On the east coast, fishing is restricted mainly to the coastal lagoons, due to stormy seas and the absence of harbors. The main places for organizing deep-sea fishing excursions are Morondava, Nosy Be, Radama Islands and Ile Sainte Marie. Most of the local game fish species are found on the north west coast in abundance, including sailfish, giant trevally (GTs), dorado, king mackerel, barracuda, wahoo and Dog tooth tuna, amongst others. Reef and bottom fishing are equally good.
Fishing is a relatively underdeveloped industry in Madagascar and fish densities on the ground are quite high. The area in the north west is particularly renowned for its high sailfish count. Marlin are also plentiful, it seems mostly black, though they are often hooked by mistake on sailfish bait.
There are six species of crayfish that can be found in Madagascar, all of which are endemic. Prawns and shrimps are also farmed in Madagascar.
Water conditions around Nosy Be are fantastic, with very calm water, virtually no shore break and extremely high visibility. Large bays, headlands, rocky outcrops and small islands, many of which are uninhabited, characterize this area. It is an ideal introduction for new saltwater fishermen as well as a paradise for the more experienced, due to the sheltered and calm water conditions.
April through July/August seems to be peak sailfish time, with approximately 100 fish a day remaining near the surface. It is a sight to behold. These sailfish are quite big, many of them weighing over 100lbs. There is also abundant marlin, mostly black. Fishing, overall, hits its peak between June and November. December through March is the rainy season with heavy tropical rain that mainly falls at night, leaving the days clear. The fishing declines somewhat during the rainy season, but you’ll still get plenty of action in the water.
Turtle Bay Shore Fishing:
Turtle Bay Camp is geared to cater for shore-anglers who would like to sample the virtually unexploited stocks of coastal fish that the area offers. The inshore area in close proximity to Turtle Bay Camp is a diverse mixture of rock reef and sand, which provides the ideal habitat for a wide variety of fish. Record-sized Giant Trevally (GT’s) are caught by spinning or fly-fishing. Those who prefer to use bait will be well satisfied with their catches of GT’s as well as a variety of other species. The calm sea and weather conditions allow for light tackle. Turtle Bay Camp has Tag and Release, and research programs - all fish caught are released if not required for the table.
Although excellent catches are made within walking distance of Turtle Bay Camp, kayaks are supplied for fishing excursions further around Kalakajoro island. Fishing tackle is not provided by Turtle Bay Camp, so please bring your own tackle. We will assist you in planning what you need when booking. Light bass-type and fly-fishing tackle is NOT provided and should be brought by anyone wishing to experience the great sport offered by large fish on this gear.
Following a two-minute walk towards the right of the camp a deep channel can be found running along a shallow rocky outcrop. Good-sized kingfish patrol this channel during the pushing and dropping tide, and good fun can be had on a 9 or 10-wt outfit. Several similar looking rocky outcrops are present around the island, where plenty of fish can be caught, including, bluefin kingfish, snapper and long-nosed emperor, among others. A prominent reef running out with a 90° angle from the southwest side of the island is lined with a fan-shaped turtle grass flat on the northern side and a deep channel on the south where large permit can be found, good time to fish this area is during changing tides.
Turtle Bay Off Shore Angling:
The eastern shelf of the Mozambique Channel drops in some places from 15 meters to “infinity” (more than a hundred meters). The shelf is barely 3 km from Kalakajoro Island, and runs parallel to the island for 8 miles. Heading out to the drop off, you will find brilliantly clear water (visibility of 20 meters plus) teeming with sea life that can make your fishing experience most productive! Fishing along this shelf you will find most of the local pelagic game fish species in abundance, including sailfish, giant trevally, dorado, king mackerel, barracuda, wahoo, large dog tooth tuna, and more. The reef fishing and bottom fishing can be equally good. Ignobilis can also be found both in the vicinity of the island and off shore.
Water conditions in the area are fantastic. The water is very calm, with virtually no shore break, and extremely high visibility. Due to the sheltered and calm water conditions it is an ideal introduction for new salt water fishermen as well as a Mecca for the more experienced.
Turtle Bay Camp operates a 28-foot Cape Craft ski boat with 2x 225hp outboard motors, and a 16ft Coast Cat, with 2 x 50hp outboards, all of which are well maintained and equipped for game fishing. The skipper and one-man crew are extremely adept at their jobs and are very knowledgeable in terms of fish species, their whereabouts and their proximity to the camp - thus avoiding unnecessary travel time in hunting for fish. The game tackle provided on the boats is of good quality and is in good condition. Turtle Bay Camp mainly specializes in trolling and conventional big game fishing. Fly or spinning tackle should be taken along by visitors if required.
Turtle Bay Fly-fishing:
Turtle Bay Camp on Kalakajoro Island is geared for the fly fisherman. There are large flats in front of the camp and deep drop-offs around the island (these are accessible on foot, or via one of the sea kayaks that are available to go around the island). Turtle Bay Camp’s 28-foot cape craft is designed for fly fishing, as it has an open, unobstructed front deck – making it perfect for the fly fisherman to fish on the inside edge of the continental drop off, which is just 3 kms off the island.
Please bring your own fly-fishing tackle (as it is not provided by Turtle Bay Camp) so you can experience the great sport offered by large fish on this gear.
Tackle and flies:
For shore-based angling, we recommend a 10-wt and 6-wt outfit, both loaded with intermediate and floating lines. The 6-wt is perfect for the many smaller species on the flats, which provide great fun on light tackle! The 10-wt is more suitable for targeting larger fish and for the casting distance needed in the channels and along the edges of the coral flats. The flies we have used for shore-based angling have consisted mainly of chartreuse and white Clouser Minnows in sizes 2/0 and 4/0 (and when they say “Chartreuse’n white, chartreuse’n white, chartreuse’n white!” they really mean it!). Smaller charlies (sizes 2-10) in chartreuse, chartreuse and white, and pink and white also proved to be very handy as well.
For off shore angling, a 12-wt loaded with a full length DI-7 sinking line is probably most appropriate. A full length DI-7 is more suitable for deeper areas (10-15m) and handles better in currents. A sinking tip with a running line would be fine for targeting fish in water shallower than 10m, but we generally do not recommend it for deeper water. The flies we have successfully fished off shore have included Mega Clousers (size 6/0) and chartreuse and white Clouser Minnows in sizes 2/0-4/0. Make sure to stock up on flies, since large toothy fish quickly strip flies to bare hooks. Have fun!
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
