1. What inspired you to become a professional angler, and how did your journey begin?

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My father has always been the biggest and most positive influence in my life. I grew up watching him go fishing, and he took me along on days when he could. He worked at Mifco as a captain and often brought me to the boats he worked at. Frankly, I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t fishing.

I was a watersports instructor until I resigned, after almost two decades of working in the tourism industry. Since 2012, I've been incorporating sports fishing into watersports and excursion adventures, and over the years, my passion for learning and educating myself about the discipline of angling grew. Now, I can easily say I’ve always been a lifelong angler.

When COVID hit in 2020, I resigned from my watersports job to stay with my family. When we were given the chance to go fishing again, my passion finally became my full time job.

2. You’ve pioneered sports fishing in the Maldivian tourism. How has it evolved over the years?

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Maldives is famously known for a holiday and honeymoon destination. However, this has significantly changed over the years. It’s been nothing short of rewarding to see tourists not only enjoying the blue calming waters and the white sandy beaches but also prioritizing fishing experiences. It has now become quite common for VIP guests to bring their own fishing boats and hire local guides for an exhilarating experience.

I think this explains how much sports fishing has grown within the industry. That being said, it still needs a lot of recognition and support from both the government and the fishing community. 

3. You have guided fishing expeditions to some of the most luxurious resorts and superyachts. How do you ensure the guest experience is unforgettable?

I’m immensely grateful to have had the privilege of serving in the industry for almost two decades, which tremendously contributed to my personal growth, not to mention my understanding of guest expectations and how to deliver exceptional service. 

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There are a lot of factors that should be considered and managed to ensure the guests have the best experience so that they return again. Discipline, punctuality, reliability, and communication are a few key elements that reflect your dedication to providing an unforgettable experience whilst remembering that the guests are driven by your passion and energy too. 

4. When was your most memorable yellowfin tuna catch? Can you share the experience with us?

It was in 2022 on my birthday which makes it unforgettable. I was hired by a VIP owner of a superyacht. He gave me precisely two hours to catch a tuna he’d never forget. He was a repeat guest of mine and this was the first time he set a time limit for me to catch a fish. I guess everything was in my favour that day because I landed a 74kg tuna in just 45 minutes! Everyone on board was surprised, and saying I was happy is an understatement. Even today, I really don't have the right words to describe that feeling. They were so delighted and they even celebrated my birthday. I think that is one of the most significant tuna experiences I’ve ever had. 

5. What is the best time of the year for fishing in the Maldives, and why?

To be honest, there is no bad time to fish in the Maldives. However, there are certain seasons in which some species are more likely to be caught from different areas as a lot of factors have to be considered for different species.

6. If you could catch any fish anywhere in the world, what would it be?

Now this is hard to answer. Too many fish from too many places! I’d like to try different types of fishing from as many places as I could and I think I'm no different than any other angler in this aspect. But I'd be the happiest to catch a blue fin tuna, a white marlin from anywhere. No specific place though.