The Complete Fisher Forum

[Simon]

Sat 10th March

The NE monsoon or kaskazi as we know it in East Africa seems to have come to an end and the wind has swung round to the south. In the morning heading out there was a strong SW blowing making the sea pretty choppy, particularly the first bit going out over the shallow water. Some of the guests fishing today were struggling so that one by one the boats were forced to head for home leaving only "Kamara II" and "Buccaneer" out in the middle. In fact once the tide changed the wind died away, swung to the SE and the sea became very calm much more typical of mid March.

"Shuwari" did raise 3 striped marlin, none of which took, before they had to go home. No other marlin were seen but quite a few sail and "Kamara II" tagged 2. "Buccaneer" tried their luck at live baiting but a small shark chopped the tail off of their lone live skipjack bait. "Broadbill" fishing guests out of Funzi Keys and "White Otter" both had to terminate their fishing very early on.

Sun 11th March

The full Shimoni charter fleet were out today plus "Membe II" a private boat that has recently changed hands. "Membe" is a very old boat dating back to the late 1950's but still in great condition. She first belonged to Douglas Hind who was a farmer up near Mount Kenya but who also had a house in Shimoni. When Pat started the Pemba Channel Fishing Club in late 1962 Dougie was already fishing with "Membe II" in the Pemba Channel and was very successful, always setting the bench mark in those early days. As Pat says on the days that he managed to beat Dougie he was really chuffed because it was no mean feat. Dougie was also the first person to land a marlin over 400-lb here and to catch 4 marlin in one day.

Today was mirror calm and extremely hot but there were quite a few sail and a marlin seen as well as lots of dorado. The only marlin raised was by "Kamara II" fishing out of Funzi Keys, the fish came in fast from way back took a standard size super chugger on the centre rigger 30 but managed to get its bill in to the bite of the hook so that on the first jump the hook was thrown. "Broadbill" was the only boat to actually catch a sailfish, duly tagged and released.

Mon 12th March

Only "Kamara II" and "Shuwari" out today and again very calm and hot all day with the breeze swinging round the compass. On "Kamara II" we did raise a few sails but none would actually just coming up on, usually the biggest lure and then just fading away. "Shuwari" did get lucky with a double header of sail both of which were tagged and released.

Tue 13th March

Only "Shuwari" out today, again very calm, hot and humid. They appeared to be fishing south at Kitugamwe where it would appear that there are a lot of wahoo and dorado but no billfish were taken. There was some rain up in the hills behind so perhaps soon we will receive some and we really need it. The ground is very dry and the grass all brown and not much of it so lets hope that when it does come it is not too much that will just wash away all the top soil. We need just enough to allow the grass to grow and seal the ground.

Wed 14th March

Yet again only "Shuwari out today fishing south at Kitugamwe Reef catching some more wahoo and one nice giant trevally, or karambezi as it is known locally. They were flyiong a white flag that should indicate a fish in excess of 20-kg.

There was over an inch of rain here last night and it was raining all the way between Mombasa and Shimoni when I returned late morning, although not very heavy.
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Sea Adventures Ltd, Shimoni, Kenya offers fishing charters on either the 46-ft "Broadbill" skippered by the old man of the sea, Pat or on the 42-ft "Kamara II skippered by myself in to the Pemba Channel or live aboard fishing safaris. In my reports I will try to give an honest appraisal of the fishing out of Shimoni, whether on our boats or others.