Late April and beginning May didn't live up to expectations with few fish around. We had Julien and some others around late May from France, and the conditions also weren't good. They only fished one day and didn't get a fish. I hate it when that happens, but sometimes it does. This year we have been colder in Moz than other years.
Beginning June, we were visited by four couples from Durban; Denver, Gavin, Gerard and son, Didier with their wives. We started out the trip with a trip to the local uninhabited island of Pansy shells on Raptor. It's about 20 min away. Weather wasn't good, but we had a great day with many Pansy Shells to be found. Didier and wife, Chantel were rewarded with bringing some plastic bags, and therefore collecting some flotsam (rubbish) that accumulates on the island. They found the most shells. When the cooler box was flattened, we returned back to the lodge for another two days fishing on the better weather days.
The woman decided to have a rest day the following day, although they were up early to see us go (at 5am) Some peoples honeymoons last longer than others...
Day started out slow at White sands, but we then moved to the reef, about 12 km away. There we went ok with two good Wahoos, one of 9 and another of 13 kgs. Both were caught on a halfbeak, mostly on the china line. We also got some baits back bitten off just behind the back hook. We hooked a Dorado, which I know are holding out in the deeper water, which went straight into the hold, and onto the dinner table that night. We caught small bullet tuna, but didn't rig any, because we were after some Yellowfin Tuna that are usually around in winter. They are still hiding- don't know where they have gone as we haven't yet been seeing them. White sands wasn't producing- very little action, and no birds. What I did see were some bait shoals which looked like sardine. I'm sure the bigger gamefish will find out where they have been hiding, and move camp to be close to the food source.
Next day we went back to the reef which worked for us the previous day. Still no birds, but worked the same route that worked before many times- going back to basics. Didier got the biggest fish of 17.2 kgs Wahoo, after missing a few. Tradition is to pick up your fish, and pose for a photo, which results in a smearing of slime on your fishing shirt. One has to look the part. That fish is slippery, and not easy to hold still for a photo shoot, and had all the crew laughing as he battled to hold the fish.
There was still some bullet tuna around which we caught on small white feathers. As it was a little slow, we live bait rigged one, and gave the rod to Gerard, and cleared all the other rods. It wasn't long before the line went tight, and after much guessing, we saw it was a Malabar Rock cod. On opening the stomach, the bait was gone. Then we continued fishing for some bottoms, but at that time the wind had swung to east, which is not my favourite. We managed to get another three rock cod and rubber lips, which we prepared on the braai that night. Bottom fish are my best eating fish, as the flesh is white and soft. They tended to agree...
Some have been catching sailfish. I usually catch more than most, and am looking forward to getting an opportunity again to target some. They will be here in numbers soon.
The guys and wives enjoyed themselves, and all promised to be back. That is always the best thanks I can wish for. See you on the water sometime...