The Skeleton Coast - Namibia

There are over 1000 miles of fabulous, wilderness, surf beach between South Africa and Angola, known as the Skeleton Coast, due to the numbers of ships that have run aground on the treacherous reefs. This stretch of rugged coastline provides beach fishing, the likes of which you have never experienced before, and unquestionably the most thrilling, backbreaking, awesome saltwater sport fishing you are ever likely to encounter in a lifetime. These seas contain prolific concentrations of temperate water sharks, in particular the powerful and athletically built bronze whaler, also locally called copper shark, due to the distinct coppery sheen along its back. Stamina and patience are the virtues required to bring in a large 'bronzie' from the shore. These sharks are common in the 100 to 200 lbs bracket, monsters between 300-400 lbs are also present providing many an hour (or two hour!) long battle on 14 foot, one piece South African, style beachcasters and multiplier reel loaded with 30-40 lbs test monofilament, provided by your guide.

You are collected by your guide from your hotel each morning in a 4x4, completely rigged out with all the tackle required, including fresh bait and packed lunch, then returned in the late afternoon. Namibian guides have a wealth of shore fishing for sharks experience and will even cast out for those not accustomed to large multiplier reels It is not unusual to travel distances up to 100 miles north or 30 miles south of your base at Swakopmund in order to locate the best sharking grounds on the day. Anglers with back problems are not recommended to do battle with these sharks. The guide will of course venture into the surf at the end of each battle in order to bring your shark ashore for a trophy shot. They are all released to fight another day.

In addition to 'bronzies', there is the much less common cow shark, averaging 60-130lbs, plus spotted gully sharks, a beautiful fish, much like our tope but covered all over in black spots, and the hound shark, better known to British anglers as the smooth hound. Gully sharks vary between 30-60 lbs and hound sharks between 20-40 lbs. Unlike the larger sharks, this pair can be landed on monofilament hook traces. Other likely customers are rays, sandsharks, catfish and kabeljou - a basslike species which is occasionally caught in excess of 50 lbs on baits intended for the bigger sharks.

All of these species incidentally, can be seen in the aquarium, in Swakopmund. A special dolphin and fur seal boat trip (you get to feed the fur seals by hand) can also be arranged. A fascinating trip.

Visiting anglers should use a powerful sun block cream, even when conditions are overcast, and take a warm fleece to combat the occasionally chilly winds coming off the sea. Leather yachting gloves alleviate hand cramp during those long battles when the rod is gripped tightly.

Suggested Itinerary:

Day 1: Depart London - direct flight to Windhoek
Day 2: Connect with onward flight to Swakopmund. Transfer by road to Sam's Giardino in Swakopmund for overnight twin room - B/B accommodation
Day 3: Full day guided beach/shark fishing. Overnight B/B
Days 4-9: Full day beach/shark fishing - overnight B/B
Day 10: Depart Swakopmund late morning - road transfer back to Windhoek airport. Fly Windhoek/London
Day 11: Arrive London early AM

Cost: in the region of £1,750 per person, plus airport taxes.

Cost includes:
All flights, transfers, twin room B/B accommodation, guided fishing as listed above

Cost excludes:
Travel insurance, airport taxes, meals not specified, items of a personal nature in hotel, drinks, any increases in fares/airport taxes.

Target species and prime months:

Bronze Whaler (Coppershark) - (Nov-May)
Record fish: 192 kg.
Specimens of 40 - 100kg are every day catches

Cow Shark - (all year)
Record fish: 85 kg
Specimens of 10 - 70 kg are commonplace

Spotted Gully Shark - (all year)
Record fish: 37 kg
Specimens of 5 - 30 kg are common

Houndshark - (all year)
Record fish: 25 kg
Specimens of 5 - 20 kg are the norm

Bullray - (all year, but better Nov - May)
Record fish: 33 kg
Specimens of 3 - 15 kg are averages sizes

Blueray - (all year, but better Nov - May)
Record fish: 20 kg
Specimens of 5 - 15 kg are common

Sandshark - (all year, but better Nov - May)
Record fish: 6 kg
Specimens of 1-5 kg are commonplace

Kabeljou - (all year - with the larger ones in shoals from Nov - May)
Record fish: 60 kg
Specimens of 5 - 25 kg are occasionally taken

Steenbras - (all year - with the larger ones in shoals from Nov - May)
Record fish: 18 kg
Specimens of 2 - 15 kg are occasionally taken