigs and bottom rigs. There are a few spots that produce bonefish but they cannot be targeted like bonefish normally would be as there are no flats here to sight-fish for them.
Cobia
They are quite aplenty at times and can get quite huge.
Dorado aka Dolphinfish aka Mahi-Mahi
The chicken and bulls of the sea! Always a welcome catch as they fight hard, are acrobatic and some say tasty.
Groupers
Species vary but they usually don’t come very big.
Longtom Needlefish / Garfish
Narrow-barred Spanish Mackerel
Queenfish
Giant Trevally
The brute of the fish that every hardcore popper popping angler wants to catch. The GT is found in Kuala Rompin, at times in surprising numbers but at the same time extremely elusive. You will need to stick to it and make a thousand casts, or more, and get lucky to even hook one.
Golden Trevally
Yellow-spotted Trevally
Diamond Trevally
Bludger Trevally
Longfin Trevally / Cermin (Carangoides armatus)
Shark!
What do you think?