Good beach fishing hol

[ian combe]

Greetings all ,
Looking for a take on a blast of a beach fishing holiday.
I am pretty much thinking of going to Weipa in May to try my luck .
Have also thought about Guinea Bissau Bijagos . Will spend most time land based but hope to stretch to a guide on the water a couple of times . Have fished Gambia ( ok with boat but not great ) and learned in Durban S.A. when I stayed there ~ Definately the best place I ever fished to date , but security now an an issue . Enjoy my spoons and flies but don't underestimate the livie or a freelined sardine . For me this is quite a lot of cash to spend and I want to get it right . Would think about other months if I have the seasons wrong . Looking for Queenies / G.T's etc ~ +3 kg's in numbers with a sprinkling of variety .

[PanamaJack]

Hi Ian
I'd waited to see if anyone had any firsthand information on those venues you were referring to. Weipa does feature in several of the international fly fishing forums, but unfortunately I don't know of anyone whose actually fished there before. There is a fairly comprehensive web site - http://www.flyfishweipa.com/ - that includes month by month catch reports that may be of some use. Or perhaps is it worth posting to one of the forums on an Australian portal site? Somewhere like http://www.fishnet.com.au/.

Also, in terms of other options in Oz, it might be worth viewing some of the posts on our Australian forum regarding shore fishing opportunities on the east coast. If you look individuals like Lucky and Kingfish have quite a lot of experience of that part of the world.

As to Guinea-Bissau the only one I'm aware of who's fished there is Richard Sheard. There's a report of his on this thread - http://www.big-game-board.info/general-forums/fishing-clubs-corner/sportfishing-club-of-the-british-isles/trip-reports/1407-march-2007-guinea-bissau/. As you mentioned though May may not be the best of months to go there.

As to the rest of the world though .... um. What would you specifically like to target? You've mentioned Queenfish and small GTs, but does that specifically exclude other Jacks?
Dave

[ian combe]

Hi Dave ,
Thanks for that . I have been busy searching out as much info as I can . Guinea Bissau is pretty full on . Richard maintains it is lure work with 5lb test curve rods for big jacks , cubera , etc ~ not quite what I was after ~ I am more up for 8 to max 15 kg lure outfits for G.T's , Jacks , and other phelagics . Weipa looks amazing and pretty much untouched . The only drawback is logistics . You need a vehicle even to fish the Weipa venues and unless it's 4wd you can't get out of town . The guide fishing looks phenominal ~ seems to be booked well in advance . Maybe there are un crowded spots elsewhere I don't know about . Bazaruto would probably fit the bill and cost quite a bit less . If you can think of other options I would be interested .

Regards Ian

[PanamaJack]

Ian
Most of my fishing overseas is in boats, so a lot of this is going to be second-hand from other members of our Club. My shore fishing, in the main, has been restricted to Bonefish.

But here goes – and really just illustrative links to try to initially tie down possibly some other options for you.

I guess starting with that west coast of Africa, southern Angola or Gabon might be possibilities - http://www.riolonga.com/fishing.htm and http://www.henry-gilbey.co.uk/essay_gabon.html . They are not necessarily going to be cheap and somewhere perhaps closer to home might be the Cape Verde Islands – Sal. This Italian chap runs shore fishing excursions - http://www.caboverdefishingcenter.com/fishing_center_en.htm. The ‘trevallies’ he’s referring to are Jack Crevalles and Horse Eye Jacks. (But I suspect, to some extent, the quality of the fishing’s going to be nothing like Guinea Bissau or Weipa.)

Then, somewhat further south, you’ve got Ascension Island. There there’re masses, and I mean masses, of Black Jacks, fish up to 30lbs, and Horse Eye Jacks. But also during the summer months you’ll find big Amberjacks and Almaco Jacks chasing ‘google eyes’ (Scad) right up on the beach. Sharks, and even 100lb plus Yellowfin Tuna and loads of other things, can be encountered from the shore. Although it’s expensive to get to, coupled with the shore fishing, locals will take you less than a mile offshore and you can, for a change, catch YFT, Dorado and Wahoo.

