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When the Fishing Season Starts in Dubai?

Dubai has gained a reputation as the greatest fishing destination, attracting anglers from around the world. Its strategic region on the Arabian Gulf gives an abundance of fish species, making it a super spot for leisure and sport fishing. However, to maximise your possibilities of catching your desired species, aligning your fishing trips with the correct seasons and locations is essential. It’s domestic to over 300 species of fish, and while the authentic fishing season in Dubai runs from October to late May, there are instances between November and February which are called the most beneficial.

Best Fish to Catch in Dubai

Dubai's waters are teeming with an excellent style of fish, starting from famous game fish to unusual and rare species, according to the best fishing season in Dubai. Whether you're targeting Barracuda, Kingfish, or Snapper, Dubai gives a rich tapestry of opportunities for anglers of all ability ranges.


Fish Species

Best Fishing Season in Dubai

Mixed/Medium-Active Season

Kingfish

November – March

None

Queenfish

November – March

None

Trevally

November – March

None

Arabian Grouper

January – April

May, December

Orange-spotted Grouper

January – April

May, December (Mixed), October – November (Medium-Active)

Yellowfin Tuna

May – September

None

Barracuda

January – March, September – December

April – August (Mixed)


1. Kingfish

While nearby anglers name them King Mackerel or Kingfish, the massive, toothy fish swimming through the Persian Gulf are Narrow-barred Spanish Mackerel. However, the Kingfish nickname those fish bears in Dubai could be very fitting, seeing as they’re the largest species of their family. They attain sizes of over 1.5 meters and, when hooked, combat with critical power.

If you’re trying to get into a tussle with Kingfish, the best fishing season in Dubai is between November and March. Most of the time, you’ll catch them through trolling spoons or lures. But when the situations are proper and you spot them close to the surface, you could also cast at them. Either way, Kingfish are among the best sport fish in the Persian Gulf and are worth planning a visit over.

2. Queenfish

Where there are Kingfish, there have to additionally be Queenfish, right? We have a shaggy dog story, but Queenfish is another species you may come upon within the waters of Dubai. They’re massive and feisty, able to perform acrobatic jumps and rather effective runs. On light tackle, they’re an exciting adversary.

Queenfish are plentiful in the Persian Gulf. They peg their quality season with Kingfish, which means you could reel in both fish from November through March. You can cast at them with floor lures and watch them strike aggressively. Or, when you have the information, you can additionally trap Queenfish on the fly.

3. Trevally

The Persian Gulf is likewise home to numerous species of Trevally. If you’ve ever had the respect of scuffling with them, then you’ll know just how lively those fish are. They’re hardy and stubborn, willing to combat until the sour stop.

Some of the species you’ll run into at the same time as fishing in Dubai include Bludger, Yellow–noticed, Orange–noticed, as well as Golden Trevally. These fish bite at some stage in the year, but the best fishing season in Dubai runs between November and March, offering the very best chance.

4. Grouper

This fish comes in numerous types and sizes, and in Dubai, you’ll locate:

  • Arabian Grouper: Also called the greasy grouper, they inhabit deep coastal reefs and vary in length from 30 cm to a hundred cm. They are solitary creatures with a frame and head that could be a light greenish-grey with brown spots. The best fishing season in Dubai is January through April, with a combined season in May and December.
  • Orange-spotted Grouper: This popular fish has a tan frame on the pinnacle, whitish below, and reddish-brown spots for which it is named. They can swim by themselves or in small groups and feed on crabs, fish, and shrimp. Their energetic fishing season is January to April, with a mixed season in May and December, and a medium-active season in October and November.

5. Yellowfin Tuna

Found in tropical and subtropical oceans around the sector, the yellowfin tuna is one of the biggest tuna species as it can weigh over 180 kg. This fish is easily distinguished by its steel deep blue on its back and top side, a yellow or silver-tone under, and vivid yellow fins and finlets. Usually swimming in mixed schools of skipjack and other tunas, their diet consists of cephalopods and crustaceans. You can fish for them any time between May and September.

6. Barracuda

Barracudas are exciting creatures with their snake-like look and fang-formed teeth. They are brown or bluish-grey on their upper facet with a white underside and are generally located in nearshore coral reefs, sea grasses, and mangroves, though they can also make their home inside the open ocean where they especially live at or close to the surface. It’s stated that they may be drawn to reflective, metallic gadgets that resemble the silverfish, that's a large part of their diet. Their lively season is January through March, and September through December, even as a combined season takes the region from April through August.

Dubai Fishing Spots

We’ve already referred to a few fishing spots to go to in the course of the thing. Here are the best spots to go for fishing in Dubai with a yacht rental company:

  • Jumeirah Beach: One of the most famous fishing spots around, Jumeirah Beach will allow you to catch a fantastic type of species. Barracuda, Sultan Ibrahim, and extraordinary styles of Trevally can all be reeled in from land out here. Still, the waters are even more effective if you hop on a kayak or a ship.
  • Al Garhoud Bridge: The underside of the Al Garhoud Bridge is a recognised hotspot for shore-based anglers in Dubai. The bridge crosses Dubai Creek, which is home to all kinds of fish. These consist of Hamour Grouper, Barracuda, Sea Bream, Milkfish, and Extra.
  • Al Maktoum Bridge: Also placed on Dubai Creek, the Al Maktoum Bridge is every other spot the neighbourhood anglers love to fish from. There’s a dedicated pier attached to the bridge you can cast from, making it an honestly convenient location to set up. The species you may capture are in large part the same as you’d see across the Al Garhoud Bridge.
  • Jebel Ali: Jebel Ali is another one in all Dubai’s palm islands, and in addition to Jumeirah, the waters around it offer amazing fishing. You can fish from the beach, however, tackling those waters aboard a constitution or a kayak will convey you some distance greater variety. As long as you've got a vessel, you’ll get to battle the likes of Kingfish, Cobia, big Barracuda, as well as all the species that inhabit the coastal reefs.

