Author Topic: Inhaca trip report Feb 2016 (Read 10388 times)

L Hooker · « **on:** February 25, 2016, 08:48:37 AM »

Every year I do a father son with my old man and this year we decided on InHaca once again. One of my mates and regular crew Shaun was to bring his Dad along as well. So after both Dads safely arrived the day before mine from CT and Shauns from Thailand we packed our gear , made last minute tackle checks and packed the boat. We left Pretoria around 12 pm on Tues 16th Feb and headed towards the Ressano border, we usually overnight in Komati however where dreading the 6am border que so decided to make a quick booking and head through to Matola for the first evening instead of staying at Komati. We had booked accommodation at Palmeiras Guest House in Matola. We arrived in Matola around 7:00 that night and Antonio quickly helped us park the boat and showed us to our rooms. Well what a great decision as Palmeiras is a great overnight spot with clean rooms with AC, cold 2M and great food. Below are some pics of Palmeiras

L Hooker · « **Reply #1 on:** February 25, 2016, 08:49:30 AM »

The following morning wed 17th we waited for the worst of the Maputo traffic to die down, had our complimentary breakfast and headed off around 8:45 to do our boat inspection at the Maritimo offices. The inspection went off without hassle and we headed off to Escola Nautica to get the boat ready for launch. Below is a pic of the MAritimo offices where you pay the inspection/navigation fee and the entrance to the place where your boat is actually inspected.

L Hooker · « **Reply #2 on:** February 25, 2016, 08:50:08 AM »

At Escola Nautica we paid for our parking /launch fees etc and packed the remainder of our goodies on the boat. At Escola Naitica the car and trailer is quite secure and both are parked inside a guarded gate. Marcos (JohnF) came through and met up with us, Pedro (Peterblaze) was unfortunately stuck in a meeting so we only met up on our return. After a quick 2M we launched into a slight chop and got to Manico in about 1,15min . Unfortunatly althou it was high tide I was unaware that it was a neap tide to we had to park at the jetty and get Norman to come pick us up with the Manico Van. Below is a pic of us leaving the marina. Below leaving Escola

L Hooker · « **Reply #3 on:** February 25, 2016, 08:50:38 AM »

The following morning the wind had picked up a bit however we decided to head out and try a few spots, well the fishing in the deep was simply dead, we pulled lures, drifted macks etc etc however unfortunately had to come off due to high winds. On the way in we decided to do some spinning off Portuguese Island and managed to catch a few small GT's, pludgers and a garfish which was the only fish we took pics off before the wind kept the phones in the hatch

L Hooker · « **Reply #4 on:** February 25, 2016, 08:52:01 AM »

Friday was a blow out so we headed to Lukas bar for lunch and did some spinning off Portuguese island and once again caught a few bludger , small needlscale queenfish and small GT's. Saturday was once again a blow out , however with the N wind we decided to head down to Santa Maria (As it would be a bit better protected from the wind ) and have lunch at Nonghuene Lodge on the way there I put out some small raps and hoped for a queenfish, as luck would have it we managed to hook a very nice specimen and Chris (Shauns Dad ) got his PB quuen of 12kg.

L Hooker · « **Reply #5 on:** February 25, 2016, 08:53:12 AM »

Sunday morning it looked as if the wind might die down so we headed off early to try our luck out in the deep. Just of the light house my dad managed to hook and land a very nice GT of 20kg, I later caught a nice Big Eye, the wind drove us off once again so we came in shore and did some spinning off Portuguese Island. See pics of Gt and big eye below

L Hooker · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2016, 08:54:02 AM »

Monday Morning it was raining however we decided to head out and once again try for some couta on the drift, we lost a few however Shaun managed to get once nice one to stick

L Hooker · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2016, 08:54:40 AM »

Here is a random pic of the boat parked out Manico. So althou this time the weather did not play ball we had a great time with our Dads would have loved to get them onto more fish however you cant win them all, the light tackle spinning is always great off Portuguese so if you heading that way don't forget to take your light spinning sticks. If the weather picks up you can always spin in the bay. Hope you enjoyed the report

John F · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2016, 09:28:14 AM »

Seems like the weather kept you guys hydrated.... great catches anyway!

