You don't need a charter boat or a guide to fish in Labuan. The island's varied coastline puts you within casting distance of trevally, queenfish, barracuda, snapper, grouper, and — after dark — some of the most addictive squid jigging you'll ever experience. Buy fresh bait from the wet market for a few ringgit, walk to the nearest headland or jetty, and cast. That's it.
Best Shore Fishing Spots
Tanjung Kubong
The rocky headlands around The Chimney are the top shore fishing spot on the island. Deeper water and current channels close to shore attract larger pelagics — trevally, queenfish, and barracuda patrol these points. You're fishing amidst 15-million-year-old Geopark rock formations. Best on incoming tide. Wear proper shoes — the rocks are slippery when wet.
Tanjung Batu Beach
The most popular shore fishing spot — rocky points on either end of the beach provide good structure, and deeper water close to shore means productive casting range without needing distance. Food stalls nearby for breaks. 10 minutes from town by Grab. Common catches: queenfish, trevally, various reef species.
Public Marina Jetty
Walkable from most town centre hotels. The jetty pilings create structure that attracts snapper, grouper, and catfish — drop a bait rig straight down alongside the pilings and wait. Best in the evening when the water cools. A relaxed spot for casual fishing while watching harbour activity. Popular with locals after work — bring a couple of duty-free beers.
Layang-Layangan Beach
Sandy-bottom fishing near Peace Park. Good for flathead, rays, and various bottom species. Cast out, plant the rod in the sand, and watch Labuan's best sunset while you wait for the tip to twitch. Combine fishing with the golden hour — there are worse ways to spend an evening.
Harbour Breakwaters
The constructed rock walls around the harbour and Sea Sports Complex are the best spots for night squid jigging. The structure attracts squid after dark, and the harbour lights help. Bring squid jigs, a headlamp, and patience — once you get the first one, the rest follow. A favourite local evening activity that visitors quickly get hooked on.
Pancur Hitam Area
Rocky sections near Pancur Hitam Beach on the west coast. Less fished than Tanjung Batu, which can mean better catches for those willing to explore. The coast faces the open South China Sea — currents can be stronger, which brings in more active predatory fish.
What You'll Catch
Daytime — Lure & Bait Fishing
Trevally (Cermin/Kuau) — the main target for sport-minded anglers. Aggressive fighters found around rocky points and drop-offs. They hit hard and run fast. Best on metal spoons, soft plastics, and poppers worked along the rocky headlands at Tanjung Kubong and Tanjung Batu. Incoming tide is prime time.
Queenfish (Talang) — fast, acrobatic surface feeders. They hunt in packs along rocky coastlines and are spectacular on light tackle. Surface poppers and stick baits in the dawn hour can produce explosive strikes. Tanjung Kubong is the best spot for them.
Barracuda (Alu-alu) — found along rocky coastlines and reef edges, especially at Tanjung Kubong. They'll hit lures and live bait with equal aggression. Handle with care — those teeth are real.
Snapper (various species) and Grouper (Kerapu) — bottom dwellers around structure. Drop a running sinker rig with fresh prawn or cut fish down alongside jetty pilings, rock walls, or submerged structure. Patient, bait-and-wait fishing that rewards those who sit still. The marina jetty is the easiest access to good snapper habitat.
Catfish (Ikan Sembilang) — common catch from jetties and breakwaters. Not glamorous, but they pull hard and are easy for beginners. Watch the barbed spines when handling.
Night — Squid Jigging
How to Squid Jig on Labuan
Squid jigging is one of the most underrated fishing experiences in Borneo, and Labuan's harbour breakwaters are one of the best spots in the region. Here's how:
- When: After sunset. Best on darker nights (new moon phase). Squid are attracted to light, so positions near harbour lighting work well.
- Where: Harbour breakwaters and rock walls. The Sea Sports Complex area is a local favourite.
- Gear: Light spinning rod (6-7 foot), 6-10lb line, and squid jigs in size 2.0-3.0. Glow-in-the-dark and pink/orange colours work best. Bring a headlamp.
- Technique: Cast out, let the jig sink 3-5 seconds, then retrieve with a slow lift-and-drop motion — sharp upward flicks of the rod tip, then let it flutter down. Squid grab on the drop.
- The feel: No sharp strike — you'll feel a sudden heaviness, like snagging a plastic bag. Maintain steady tension and reel smoothly. Don't jerk — squid release if you pull too hard.
- What to do with your catch: Fresh squid grilled over charcoal with lime and chilli. Or give it to the nearest seafood restaurant and ask them to cook it for you — most will happily oblige for a small fee.
Tackle & Bait
What to Bring or Buy Locally
- Rod: Medium-action spinning rod, 7-9 foot. One rod covers most shore fishing situations on Labuan.
- Reel: 2500-4000 size spinning reel. Smooth drag is important for trevally and queenfish.
- Line: 10-20lb braided main line with a 20-30lb fluorocarbon leader. Braid for casting distance, fluro for abrasion resistance on rocks.
- Lures: Metal spoons (20-40g), soft plastics (shad and paddle tail in natural colours), surface poppers, and stick baits for the rocky headlands.
- Bait rigs: Running sinker rig with size 1-3/0 hooks for jetty fishing. Paternoster rig for bottom fishing from rocks. Pre-made rigs available at tackle shops.
- Squid jigs: Size 2.0-3.0 in glow, pink, and orange. Pack 4-6 — you'll lose some on the rocks.
- Fresh bait: Prawns, squid strips, and cut fish from the wet market in Victoria (open mornings, near the town centre). RM5-10 gets you enough bait for a full session.
Tackle shops are available in Victoria's town centre, carrying a good selection of rods, reels, lures, hooks, sinkers, and terminal tackle. Major brands like Daiwa and Shimano are stocked. Prices are competitive with the mainland. If you're travelling light, you can buy a basic spinning combo locally for RM80-150 that'll handle everything the island has to offer.
Also Try: Bagang Fishing
Traditional Platform Fishing Over the Open Sea
For something completely unique to Labuan, try bagang fishing — fishing from a traditional wooden platform built on stilts over the open sea. Bright lights are lowered toward the water at night, attracting plankton, small fish, and then larger predators and squid. You can spend an evening or overnight on the platform, catching fish, grilling your haul, and sleeping under the stars with nothing but ocean around you. Trips are arranged through local fishermen — ask at the waterfront or your hotel.
Practical Information
| Best Times | Dawn (5:30-7:30am) and dusk to night (6pm onwards). Incoming tide is generally most productive. |
| Season | Year-round. Calmer seas March-September. Squid jigging best on dark (new moon) nights. |
| Licence | No fishing licence required for recreational shore fishing in Malaysia. |
| Tackle Shops | Several in Victoria town centre — rods, reels, lures, hooks, and accessories available. |
| Fresh Bait | Wet market in Victoria (open mornings) — fresh prawns, squid, and cut fish for RM5-10. |
| Catch & Release | No formal limits for recreational shore fishing. Take only what you'll eat. Respect the resource. |
| Safety | Wear shoes (not sandals) for rock fishing. Bring a headlamp for night sessions. Watch footing on wet rocks at Tanjung Kubong — the 15-million-year-old rock formations are beautiful but slippery. |
| LISC | If you're a serious angler, time your visit for April — the Labuan International Sea Challenge includes a deep sea fishing competition with RM180,000 in prizes. |
Plan Your Visit to Labuan
Pack a rod, buy bait from the wet market, and cast into the South China Sea.
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