As to the other side of ‘the Pond’ um …. the only ‘real’ place I’ve encountered Jacks – Bluefish - from the shore, in numbers, is Montauk on the tip of Long Island during the Autumn run of Bay Anchovy. That, from the shore, tends to be more specialist – hurling out huge plugs on beach casting gear. Sure, there’re lots of other places where you could target Jacks but I suspect consistency may be an issue. And there lots of places you could target others species. Completely off target somewhere like Mosquito Lagoon in Florida, albeit from kayaks and skiffs might appeal - http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74357. And I guess one thing about the ‘States with ease of travel you can fit a range of different venues in. Here’s a trip I took in October 2006 - http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74357.

Switching oceans though there’s somewhere like the Sea of Cortez (Baja, Mexico) that might well fit in with the criteria you set out. Here’s one such article - http://www.big-game-board.info/general-forums/fishing-clubs-corner/sportfishing-club-of-the-british-isles/trip-reports/1092-sea-of-cortez-mexico-two-huge-roosterfish-on-fly/.

As to the Pacific though it really is a case of you pays your money and takes your choice. You’ll find some interesting threads on the east coast of Australia and Bay of Plenty area in New Zealand on this site’s forums. But then you’ve got places like the Seychelles, Madagascar, Tanzania, the Maldives ….. and on and on. And some of the original French colonies in the South Pacific offer superb opportunities. A site you may wish to look through the Trip Reports – there’re in the English forums – on is http://www.caranx.net.

Now I suspect with all these options all I’ve probably managed to do is confuse further. But, if nothing else, it does illustrate the range of options open to any ‘globe trotter’.
Dave

[ian combe]

Dave ,
Thank you very much for the info !!! ~ I am in awe of the wealth of knowledge . ~ Certainly have plenty to research and am going to enjoy doing so . Sea of Cortez is a place the Missus would probably wish to visit and would give me points towards another trip .
~ Am off to explore these sites .
Once again , Thanks ,
Ian

[marktheshark]

Hullo Ian
I've not fished West Africa but I have recently got back from Baja California and I'd recommend it. Best all-round fishing I've experienced anywhere in world, and very nice place to take other halves as there's plenty to do (and buy!). Got back last month, there's a trip report in the C American forum. Best time (esp from shore) is April-Nov.
Only other place I'd put up for pure shore fishing is Cayo Guillermo in Cuba. Lots of shots at truly big fish, lots of DIY chances. It's cheap too, not a lot to do outside the hotel. Dry season is Dec-April but if you go then, you might get wiped out by a cold front. Fishing is better in summer, but beware of hurricanes, esp Aug-Oct.
I've visited both in 2007, will do the same in 2008 hopefully. PM me if you need more on places to go, stay, fish etc
Mark

[ian combe]

Hi Mark ,
Thanks for the info , looks like I'm spoiled for choice . Have been looking through some of the sites Dave noted . ~ There is a lot more out there than I had realised .

Regards ,

Ian

[onshore1ft]

Talk to this guy http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/showthread.php?t=544787&highlight=rooster

Big Roosters in Mexico

C+R only as they taste like poo but go like rockets

[PanamaJack]

Apologies Ian, got one of those links wrong. My multi-venue trip to the ‘States in October 2006 was here - http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42044&highlight=blackbeard. But to stress it’s purely an illustration, there’re so many combinations that you could put together.

Then this was the link to Mark’s Baja report - http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90622.

[Kingfish81]

I would agree with Mark that the Baja is a great place to go. Lots of fishing opportunities from the shore. Plus boat hire is really cheap. Do you have a real aversion to boat fishing, or is it more that you prefer shore fishing? Only ask because it sounds like you are going to spend a bit of money and getting on a boat would open up a huge amount more in terms of the fishing you could do.

I know you can hire boats (tinnies) in Weipa for self-drive very cheaply. A friend of mine did it and had an absolutely blast. Loads of nice fish on fly from the boat, plus he had a good time fishing the beaches as well.

The other place to have a look at might be Kilwa Lodge in Tanzania (http://www.kilwalodge.co.za/ and http://www.sportfishafrica.co.za/ViewVenue.asp?VI=24). I have read some really interesting reports about the place and by the sound of it you can walk out onto the reef near the hotel at certain tides and chuck lures for bluewater gamefish like tuna and mahi-mahi!! There's even been a couple of sailfish hooked from the land there! Would be a very good spot I think to try floating out a livebait under a balloon or big float... Looks like a good spot to take your better half as well!

