Is it July already? This year has flown by without us even noticing. Continuing on from the great fishing in December last year, our high season proved no different. Some of the highlights include:
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Two Grandslam’s for Eclare this season. One in January and another early in March. Both sets of anglers worked hard to get a blue marlin, striped marlin and sailfish on each occasion. - Young skipper (and my son), Arran Paul on boat Eclare caught a massive 251lb Yellowfin Tuna. Talk around the club that evening was that the catch was the biggest ever caught in Kenya.
- Some really nice big Blue Marlins caught during the season, some estimated to be as big as 600 - 800lb. Of course, there were a lot of Sailfish around making daily action exciting and chatter at the club animated. We even had a few night-time Broadbill Swordfish catches, which for us is like the cherry on the top. Some of the fish were lost before reaching the boat but all that were caught were successfully released.
We are finding more and more anglers opting for inshore fishing, where they get the chance to try for GT’s. Great fun and over the season there were some really good size fish coming up.
Heaps of action on our boats, keeping our skippers on their toes, from January to March 2017 which included Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Striped Marlin, Broadbill Swordfish, Sailfish plus good sized Tuna, GT’s and Wahoo. There were also Barracuda, Kingfish and other small species.
What Happens to Our Boats Out Of Season?
Early April is the time of year when all our boats are out the water as the Kingfisher team clean bottoms and paint fresh coats of anti-fouling. Sitting in the water during the year takes it’s toll and this is the perfect time to give each of the boats their annual ‘health check’, each of them getting a fresh lick of paint, a good clean and a much needed overhaul.
While ‘high & dry’ we use traditional wooden cradles to house the boats. This gives us really good access to the hull and underside. Neptune went back in less than a month ago using tried and tested methods. Many hands, poles, ropes, high-tide, brute force and a lot of shouting. Works every time.
It’s not only the boats that get an overhaul. All our tackle gets a thorough clean and refurbishment where necessary. It’s all the stuff we’ve been meaning to do for months…fixing broken reels, un-winding old line and replacing with fresh, oiling rusty hooks, organising lures according to size, type and function and so the list goes on.
Since getting back in the water, we have managed to get over 30 Sailfish, GT’s, Kingfish, Tuna, Barracuda, Wahoo and even a few Marlin. Sadly losing a big one after 2 hours. Important to note, this is only in a 10 day fishing window. The water is enticingly full of bait, which is clearly bringing the game fish in.
Looking at the New Fishing Season
Looking forward over the next few months, we hope to find the big Tuna running again between August and September. They’re a tough fish and as a season-opener will give your muscles a workout and our lines a good stretch.
The rains will pretty much stop by October, which is the most reliable month for good water clarity and this continues through until March. The water temperature also increases bringing in the bait. It’s a cycle, which we observe each year and can pretty much set our watches to it. Interestingly, it is because of this clear water, we have it on good authority that October/November can be excellent for saltwater fly fishing. Anyone interested in getting over here to test our theory out?
October also signifies our competition season and this year is shaping to be another cracker. The prizes are fantastic; the competition is stiff and the camaraderie unbeatable. Boat bookings do fill up fast, so don’t leave it too long if you are interested.
2017 Dates for your Diary
20 October - Churchill Light Tackle – Malindi
21-22 October - International Festival - Malindi (IGFA qualifier)
26 November – Charity Eye-Go Fishing – Mtwapa
17 December - Christmas Hamper/Open Boat - Mtwapa
26 December – Kids Family Christmas Competition - Watamu
27 December – Christmas Hamper Competition – Kilifi
28-29 December - Watamu Sea Fishing Club Christmas Festival – Watamu
31 December – Captain Andy’s Mida Creek Kids Fishing Competition –Watamu
2018 Dates for your Diary
7 January - Diani Samaki Classic – Diani
27-28 January – Delamere Fishing Competition – Kilifi
11 February - Mtwapa Cup – Mtwapa
24-25 February – Captain Andy’s Kilifi Classic Fishing Competition - Kilifi
3-4 March – Watamu Fishing Festival – Watamu
3-4 March - Marlin Championship – Watamu
4 March - Kilulu Competition - Mtwapa
6-7 March – Friends of Kenya - Watamu
9 March - Morson Cup (Light Tackle) - Malindi
10-11 March - Malindi International Billfish Tournament – Malindi (IGFA qualifier)
17 March - The Mike Dunford Fishing Tournament – Nyali
1 April - Easter Frolic (Easter Sunday Competition) – Kilifi
What is our prediction for the upcoming season? Overnight fishing and we offer trips out to the North Kenya Banks or Watamu Banks. On either trip, you can expect to catch the full range of billfish (Marlin (either Black or Blue), Striped Marlin, Sailfish and Broadbill). Nowhere else in the world do you have this unique opportunity to catch a Fantasy Slam in 24 hours. Ask us how.
Our booking desk is getting busy, with February & March already quite full. There are still plenty of openings available in September, October and November and December and we’d love to hear from you.
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