shore report for Namibia

[dale]

Namibia.... the return

Hi

Just thought I would post this report on my 2nd holiday in 18 months to Namibia.

This is a precautionary tale rather than one of awe inspiring catches.

3 of us headed down there late 04 to catch a few fish but suffered some unseasonable cold weather which we were told had held the fishing back considerably. Well we all know these things happen. Disappointed but undefeated.

Recently there has been some TV footage of large sharks being hauled in by smiling anglers.

This report is of my last trip in Jan 06.

We booked for 7 days shore angling using reputably the top guide in the country.
To be honest after this I still think he is.

We eventually got there after 27 hours on the road, plane and road again. Tired and excited. After a nice meal and a few drinks of to our comfortable beds.

Next day the guide picked us up but instead of the brimming excitement you would have expected despair hung in the air.
The news had sunk in. there were very few fish to be caught. It had been that way for weeks.

What followed was 7 very very long hard days where we were on the beach for up to 14 hours a day. Seemingly they had a north wind and that had killed the fishing stone dead. Sometimes this happens in this area but this time it had lasted far longer than ever before.

Through sheer determination we did eventually catch a few fish but boy did we have to wait. Over the 7 days between 3 of us we caught 4 gulley sharks (20, 25, 30 35lbs) 5 smoothhounds (42, 32, 27, 17 & 8lbs) 1 sand shark 6lbs and 5 bronze whaler sharks (100,130,135,145 & 180). That’s a paltry 5 fish each for 7 days. I was lucky enough to catch 6 so 1 of the guys had less. The last day was reasonably good in comparison with 8 fish in the day. You can do the math for the rest.

My mate Colin did get a 42lb smooth hound which put up a tremendous scrap and I only wished they were that big in the UK.I was the luckier one of the group as I bagged 2 bronze sharks of 135 & 180lbs. The last gave me the runaround literally as I had to chase it a mile along the beach and it took over an hour to beat. Something I’m very glad I have finally experienced but was it all worth it.

A word of caution re these trips is that when we booked our expectations were high due to the mental pictures drawn by the operator of how good things would be and the referees he asked us to contact. Now I have been twice I would say yes these super catches do take place but there are plenty of weeks out there when it’s like this. If you decide to go remember it can be **** to.

Anyone wishing some information re this area I’ll be more than happy to advise.

[Drago]

Good report Dale.

Any pictures?

[dale]

Couple of pics

[Drago]

A couple of cracking fish there

[dodgy]

right thats the bait dale

what did you catch:)



well done any of those would a life time fish

[PanamaJack]

Hi Dale
Thanks for a balanced report. I guess, particularly with agents or those globe trotting for TV and videos, there's always going to be an element of over-selling. That's when it can help getting it 'straight from the horse's mouth' in the guise of the guide. Although again I suppose it is his livelihood.

Did he offer any suggestions as to the dirth of fish on this latest trip? I understand there's increased commercial activity from Walvis Bay now and, although they may not be targeting the sharks they are an apex predator and need the bait shoals. Or is there any finning going on?

It's a while since any of our members fished down there - January 2004 was the last time. But they did have some great fish, the best 352lbs. There're pictures on our web site - http://www.scbi.org.uk/pages/News_WhatsNewNfc200401.asp.
Dave

[dale]

the sharks are not there in the numbers there maybe used to be but the unseasonal hot weather was the biggest factor. warm north winds clear the water and send the temp to 23c+ which the fish don't like.

they usually get a spell like this but december was the month it happens usually and it normally only lasts for a few days at a time. this time it had gone on for 7 weeks according to the guide.

for me the potential of the place can't be under estimated but i think the new mecca will be Angola as the civil war is over.

[PanamaJack]

Hi Dale
Well that's certainly the first reference I've seen on this forum to Angola. The civil war with Unita officially ended back in 2002 but it does seem to drag on, and the country's awash with guns. I recall going to Guatemala at a similar stage in its 're-building' program and it was just a bit frightening - too much hostage taking still going on. And the police seemed to work 'office hours' only and then have second jobs in the evening guarding banks and restaurants. I guess though with those remoter southern parts of Angola they don't have the 'luxury' of many policemen.

However, and I haven't been in touch with them for ages, I know that Jeri and Sue Drake had started to visit southern Angola. And they came back with tales of big Tarpon, reputedly up to in excess of 250lbs. There were loads of other species present including Guinean Snapper from the shore and, slightly offshore, they were catching Sailfish. Many of the Atlantic world Sailfish records come from Angola.

I guess the Namibian guides would have talked about Angola. The bit I've got which may or may not add to the picture is, albeit secondhand from Jeri, against this url on our Club's web site - http://www.scbi.org.uk/pages/News_Aratw_Africa_Angola.asp. I'd certainly be interested if there's more you could add, that's more current.

