Cover A man fishing by the shore (Photo: Jose Ricardo Barraza Morachis/Pexels)
A man fishing by the shore (Photo: Jose Ricardo Barraza Morachis/Pexels)
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From open lakes to the deep blue sea, these are the best fishing spots near the Metro
Fishing, while a great source of livelihood in most parts of the Philippines, is often overlooked as a sport. Though easy to find the necessary equipment online or in stores, finding the right spot can be tricky. Whether you’re a seasoned angler looking to eat what you catch or a novice fisherman who wants to learn the ropes in catch-and-release fishing, Tatler rounds up the best places to have a peaceful retreat. Fair warning, however, as some of these destinations are a long drive away from the Metro.
More from Tatler: 8 walkable cities that make excellent destinations for first-time solo travellers
Batangas
Above Fishing in Calatagan, Batangas
Being a coastal province, Batangas has multiple provinces for casual fishing. If you’re looking to eat your fresh catch, Calatagan is known for its wealth of rabbitfish and occasional barracuda. Mabini allows for both grilling and catch-and-release fishing, as its seas contain a combination of emperor fish, triggerfish, and even clownfish. You might want to save Anilao for diving as it’s full of rare critters that are not suitable for catching.
Subic, Zambales
Above Deep sea fishing in Subic, Zambales
For the deep sea fisher, Subic offers plenty of boat charters to the open ocean allowing access to moderately sized fish such as the Areolate grouper, pampano or dolphinfish, and the Australasian snapper. While it’s often best to bring your own rod, you can rent high-quality gear at any of the shops you visit.
San Vicente, Cagayan
Above The port of San Vicente, Cagayan (Photo: Karen Mae Farro/Flickr)
The port of San Vicente, Cagayan (Photo: Karen Mae Farro/Flickr)
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Located at the northern tip of the Philippines, San Vicente, Cagayan has a wide variety of big fish such as blue marlin, dogtooth tuna, yellowfin tuna, snapper, and many more. You can fish casually around the area but if you're looking to seriously get into the hobby, you could consider joining the Philippine Game Fishing Foundation allowing you access to their premiere fishing spot and even tournaments.
Laguna de Bay
Above Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the Philippines (Photo: Tony Hidalgo/Flickr)
Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the Philippines (Photo: Tony Hidalgo/Flickr)
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The biggest lake in the Philippines with a surface area of around 900 square kilometres, Laguna de Bay is where novice anglers earn their stripes. Close to the Metro and home to the Manila catfish, freshwater eel, common carp, goby, and Indonesian bard, the lake is suited for those looking to do catch-and-release fishing or cooking their fresh catch.
Pantabangan Lake, Nueva Ecija
Above A largemouth bass caught in Pantabangan Lake, Nueva Ecija (Photo: PantaBass/Facebook)
A largemouth bass caught in Pantabangan Lake, Nueva Ecija (Photo: PantaBass/Facebook)
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A serene destination with a scenic view of the Sierra Madre mountains, Pantabangan Lake is a great place to fish with a beer in hand. There’s an abundance of largemouth bass in the lake with the biggest record so far being a seven-kilogramme fish—compared to the commonly found one to two-kilogramme specimen.
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About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
Work
A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
