The September to November season is well underway at St Brandon’s and we’ll keep this page up to date with all the latest fishing reports.
St Brandon’s atoll in northern Mauritius is a fishery that leaves you wanting more and more, no matter how much time you spend there. The best bonefishing on the planet, plus plenty of world class ‘walk and stalk’ permit fishing has much to do with this, but the simple comfort and space in the lodge has certainly made its mark as well.
St Brandon’s – Fishing report 2 to 12 October
Week five saw us host a fresh bunch of faces for their first trip to the atoll with us.
The bonefishing continues to be on the tricky side. We’re dealing with some unusually high water which we believe is one of the major factors influencing it. That said, a couple of really nice fish still came out, with Greg’s 12lb fish a real trophy.
The permit fishing continues to fire this week, many of our fish coming off the back of a cruising stingray. Not only does this allow for more time when presenting to a fish, the permit generally seem more aggressive to the fly when it appears near to a ray. Justin managed to land a beautiful specimen of 14lb off the back of a cruising fish, it being one of three fish he landed during a single day.
We also encountered good numbers of trevally during the week, with multiple fish hooked. Sadly our hooking to landing ratio was not high, with tackle failure rearing its ugly head. We had loops popping and fly lines getting wrapped around coral, but thankfully Brent managed to hook and land a trophy GT which stretched the tape measure to 118cm. Congratulations Brent on a very special fish which to date is the biggest fish of our season so far.
All in all, a great week of fishing despite some challenging conditions.
Week 5 Conditions: High water, tough light and a light south easterly wind.
Fish Tally
Bonefish x 74 (2 over 10lbs)
Permit x 12
Bluefin Trevally x 8 (2 over 80cm)
Golden Trevally x 2
GT’s x 4 (1 of over 100 cm)
St Brandon’s – Fishing report 25 September to 5 October
The fourth week of the season arrived with some spring tides a freshening south easterly wind. Our guests from the week prior had booked two weeks with us and with them well and truly into the swing of things, we went about showing them what the atoll offered over some bigger tides during their second week.
On the bonefish front, our guests enjoyed a few sessions of early morning skinny water fishing. And although we would have hoped for higher numbers, some special fish still came to hand. Kevin saw a silver shadow slowly making its way down the bank, its tail breaking the surface of the ankle-deep water as it scoured the shallows. He sent the fly in and after two short strips the fish was on. It tore off in the opposite direction like all big fish but after a well-managed tussle a beautiful 10lb fish came to hand. Congrats Kevin!
The permit fishing continued to impress, with guests enjoying some great moments throughout the week casting at tailing fish. One such occurred when CJ and Dougal spotted a permit tailing its way along marl ridge. Dougal made a pin point cast, fed the fish expertly and after his fish made a determined fight he landed a beautiful 12lb specimen. This brought his tally for the trip up to six…terrific! In addition, Hernan and Patricio shared a very special moment when they doubled up on 12.5lb and 11.5lb fish at the same time.
An influx of goatfish congregating around the sand spits and islands attracted higher numbers of GTs and bluefin trevally. Multiple fish were hooked but sadly only a handful of bluefin trevally made it to hand, with tackle failure unfortunately occurring more than we would like.
Week 4 conditions: Spring tides and a stiff south easterly wind
Fish Tally:
Bonefish x 58 (2 of 10lb)
Permit x 5 (3 over 10lb)
Bluefin trevally x 4
St Brandon’s – Fishing report 18 to 28 September
The third week of the season started off with a new group of guests, the majority of whom were going to be spending two weeks with us. Spending a little longer allows us time to build lasting friendships and helps our anglers settle into the rhythm of the ecosystem and experience a wide variety of tides and the atolls different areas.
Due to the height of the water we unfortunately didn’t see the best of the skinny water bonefishing the atoll can produce on week one. But that didn’t stop us from landing some incredible specimens. One angler was fortunate enough to bring a 12.5lb beauty to the net…congratulations Patricio that is truly special catch!
The tricky water height for bones did, however, prove the ideal level for many of the atoll’s stingrays and with them many of the atoll’s resident permit. Our guests were treated to some of the finest wade fishing for permit you could wish for. We ended with 14 permit for the week, most of which were hooked off the back of stingray. Dougal, who is an extremely seasoned permit fisherman managed to land four permit during week one, and the largest was a truly impressive specimen which weighed 18lb. To top it off, he also ticked off his 100th permit landed on fly…..congratulations Dougal!
The trevally were also out and about, with fish seen either free swimming or on the back of nurse sharks. Patrick managed to convert one such opportunity, his first GT on fly measuring an impressive 104cm. Congratulations Pat!
Week 3 Conditions: Neap tides and south easterly winds
Fish Tally:
Bonefish x 86 (four fish over 10lb)
Permit x 14 (one of 18lb)
GT’s x 1 1(one of 104cm)
Bluefin Trevally x 9
If you have been inspired by these St Brandon’s 2023 fishing reports our would like more information on any aspect of fishing at St Brandon’s, please contact Charlotte Chilcott for more information. Alternatively call the office on to +44(0)1980 847389 for more details.