Introduction:
 Sea
and river fishing is good all year round, particularly
line-fishing from the beaches. Several sport-fishing
boats are available for sea-angling trips from a number
of local fishing
tour operators.
Many boats are located & available for hire at Denton
Bridge and in the estuary of the River Gambia. Many
are well equipped for deep-water sports-fishing trips.
Since the early 1990s, the growing popularity for recreational
fishing has now made The Gambia one of the most sought
after fishing holiday destinations in the world.
The Gambian beaches play host to the Masterline International
Beach Fishing Festival every year and for good reason,
the surf casting is excellent during the period from
October through to May and beach fishermen can expect
to take Large Guitarfish, Stingrays, Captain fish, Jack
Crevalle, Cassava, Groupers and many more.
Coastal Regions:
The coastal
region of The Gambia is made up of numerous angling
spots such as inshore reefs and sandbars, deep channels
and rocky outcrops, as well as the mighty Gambia River
itself. A couple of great fishing areas can be found
further down the coast at Tanji
creeks and Kartung's
Allahein River. Primarily an estuary region, the average
depth ranges from 10ft to 100ft with tidal sub-tropical
waters flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. These features
provide an excellent marine environment for a number
of noted worldwide Sport Fish as well as a multitude
of tropical local and colourful species.
Riverine:
 The
fresh water regions of The Gambia
River on the West African Coast is the new destination
for the travelling Sport Fisherman. In the heart of
Gambia, this truly African setting is home to a number
of noted fighting fresh water fish and a host of localised
species which include: Tiger fish, Vundu Catfish, Sharptooth
Catfish, Zambizi Pike , Characins , Threadfin Salmon
and many more. The lure of Gambia's fresh water is the
totally unspoilt nature of this huge stretch of river,
untouched by commercialism, this area offers a taste
of the real Africa. Here fish species can live out their
natural life cycle without interference from the modern
world.
Lures:
Normal baits for bottom fishing include live Mullet
and Sardines, as well as dead baits of shrimp or bonga.
Typical Fish Catches in the coastal waters of
Gambia are: |
 |
• Tarpon 20-300lbs
• Snapper 5-110lbs
• Grouper 5-10lbs
• Guitar fish 10-90lbs
• Thread fin salmon 5-70lbs
• Jacks 5-50lbs
Cat fish 2-60lbs
• Barracuda 5-70lbs
•
Rays 5-400lbs |
|
West African Shore & Boat Fishing Festival
Competition: |
|
 The
3 day shoreline competition attracts fishing enthusiasts
from all over the EU. Due to the high standard
of beach fishing and top cash prizes, the festival's
popularity is on the increase as anglers return
each year. Other activities during the week-long
festival include practice days, social evenings,
evening matches and international charity fishing.
Entries are open to all sexes, abilities and ages. |
Beach Fishing:
 It
is possible to hire a safari land rover to take you
from the main hotel resorts over bush and beach along
Gambia's southern seaboard. Here, you can find plenty
of sandy bays lined with shallow reefs and rocky outcrops
which provide the ideal environment for the dedicated
shore angler.
A day trip can last around 7 hours. Anglers can choose
from a variety of methods including both lure and bait
fishing.
Shore angling in The Gambia is available at any time
of the year and any state of the tide. It is also so
diverse that almost any arrangement of tackle can be
deployed. For beach angling in the open sandy bays,
a standard beach casting outfit is frequently used to
throw out the bait beyond the surf's edge. Otherwise,
lighter spinning outfits are also a common choice and
are used effectively when angling from the scar reef
and rocks. You are advised to bring your own tackle,
otherwise you can hire a set from your local operator.
Typical catches include species such as Barracuda, Shovel-nosed
Rays, Jacks, Stingrays, Cobb and a range of localised
species.
Blue Water Fishing:
 Deep
sea fishing up to 20 miles offshore on a 28 foot Glacier
Bay Catamaran using methods such as trolling, drift
fishing, live baits and sight casting to target Sailfish,
Dorado, Marlin, Tuna and many more pelagic species.
The 'blue water' season in Gambia runs from the middle
of May to October. During the summer June to Dec, large
groups of migratory Marlin and Sailfish run down the
Senegalese and Gambian coasts, along with Dorado, Tuna
and Sharks. This adds up to an excellent sport fishery.
Creek Fishing:
 The
Gambia's estuary is fringed on its banks by dense mangrove
swamps interconnected by a maze of saltwater bolongs.
These splendid, wild waterways make an ideal habitat
for a range of tropical fish and an ideal marine environment
for the light tackle angler. Shielded from the Atlantic
Ocean, the bolong's meandering water-ways are perpetually
tranquil and appealing to the boat anglers who prefer
to avoid rough waters.
Angling methods include both lure and bait fishing.
Target species include Barracuda, Butterfish, Ladyfish,
Snappers Threadfin Salmon as well as plenty of localised
species.
