If you are happy to try your luck with less known operators, well, there are hundred of them if not thousands. Every guesthouse seems to have a contact with a fishing guide, and the local price averages around $300-500 per boat per day - by far more affordable.

When it comes to flyfishing, the choice gets quite limited. GetAwayFF and FlyfishingAsia are two of the operators that run occasional trips, typically charging $3,000 for a package of 5 days. Expensive yes, but still half price bargain compared to Seychelles. For flyfishing needing special choice of location and guiding skill, service of quality operators is extremely valuable.

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Charter options

In the Maldives there are multiple of charter options. Arguably the best known is PearlWin. Anglers sleep aboard the boat thus can enjoy long hours of fishing covering by far greater waters. Charter cost starts at $1,300 per day depending on the length of the trip. An affordable choice if you go with 5-6 friends.

Another popular operator GT fishers takes 2-3 anglers in a speedboat, charging about $1,000 a day. The best choice if you intend a few short days' intensive fishing in a small group.

Standing by prepared

As you start sighting, or better still, as you get out of the boat and start wading, you should pull out some 20meters of line and hold the fly in the hand and ready fo action. Encounter with the cruising GT usually last 5 seconds or less, you must quickly shoot it out not losing a second stripping the line or untangling the line. Easier said than done - in the breeze the line is happy to wrap around the rod, your feet or coral rocks washed in the wave. You must constantly remind yourself to check it over, as once GT is on, the reel must be screaming a split second later.

Sighting

The most important technique in GT game is sighting the fish. Not just spotting the fish coming up close - they are often alarmed already. The farther and earlier you spot the target, the better the chance for you to secure a better casting position to intercept the approaching fish.

Flyfishing for GT is an altogether different game, demanding a completely different approach. Please read my findings in Christmas island also.

Flies

Big streamers in 10-20cm long, tied with synthetic materials are the way to go. Not always the case, but generally, GT reacts better for the bigger & biggest meals. When they home in on the target, they almost always swallow it the whole, so no need of a trailer hook, just that the main hook must be rock solid, such as Gamakatsu SL12, in size 4/0-6/0.

Target

The most popular game fish in the Maldives is undoubtedly GT - Giant Trevally. Locally called Mullahandy, this is the fish we sportfishermen can dedicate our whole self - casting, leading, hooking and fighting. They do not jump like billfish nor run nearly as far as fast as tuna, but in terms of intimacy of the game, it is safe to say GT game beats them all.

Lures

GT game used to be about chugging big poppers in its infancy 20-30yrs ago. But as the fishing pressure rose, GTs began to shy away from overly expressive actions. Nowadays stickbaits/pencil baits some 8inches in length are gaining more popular, as they often prove more effective in luring the fish into biting. Most of the venues are shallow, around 20m deep, floating lures of 80-100g will suffice.

To target smaller games like Bluefin trevally, clouser minnow in size 1-1/0 works fine. In some places you see a fair number of Triggerfish. For them, crab imitations are the best choice.

Fly tackle

Under the condition the field is suitable for sightfishing, your best best is a solid #12 rod loaded with a high quality reel like Tibor Gulfstream, Abel Big game, etc. Unlike most other games, you have to stop GTs instead of letting them run to tire themselves.

If the condition requires constant casting, well, you then need somewhat lighter rod in 8-10wt class. Much easier for us the anglers and perfect for the smaller species, though utterly inadequate to stand against a big G.

Casting tackle

The most important thing in GT fishing is keep casting. Sometimes against the winds, often in a rocking boat, we have to keep casting minimum 50meters consistently, or better still, 80meters. Modern rods are longer and more flexible than those used by anglers 10yrs ago. No need to be that mucho but a degree of practice, knowing how to power bend the rod, is required before getting onboard.

To stop a hooked GT before he reaches the forest of corals, the rod must have a solid butt, and a high quality reel is also a must. 14000SW class by Shimano, or 5000 class by Daiwa is the standard fare. Fore the mainline PE#6 would do, tied to thick shock leader in 130lb class.