Gambia

[GrumpyBloke]

Got back yesterday from 10 days at Palm Grove.

Weather all trip was unusually windy ,force 5-6 every day 8-9 on the last Wednesday!
Due to this the sea was quite "muddy" so seven hours of plugging and spinning over three days didn,t produce anything.Far to rough to use the poppers I took so will try again when I go back in November.


Took the plunge and tried the salted squid I took over with me.
First cast ,Catfish around 3lb ,second cast rod snapped 4 inches above tip joint same as previous rod ,F*%$ Sake!!

Rod is Fladen Maxximus Traveller Beachcaster 12f 170-230g 257-3060.
Removed tip from line , re-baited and cast out 50yds.
Ten mins later had slack line bite , reeled down and struck , bugger , got to run 40 yds down the beach with the clutch screaming.
After about 15 min got some control and managed to beach this;

Its a Jack Crevalle apparently , 14lb on the lie detector.
Let the local lad have both fish to "feed his family" found out next day he sold it for £6 , hotel would have paid £20.
Arms killing me after this so retired to the bar with a smug grin .
Tried the boats twice , Mark and Tracy run one boat now that Mark has sold his business and started again , captain Michael took us to a wreck in the mouth of the river , caught stingray,grouper,cassava,captain fish,butter-fish and an eel but nothing bigger than about 4lb.
Phoned a few days later and due to some confusion with phone numbers booked a boat with The Gambia Watersports & Sport Fishing Centre.
Captain Ali took us into the mangroves to fish due to the force 8-9 blowing.
Had around 70 fish between 4 of us including 2 non fisher-persons.Best fish an Angel fish around 4 lb , apparently thats big.
Going back in November and hopefully will try the poppers.I,m pleased the squid works as now I can fish as and when I want without having to organize prawns.
Will probably stay at the Senagambia next time , has anyone fished off their beach?
Mark & Tracy (local) 7721228
Watersport&Sportfishing (local) 7773777

[stonefish]

Well done grumpy, that's a cracking fish. Got a text today from my guides / friends Tom and Assan to say Crocodileteeth from this forum had beached a nice captainfish this afternoon, so well done mate.