Astove Atoll is famous for big GTs. They don’t come along often but when they do, they can be big. Very big. Astove’s shallow lagoon, with one small entrance surrounded by sheer drop-offs, is a sanctuary for juvenile fish and it’s this that makes it one of the most extraordinary fly fishing destinations on the planet. Along with big GTs, Astove is also frequented by bonefish, permit, barracuda, milkfish, bluefin trevally, triggerfish, yellowfin tuna, dogtooth tuna, wahoo, sailfish and marlin. Great fishing can be had on both spring and neap tides with each cycle giving a host of different opportunities.
Keep an eye on these pages where we will update all the news from the Astove Atoll 2026 fishing season.
29th January to 9th February
The opening weeks of the 2026 Astove season delivered exactly what this remote coral Atoll is known for cliff top GT eats, surf zone permit, lagoon slams, and rods bending from sunrise to sunset. Across the two weeks, returning guests and first time saltwater anglers alike experienced milestone fish, first flats slams, and unforgettable battles in one of the wildest fisheries in the Seychelles.
GT action defined the fortnight, with 51 fish landed across the two weeks, from cliff edges to surf walks and deep coral ridges. The season kicked off spectacularly at the iconic Paulie’s cliffs, where Greg hooked and landed his first GT at 75cm before his guide could finish calling the shot. Jamie followed shortly after, landing his first GT and then adding two more later. His fishing partner responded with three of his own, setting the tone early. Kurt opened his account early and added several more, to his tally from last year. Rob, Matt, and Laurent all joined the action, with one standout session producing 11 GTs between Rob and Matt, alongside two bluefin trevally measuring 70cm and 78cm. The most notable GT of the period came late in the second week when a 90cm fish was landed during chaotic baitfish feeding in the lagoons channel.
Permit fishing continued its exceptional form from last season, with eight fish landed in the first two weeks, including one truly special fish. Bill finally completed his long standing quest for an Indo-pacific permit, landing one in the closing moments before departing for Cosmoledo. His partner, Kat, also got in on the action and landed her very first fish as well.
Matt and Kurt both completed flats slams featuring permit, GT, and bonefish. Laurent, after years of fishing the Seychelles without a permit, finally broke the streak with his first and landed a second later that same day. One of the week’s highlights came in Kurts final session; after scrambling down jagged cliffs to reach moving fish, Kurt made the shot count and landed the biggest permit of the season thus far, a superb 68 cm fish wrestled clear of rocks and surf. Technical, visual, and high stakes, fishing on Astove at its finest.
As always, the bonefish of Astove kept our anglers extremely busy. Bill and Kat opened their week with over 30 bonefish in a single morning. Large surf and lagoon fish featured, including multiple 60cm specimens for Laurent and Kurt near Paulie’s and along the lagoon edges. Bonefish were key to multiple slams and kept rods bending daily, whether feeding along mangroves, cruising the lagoon, or tailing in the surf.
Astove’s fishing delivered variety and power in equal measure, from cliff top action to wading in the surf, it provided it all. The abundance of permit has added an exciting element to the fishery, and the bonefish are consistent as always. All in all, an exceptional start to the Astove season, delivering everything this special fishery and destination has to offer.
If our Astove Atoll News 2026 has piqued your interest and you would like more information on this superb fly fishing destination or any of our other Seychelles operations please contact Peter McLeod or Olly Thompson or call us on +44 1980 847389.
