Mozambique Dec '04

By: Owen Huxtable

Our annual holiday to Mozambique over Xmas yielded superb weather with 30m vis and 29 degree water greeting us on the first day. The action was there from the start with Wahoo, Marlin, Dorado and Mackerel being seen and plenty of big reef fish to keep the diver entertained. So 3rd world is this particular place that there is no electricity or running water – accordingly we shoot for the pot and only claim trophy fish if they are exceptional – otherwise it is purely pleasure diving: So the experience of allowing quality game fish to swim-by unabused is a frustrating (if rewarding one) that takes some time to get used to.

 

On the better days we saw up to 100 Mackerel of 15 – 30lb’s with one or two 40lb fish being seen but eluding the spear. Wahoo were seen on day one and not again and the Giant Kingfish were notable through there absence – usually prolific on the deep pinnacles. We spent most of the time enjoying the clean water and pushing diving depths hunting Green Jobfish in 90 – 120ft of water.

 

The most exciting of all the dives was a late afternoon launch to the pinnacles some 5km offshore. The pinnacle comes up from 45m to 21m and is known for its big pelagics and sharks. We were drifting from the deep over the outside edge onto shoals of baitfish in mid-water, hunting Ignoblis that favour the Westerly wind and reverse current, when a large shape came snaking up from below into my flasher. So appeared a beautiful Sailfish with all its lights on and sail raised, it circled my flasher with two quick passes and then graced of to the surface as quickly as it had come – the fish easily in excess of 40kg’s. Soon thereafter a large Tiger appeared and with the setting sun and deteriorating vis we called it a day - a superb day!

 

Some of the pics alongside are of 45lb Ignoblis, Mackerel and a Marble Leopard Grouper of 33lb’s.