Lovely couta that!

Thanks for the report Sheldon!

CRANKMAN · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2016, 09:33:49 AM »

Sounds like a fun trip, and great to do it with family. A few decent fish as well. Thanks for the report.

L Hooker · « **Reply #10 on:** February 25, 2016, 09:34:11 AM »

Quote from: John F on February 25, 2016, 09:28:14 AM

Seems like the weather kept you guys hydrated.... great catches anyway!

Lovely couta that!

Thanks for the report Sheldon!

Was nice meeting up again Marcos thanks for coming through mate!

L Hooker · « **Reply #11 on:** February 25, 2016, 09:36:27 AM »

Also forgot to mention Marcos we saw 2x Dugongs between Portuguese Island and Inhaca which was awesome. I hope they stay and are not bugged by anyone, thought id just let you know as perhaps you can alert the Marine authorities to possibly protect them??

Thanks Sean.

John F · « **Reply #12 on:** February 25, 2016, 09:50:12 AM »

Quote from: L Hooker on February 25, 2016, 09:36:27 AM

Also forgot to mention Marcos we saw 2x Dugongs between Portuguese Island and Inhaca which was awesome. I hope they stay and are not bugged by anyone, thought id just let you know as perhaps you can alert the Marine authorities to possibly protect them??

Thanks Sean.

This IS GREAT NEWS!!!!

Will certainly let the Reserve staff know. Any idea of their sizes? Both adults?!?

L Hooker · « **Reply #13 on:** February 25, 2016, 10:20:36 AM »

Quote from: John F on February 25, 2016, 09:50:12 AM

Quote from: L Hooker on February 25, 2016, 09:36:27 AM
Also forgot to mention Marcos we saw 2x Dugongs between Portuguese Island and Inhaca which was awesome. I hope they stay and are not bugged by anyone, thought id just let you know as perhaps you can alert the Marine authorities to possibly protect them??

Thanks Sean.

This IS GREAT NEWS!!!!

Will certainly let the Reserve staff know. Any idea of their sizes? Both adults?!?

Marcos they looked rather large if I has to guess they would be adults, we saw them twice however only saw snout and head section as they came up to breath. When we got close they had disappeared into the deeper channel of Portuguese. The direction they came from was from the shallows between Portuguese and Inhaca that opening, and where headed towards the channel infront of Inhaca, when ever we got closer they would duck under water so I did not want to chase them around and scare them off! I hope they stay there would be a great tourist attraction.

John F · « **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2016, 10:22:35 AM »

Thanks!

This confirms previous reports of 2 adults and a juvenile in the area. They spend time in the bay as well as in the Hell's Gate area.

Hope they make it!

You guys were lucky, very rare! All these years I've only seen one dugong in the Saco area (southern bay on my way to Santa Maria)!

Peter Gordon · « **Reply #15 on:** February 25, 2016, 10:56:52 AM »

Fabulous report there Sheldon

Well done on some nice fish

It is a rather nice place that isn't it

L Hooker · « **Reply #16 on:** February 25, 2016, 11:27:03 AM »

Quote from: Peter Gordon on February 25, 2016, 10:56:52 AM

Fabulous report there Sheldon Well done on some nice fish It is a rather nice place that isn't it

Shot Pete, very nice

WalkersKiller · « **Reply #17 on:** February 25, 2016, 11:50:31 AM »

Awesome stuff!

FishStyx · « **Reply #18 on:** February 25, 2016, 12:16:28 PM »

Lekker stuff bud... Thanks for the report. Nice Geet for dad

L Hooker · « **Reply #19 on:** February 25, 2016, 12:48:49 PM »

Thanks chaps, Martin he was super chuffed with the GT