Gambia photos

**Shaun_aka_Croc** · 15-02-2007, 11:47

Hi all,

Returned last night from the holiday beach club hotel (Kololi) and had to get these pics on here asap. In the past years ive been to the Gambia as described in my previous posts getting a 4x4 taxi out to Sanyang was easy, not anymore. The locals dont want to get sand on their vehicles etc so wont drive on the beach anymore. No good for getting to those remote marks.
For the first few days I fished on the beach outside the hotel with plenty of Catfish & Jag but nothing over about a pound and shed loads of weed to deal with. Fun but not exactly arm wrenching. So off I trot to the internet cafe log onto wsf and retrieve a previous post by stonefish recommending Tom & Assan the local fishing guides number (002207781160). I Met them the the next day to discuss tactics and arranged the first days fishing for 5th feb at Sanyang.

First cast was a 16lb Captainfish god they fight. The rest of the day was fairly quiet. The next 2 trips I went with them again was slow for me apart from a nice white snapper, others people fishing there were getting Guitarfish and smaller species so as in all fishing just a bit of bad luck.

The last day with them on the 13th Feb my luck changed Tom first had a 16lb Guitar then Assan with one the same weight followed by me with a 20lb 8oz Guitar.... what a scrap. Just when I thought it couldnt get any better my rod tip pulls down and keeps going I tightened the drag but it kept going out to sea threatening to empty the spool, it slowed and after 20mins or so of give and take and aching arms the lads jump in the surf to retreive a huge Stingray. My 40lb scales bottomed out so we settled for about 50lb.

All in all a fantastic week of fishing and I can now also recommend Tom and Assan. If you are going to the Gambia please use them, they are the best out there.

**stonefish** · 15-02-2007, 13:41

Well done Crocodileteeth, some excellent fish there. Really glad you found Assan and Tom useful. There's no guarantees in fishing but they will improve your chances.
On top of that they're nice lads as well, helping with bait preparation, landing and unhooking fish etc.

**Shaun_aka_Croc** · 15-02-2007, 13:55

You are right there not once did I bait up and they expertly unhooked all fish for me. Also they are very much aware of fish conservation with species such as Guitars & Stingray.

**geffaz** · 15-02-2007, 16:12

gerat read and pics ther mate! one of my dream destinations!

**Rob** · 15-02-2007, 16:15

Love those guitar fish.

Nice to see someone catching some decent fish, well done!

**glenyates** · 15-02-2007, 16:15

Very nice fish! Tom and Assan are great lads to fish with. Glad you enjoyed it.
I am hoping to return again soon.

**paddyc** · 15-02-2007, 16:30

congrats crocodileteeth some nice looking fish there, those captains really do go for it, pound for pound worth there weight in gold, i had two tail walk last year just yards from me trying to spit the hook, there the mutts nuts.
Did you try surface plugs for the jacks..? great sport on heavy carp gear..

**Shaun_aka_Croc** · 15-02-2007, 16:48

Thanks paddy. No lure fishing only beachcasting. Prehaps thats something to try in the future??

**taff2** · 15-02-2007, 20:49

nice one i went to the holiday beach club november 3 nice place to stay but the fishing was not to hot spring tides none of the boat was catching told the wife will go end of the year but she wants to go to puket tailand so lets go yo yo yo