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.
What's not allowed
Spearfishing is illegal in the Maldives for tourists and locals alike — bringing a speargun into the country isn't just discouraged, it's confiscated on arrival, and attempting to use one can lead to fines or worse. Net fishing over reefs and fishing for any shark species are also banned nationally, and shore fishing directly from a resort beach generally isn't permitted without specific management approval — none of which affects the standard hand-line excursion described above, which is the normal, fully legal way tourists fish here.