All the Best
Dave

[Henry Gilbey]

Sad to hear of poor fishing at the moment in Namibia, but with the adverse weather conditions I reckon there is not much that can be done about it until the winds change.................I do know how it feels to build up for that week's fishing overseas and then see it all go a bit wrong.

But I know how hard the (good) guides out there work for their clients, and I know how hard the (good) operators work for the people coming over.

It will improve. Call it a duff year. But I know this does not make it any easier to accept.

As for Angola, great fishing, been in there a couple of times and seen staggering potential. If there is ever a really proper set-up put in place for anglers, could be some of the best shore fishing in the world.

Look at Gabon (central west Africa). totally stable, easy to get to, and so far I have yet to see better fishing anywhere, look here for a brief taste : http://www.henry-gilbey.co.uk/essay_gabon.html .

Seems to have most of the species that you can catch at the places I have been to in Angola (except for garrick and kob), crawling with huge cubera snapper, threadfin, jacks, tarpon, etc..

Seems to be Africa's best kept sea fishing secret.....

[PanamaJack]

Henry I was quite surprised to see mention of Gabon. Initially because of its relative remoteness the only people that got to fish the area were employees of oil companies - there was a 'R & R' camp close to the mouth of the river. Then laterly you could have got there, but like a number of those West African venues, arrangements had to be made through Paris-based agencies and there was, for many, always the language issue.

So it's great to see the development of that area, it has tremendous potential. Our Club's All-Tackle record (on 30lb class tackle) for Tarpon is still held by a 214 pounder from Gabon caught way back in November 1981. And I remember the member that caught it, whilst he was shore casting on an island at the river's mouth, being shocked when he spotted a huge Tiger Shark in shallow water. He was convinced it was in the 18' range!

As you mentioned it is stable politically, a huge plus point. I remember the same member some years after that targeting big Tarpon off Sierra Leone, in a really remote area of the country. On their first day out the guards at a local garrison on the river bank started firing with a heavy machine gun over their heads to attract their attention. It certainly did that! When they landed the camp commandant - the garrison were there to engage cross-border insurgency - made it clear that his men hadn't eaten for days and he would appreciate it if they brought some fish in for them. That certainly made them fish hard!

Their best fish there was just over 200lbs but they did hook a monster 'dredging' - blind casting with a sinker - on a fly rod. From sightings they were convinced it was over 300lbs. It towed them, up and down, for over 7 miles before it snagged under wha appeared to be a discarded longline.

Sierra Leone, other than in the major towns, still appears to be unstable with rebels hacking limbs off victims. Presumably to put pressure on the central government's resources?

Finally in case anyone reading this thread's interested, as well as Gabon, they're also catching monster Tarpon at the Bijagos archipelago off Guinea-Bissau.
Dave

[Henry Gilbey]

Dave,

that is such interesting stuff to read, thank you for the post. Sounds like you have seen a few things...........

I know a guy in the US who used to hold the world record fly caught tarpon, from Sierra Leone, before the troubles kicked off..........am I right in thinking the country is becoming a little more stable ?

I am corresponding with a Spanish journalist who caught some huge tarpon in Bijagos, might get myself there one of these days. Lots of lure and fly fishing it seems.

There were some fairly big shark fins around when we we were wading for snapper and threadfin in Gabon, down at the Iguela lagoon mouth, wading fairly deep, I told my fly fishing mate not to worry about the sharks...............we found out in the airport on the way home that they were more than likely big bull sharks. Still, who really cares that much ? We caught some awesome fish and I got a stack of fishing photos that have sold all over the world. Will be going back there sometime soon I hope......

Heard of some BIG snapper in the Ivory Coast, but not that keen on going there right now !!! Heard of fish over 150 lbs in the surf.

We fished the mouth of the Cuanza river in Angola one day, got some nice stingers off the beach, but really I worked out that we were not going to touch the fishing there, not enough experience at the time and boats would have been handy. But with what I know now, wish I was back there.

BUT, the size of the tarpon that came rolling in with the flood tide, monsters, I have seen tarpon up around 180 lbs in Florida, these things were simply massive !! We just sat there and watched them open mouthed, plus also at the huge threadfin that would surface sometimes.

Got emailed a photo from Gabon the other day of a fly caught 60 lb threadfin, off a boat behind the surf, most likely a very serious world record, but happily it was released.

Anyway, back to reality, work calls and Africa beckons : is there any better fishing in the world than in Africa ? Not that I have found.

[PanamaJack]

Wow Henry, they're some massive fish you're describing! And for those who haven't had a chance to look yet at the link on your previous posting, they definitely should have a look at the head shot of that Snapper. You wouldn't want to get too near those canines!

Certainly though makes me very tempted to give Gabon a try.

