Zanzibar Fishing & Fish

Location

In Zanzibar fishing depends a lot on location! Fishing Zanzibar Co Ltd is located in Nungwi, a fishing village on the north-western tip of Zanzibar Island. From here, the fishing grounds of Zanzibar, Pemba and the famous Pemba Channel are not even a stone’s throw away.

How we fish

We fish by trolling a combination of artificial lures, natural dead baits (Ballyhoo or strips) or by live baiting. Furthermore, our skippers and crew are all very experienced at all disciplines of fishing and are more than happy to guide you whether your requirements be spinning, fly fishing, jigging, popping for Giant Trevally etc, power chumming or drifting with baits. Our well equipped and catered for sports fishing boats and resourceful crews will ensure your absolute enjoyment out on the water.

Where we fish

Leven Bank lies just 5 miles north of our base here in Nungwi. Furthermore, the drop-offs and deep blue waters east of the Mnemba Island Atoll lie about 12 miles south east of us. Then of course the Zanzibar Channel lies just west of Nungwi. Due to our fantastic location, our well equipped fishing boats and professional crews will have you in the mix in no time!

Fish we target

Billfish

• Striped Marlin
• Black Marlin
• Blue Marlin
• Sailfish
• Shortbill Spearfish
• Broadbill Swordfish (The “Gladiator” of the Seas)

Game Fish

• Yellowfin Tuna
• Dogtooth Tuna
• Dorado
• Wahoo
• Giant Trevally
• King & Queen Mackerel
• Barracuda

Lesser Game Fish

• Bonito Tuna
• Skipjack Tuna
• Rainbow Runner provide endless hours of adrenalin filled Game Fishing action out on the water!

Billfish

There are no less than six different types of Billfish to be found in the waters of Zanzibar and the Pemba Channel which lies just northwest of Nungwi! Consequently, your chances of catching at least 3 different types in a season are really good. In peak Marlin season, the bill fish move right up to the coast line to gorge themselves on the Tuna. Consequently this makes the north of Zanzibar very interesting for enthusiastic anglers. These fish show inexhaustible displays of strength and a chance at a personal best is very good.

Broadbill Swordfish “The Gladiator of the Sea!”

Here in Zanzibar fishing for Broadbill Swordfish would generally entail a night fishing trip. You would board the boat at around 5pm in the evening before cruising out into the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean north of Nungwi only returning early the following morning. During your night fishing charter, it is not unusual to have many strikes in a night although your fishing skills will determine how many of these powerful fish you can raise. Best times for Broadbill Swordfishing would be during the calm periods of March/April, Oct/November and the first 2 weeks of December.

Sharks

Besides the Billfish there are huge Sharks (Mako, Tiger, Thresher and Hammerhead to name but a few)

Local Fishing

Close to shore along the west, north and east coast of Zanzibar, regular catches include Rainbow Runners, Bonito, Kingfish , Barracuda, Wahoo, Dorado and Sailfish.

Zanzibar Fishing Seasons

Basically our Zanzibar Fishing Seasons take place with the Tuna season running from August to October. Furthermore, our Billfish season for Marlin and Sailfish runs from November till March. Of course, in between, the Game Fish are always there. Large Tuna can reach up to 100 kg’s, with many schools of 50 kg Tuna still migrating through our waters. The Tuna are followed by the big Marlin. Large Black and Blue Marlin are caught in September till December whilst our main Striped Marlin season runs from December through to March. Additionally, September produces some fantastic Wahoo fishing as well as February and March.

The Monsoon Seasons

There are two monsoon seasons that govern the weather here in Zanzibar. The “Kaskazi” which is the northeast monsoon and the “Kusi” which is the southeast monsoon. Subsequently, these two seasons are separated by very calm periods.

The “Kusi” starts anytime from around mid/end of March and continues to blow through to late October. The strongest winds encountered during “Kusi” would be during July/August. The Kaskazi starts to blow any time from mid-November until mid-December and continues in to early March.

Typically the Kaskazi reaches its strongest during January with rough seas and strong winds. Usually from mid-February onwards the winds are becoming lighter and the seas calmer.

Live Aboard Fishing

See more information on our Live Aboard Fishing Safari options here!

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