Is a Fishing License Required?

Yes. A fishing license is obligatory for all leisure fishing activities in Dubai, even catch and launch. Tourists can acquire a brief-term license via a tour operator or a first-rate hotel.

How to Get a Fishing Licence in Dubai?

Decreasing the variety of fish brought about the authorities taking sure measures to prevent further environmental disruption. Now having a license is mandatory for everybody who needs to fish in Dubai irrespective of the species. Also, only residents and citizens can apply for a fishing license in Dubai.

Tourists have to go through licensed carriers to be able to fish in Dubai. Fishing without a licence calls for a fine of AED 500 to AED 1,000. You can observe for fishing licenses within the emirate via the authorities’ online portal or by visiting the office of the Environment Department – Natural Resources Protection Section in Abu Hail. 

There are kinds of fishing licenses Dubai residents and visitors can practice for, and they may be as follows according to the top fishing season in Dubai.


Type of License

Eligibility

Validity & Cost

Application Period

Required Documents

Recreational Fishing License

Citizens & residents only (tourists must go through licensed vendors)

Free, valid for 1 year, renewable

November – May (service suspended June – October)

Passport copy & Emirates ID (with residency for non-locals)
High-resolution personal photo
Boat license (if fishing from a boat)
For non-local residents: Proof of residency (Tenancy contract/Ownership certificate or DEWA Electricity bill)

Artisanal Fishing License

Only UAE national artisanal fishers (requires prior approval from local fishing organization)

N/A

N/A

Service Application Form Approval of Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
Boat Testing Certificate from Coast Guard Group – Fourth Squadron


List of Fines for Recreational Fishers

Many regulations and penalties are set in place to ensure the protection of marine life. Here is a list of fines that apply to leisure fishers in addition to those doing it for business purposes:


Type of Violation

First Offense

Second Offense

Third Offense

Fishing with prohibited tools and equipment

Boat licence reservation for up to 6 months

Cancel boat licence

-

Hunting during breeding and reproduction seasons and in prohibited areas

Boat licence reservation for up to 6 months

Cancel boat licence

-

Hunting marine mammals, sea turtles, collecting their eggs, tampering with habitat, hunting whales and manatees.

Boat licence seized for up to 6 months, confiscation of materials, Dh3,000 fine for unlicensed individuals

Boat licence canceled, confiscation of materials, Dh5,000 fine for unlicensed individuals

-

Fishing without a licence or registration

Dh2,000 fine

Boat licence reserved for a month

Cancel the yacht rental company license

Failure to update application information with the Ministry of Environment and Water within one month

Written warning

Dh500 fine

Boat licence reserved for a week

Using an unregistered or unlicensed fishing boat

Written warning

Dh1,000 fine

Cancellation of fisherman's registration

Failure to present boat or fishing licence upon request

Written warning

Dh500 fine

Boat licence reserved for a week

Anchoring or operating a fishing boat in prohibited areas

Written warning

Dh1,000 fine

Boat licence reserved for a week

Catching, trading, selling, or transporting small fish below legal size

Warning and confiscation of small fish

Dh1,000 fine and confiscation of fish

Boat licence seized for a week, fish shops closed for a week, Dh3,000 fine for transport vehicle

Diving for ornamental fish without a permit

Written warning

Dh5,000 fine

Diving licence reserved for a month, confiscation of equipment

Building or establishing coral reefs without a licence

Boat licence reserved until necessary licence is obtained

Dh5,000 fine

Boat licence reserved for a month

Extraction of shellfish, sponges, and coral reefs without a licence

Dh5,000 fine and confiscation of seized materials

Boat licence seized for up to 3 months, confiscation of materials

Boat licence canceled, confiscation of materials

Selling, possessing, or trading prohibited fishing nets, tools, or equipment

Dh5,000 fine

Facility licence reserved for up to 2 months

Facility licence canceled

Renting a fishing boat without the owner or representative

Written warning

Dh3,000 fine

Cancel boat licence

Polluting the marine environment (dumping fish waste, plastic, damaged nets, etc.)

Written warning

Dh1,000 fine

Boat licence reserved for a month

Trading, selling, or consuming prohibited fish or aquatic life

Warning and confiscation of fish

Dh2,000 fine and confiscation of fish

Boat licence reserved for a week, fish confiscation, fish shops closed for a week


Conclusion

Fishing season in Dubai offers many opportunities for anglers to pursue their passion. Understanding when and in which to discover your goal species can beautify your fishing experience and increase your chances of achievement. MAS Yachts exploring the numerous fishing seasons at some point of the year will provide yacht rental services and the joys of catching prized fish. So, plan your fishing trips wisely, equip yourself with the right tools, and include the splendour of Dubai's waters while indulging in your preferred hobby.

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