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Join Intrepid Fly and our renowned skipper
as we take you to experience the best of salt water fly-fishing
and conventional angling as Bassas da India in the Mozambique
Channel. For over 40 years our skipper has travelled to
this atoll and has over 90 tours there to date. This is
one Intrepid Fly's primary atoll destinations, where we
target the widest range of pelagic species both from the
atoll and off a boat. Species include giant trevally, yellow
fin tuna, dog tooth tuna, wahoo, snapper and marlin to name
a few. We are convinced we have found the best and most
untouched locations - the legendary Bassas.
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The Fishery
Bassas da India (also known as Basse de Judie) is
an uninhabited, roughly circular atoll about 10 km in diameter,
which corresponds to a total size (including lagoon) of
80 km². It is located in the southern Mozambique Channel,
about half-way between Madagascar (which is 385 km to the
east) and Mozambique, and 110 km northwest of Europa Island.
It rises steeply from the seabed 3000 m below with a reef
rim that averages around 100 m across and completely encloses
a shallow lagoon that has a maximum depth of 15 m. What
better structure would you expect for the deep sea fishing
trip of a life time. Intrepid has run 3 highly successful
trips to Bassas with the best operator and continue to promote
Bassas our favoured deep sea destination.
The atoll consists of barren rocky islets, with no vegetation,
totalling 0.2 km² in area. Those on the north and east
sides are 2.1 to 3 m high, and those on the west and south
sides 1.2 m. The reef is completely covered by the sea from
3 hours before to 3 hours after high tide. The coastline
of the reef measures 35.2 km. The region is subject to cyclones.
The atoll has long been a maritime hazard and is the site
of numerous shipwrecks some of which are still visible on
the South East of the atoll.
Our guides will take you along the various shelves and
reefs and canyons off the attoll in search of the larger
species. The species most sought after at Bassas da India
are various kingfish species, queenfish, wahoo, dorado and
other pelagic species that also include marlin. The region
produces a steady number of big fish and the term that correctly
describes the fishery is Jurassic … Eat or be eaten,
so you don't often catch small fish, as they will be eaten
on the way in, while the sizable bull sharks remain close
to the top of the food chain .
Off shore fishing is more popular, as it allows the angler
greater freedom to target the surrounding reef while having
a fighting chance of bringing in a trophy giant trevally.
Fishing from the atoll is only possible in a low tide but
proves to be extremely challenging when you appreciate the
reefs structure beneath the surface. While fishing off shore
for the pelagic species, you will be fishing at a depth
of around 30 metres with fast sinking lines, and weighted
flies. You are encouraged to use 12 - 15 weight rods supported
with the best drag system reel you can afford. You can expect
to raise giant trevally, snapper, dorado, tuna, and even
wahoo. There are spans of reefs and deep channels dotted
along this atoll, providing a home to numerous species of
sport fish.
Based on experience we strongly recommend that you consider
approaching this fishery with conventional angling gear.
This allows you to cover more water in various conditions
while having a better chance of actually landing trophy
fish that include GT's well over 100 cm's and wahoo of 30
kgs. Multi-Piece surf rod and coffee grinder or multiplier
with 80lb or braid of 60 lb nylon are recommended, supported
with 60lb to 100lb clear nylon leader (plenty of spare line).
Suggested lures are plugs with heavy duty split rings and
extra strong hooks (plenty of spares), spoons (plenty of
spares), Jigs, Hooks 2/0 4/0 6/0 /8/0. The rest is up to
you. Intrepid fly practices a strict code of catch, tag
and release.
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| Fishing the Flats
There are large shoals of bone fish, and like the Seychelles
one can expect to target cruising GT's with a good chance
of landing them on a 12 weight within the atoll. With more
time available on the 12 day trip, anglers will have more
opportunity to explore the flats and prospect bonefish,
trigger fish, parrot fish and other species.
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| Life on Board
The boat is a 42 feet / 11.5 m. She is the preferred size
of vessel our skipper based on the experience of navigating
and fishing around this remote destination. The guests can
expect to share a double bed in close quarters. The bathrooms
include a hot shower, basin and toilet. There is space for
the guests to sit around the dining table in the saloon
as well as the exterior. There are 2 trampolines on the
front of the ship for guests to lie on as well as sleep
on (weather depending). There is ample space for all the
anglers to fish off the mother ship while guests can spill
into the tender to get closer to the reefs. Guests can enjoy
music, DVD's and magazines onboard.
Each day starts at first light with coffee and rusks. Cereal
is provided until a warm breakfast is served around 8am
after a few hours of fishing. At lunch you can expect to
dip into some fresh tuna sushi and a healthy salad or pasta.
Drinks are available all day and dinner is served around
7 pm once moored au on the atoll. Dinners consist of fish
and meat and are exceptional. Each night you will be expected
to do a 3 hour watch to ensure that the skipper gets some
rest and the crew are safely moored through the night. Intrepid
Fly does recommend that you do this trip as a group who
knows each other based on the fact that you will be living
on top of each other and sharing a double bed for 12 days!
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Conventional Tackle:
| Rod: |
Multi-Piece Surf Rod |
| Reel: |
Coffee grinder or multiplier with 80lb
or braid of 60 lb nylon |
| Lines: |
60lb to 100lb clear nylon leader (plenty
of spare line) |
| Leader: |
100lb carbon coated wire trace |
| Extras: |
Large 80 lb barrel swivels, Good quality
heavy duty snaps. |
| Lures: |
Plugs with heavy duty split rings and
extra strong hooks (plenty of spares), Spoons (plenty
of spares), Jigs, Hooks 2/0 4/0 6/0 /8/0 |
For all your fishing requirements, please contact
us so that we can assist you in your selection. Intrepid
Fly can source all equipment at a competitive price, or
call us to arrange for you to visit a shop we recommend
close to you (SA only).
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