Pestana Bazaruto Lodge - Activities
Game fishing
Game fishing is one of Bazaruto's main attractions with the average Marlin weighing approximately 350kg and the average Sailfish weighing approximately 32kg. The present Africa records for Marlin (503kg) and Sailfish (59.5kg) were caught at Bazaruto. Bazaruto encourages a "tag and release" policy and rewards their boat captains with bonuses for each fish caught and released undamaged. October to March are the prime Marlin months with June to September being the best for Sailfish. Warm water game fish such as Giant Kingfish, Wahoo, King Mackerel, Great Barracuda, Dorado, and Bonito are caught all year round. Bazaruto Island Lodge is a member of the International Game Fish Association and has a representative on the Island who is certified to register record catches.
For deep-sea angling, the area of ocean from directly offshore Bazaruto's Northern point down to Sailfish Bay, about 10km to the south, has always been the traditional producer of Black Marlin and Sailfish. You don't need to travel far by boat to find your game fish, either.
The 100-fathom line is about 2.5km from the beach and the fish often feed close to shore.
Rock and surf fishing
With a coral-fringed seaward shoreline 35km long, the Island of Bazaruto undoubtedly offers the most variety for the rock-and-surf-angler. Bazaruto is surely the only island in the world where you can land 500kg Marlin from a boat and a 45kg Giant Ignoblis from the shore.
Ignoblis Kingfish often come right inshore and you can see them silhouetted in the breaking waves.
The shoreline consists of calm, deepwater bays and rocky ledges ideal for shore angling. There are days when the shoreline comes alive with game fish and King Mackerel, Queenfish, Springer, Jobfish, Kingfish and Bonito strain the muscles and tackle of shore anglers. It is not uncommon to catch 3 Ignoblis Kingfish per person using live baiting, bait casting or popper plugs. Fresh bait is gathered daily by the local population.
Saltwater fly fishing
Saltwater fly fishing has the unique characteristic of being both the least known and the fastest growing facet of fly fishing. It is the most exciting fishing method to have emerged from the broad spectrum of modern game fishing techniques. Anglers are flocking to swell the ranks of this the most sporting of fly fishing methods, and both tackle suppliers and angling resorts are catering for their needs on a rapidly growing scale.
Saltwater fly fishing demands clear water and large populations of both in-shore and off-shore game fish. Bazaruto is unique in its ability to cater to these requirements, with resources which are unmatched anywhere else in Southern Africa. The saltwater fly fisherman brings to bear techniques, tackle, and skills of the highest order. Just as you might expect from an up market sporting arena, where the cost of a good outfit matches the cost of a Marlin rig!
Saltwater fly fishing is home to the finest tackle, to dedication and to a pure conservationist heart. Most salt water fly fisherman return their catches alive. These anglers are in love with he spirit of the environment and bring a refreshing responsibility to fishing in general.
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