Best Fishing Seasons in Kuwait, Month by Month

On the Kuwaiti coast the important question is rarely "where?" It is "when?". The water changes month by month: which species move in, how deep they hold, and how the tide shapes the day. This guide walks the year in blocks, so you can pick your dates before you rig up.

November to February: Winter, the Zubaidi Window

Cooler water draws fish toward the shallows, the islands and the creeks. This is the strongest stretch of the Kuwaiti year. Zubaidi is the headline species, with sbeiiti and shim moving alongside it. Dawn and the first hours after dark work best, and live bait plus patience is what separates a good day from an empty one.

March to May: Spring and the Shaari Push

As the water warms, shaari becomes active and tightens up around structure — rocks, channels, seagrass edges. Much of it is within reach from shore, so a boat is not essential. Days just ahead of a weather change, with moderate wind, tend to fish well because the fish feed harder before the shift.

June to August: Summer, Deep Water for Hamour and Kanad

Heat pushes fish down, so build the plan around it: an early run before sunrise, or a night trip once the air cools. Hamour and kanad sit deeper in these months and they call for heavier gear and more patience. Carry water, keep the run short, and set the return leg before midday.

September to October: Autumn, a Transition and the Qarqafan Window

The sea settles and the schools reshuffle. This is the bridge between summer and winter: qarqafan shows up and the shrimp season window opens. It is the right time to re-learn your marks and get ready before the winter run starts.

Wind and Tide Decide the Best Dates

The same month gives you very different days depending on wind direction and tide. Barrah — the easterly and south-easterly winds — usually means a calmer sea and warmer water. A strong north wind builds waves, cools the water and clears it. Tide moves fish as well: the run-up is normally more active than the slack of low tide on the same day.

• Pick moderate barrah days when you want a calm sea and easier boat handling.
• Check the north wind before you launch — wind speed alone tells you little.
• Plan the trip around the tide, not only around the hours you happen to have free.
• Spring tides near the full moon mean stronger water movement and clearer feeding windows.

Month by Month at a Glance

• November and December: zubaidi starts, island-side evening and night trips.
• January and February: peak winter, zubaidi and sbeiiti, early starts near the heerat.
• March and April: shaari activity, strong shore fishing.
• May: mild weather, work the coast through most of the day.
• June and July: pre-dawn or night runs, deeper marks for hamour and kanad.
• August: the hottest weeks — short trips, night fishing.
• September and October: transition, qarqafan and the shrimp window.

Before you lock the date, check tide times for Shuwaikh and Shuaiba ports, the sea state and the forecast in the B7R app. If the wind is up and the sea is rough, postpone the run — no fish is worth the risk to the people aboard.

Keep a simple catch log: month, wind, tide, species, numbers. After a couple of seasons you will read your own pattern instead of guessing. The B7R app holds that catch log along with the fish guide, seasons and navigation tools. Download it free on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.q8dm.b7r