Another option might be Christmas Island in the South Pacific. Although thought of as a fly-fishing only venue, guys do fish it with standard gear. Heaps of bonefish, GTs, bluefin trevally etc. Mostly wading fishing, although you can fish from a boat as well (including for some great offshore fishing). I'm going there next July through a mate of mine, Mat McHugh of www.flyodyssey.co.uk. Might be worth dropping him an e-mail?

[ian combe]

Hi Folks ,
Thanks for the tips . Have been away this week (work) and will check out the I.D.'s . The roosters sound pretty powerfull ~ one of the sites Dave had pointed me to went on about their strength . Thanks for the note about the tinnies in Weipa ! Its not that I don't like boats , rather that if you are booked for say a week afloat ~ thats it. With a good shore venue , your options are more relaxed ~ Spin at dawn , relax later with brunch , check out the place , maybe stick out a live bait towards dusk etc and catch a boat now and again as well ~ just a bit more flexibility . I'm going to e mail the Aus side regarding productive shore months in Weipa . ~ Think my own gear will be o.k. but after having looked at some of the sites suggested by Dave particularly , I had better get used to the idea of 50lb+ braid on a tuna stick if I'm going to graduate to full size Jacks , Roosters etc in the future . ( There's no doubt about that !! ) ~ Hopefully Weipa will continue my education .

Thanks Heaps Ian

Best Fish ~ 19lb Cubera , First Sea Fish ~ 8lb Pompano , Most exciting fish ~ 7lb10oz Seatrout on 6# weight

[PanamaJack]

Hi Ian
I seem to recall in an earlier post I'd, in very general terms, talked about former French colonies in the South Pacific. It was a current discussion in another forum that reminded me of New Caledonia. And would this possibly meet with your wife's approval?

There's an extensive lagoon complex which contains lots of GTs and also big Bonefish, plus a host of other species. (I suspect it might even tempt Toby?) Just some more links that you might want to explore - http://www.fishnet.com.au/butler/tours.html, http://www.aps-nc.com/fishnc.php and http://www.fishinginternational.com/nc_report.htm.

Downside? Um ... it's a long way, but as is Weipa! But, going East to West, it's to Sydney and then a further 2 hour flight.
Dave

PS Cuberas pull! How about this one from Panama - http://www.scbi.org.uk/Pages/00_ScbiSeparateImage.Asp?SsiF=72F.gif&SsiH=550&SsiW=733&SsiT=Potential%20World%20Record - caught on a friend's boat.

[ian combe]

Hi Dave ,
Nice Cubera ~ very deep fish , must have been like a pit bull and taken a while to get up . Mine was from Bara Gambia and gave a good account of it's self on 20lb gear .
The sites on N.C. look very interesting ~ good average size for the bone fish . Looks like a very civilised place .

Thanks Ian

[Kingfish81]

Ian, I definitely don't think you need 50lb gear for the jacks and roosters. I've landed a few decent roosters and 20lb gear is a lot more fun! They're strong, but not that strong! IMO jack crevalle are stronger pound for pound and I've yet to hook a GT. In my experience they also don't run for the reefs/rocks. Jacks are a different proposition!

One of the advantages with the Baja with regards to what you want to do is that you can book the boats very much on a day to day basis, which might be much more suitable for what you'd like to do? Stay in a hotel and then simply book a boat for the next day when you feel like it. Plus you're usually only out in the boat from about 7am to 1pm, leaving the evenings/afternoons free to fish the beaches. Have a hunt for posts by marktheshark as he's spent a lot of time out there. Rancho Leonero is one spot I think he highly recommends.

As Dave says, New Cal is meant to be amazing! HUGE bonefish. A friend (sorry for the plug again, but it's Mat from flyodyssey) was out there a couple of months ago. He saw shoals of bonefish in which he reckoned all the fish were 16lb+!! He had, I think, three doubles in a week. Awesome location, although quite expensive I think. Good luck wherever you go and make sure you post a report!!

