Gamefish galore off the Kenyan coast!
Pemba Channel Fishing Club - Oasis in Paradise
'Marlin approaching the outrigger rod!' These words, hollered by our boat skipper, sent the adrenalin rushing through my veins. Just prior to this rude awakening, I found myself drifting into a state of complete relaxation as my body and soul succumbed to the gentle sway of the big-game fishing boat as it negotiated the gentle swells of the Indian Ocean just off the coast of Kenya. The powerful drone of the twin diesel engines and the soothing heat of the African sun all added to my relaxed state of mind.
The skipper's urgent call sent the crew members into frenzied activity. They quickly helped the designated angler into the fighting chair, handed him the rod and promptly proceeded to reel in all the other lines and the two 'teasers' dancing merrily in the churning wake of the huge boat.
Just then the loud snap of the outrigger clip was heard and a few seconds later the Penn International reel, loaded with 50lb line, started screaming in protest as the huge fish grabbed the lure. The experienced Dutch angler hesitated for a few seconds before engaging the reel drag and striking solidly. Suddenly, approximately 80 yards behind the boat, the dark blue ocean erupted in a flourish of spray as the huge marlin launched itself out of the water, shaking its beautiful, streamlined body vigorously as it tried to shake the hook free. With a mighty crash it landed back in the water, sending clouds of spray in all directions. With lightning speed its huge dorsal fin cut a furrow through the ocean waves as it propelled itself forward, changing direction without warning.
At this stage the angler's face was frozen in an expression of concentration as he tried his best to anticipate the marlin's next move. Every time the fish leapt into the air, the angler pumped and reeled as fast as he could, striving to keep the line taunt. Gradually the leaps became less frequent and intense and after over an hour of back-breaking pump and retrieve from the angler, the mighty fish began to show signs of tiring. Reluctantly it allowed itself to be coaxed closer and closer to the boat. After a few final turns and leaps, the mighty doyen of the deep suddenly decided to throw in the towel and allowed itself to be reeled close enough for a gloved crew member to grab the thick nylon shock trace and to gently pull the mighty fish close enough to enable his fellow crew member to grab the marlin's bill and hang-on for dear live.
As quick as possible, the hook was dislodged from the fish's jaw, a few photographs were taken and the magnificent fish was released. At first it just drifted submissively next to the boat, but once it realised that it was again free to roam, it propelled itself forward and vanished into the dark depths below.
This 'dead-and-gone-to-heaven' experience had started the previous day as I made my way by road, 50 miles down the Kenyan coast from Mombasa to the remote little African fishing village of Shimoni, home to the Pemba Channel Lodge.
This rustic lodge is owned and run by Peter and Sandra Ruysenaars and is like an oasis in the middle of paradise. This pristine lodge is comprised of 14 white bandas with en-suite facilities. The focal point of the garden is a 23 metre swimming pool, surrounded by over a hundred indigenous trees and shrubs, all beautifully illuminated at night. On my arrival at the lodge, I was greeted by an aviary of birds, a pair of colobus monkeys and a tree squirrel. After sunset, the crystal clear African night sky, illuminated by countless bright, glittering stars added to this surreal atmosphere. After a pre-dinner drink, we sat down to a deliciously prepared three course meal and charming company.
Unfortunately, shortly after my arrival, Peter succumbed to some mystery illness which kept him in bed for the duration of my stay there. His wife, Sandra, quickly filled the breach and it was a great pleasure to meet and get to know this dynamic lady, who runs the lodge with an iron fist, combined with tender love and care. Sandra is affectionately called 'mama' by all her loyal staff and one immediately gets the impression that they would be prepared to move mountains for her.
The tastefully furnished lounge and dining area and the spacious bar all add to the atmosphere. A mounted striped marlin adorns one wall and a large wooden board displaying all the record catches boated over the years, makes interesting reading:
| Broadbill | 128.4 lbs | Black Marlin | 998lbs |
| Blue Marlin | 554 | Striped Marlin | 225 |
| Sailfish | 130 | Wahoo | 72 |
| Kingfish | 61.4 | Tunny | 171 |
| Barracouda | 58 | Black Runner | 78 |
| Rainbow Runner | 26 | Hammerhead Shark | 464 |
| Tiger Shark | 910 | Mako | 646 |
| Dorrado | 45.4 | Bonito | 18.4 |
Pemba Channel Fishing Club boasts three fully equipped, professional, big-game fishing boats. Jasiri and Shuwari are two American built boats powered by twin diesel turbo-charged Caterpillar engines developing 270 h p each.
White Otter is a 44 ft vessel which has boated more marlin than any other boat in Africa. (in excess of 1,400) Kadi Nahoda, the previous retired helmsman, was the first man in Africa, to boat more than 100 marlin in one season. His record of 116 marlin, still stands to this day.
There are two main seasons at Pemba Channel Fishing Club.
The Yellowfin tuna season runs from August to November and the main Marlin season runs from December to the end of March.
A typical day starts with the anglers woken up at 6 a.m. and after a light breakfast and hot drinks, the anglers and crew are taken out to the waiting boats with the aid of a small dingy. Once aboard, and as soon as the mooring ropes have been cast off, the skipper opens the throttles and the powerful vessels surge forward, heading up to twenty-five nautical miles out to sea, in search of the doyens of the deep. The boats normally return at around 3.30 pm, just in time for a light lunch served in the picturesque garden. In the afternoon the anglers and their entourage are free until dinner is served at around 8.15 pm. The swimming pool is always a popular choice after a long hot day in the African sun.
Besides the marlin, our vessel also boated two sailfish, five dorrado and a barracouda. During a lull in the fishing we were entertained by a pod of dolphin performing amazing antics alongside the boat and small flying fish hurtling themselves out of the water and skimming along the surface for approximately 40 yards, before disappearing into the depths again.
As we made our way back to our moorings, our boat skipper suddenly spotted the dorsal fin of a huge whale shark not more than fifty yards from us. As he cut the powerful motors and quietly drifted towards this awesome creature, this gentle giant of the ocean slowly glided towards our boat before gracefully sinking into the turquoise depths below - a truly magnificent end to an exciting day's fishing.
Travel Facts
The Pemba Channel Lodge - www.pembachannellodge.comThe Pemba Channel Fishing Club - www.pambachannel.com
Flights: Direct flights to Mombasa in Kenya with road transport from there to the fishing venue.
