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EADAbu Dhabi recreational fishing licence: AED 120 a year or AED 30 a week, issued on TAMM. Holders must be 18 or older.EADProtected in Abu Dhabi: whales, dugongs, dolphins, all sharks and rays, sea turtles, parrotfish, yellowfin hind, red coral and Indo-Pacific sailfish.EADNo fishing in marked no-fishing zones, protected areas, navigation channels, under sea bridges, or near military, oil and residential sites.EADDaily limits, shore angler / boat: kingfish 3 / 12, orange-spotted grouper 2 / 8, cobia 5 / 20, blackspot snapper 10 / 40.EADCatch may not be sold or thrown away while sailing. Show your licence and catch when an inspector asks.EADSpearfishing from a boat: at least three licensed people on board and the international diving flag raised.UAEMinimum legal fish sizes follow Ministerial Resolution No. 580 of 2015.VISIT ABU DHABINylon fishing nets are prohibited. Emperor fish and rabbitfish are closed to fishing during their breeding seasons.VISIT ABU DHABIBest months are October and April for cooler water; fish early morning and late afternoon.DUBAIDubai recreational fishing licences are applied for online through Dubai Municipality: have your Emirates ID, a photo and your boat licence ready.
Father and son on a boat with the day's catch
GEAR

What to wear, carry and pack

Eight kits, each with the reason it matters and what to look for when you buy. The trip planner picks the right items for your craft and today's weather.

Father and son in wide sun hats and lifejackets on the kayak

Sun and clothing

UAE sun is the first thing that ends a trip early. UV sits at 10 or above for much of the year and the water reflects it back at you.

UPF 50+ long-sleeve shirtBlocks about 98% of UV. Light colours, loose cut, vented back; polyester dries in minutes.
Buff or face gaiterCovers neck, ears and face. Wet it and it cools you.
Wide-brim hatShade for ears and neck; add a chin strap for jet ski and boat runs.
Quick-dry trousers or shortsLight nylon, UPF-rated, no cotton: it stays wet and chafes.
Spray jacket (winter)December to February mornings are cool and windy on the water.
Angler in blue-mirror polarised glasses holding a giant trevally caught on a popper

Eyes: polarised glasses

Polarised lenses cut surface glare, so you see fish, weed lines, reef and colour changes. They also protect your eyes from flying hooks.

Grey lensBright offshore days; true colours, maximum darkening.
Blue mirrorOpen ocean glare; tuna and mahi days.
Copper or amberInshore, flats and mangroves; best contrast for sight fishing.
Yellow or light roseDawn, dusk and overcast.
Floating frame and leashGlasses overboard is a classic. Keep them tethered.
Young angler with fishing gloves holding two fish beside his kayak

Hands and feet

Fins, gill plates, teeth and braid cut skin. Good gloves and shoes are cheap insurance.

Handling glovesRubber-palm or cut-resistant; grip a wet fish without squeezing it.
Casting finger guardProtects your index finger when you cast braid with heavy lures.
Fighting glovesPadded palm for hand-lining a heavy leader at the boat.
Deck shoesNon-marking, closed toe. Never barefoot around hooks and fins.
Rock bootsFelt or rubber cleats for breakwaters and slippery rocks.
Sanad and his father wearing lifejackets on the double kayak

Lifejackets and safety

A lifejacket only works when it is worn. Pick the type for your craft, and carry a way to call for help.

Foam vestKayak and jet ski: always buoyant, pockets for pliers and radio.
Inflatable vest or beltBoat and shore: light and cool. Auto inflates in water; manual needs a pull.
Handheld VHF radioChannel 16 for emergencies. Phones die and lose signal offshore.
Whistle, knife, torchClipped to the lifejacket, not in the bag.
Water and first aidAt least 2 litres per person in summer; plasters, antiseptic, hook-removal kit.
Fish finder screen showing bait balls and fish arches

Fish finder and electronics

The sonar tells you what is under the boat before you drop a jig. Learn to read it and you stop fishing empty water.

2D CHIRP sonarArches are fish; clouds are bait; the bottom line shows hard or soft ground.
Down imagingPhoto-like view straight down: wrecks, reef, fish on structure.
Side imagingScans to the sides; finds reef edges and wrecks fast.
GPS waypointsSave every bite. Patterns show up after a few trips.
Built-in on the FishProThe Sea-Doo FishPro Apex carries a 9-inch Garmin fish finder.
Three diving minnows stored in a tackle box

Tools and accessories

The small tools decide whether you land the fish and keep your fingers.

Long-nose pliersStainless or aluminium, with split-ring tip and braid cutter.
Crimping tool and sleevesFor wire and heavy mono leaders.
Braid scissors and fillet knifeBraid dulls knives; use scissors. Fillet knife with a sheath.
Head torchRed light mode for pre-dawn rigging without killing your night vision.
Tackle boxes and rod leashWaterproof boxes by lure type; leash rods on kayak and jet ski.
A trevally landed beside the kayak

Landing and keeping the catch

Land it fast, handle it wet, and decide early: release or keep. Check sizes and bag limits before you keep.

Rubber-mesh landing netGentle on fish you release; hooks do not tangle.
GaffOnly for fish you keep. Never for protected species.
Lip grip with scaleControls toothy fish and weighs them.
Measuring tapeMinimum sizes follow Ministerial Resolution 580 of 2015.
Cooler and ice slurryBleed the fish and chill it in salt-water slurry for the best eating.
Father and son fishing from the jet ski

Craft kits: kayak, jet ski, boat

Each craft needs its own small kit on top of the basics.

KayakAnchor trolley, crate with rod holders, paddle leash, visibility flag, dry bag.
Jet skiKill-cord lanyard on, rod holders, cooler, small anchor, VHF. Launch only where allowed.
BoatLifejackets for all, fire extinguisher, flares, first aid, VHF, anchor and spare fuel filter.
ShoreRod belt, drop net, rock boots, head torch, inflatable belt lifejacket.
EveryoneLicence on your phone, water, sunscreen, and someone at home who knows your plan.

Shop it in the UAE

Stockists our crew use. Prices and stock change; check before you drive.
Jighead.ae Fishon.ae Barracuda Dubai Tackle essentials guide