Koggala Stilt Fisherman, Unique Stilt Fishing Without Bait

Koggala

3.6

Introduction

Stilt fishermen, a group of fishermen who use stilts to fish along the shallow coastal areas from Galle to Mirissa in the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, can be observed in the town of Koggala. This unique fishing method originated from economic constraints, as these fishermen couldn't afford boats for fishing and the coastal areas were abundant with sardines. They are considered to practice one of the "most unique" fishing methods in the world, as they have to wade into the sea and perch on wooden stilts, using simple fishing rods to catch fish. Their target is the sardines swimming in the shallow waters, and they can catch fish every minute if luck is on their side. It's worth noting that these stilt fishermen use fishing rods without bait, which adds to the astonishment of this fishing technique. While true stilt fishermen are becoming rare, there are more performers who engage in this activity to attract tourists and ask for tips after taking photos.