Going to The Gambia

[curlyfinch]

Hi all you Anglers, Advice sought please, I'm going to Gambia, 1st time, on 4th Oct for two weeks. Taking a good carp rod, slosh reel, 20 lb braid and assorted hooks and hope to do a bit of leisure fishing (when the Boss lets me!) What would be my best tactics that won't break the bank and what sort of lures should I take. How far do I need to cast when beach fishing (I'm still very much a beginner) and would it be worth my while going on a couple of 'creek fishing' days. Any advice gratefully received.
Curly

[Steveh24]

Hi Curlyfinch

I have been beach fishing in the Gambia for the past 3 years and I've caught quite lot of fish and I would be happy to pass on any knowledge that may help.

Your tackle is a bit lighter than mine as I use two standard 12ft Beachcasters and big fixed spools loaded with 20lb mono with a 60lb leader and cast a 6oz Breakaway, and you will need a Breakaway.

The best tides to fish are the springs, preferably ones that have high water at dusk or into darkness, but this is only a rule of thumb.

You didn't say where you were staying, but the best bait is fresh prawn, which can be bought from most markets, these are usually graded by their size, but you need to get fairly large ones and I normally thread two of these onto a size 3/0 or 4/0 strong O'Shaughnessey hook.

I have found over the years that the most successful rig is a 2 hook paternoster made from one piece of 60lb shockleader, this means tying 2 loops using a figure of eight knot, but nothing will snap this trace and it's difficult to bite through, however for some species like the Guitar fish and the Stingray you will be better with a running leger

Generally speaking you need to cast as far as you are able and most of my fish have come from the 90 -110 yard mark, as I'm not the greatest caster.

The type of fish you will typically catch from the beach include, Catfish, Captain Fish, Butter Fish, Cassava, Sompat and Jacks

In my humble opinion the creek is not really worth fishing unless you like tiddly bashing and I would much rather be fishing on the beach, although just like here it can sometimes be a bit quiet, but when a fish comes along it will try and rip your rod out of the rest and will probably succeed if you are not close by.

I have attached some pics of some of the fish I caught last year.

I hope you have a great trip

[curlyfinch]

Thanks for the tips, they are some big fish!!!
If I catch one like that it will scare the s**t out of me. I'll post a report when I get back.
Curly

[Steveh24]

Curleyfinch, just realised you are going next week, don't forget to report back how you got on, hope you catch some nice fish coz there's plenty out there.

[Shaun_aka_Croc]

Excellent advice & pics Steve, I would like to add my Captain fish have caught at distance but Guitars & stingrays as close as 50 yards using Prawn & Bonga whipped on a pennel running leger.
Shaun