The Ultimate Guide to Fishing in Samoa 🎣

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The Best Places for Fishing in Samoa

Fishing is a way of life for many communities in Samoa, so the fishing all around the country is excellent. For visitors, however, fishing with a fishing charter is the most practical way to maximise the fun. Fishing charters can be found from Samoa’s two main islands: Upolu and Savai’i.

Fishing in Upolu

Upolu is Samoa’s most populated and developed island, as well as your arrival destination thanks to the Faleolo International Airport. Here, you have the most options when it comes to fishing charters between charters from the Apia Marina in the capital to several resorts offering their own. Most charters from Upolu offer trolling trips, but those from Apia can also do jigging, popping and liveaboard tours, while Le Vasa Resort on the west coast also offers traditional Samoan and shore fishing.  Learn more about planning a trip to Samoa’s main island in The Complete Travel Guide to Upolu.

Fishing in Savai’i

Life is much more traditional on Samoa’s largest island, with paopao (outrigger canoes) of the local fishermen lining the shores. That’s not to say that there aren’t more modern means to reel in the Pacific pelagics that are so abundant beyond the reefs, with three resorts/lodges offering their own fishing charters to guests and non-guests alike. Most of these charters focus on trolling. Learn more about visiting Samoa’s other island in The Complete Travel Guide to Savai’i.

Check out charter options across both islands in the 7 Best Fishing Charters in Samoa.

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Game Fish Species in Samoa

Samoa’s waters are home to most game fish species that are found in the South Pacific. The list includes:

• Yellowfin Tuna
• Dogtooth Tuna
• Wahoo
• Mahimahi
• Blue Marlin
• Black Marlin
• Pacific Sailfish
• Giant Trevally
• Spanish Mackerel
• Pacific Barracuda

For more information on the most popular fish to target in Samoa, take a look at our guide, The Types of Fish in Samoa.

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The Fishing Seasons in Samoa

Samoa has warm air and sea temperatures all year round. With that, most game species are found in Samoa’s waters all year round! There isn’t really a bad time to go fishing in Samoa, but if you are targeting a specific species and perhaps the largest fish of that species possible, then there are certainly better seasons than others.

Peak Months for Game Fish

• Yellowfin Tuna – November to May
• Dogtooth Tuna – September to November
• Wahoo – September to November
• Mahimahi – September to November
• Blue Marlin – November to May
• Black Marlin – September to November
• Pacific Sailfish – September to November
• Giant Trevally – January to April.

For a more in-depth look at the fishing seasons and the best time for a fishing holiday in Samoa, check out our full guide, The Best Time of Year for Fishing in Samoa.

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Fishing Techniques and Specialities

From a relaxing troll on fishing charters, also known as “Champagne fishing”, to more gruelling net casting from outrigger canoes, there are plenty of exciting fishing techniques to try in Samoa.

Fishing Charters – Trolling, Jigging and Popping

An ideal technique for all experience levels and offering a high chance of reeling in something fun, trolling is where lines are baited and drawn through the water. This is the fishing technique that most charters use and provides an opportunity to catch blue marlin, Pacific sailfish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, mahimahi and Spanish mackerel.

Specialised fishing charters, such as Troppo Fishing Adventures based at the Apia Marina, also offer alternative techniques like jigging, using a weighted lure and attracting the fish with a vertical jerky motion, which can be used to catch giant trevally and dogtooth tuna. Another technique is popping, using a lure with a hollow nose that skims across the water, used in spin or fly fishing. You might use poppers to catch giant trevally, bluefin trevally, Spanish mackerel, barracuda or yellowfin tuna.

Traditional Samoan Fishing

Other than persuading a friendly local to take you out fishing, one of the only real options for trying the more challenging yet fulfilling traditional Samoan techniques is with Le Vasa Resort based on the west coast of Upolu. Not only do they hire fishing paopao (canoes) but they also have rods and kili (casting nets) for hire. Alternatively, some of the beach fales on Savai’i have paopao for hire (usually free for guests) so ask permission to take your rod out there – see “Fishing Restrictions in Samoa” below.

Land-Based Fishing (Shore Fishing)

With your own gear and permission from your accommodation or the local village, shore fishing is a viable option in Samoa. If you don’t have your own gear, Le Vasa Resort has casting rods, lures and bait for hire (they also do “Bucket o’ Beer and Bucket o’ Bait” offers should you want to make a day of it). Be vigilant, however, about ciguatera fish poisoning when catching reef fish, which you may just want to catch and release – learn more in our Samoa Safety Tips.

Learn more about the charters offering the fishing techniques stated above in the 7 Best Fishing Charters in Samoa.

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Fishing Restrictions in Samoa

Go on a fishing charter beyond the reefs and your chosen operator will keep you right when it comes to fishing restrictions. When it comes to dropping a line in yourself, perhaps from shore or anywhere along the reef, well, that’s when things become more complicated.

In Samoa, there are village fisheries by-laws in accordance with the national Fisheries Legislation. These by-laws are not only different from village to village but give villagers fishing rights to reefs. By-laws may include the restriction of the sizes of fish and shellfish, bans on certain types of fishing gear and methods, and allocation of fish quotas among other things. That’s why, although many villagers are happy for you to drop a line, it’s important to seek permission as well as inquire about any fishing regulations there may be.

Some areas have signboards along the roadside and beaches to inform where village by-laws apply. Marine reserves (strictly no fishing permitted) are easiest to identify with poles sticking out of the water and circling a portion of the lagoon.