The strong winds of the last few weeks have died down and calm days and gentle seas have made for good fishing conditions, but there have been few trips out as the charter boats lack clients, while the private boat owners have returned up-country after the August holidays. The Malindi Festival which is due to be held over the holiday weekend of Oct 17th-19th should bring anglers back into action, and by then the sailfish should have arrived off Malindi.
The calmer weather seems to have made for quieter fishing however, as those boats who have been out are finding smaller fish mainly. A week ago Eclare out off Malindi found four yellowfin and a barracuda, while Ol Jogi at Watamu had two yellowfin and a kingfish for their anglers on Tuesday.
Three boats from Kenya are running down to Dar-es-Salaam for the Latham Island tournament to be held this weekend, and Unreel raised three sailfish on their way to Shimoni, catching one of them. This boat came second in the tournament last year, while the winner, Tarka, is also competing again this year. Shuwari from Diani joins them so let’s back the local boats to do well this year. Latham island lies about forty miles offshore, a small coral island rising from very deep water and is known as a top spot for gamefish, with yellowfin tuna predominant at his time of year.
KASA, the Kenya Association of Sea Anglers, is holding their annual trophy dinner at Ocean Sports, Watamu, on Saturday Oct 4th. The trophies and prizes for best boats, skippers and fish caught during the past season will be presented, with the latter having classes both for actual weighed fish, and for those which were tagged and released. It is always a popular party and everyone is welcome. A special ‘mystery prize’ will be drawn for from the tickets of those attending, an interesting incentive! The annual magazine, Rainbow Runner, has now been printed and is on sale – it contains up-dated Kenya gamefish records, articles and photos – a must for all interested in the sport.