The Guinean Snapper are way bigger than those from the other side of the Atlantic and also the Pacific coast of Central America and a challenge, I would have thought on any weight of tackle. The largest specimen, other than those African fish, I've seen a picture of was that of an estimated 80 to 85 pounder from the Pacific coast of Panama. Here's a shot of it - http://www.scbi.org.uk/pages/News_Aratw_CSAmerica_Panama_A.asp.
As to Sierra Leone, whilst the intervention force drove the rebels out of the urban areas and the civil war officially ended in 2002, I would still personally be wary about visiting many of the remoter areas – the areas to the south west where the fishing is good. However, that said, the Foreign Office have downgraded the risk to travelers despite what were quite violent protests in some of the major towns following the arrest last month of the opposition leader.

You're right about the Ivory Coast - the situation still seems to be extremely dangerous and the FO are advising travelers against visiting the country. Only a couple of weeks ago I understand there were very violent riots in the south of the country. And many in the Christian south are very resentful of earlier efforts by French diplomats to impose a peace settlement.
Dave

[Big Bones jones the fish]

Some Very interesting post's!
I visited Namibia in Jan 2004 with a few of my mates and a few skippers from Weymouth( Chris Caines & Paul Whittal).
We left Chris to sort out the guides and got lucky.
Sea Ace Angling run by a Guy called Rudi were excellent. Great fishing! Bronzies to 200lb, Stenbrau to 39lb, Kob to 67lb, Spotties to 50lb and Cows to 70lb.
We also had 4 days safari up north and done all the driving ourselves saw lot's of game!
Although on the last two days of fishing we had the yellow sulphur kill the shore life almost instantly! Plenty of bait though!

Been trying to fish somewhere different every year now but reading your stories put's mine to shame! Will have to try harder and catch a big'un.:clap3:

Dont know if you have ever been to Tobago but the tarpon fishing is very good. I had a 50lb tarpon fishing off the rock's with my diawa beechcaster using a 6500 with 15lb mainline and 50lb shock! Great fun! Had some +100lb fish on the boat! Lost bigger over the reef!:fish:

Henry. Tony Heart was always telling me to send you a copy of our Breaming with him in the past. But, seen you at it on DHL channel a few weeks ago!

http://cavalierssac.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/
http://cavalierssacpictures.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/
http://jonesthefish.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/
http://jonesthefishfishhols.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/

[marlin man]

just got back (3rd feb) from my 12th trip to namibia


Well............12 days went just like that,days 1,and 2 were slow as the weather was all wrong so we fished for smoothies and gullies even so we still had a couple of hours for the bronzies and ended up with 4.
Days 3 and 4 were spent in sandwich bay , we were going after the bronzies but when johan got there he figured that cob would be a better option, 1st cast 16k cob not a bad option ,we finished on 19 cob over 10k , 5 bull rays to 15k a couple of sand sharks and 2 bronzies.
Day 5....WHOW... fished mile 8 , when we arrived there were already a group of 8 anglers there fishing for bronzies but that didn`t bother johan ,started fishing at 10.20 1st pick up 20 mins later and by 6.00 we had beached 17 bronzies to 110k between 3 of us but the best part was that the other group never landed 1 ,what does that say for the guide!
Day 6 weather again was a problem and we were moving camp to stay at de duine hotel at henties bay for 6 nights , struggled but we ended up with 4 bronzies.
Day 7 gulley bash this morning , this was the first time on this trip , 2hrs saw 12 gulleys to 26k caught along with a couple of steenbrass and bullrays , had 2 smoothies so johan took us off for bronzies again , we had 3 to 110k.
Day 8 went north to mile 108 to fish for edibles , a bit quiet but we had cob to 8k and 6 steenbrass to 9k , bonus fish at the end was a smoothie of 17k.
Day 9 north again , still suffering with weed in the water but we managed a couple of sand sharks a couple of gulleys and 5 bronzies.
Day 10 north again fished for edibles in the morning and we had cob and steenbrass to 11k , after a brie we were after bronzies again ended up with 5 but the bonus was a cow shark of between 95-100k for steve mattinson a new namibian record had he decided to kill it.
Day 11 for the 3rd year running we went up to the winston after cob, had 6 to 8k when a bronzie moved in and that was that for the cob, another brie and bronzie fishing 3hrs 9 sharks to 100k
Day 12 last day johan still figured there were plenty of cob about so off to winston again , started at 10.30 by 12.15 we had 19 cob to 15k the white box was full so back to de duine to collect the bags and offload the fish. 4.00 on the way back to the hansa johan pulled off to mile 8 `lets go get em` again he spouted by 7.00 we had all had a bronzie to finish the day with .

A total of 53 bronzies 2 cow sharks 30 odd cob over 10 k a couple of steenbass over 10 k and plenty of other stuff amounted to just over 10100 lb of fish caught and we only spent 1 full day fishing for bronzies .................................................. .................................................. ................it doesn`t get much better.

regards steve