[ian combe]

Thanks Kingfish 81 ,
Mexico is definately up there on the list , the variety will be up my street and the historical and cultural side are perfect for the missus , so we'll be there at some point . Have made my mind up on Weipa , am going to take a 2mb card for the pics . ~ Will definately post up ~ my hope is a 1 metre Queenie and lots of variety for the rest . Am packing 9#wt fly set up and 20 lb spin gear . I'm also taking a slammer 560 and will use it with big poppers . Will source a stick to suit out there .To be honest I can hardly wait ~ if it wasn't the wet season I'd go now .

Thanks Ian

[Kingfish81]

Have an awesome trip Ian! Weipa is right up there on my 'places to fish' list. Just make sure you take plenty of spare fly lines and watch the crocs!!!

[ian combe]

Thanks Kingfish 81 ,
The fly gear is only for the small baras that are suposed to be prolific and the small tarpon that gather near the jetty at night under the lights . Intend to give the crocs a wide birth !!
Ian

[Mat M]

Ian,

For species diversity you will be hard pushed to go past Cape York in Australia. I am taking a group on a liveabord (seafaris) in July. This operation is first class and we will be fishing 3 remote estuary systems up there.

Weipa is great as well. They have had a few issues with sharks with the increased fishing pressure there in the last few years, but it is still an awesome fishery.

I have a couple of spaces left on Toby's christmas island trip if that interests you as well.

Regards
Mat

[ian combe]

Thanks Mat ,
Have E mailed you back and will give you a shout .
Thanks Ian

[PanamaJack]

For species diversity you will be hard pushed to go past Cape York in Australia. I am taking a group on a liveabord (seafaris) in July. This operation is first class and we will be fishing 3 remote estuary systems up there.

Weipa is great as well. They have had a few issues with sharks with the increased fishing pressure there in the last few years, but it is still an awesome fishery.


I'd certainly agree with Matt's observations about Cape York's diversity. But as you'll see from this brief report on our Club's web site - http://www.scbi.org.uk/pages/News_WhatsNewNfc200404.asp - and linked photographs that similarly is not immuned from Sharks attaching hooked fish.

And there are 'one or two' crocs in that part of the world. Apart from the 'baby' in the photographs one of our members who was hunting for the feral African Buffalo up there on aboriginal lands. At one point they were camped next to a river estuary and Vic decided to go Shark fishing. They hurled out a lump of meat on an improvised hand line and got a bite. When 'it' surfaced 'it' was an 18 to 20' long saltwater crocodile which his guides referred to as 'Clarence'. Evidentially an ornithologist, Clarence, had gone missing in that area and big crocs are reputed to be very territorial.

[ian combe]

Hi Dave ,
Thanks for interesting site . I am booked for Weipa ~ Head out 25th April , spend a few days in Cairns first and fly up on the 30th . Spend 19 days staying at the campsite ( hope the weather is o.k. ) and leave Cairns 21st May . I have a vehicle booked for the stay and have the option to upgrade to 4wd which would open up Mapoon for me ~ heard the fishing for phelagics off the beach there is unreal . Hope to hire a boat for some of the time and get out with a guide once or twice . The folk at Weipa have been very helpfull and I will post up some of the info in due course . I must say that the wealth of information from WSF has been astounding as has the willingness to share . ~ Thanks guys !!! ~ My eyes have been opened to the possibilities out there and I believe that I have been bitten by the bug to explore with my fishing ~ I guess rhe only way to deal with it is to get a regular fix and travel abroad .

Ian

[Mat M]

Ian,

You will have a great time. Good to chat to you today. There is a hardcore community of fishos that spend the aussie winter up in Weipa and I am sure you will run into a few of them and share a beer.

Jack,

You are right. Sharks have become an issue in Weipa. They now associate boats with fishermen = free meal. However the diversity of fishing up there is hard to beat and the sharks don't get them all. When it comes to crocs a bit of common sense will ensure that you won't get in trouble. They certainly won't stop you fishing.

Mat

[ian combe]

Hi Mat ,
Much appreciated the chat and the help ! ~ Am really starting to get fired up about the trip and am thankfull that my work load will keep me busy till then .

