The Gambia

Dates available throughout 2008

Arrival in The Gambia:
An introductory note will be left with your room key when you arrive at your hotel in The Gambia. This will indicate a meeting time/place with Mark, Tracy or their representative.

Accommodation:
Generally in The Gambia the brochure star rating for hotels and apartments are not of the same standard that you would find in other holiday destinations.

As The Gambia is a poor country "bumsters", "Hustlers", beggars and cripples will try to befriend you. They will openly ask you for money or charity. The correct approach is to say NO - be polite but FIRM.

Fishing in The Gambia:
Our fishing facility is located in the Cape St.Mary area and within close proximity of many of the hotels. Towards Banjul, the capital of The Gambia and only 10 minutes from these hotels is the famous Denton Bridge where the larger boats are moored for easy access to all productive fishing grounds.

Directly south the boats run down the Gambia coastline where inshore waters are covered with numerous reefs and sandbars. The water is relatively shallow, averaging 15ft. to 25ft. These areas are perfect for catching a wide variety of fish using lures, live baits and bottom fishing methods. The north crosses the mouth of the River to the North Bank of The Gambia. Here the main estuary mouth is lined with impressive sandbars and deep channels. This bottleneck effect in conjunction with selected tides provides excellent fishing.

Going west is the open Atlantic ocean. The ocean floor drops away steadily and once in 35m. of water (approx. 30 miles off shore) one enters the first currents of equatorial waters and from July to October, these bring many migratory species of blue water fish.

East guides you up the Gambia River which is at least 4 miles wide and is banked by a maze of thick mangrove creeks. This water is tidal for approx. 260 of its 420 miles. The central River itself is a mass of channels and sandbars with distinct outcrops and island features. Moving through these grounds, where the salt water starts to run into fresh water, you can expect to find species such as Large Catfish and Tiger Fish in areas relatively unfished, using modern methods.

The Gambia offers anglers a unique opportunity to catch a variety of fish all year round, from tropical sporting fish on light tackle to record-breaking shark and tarpon. Whether you prefer boat or shore fishing - The Gambia has it all!!!

Fishing Boats:
2 X 20ft. Sportfishers-Wilson Flyers - shaded cabin area, large fishing deck, G.P.S., rod holders, fish finder, fish well, compliment of safety equipment
1 x 17ft. Orkney - no cabin (max. 2 anglers). Prices on request.

Fishing the reefs and sandbars:
Bottom fishing on the inshore reefs and sandbars using fresh prawn, cut fish bait, calamari etc. can produce a whole range of species. Light tackle fishing is best and catch rates are often high and colourful.

Target species:
Typical catches include: red snapper, grouper, tropical wrass. angel fish, moray eel, butterfish, african pompano, jacks, catfish, doctor fish, tropical bream and many other local species.

Typical lure fishing and live baiting catches along the inshore reefs and sandbars can include: barracuda, jacks, cubera snapper, west African threadfin salmon, kujeli, cassava, rays, lady fish, large catfish, Spanish mackerel, nine bones, queen fish.

Fishing the mouth of the River Gambia:
With the correct preparation and right conditions any angler looking for that "BIG ONE" has the opportunity to fish "The Pit". Fishing methods include live/dead baits, drifting and "rubby-dubby".

Target species:
Large Rays, Threadfin Salmon, Hardhead Catfish, Cubera Snapper, Lady Fish, Cassava, Sharks and Tarpon.

Guide and charter skipper Mark Longster is learning more and more about tarpon in The Gambia and there is the potential to catch some record-breaking fish to some consistency. To date tarpon have been caught up to 303lbs.

Fishing the creeks and bolongs:
Because of the surrounding cover the water-ways inside the creeks and bolongs are always calm and therefore make a good bolt-hole should the general conditions outside take a turn for the worse.

Target species:
Barracuda, snapper, cassava, lady fish, angel fish, kujeli and many other local species.

Shore and beach fishing:
Anglers are transported using 4 wheel drive custom built Mercedes trucks via bush and beach along Gambia's southern coastline to one of the many unspoilt coastal locations where some of the best shore and beach angling can be experienced.

Target species:
Large rays, hard-head catfish, guitarfish, threadfin salmon, jacks, ladyfish plus many local species.

BEACH FISHING PACKAGE -
Includes tackle, bait, Land Rover or truck, (depending on size of group) drinks, fishing guide: £35.00 per person per day (subject to change). Boat prices on request.
Tackle supplied:
The following extensive range of tackle is supplied (subject to availability):
Shimano Beastmaster 50-30lb. and 80lb. class combined with Shimano TTS 50W lever drag multipliers.
Shakespeare Ugly Sticks - 20, 30 & 50lb. class combined with TLD 25 lever drag reels/twin speed 3/0 & 4/0.
A range of spinning rods in 8-12lb. class, 15 and 20lb. class combined with a range of fixed spool reels - Penn & Shimano.
Large number/range of lures & end tackle
Ugly stick beach rods - 12ft.

Passport:
You must be in possession of a FULL 10 year passport with a validity of at least 6 months after the return date of your holiday otherwise entry into The Gambia will be refused.

Insurance:
Travel insurance is essential. Bookings will NOT be accepted without the appropriate cover.

Inoculations:
Consult your Doctor or travel clinic regarding the required inoculations. A Yellow Fever inoculation may be required.

What to take with you:
Sun hat - high factor sun cream - after sun - sunglasses - mosquito repellent - re-hydration pack - basic first aid kit - footwear with grip-on soles - sweat shirt (for chilly morning/evenings) - light jacket - swim wear - camera and plenty of film and spare batteries - adapter (2 & 3 pin) - torch and a supply of spare batteries.

Cost - subject to availability - approximately £1,000 for a week, including hotel and fishing trips (based on shared facilities).