Bombay-duck
Harpadon nehereus
© FishBase (CC BY-NC)Bombay‑duck (Harpadon nehereus) is a slender, silvery marine fish prized in Indian cuisine, especially when dried and fried. It inhabits coastal waters and brackish estuaries and grows up to about 61 cm, making it a relatively small but popular catch for coastal anglers.
Basic Information
Family
Synodontidae
Max Size
61 cm
Habitat
marine, brackish
Climate
tropical
Best Season
June to September (monsoon season)
Best Time
Night (dusk to early dawn)
Distribution
Select a map type to show distribution on the globe.
Fishing Tips for Bombay-duck
- Use a light spinning or hand‑line setup with 4–6 lb test line to feel subtle bites.
- Bait with small live/shrimp or pieces of anchovy; Bombay‑duck are attracted to natural scent.
- Fish close to the bottom over sandy or muddy flats near river mouths; they feed near the surface at night.
- Night fishing works best – use a head‑lamp or lantern to spot surface activity.
Top Fishing Locations for Bombay-duck
Kochi Coast, Kerala
IndiaThe backwaters and estuaries along the Malabar Coast are traditional hotspots for Bombay‑duck, especially near the fishing harbors of Kochi where the species is abundant in the brackish waters.
Best: October‑February
Phuket Peninsula
ThailandCoastal lagoons and mangrove channels around Phuket host seasonal migrations of Bombay‑duck, making it a popular target for local and visiting anglers during the monsoon retreat.
Best: May‑October
Trincomalee Bay
Sri LankaThe sheltered bays of Trincomalee provide ideal brackish habitats where Bombay‑duck congregate in large numbers during the pre‑monsoon period.
Best: March‑May
Mergui Archipelago
MyanmarRemote islands and pristine channels of the Mergui Archipelago are a bucket‑list destination; the species is present but harder to locate due to limited access.
Best: November‑February
Miyazaki Coast
JapanNorthern Pacific currents bring Bombay‑duck to the coastal waters off Miyazaki during summer, where anglers target them from both shore and boat.
Best: July‑August
Christmas Island
AustraliaThe isolated reefs and lagoon systems around Christmas Island host a surprisingly high density of Bombay‑duck, making it a very common catch for dedicated anglers.
Best: April‑June
Market Prices
Recommended Fishing Equipment for Bombay-duck
Recommended Equipment
Best bait: Live shrimp, small anchovy pieces, or cut bait