The area around Nyati Beach Lodge is a paradise for any sports fisherman, whether it be fly fishing or hunting for big game fish. The protected waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago produce some of the most exciting game fish to catch and release, including the highly prized game fish, the sailfish. The Indo-Pacific sailfish, which is native to the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, can be found all-year round in the Bazaruto Archipelago, although the peak season is from July until December.
Fishing in the Bazaruto Archipelago
The Bazaruto Archipelago is one of the World's most renowned fishing destinations. With deep water occurring close to land, fishing enthusiasts do not have to travel far for thrilling encounters with big game fish. The protected waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago produce some of the most exciting game fish to catch and release, including marlin, kingfish, barracuda, tuna, dorado, queenfish, wahoo and sailfish. The Nyati fishing boats are equipped with state-of-the-art big game fishing equipment and our trained staff will ensure that you have the best professional guidance, whatever your fishing ability.
The Indo-Pacific Sailfish
The Indo-Pacific sailfish has a metallic-blue body with grey bars on the flanks and a silvery white underbelly. It has the characteristic erectile cobalt-blue dorsal fin in the shape of a sail, which often stretches the entire length of the back. The sailfish belongs to the family Istiophoridae and is related to the swordfish and the marlin. It has the same kind of spear-like snout, which it uses for hunting. The sailfish grows quickly, reaching 1.2-1.5 meters in length in a single year, but generally sailfish do not grow to more than 3 meters in length and rarely weigh over 90 kilos (200 lb). The largest sailfish we have caught so far at Nyati Beach Lodge was 55kg.
Many sources believe that the sailfish is the fastest fish, capable of swimming at speeds of up to 100 km/h (68 mph), which is the highest speed reliably reported in a fish. The sail is normally kept folded down and to the side when swimming, but it may be raised when the sailfish feels threatened or excited, making the fish appear much larger than it actually is. This tactic has also been observed during feeding, when a group of sailfish use their sails to "herd" a school of fish. Sailfish feed on squid, mackerels, tunas, herring, ballyhoo, needlefish, flying fish, mullet and other small fishes. They are able to prey on the faster fish in the sea because their speed.
Sailfish fishing methods
Sailfish inhabits tropical and subtropical waters near landmasses, but are known to travel great distances to spawn and feed. Sailfish usually travel alone or in small groups. They appear to feed mostly in mid-water along the edges of reefs or current eddies. Hence the most action is found where sailfish are located on or near the surface. The fighting ability, speed and spectacular aerial acrobatics endear the sailfish to the saltwater angler. However the sailfish tires quickly and is for this reason considered a light tackle species. Fishing methods include trolling with strip baits, whole mullet or ballyhoo, plastic lures, feathers or spoons as well as live bait fishing. You can also use baitfish, such as a mullet, with a much more visually attractive artificial bait over it. The scent that mullets puts in the water often attracts sailfish into going after your other trolled lures or bait as well.
Spear fish will often first attack in order to "kill" prey with its spear, circling back to swallow it afterwards. Thus, a good tactic for catching sailfish, is to drop back after one strikes a trolled bait and free-spool the line so that you can trick the fish into thinking it has stunned the bait. However, the techniques that are most incredible, involve using fly gear, especially since live baitfish are actually frightened out of the water by the sailfish quite regularly. You can tease the sailsfish with other trolled lines and live bait that you let them taste but keep out of reach until they are near the stern. Then you can snatch the live bait out of the water and replace it with the fly bait, which the hungry sailfish will instantly attack.
Please explore the site to learn more about the fishing opportunities in the Archipelago. All fishing trips are organized on site with our fishing professionals.