Reef:
 More
than 70 different species are regular catches in the
reefs - these include Barracuda, Cubera Snapper, Threadfin
Salmon, Cassava, Jack Crevalle and Stingrays. Bottom
fishing and trolling with 12, 20 and 30lbs gear, it's
amazing how hard these fish will fight. The coastal
region of The Gambia is made up of many inshore reef
sandbars, rocky outcrops and deep channels, as well
as the Gambia
River. Primarily a tidal estuary, these features
provide an ideal marine ecosystem for a number of renowned
sporting fish as well as numerous local tropical species.
Skiff Fishing:
 The
shallow clear waters of the islands at Tanji
are home to numerous predators including Queenfish,
Jack Crevalle, Barracuda, Snapper and Tarpon. If you
fancy yourself as a bit of a Rex Hunt this is the trip
for you, lure fishing on light gear is the name of the
game. You may also catch a glimpse of the giant turtles.
Sports Fishing:
 Using
this method along the Gambian coastline gives the travelling
angler the chance to try out a variety of baiting methods
including lure fishing, bait fishing at anchor using
a variety of dead or live baits.
Moored close to the rocky outcrops and reefs using a
simple stainless steel paternoster rig with quite light
tackle and local fresh prawns for bait will create many
hours of enjoyment for the angler.
The exhilaration of battling with a number of tough
fighting reef dwellers is increased by not knowing what
you're going to catch on your next bait! It is common
for over a 12 local species to be caught in this way.
On the same fishing grounds, near to the sandbars and
reefs you can also aim the larger species. Typical catches
include African Pompano, Angel Fish, Moray Eel, Hardhead
Catfish, Trevelle Jacks, Grouper, Tropical Wrass, Cubera
Snapper, Ladyfish (Nine Bones), King Threadfin as well
as other colourful tropical species.
Using heavy duty fishing gear, baits such as herrings
are gently dropped into the depths to lure some renowned
hard fighters. Fishing slightly off the reefs, the West
African King Threadfin (locally known as Kujeli) can
be hunted down. These recognised sporting fish have
become a favorite with anglers. Although a shy feeder,
the Threadfin once hooked, will give a lengthy powerful
fight all the way back to the boat. Other local species
such as Ladyfish react in pretty much the same way.
 Apart
from the diverse bottom fishing that is available, lure
fishing or trolling from a traveling boat is a well
known method when targeting Barracuda. Moving along
the Gambian coastal region, fishing with a selection
of artificial lures, it is an anxious time for the fisherman
as he passes time in anticipation for his rod to bend
over and line start screeching from reel. Believing
them to be fleeing fish the Barracuda will strike at
the lures. Once hooked, these fish resist being caught
hard often emerging from the water's surface in an attempt
to release themselves from your hook. Other predatory
species such as the Large Pompano, and Spanish
Mackerel are also favourites.
A typical full days' sport fishing will often include
a combination of different techniques to suit the type
of fishing on that particular day. The ever changing
tidal coloration and flow of the currents often determines
which fishing methods are used and which fish are to
be sought after. This decision is best left to the boat's
captain and crew whose invaluable local knowledge of
fish behaviour and grounds will put you onto what's
taking the bait.
Tarpon Fishing:
 Belonging
to the Elopidae family they are by far the most powerful
gamefish in The Gambia! Do battle with the Silver
King or more accurately the Silver Queen as most
Tarpon over 150lbs are females. The Gambia is home to
some of the world's largest Tarpon; the unofficial world
record fish of 303lbs was landed by a UK angler in 1995.
The weight of a tarpon in The Gambia can range from
15lb to 250lb, with numerous fish having been caught
weighing in excess of 100lbs. A day sport fishing for
one of these 7-foot fish off the coast can be the experience
of a lifetime.
These amazing fish can be targeted using a variety of
techniques such as live and artificial bait, rods and
line.
The tarpon give away their presence when they occasionally
rise to the sea surface. The 'Silver Kings' as they
are sometimes known owe much of their reputation to
their often enormous size and their habit of making,
spectacular leaps after being hooked on the line.
Although these giants can be caught throughout the year
the best time to catch the larger specimens is November
through to May. Despite having some of the largest tarpon
in the world these fish can prove elusive so aiming
for the best tides is a critical factor. In Gambia tarpon
are mostly targeted over the rise of the high tide in
the mouth of the River estuary given good weather conditions.
Calm sea conditions are needed to fish the tarpon for
the best results and you must be prepared to look at
alternatives if the weather turns for the worse.
Tigerfish:
 A
chance to travel inland and catch one of the top freshwater
sporting fish (Hydrocynus Vitattus). The average weight
is 12lbs but in the 2006 season fish up to a massive
23lbs were netted.
Superb fishing is available in the waters all around
Janjangbureh
(Georgetown) on McCarthy Island which is 180 miles up
the Gambia
River. Angling is done at various spots around prominent
features; deep channels and sandbanks, sunken trees
and rocky outcrops. Fishing for Tigerfish is usually
done in two sessions; early evening and early morning
with lure fishing; slow trolling a variety of lures
along the edges of the river banks and around marked
features provide the most consistent strikes. Once hooked,
this formidable predator will break from the water with
a display of powerful turns and twists.
You can stay in a secluded bush camp located upriver,
300km from the coast, called
the
Bird Safari Camp which has a restaurant, bar and
swimming pool. |
