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Mombasa, Malindi & Watamu Deep Sea Fishing
As well as inland fishing on lakes, rivers and streams, where the angler's rewards include giant Nile perch, black bass, rainbow and brown trout; Kenya's Indian Ocean sport fishing, extending all the way from old-world Lamu in the north to Shimoni and the Pemba Channel bordering Tanzania in the south, has developed over the recent years into a major attraction in its own right.
Many international deep-sea sportsmen, from as far as Australia and Japan, the United States, Canada and Europe, as well as neighboring African countries, now visit the Kenya Coast simply to fish, and their numbers continue to grow. The main focus for visiting fishermen are Malindi and Watamu in the north, Mtwapa Creek and neighboring Mombasa in the middle and Diani, Shimoni and the Pemba Channel in the south.
However, there is also an unsurpassed variety of superb deep-sea and in-shore creek fishing to be had all along the coast. Nevertheless, it must also be accepted that many of the record breaking marlin catches: blue, black and striped, have been made in the Pemba Channel, while Malindi boasts a year-round sailfish population, comparatively close in, that is judged by many as being the best in the world. Further out, between 30 and 50 kilometers, on the Malindi and Watamu rips and the north banks, the marlin hunter also finds rich rewards: giant yellowfin tuna often exceeding the 75 kilograms mark, sought after mako and tiger sharks, as well as a host of other sport fish.
Indeed, it is this unsurpassed variety, which includes the rare broadbill for the overnight adventurers, kingfish, wahoo, barracuda, dorado, giant trevally and a host of bottom fish when angling for the pot, coupled with an extensive season stretching from early August right through to the end of April; which makes Kenya's deep-sea fishing unique and ever more competitive with many of the world's best known and long-established resorts.
For the overseas visitor, enjoying a very favorable rate of exchange against the Kenya shilling, the prices are extremely competitive and compare with the best that is available elsewhere in the world. There is an ever-growing body of international sports fishermen who have learned that the possibility of combining a deep-sea fishing trip with a wildlife safari is what makes Kenya not only a first-class destination, but a unique and extraordinary one too.
The Kenya Association of Sea Angling Clubs (KASAC), affiliated to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA], has had a very favorable response over the recent years to its efforts in encouraging the tagging and releasing of bill fish, especially the smaller sailfish, marlin and broadbill. In international competition hosted by the Malindi Sea Fishing Club in November 1993, it was no surprise that while the top ten boats alone caught 79 sailfish over the two days, no less than 76 of these were tagged and released, the remaining three being boated because they were too deep hooked or otherwise injured.
What is also of great interest was the number of sail caught quite apart from probably a hundred more that were raised. These figures, which are taken for granted in this area, must certainly be the envy of a great many famous name resorts elsewhere in the world.
Some of the boats used during a Kenya fishing expedition include:
• A 33 feet custom built Rybovich Sportfisher, with twin 140 H.P diesel engines and Tuna Tower; it is equipped with first class tackle, including Penn International and Shimano reels, Downrigger fish finder, VHF radio, and all other necessary amenities for a successful Kenya deep sea fishing safari.
• "T.T", 25-feet Chris craft cabin cruiser with a fly bridge and having similar equipment as the Sportfisher.
More About The Fishes In Indian Ocean Waters
The main Billfish (Sailfish and Marlin) season runs from November to mid/late March but Sailfish and Black Marlin often come inshore in numbers in August (and this month has been fantastic for Black Marlin these last few years).
• Sailfish: The Sailfish (known locally as 'suli suli') are by far the most numerous of the Billfish we have here. Finicky and sometimes skittish or playful, they can make a fool of the best of anglers at times, and are very dramatic when not over powered by excessively heavy tackle. Experienced anglers will know this spectacular acrobat is more fun on light tackle - ask for it! Pelagic, sails will jump and slither across the surface of the water in a never to be forgotten display. Relatively easy to bring in when hooked (that's the tricky part) the Sailfish is a milestone in any anglers' early fishing experience. There is a run of Sail just outside Watamu around August, while the main season off Malindi, a few miles north of here, runs November to March.
• Marlins: Then there is the Royal Family: the Marlin. There of three types: Striped, Blue and Black.
Stripped Marlin: Striped Marlin tends to run offshore in cleaner water and can travel in packs. Smaller and slimmer than the other two, this fish will still give a good account of itself.
Blue Marlin: A jumping Blue Marlin is the ultimate thrill as the power and fury of these fish under full throttle is simply awesome. Complete changes of direction by these fish will convince fishermen that there are two on at once and frantic re-routing of the boat is the order of the day as line is usually getting desperately low within seconds of the opening of hostilities. A big Blue Marlin is a privilege to see and they are found usually in the deep water following the yellowfin or other tuna shoals. Some very big Blue Marlin can be expected mid February to mid March.
Black Marlin: Black Marlins come closer to shore and are often encountered in very shallow water. Medium size Blacks can be expected around August/September but the main season is from December to mid/late March.
• Swordfish: Broadbill Swordfish is an overnight specialty - you drift at night, with squid weighted to different depths and light sticks on the leader. This is definitely the strongest fighter in the ocean - an experience not to be missed.
• Sharks: There are three species of Caraharinus:- Hammerheads, Tigers and the high leaping Mako. These are often caught while fishing for tuna; they also take Marlin baits fished live. We don't drift with chum or 'rubby-dubby' here - it doesn't work due to the current.
• Yellowfin Tuna: Big Yellowfin tuna (up to 200 lbs.) migrate past here between August and November (and sometimes come back again) and the 'schoolie' small Yellowfin are around virtually year round. Very strong fish and, with a big one being a good test of character, Yellowfin always give a powerful performance, invariably going deep.
• Trevally: Giant trevally (locally known as Karambesi) of World record size are here but have yet to be boated under the very strict IFGA regulation. Usually caught on live bait using down riggers.
• Wahoo: Wahoo are renowned for their searing first run (being one of the fastest fish in the sea) and when there are a lot of them around, chaos reigns as lines are cut all over the place by fish striking at terminal tackle moving through the water.
• Kingfish: Kingfish will often chop up bait or two just behind the hook before you get one but make up for it by being excellent table fare. Dorado (known here as Falusi) comes streaking across to your lures, iridescent with all the colors of the rainbow as they take to the air when feeling the hook. Fabulous light tackle fish and great eating (but rich) when prepared on the day of catch.
• Others: Skipjack, Kawakawa and others of tuna descent swim in shoals surrounding and forcing small baitfish to the surface, making it boil and giving their position away.
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