| Some of the most exhilarating and challenging | | | | other billfish. It has considerable big blue eyes, and is a |
| deep-sea fishing is available in the blue waters of | | | | ferocious night feeder. They are deep-water |
| Shimoni. But you have a better chance of catching a | | | | predators and are known to go to depths of at least |
| Striped Marlin from the Pemba Channel than | | | | 550m. They are finicky, easily frightened and rarely |
| anywhere else in the world. Traditionally when the | | | | strike blindly. The Pemba Channel is perhaps one of |
| Kaskazi (north east monsoon) blows, the billfish arrive | | | | the premier destinations for Broadbill fishing. Broadbill |
| in great numbers. There are two very definite seasons, | | | | fishing is conducted at night. |
| the Yellowfin Tuna season, which runs from August | | | | Broadbill Fishing Season:: - All year but best in October, |
| through to the end of October, and the Marlin season, | | | | November and March when the seas are very calm. |
| which runs from December to mid March. | | | | December before the wind goes round to the |
| The different types of fish and their seasons | | | | northeast can also be an excellent time for Broadbill |
| throughout the year. | | | | fishing. |
| Billfish | | | | Sailfish: |
| The Pemba channel provides us with six species of | | | | The Sailfish is one of the most colourful game fish of |
| billfish including Black, Blue and Striped Marlin, Sailfish, | | | | all - its outstanding feature is the long, high first dorsal |
| Broadbill Swordfish and the elusive Shortbill Spearfish, | | | | which is slate or cobalt blue with a scattering of black |
| so your chances of catching a grand slam (1 each of | | | | spots. Its body is dark blue and silver and lights up with |
| any 3 billfish in one day) are very high and real. | | | | white dots and lines of electric blue. It is a very |
| Striped Marlin: | | | | acrobatic fish and will dive quicker than the marlin |
| Striped Marlins are the most prolific of the Marlin and | | | | because of its size and surrounds. They are a |
| they seasonally migrate through the natural corridor | | | | migratory species usually traveling alone or in small |
| that lies between Pemba Island and the mainland. The | | | | groups. It's fighting ability and spectacular aerial |
| Striped Marlin is well known for its fighting ability and is | | | | acrobatics endear the Sailfish to the saltwater angler, |
| renowned for its speed and acrobatic displays. It has a | | | | but it tires quickly and is considered a light tackle |
| reputation for spending more time in the air than in the | | | | species. |
| water just after it is hooked. In addition to long runs and | | | | Sailfish Fishing Season: - Are seen and caught |
| tail walks, it will 'greyhound' across the surface, making | | | | throughout the fishing season but most prolific during |
| a dozen or more long, graceful leaps. Compared to a | | | | December and January. |
| Blue or a Black it is considerably more slender and is | | | | Shortbill Spearfish: |
| the most colourful of all Marlin. Just before striking or | | | | This elusive game fish does exist in the waters of the |
| when the Striped Marlin is annoyed, fourteen iridescent | | | | Pemba Channel, but is infrequently encountered and |
| blue lines spark up the Marlin's body. It is one of those | | | | rarely seen and caught. It is a highly migratory |
| must see moments - a Striped Marlin lighting up to | | | | deep-water species feeding at or near the surface on |
| strike one of your baits. | | | | medium-sized fish, including Dorado, Flying Fish and Pilot |
| The Striped Marlin fishing Season: - The prime Marlin | | | | Fish, Squid and Crustaceans. They appear to be |
| season runs from mid November to end of March. In | | | | available all year in small numbers. |
| March it would seem that the fish are much larger than | | | | Shortbill Spearfish Fishing Season: - Mid November to |
| average. | | | | end of March with December being the best month. |
| Black Marlin: | | | | Tuna: |
| A highly rated game fish, the Black Marlin has the | | | | From August we start to see large numbers of |
| power, size and persistence of which anglers dream! | | | | migrating Yellowfin Tuna, which are, one of the |
| This Marlin has tremendous power, and is known for | | | | strongest fish that swim and can put up a challenging |
| its long runs and tail walking. Black Marlins in Kenyan | | | | fight. They make transoceanic journeys on a regular |
| waters are generally larger than the other Marlin and | | | | basis. Tuna school primarily by size and 12 - 20lb outfits |
| have short, heavy bodies with the fins virtually locked | | | | are ideal for schools of small Tuna that run in the |
| in position. The Black Marlin is noted as a violent feeder | | | | season, providing really good sport for the light tackle |
| at the top of the food chain and feeds on other game | | | | enthusiast. August to October provides excellent sport |
| fish and small baitfish. | | | | for Tuna. Multiple hook ups are normal when the |
| The Black Marlin fishing Season: - During August to the | | | | ocean can come alive with huge schools in pursuit of |
| end of October, large Blacks can be found amongst | | | | smaller fish creating plenty of excitement |
| the Tuna. The prime Marlin season runs from mid | | | | Tuna Fishing season: - Typically from August to end |
| November to end of March. | | | | October. This is an excellent time for Tuna. Blue and |
| Blue Marlin: | | | | Black Marlins follow and gorge on the shoals of |
| The Blue Marlin is the largest of the Marlin family. It is a | | | | Yellowfin Tuna at this time of year and are usually |
| more streamlined version of the Black Marlin. It has | | | | fatter than later in the season. |
| along slender bill extending up to a virtual point on the | | | | Tiger Shark: |
| top of the head where the dorsal fin slants, resulting in | | | | Born at a size of 50 - 75 centimetres long with a |
| a huge speed take off compared to other Marlin. The | | | | beautiful silvery pattern of leopard-like spots, which |
| Blue is a powerful aggressive fighter, known for its | | | | change to bars as they grow and fade as they |
| impressive athletic abilities on the surface, clearing the | | | | mature. The head is large and blocky with big soulful |
| water time and time again. They run hard and long, and | | | | eyes. Mature Tiger Sharks become very stout. They |
| leap high into the air in a seemingly inexhaustible display | | | | may be resident in certain areas, but in general they |
| of strength, although they are prone to going deep to | | | | are wanderers. They tend to stay in deeper water by |
| conserve their energy. | | | | day and enter shallow waters at night. |
| The Blue Marlin Fishing Season: - During August to end | | | | Mako Shark: |
| October large Blue Marlins can be found amongst the | | | | Mako Shark are torpedo shaped and are the speed |
| Tuna. Blues and Blacks follow, and gorge on, the | | | | kings of the cartilaginous fish and possibly the fastest |
| shoals of Yellow fin Tuna at this time of the year and | | | | fish in the ocean - measurements as high as 100kph |
| are usually fatter than later in the season. | | | | (60mph) have been reported. When hooked they may |
| Broadbill: | | | | jump to a height of several body lengths out of the |
| Broadbill (Xiphias gladius) is known as the 'Gladiator of | | | | water. They are able to chase down and consume |
| the Sea' due to its reputation of being the toughest of | | | | fast moving pelagic, such as Tuna and Broadbill. Their |
| all the billfish with a violent mood, and is considered by | | | | ability to reach such phenomenal speeds may be |
| many to be the toughest of all billfish to catch - the | | | | attributed to a blood vessel heat exchange system, |
| ultimate challenge in big game fishing. Characteristically, | | | | which enables them to maintain a body temperature |
| it has a smooth, very broad, flattened sword (broadbill) | | | | All sharks are an endangered species and their tag |
| that is significantly longer and wider than the bill of any | | | | and release is actively promoted. |