Fishing in Kenya
Kenya is renowned for it’s big game fishing, six deep sea world records have been won on its Indian Ocean coast. