Fishing isn't just a tourist activity in the Maldives — it's the foundation of the traditional economy, and the same pole-and-line method still used commercially shows up in a gentler form as a standard resort excursion.
Why the method matters
Maldivian tuna fishing is traditionally done pole-and-line, one fish at a time, rather than with nets — a method credited with a far lower bycatch impact than industrial net fishing, and a point of genuine national pride tied into the country's fishing identity long before resort tourism existed.
What a tourist trip looks like
Most resorts and guesthouses offer a sunset or night hand-line fishing excursion — a dhoni boat, simple hand lines, and a couple of hours anchored over a reef drop-off. It's a low-key, sociable activity rather than a serious sport-fishing charter, and typically doesn't require experience.
What happens to the catch
Some resorts will clean and cook whatever you catch as part of dinner that night — worth asking in advance if that's part of the appeal, since it isn't universal across every property.