Deep Sea Fishing in Malaysia

Q: My husband wants to go deep sea fishing on the East coast of Malaysia. Since it is such a long coastline, what would the best area be? - Janny Humphreys

A: The best place for deep sea fishing on the east coast of Malaysia is near the islands of Pulau Aur, Pulau Pemanggil and Tioman in the South China Sea. This is where anglers head to catch game fish, including the blue marlin. Most boats headed for these waters depart from Mersing town on the Malaysian peninsular. The ferry to Tioman takes around 90 minutes, while fishing boats from Mersing to Aur and Pemanggil take approximately six hours. You can hire a boat in Mersing or join other trips. The best place to find out about these trips is from travel agents or the resorts. Mersing is a six-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. A resort worth considering is Fishing Bay Resort in Mersing, which offers deep sea fishing (www.fishingbayresort.com/) If you don't mind staying on the islands, you could try Lanting Beach Resort on Pulau Pemanggil (www.lantingresort.com.my). You could also fly from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island, where there are a number of resorts to choose from. (18/9/11)