Ian

[daikent]

Ian,
If as you say, you're looking to source a stick to go with your Penn Slammer 560, while you are in Cairns for a few days before flying up to Weipa you would do a LOT worse than checking out Bransfords Tackle Shop on the Cook Highway at Clifton Beach, a couple of miles North of Cairns.
I came across it by chance while driving up to the Daintree last May (after one of the most awesome morning's fishing in my life on Lord Howe Island...another story).
Outstanding selection of gear at incredible prices (especially the lures!).
They have an on-line site too at www.bransfords.com.au. Look at the "Our Latest Brochure" tag in the "Bransfords Corner" box to see their latest extra-special offers. (Currently Aus$ 2.20 = £1).
They also stock some excellent guide and fishing books about Tropical North Queensland.
I have fished Gove and Seisia, but not Weipa, although you should have a great trip. (Although Weipa will not be the pettiest town you've ever seen!!...especially the bauxite plant and docks).
Cheers,

[ian combe]

Hi Daikent ,
Bransfords was definately on my list for Cairns . Will be stocking up on gold bombers etc and some owner trebbles for the lures Iam taking with . Nice saily by the way !
Ian

[ian combe]

Hi folks ,
been back a week trying to get on top of the work backlog and my time in Au seems a distant memory ! ~ Have a smile though ,
Got my big queenie ( 95cm + - 10 kg ) on spinning gear and a similar sized spaniard on same gear . The fishing wasn't the most prolific I have encountered , but you had no idea what would take your bait or lure next . ~ Had some scorching runs off sharks ( 7~ 8 ft long ) on a 3 inch mullet dead bait . ~ These fish jumped after about 200m before smashing up , so am sure of the size .~ Also found out that you can't lock up a penn slammer 560 ~ they demonstrated this . These runs wore a groove in the tip ring of my rod which I had replaced . Lots of small queenies , various cod , jacks , threadfin , cat fish , fingermark and a host of smaller fish not much bigger than the lure . Best lures ~ gold bomber for mixed bag and 70 gm white metal spoon for queenies . The bomber needed to be twitched slowly and the spoon worked as fast as you could wind . The people made the hol though ~ I am humbled by the generosity and friendship which was afforded me !! ~ People invited me fishing on their boats , round for meals and were always ready to lend a hand or offer advice . ~ Crocs were a serious threat ~ Was stalked by a huge beast and immediatly packled up ~ 3 days later a guy was attacked and luckily made a good escape at the same spot ~ Was bitten by most insects around ( plenty of them ) and thankfull that my tent was midge proof . Spent the time split between land and afloat and noticed no significant difference in catch rates between the two . Will get together some of the photos and post up .

[ian combe]

Greatings all ,
Been up to my eyes in work , here are the promised pics:
95cm Queenie taken from tinnie 200m of creek mouth on the Embley river side ~ returned . Spannish Mac ( Cuta where I come from ) taken on charter out of Port Douglas , kept for the BBQ ~ MMMM !
Small Stripie on gold bomber . One of many small Queenies . Mother in law fish 4kg from beach past jetty ( Evans Landing ) ~ Was stalked the next morning by huge croc here . 6ft Sandie from edge of shipping channel on Embley side 30m from shore ( Josh the boat owner was the captor ~ released , this was half an hour after having blistering runs from 7 ~ 8 ft sharks . Small croc ~ 6 ~ 8 ft ( swamp geko in Au talk )
Weipa from the air showing Mission river mouth behind . The place is vast and offers endless fishing opportunity . Best for me was an hour either side of low water working the rocky headlands / structure . You had to work hard for fish ~ I think they have seen most lures offered .
A great experience but ... My gear was probably too heavy ~ 12 ~20lb travel boat rod for spin stick , 560 slammer with 30lb braid . The rod did not even colapse under the large sharks ~ well under rated in my opinion . The reel is bomb proof and I feel that it was almost no contest for the Queenie and Mac . Had we been using steel trace , it would have been interesting to see what the outcome would have been with the sharks . ~ At least I have modest gear for tackling some G.T.'s ~ sadly absent this time .

[ian combe]

Will get there in the end Ha !

Cheers all