The villages of Kerala, especially the ones by the backwaters, have many skilled fishermen. Some of them fish from the shore but most do it from a canoe. Their traditional fishing techniques and amazing skills are a treat to the eyes. Fishing is probably the most important means of livelihood for the villagers of Kerala.

You must know that the serene backwaters in Kerala teem with an abundant variety of fish. So it is a haven for fishermen and also a wonderful destination for travellers who would like to try their hands on fishing. When you get to the shallow areas of the backwaters, the chances of catching fish are quite high.

Kerala Fishermen and their techniques

The local fishermen use a variety of indigenous techniques to catch fish. Each of these techniques is a joy to watch and it can arrest your attention for quite a long time. The most common technique is using nets. A fisherman throws a lot of bait at once, then casts his net to catch many fish. Casting a net may sound like an easy thing to do but it requires skill to be able to do it in the right way.

There are other techniques too. Angling, for example, is a simple fishing technique where they use a rod, line and hook to catch fish using earthworm/batter as bait. Also famous is Bow Fishing where the fish is shot with an arrow and then reeled in. Another unique method is using a Bamboo Trap. A cone-shaped basket is placed at a narrow area in the backwaters. Fish enter from the large opening but the hole at the other end is too small for the fish to escape.

And then comes the strangest technique. Two men wrap palm leaves around their waist with a rope and then walk through the backwaters. The leaves shine brightly reflecting the sunlight which scares the fish, making them find a hiding place in the muddy areas. Then, swimmers jump into the waters and catch these fish with bare hands. Imagine watching this craziness! It will make you giggle, if not, laugh out loud.

The most significant fishing technique, however, is using the Chinese Fishing Nets. In fact, this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kerala. The site of a Chinese Fishing Net in the backdrop of a sunset is scenic, to say the least.

Try your own hand at fishing

The local fishermen can guide you to enjoy your own fishing experience. They can teach you how to use the traditional fishing rod with a line and hook and some earthworm as bait to catch fish. The chances of catching fish are higher in the shallow areas of the waters. Fishing certainly requires a measure of patience but if you are able to catch even one or two fish, it is quite a satisfying experience. The picturesque environment at the backwaters and the chirping of birds creates a wonderful atmosphere for a memorable fishing experience. It is an experience you must have at least once in your lifetime.

Among all the places in Kerala, Kochi and Alleppey are the best destinations for a great fishing experience.

We offer our guests a great fishing experience on our day tours. Please take a look at the list of backwaters tours we have on offer!

If you are visiting Cochin on a cruise ship and want to enjoy a fishing experience in Kerala, get in touch with the team at Cochin Shore Excursions. Take a look at the day tours they offer!

And if you also want to travel to other parts of Kerala and enjoy other experiences in the land along with fishing, please contact the team at Experience Kerala Holiday Planners. This local tour operator is known for offering a complete experience of Kerala since the team is made up of local experts. Take a look at the itinerary plans they have on offer!