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Professional sport fishing is now available in Mafia with the arrival of "Alfajiri". The boat is fully equipped with deep sea and inshore fishing tackle, electronics and safety equipment for up to four fishermen, and is powered by twin Yamaha engines. The boat is kitted with outriggers and tower, and is designed for trolling along the shelfs and islands and offshore in Mafia's very deep waters.
The fishing grounds include Mafia Island, Songo Songo islands, the deep-sea crescent east of Mafia, Nyuni and Njovi Islands, and in the channels from the Rufiji Delta south to Lindi. These are thought to be the best game fishing grounds in East Africa, with catches of Sailfish, blue, black and striped marlin, barracuda, wahoo, kingfish, giant trevalley, yellowfin and dog-tooth tuna, dorado, five-fingered jack and rainbow runner, red snapper, rock cod. Light and heavy tackle and fly-fishing are offered.
The deep sea crescent off Mafia and the Songo Songo Archipelago is potentially one of the most exciting game fishing areas in the world, with expanses of virtually unfished waters that offer a keen challenge to sport fishermen. In 1950 the author Conan Doyle set an all-Africa record for dorado of 34.2 kilogram that still stands. Mafia offers many more records but the facilities have not existed before to facilitate the serious fisherman.
The main fishing season is from August to March but fishing for reef species is good all year round along the reefs and channels. July to November is the main tuna season with large yellowfin, dog-toothed tuna and bonito; other fish also caught are kingfish, wahoo, trevalley, cobia, rainbow runner and sharks. From December to March the billfish run, and this is when Mafia is best for sailfish.
"Alfajiri " is offered for day fishing and as a charter boat supported with camping equipment for trips to more remote destinations lasting more than a day, where guests stay in canvas tents on the beach, supported by a team of catering staff. For the serious and determined game fisherman can camp on the north end of Mafia and fish the very deep drops off Ras Mkumbi, across to the Songo Songo islands
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