The Amirante Islands, which is part of the group of atolls and coral islands that belong to the Outer Islands of the archipelago of the Seychelles, off the East Coast of Africa, are both isolated and teeming with extraordinary pelagic species. A worthy challenge for any fly fisherman worth his or her salt. With the most popular, are the wadeable flats, shallow clear lagoons, and sheer drop-offs which create exhilarating saltwater fly-fishing experiences.
The
team at Beyond the Reef is supported by fly fishing experts of Alphonse Fishing
Co., which has their base on Alphonse Island. The team is equipped with expert
guides and skippers, superior boats, top-of-the-range equipment, and a strict
catch-and-release policy, the team also guarantees professional game fishing
like no other. Largely protected, Seychelles’ outer islands are home to some of
the most exquisite and aggressive predatory fish species of the oceans.
Giant trevally (Caranx Ignobilis)
A
super predator that is found around the Seychelles in good numbers with specimens
as large as 120 lbs. More so, Cosmoledo is considered the GT capital of the
world with more GTs caught here than anywhere else, globally. Where Cosmoledo
holds larger numbers of GTs, Astove is known to hold larger specimens The
Amirante Islands also holds a healthy number of GTs which are on average larger
than those found at Cosmoledo. This apex predator can be found hunting in the
deep waters of the atoll lagoons as well as in the shallow flats.
Moustache triggerfish (Balistoides Viridescens)
This colourful
and energetic species can be spotted (and targeted) while feeding in the
shallows, both on the flats and the reef edges. Known as a giant, titan, or
moustache triggerfish, it is the largest of the three species that can be
caught in similar numbers at the Outer Islands of the Seychelles. Alphonse
guides were the first to develop the flies, and techniques of catching these
feisty fish, as well as to introduce triggerfish as a much-sought-after trophy
for flats fishermen.
Yellowmargin triggerfish (Pseudobalistes Flavimarginatus)
Yellowmargin
triggerfish are opportunists, feeding mainly on small crustaceans, making them
perfect targets of the fly. The atolls of the Outer Islands offer equal
opportunities when it comes to targeting yellowmargin triggerfish. These
colourful characters have extended anal and dorsal fins that work in
conjunction with each other but in different directions, giving them incredible
acceleration. Yellowmargin triggerfish can weigh up to 15 lbs and reach lengths
of 60 cm.
Indo-Pacific permit (Trachinotus Blochii)
The
Indo-Pacific permit, also known as pompano, is a member of the Carangid family
and a relative of the Atlantic permit. The expert guides prove optimal if
you’re targeting this golden-edged beauty: especially when fishing in the Outer
Islands as this location hold good populations of permit. Found at both the
islands and atolls, a large population will be found in shallow lagoons. As you
travel through the Outer Islands, the size of specimens will differ. These
shimmering carnivores can reach a meter in length and weigh up to 35 pounds.
Milkfish (Chanos Chanos)
This
finicky algae feeder and ferocious aerobatic fighter reaches lengths of up to
180 cm and can weigh over 50 lbs. Fishing guides at Alphonse Island were the first
to develop the flies and technique to lure in these fork-tailed devils; in
fact, the first milkfish caught on fly was at Alphonse and in the St. François
Lagoon. With more milkfish caught here than anywhere else, Alphonse Island is
the best destination in the world for this species. These large-eyed beauties
can often be spotted in small pods with their tails protruding, both on the
flats and offshore at all of our fishing destinations.
Dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda Unicolor)
Dogtooth
tuna is a resident pelagic fish found along the drop-offs in good numbers in
the Outer Islands of the Seychelles. These fish patrol continental shelf
drop-offs and they frequent depths of up to 150 ft. Dogtooth tuna are found
relatively close to shore around these atolls. The size of the populations will
differ from area to area, with specimens as large as 250 lbs caught on a fly in
previous years in some locations. These streamlined hunters with their
characteristic teeth are best targeted in the clear, blue waters off the drop-offs
where they hunt.
Indo-Pacific sailfish (Istiophorus Platypterus)
The
sailfish is one of the faster fish in the sea. It is named for its large dorsal
fin which extends most of the length of its body. As the fastest fish in the
ocean, these agile predators can reach speeds of up to 110 km/h and weigh up to
60 lbs. Although Alphonse holds the largest population and is best equipped to
tease and target these acrobatic fighters with the correct game boats and blue
water teams, sailfish are found throughout the Outer Islands of the Seychelles.
Wahoo (Acanthocybium Solandri)
The
Seychelles waters are known for their incredible numbers of wahoo due to the
rich currents that flow close to the atolls. Reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h,
the wahoo is the third-fastest fish in the sea. On average the Outer Islands
have very similar numbers of fish that range between 10 to 50 lbs. These
elongated predators can often be spotted hunting schools of baitfish.
Barracuda (Sphyraena Barracuda)
This
fierce ambushing predator is distinguishable by its cylindrical body and known
to jump when hooked. Putting up a good fight, these fearsome-looking creatures
are extremely fast and grow to over 240 cm. Although all of our destinations
hold great numbers of barracuda, the largest specimens are caught at in the
Outer Islands, especially Alphonse Island, due to the large population of
bonefish which they hunt on the flats.
Bonefish (Albula Vulpes)
Large
populations of bonefish can be found as they frequent the flats around the
atolls of the Outer Islands. Although Alphonse holds the largest population of
bonefish in the Seychelles islands with specimens reaching up to 6 lbs, there
are larger fish reaching up to 9 lbs in other parts of the Outer Islands.
Bluefin trevally (Caranx Melampygus)
Bluefin
trevallies are distributed throughout the tropical waters of the world with
populations varying according to fishing pressure. The atolls in the Outer
Islands are fully protected; these atolls also have shallow lagoons supporting
healthy populations of juveniles that contribute immensely to the overall
population. These beautiful blue and yellow creatures can reach sizes of up to
80 cm and weigh up to 88 lbs. The best way to target these brightly coloured
species is at the beginning of push tide in the surf.
Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus Albacares)
These
beautiful fish are among the larger of the tuna species and can reach a weight
of up to 400 lbs. Yellowfin tuna tend to follow their bait as they migrate
through the Seychelles islands, thus all our destinations offer good numbers of
this species. The best way of targeting these blue and yellow beauties is on a
spring push tide when the water is clear. Our team of guides is best set up
with the correct game boats and blue-water teams to target these hard fighters.
That
brings us to the end of our list! We hope you are inspired by our top fly fish
in the Indian Ocean. Make sure to get in contact with us should you have any
questions about planning a trip to the Outer Islands of the Seychelles, onboard
a luxury motor yacht.
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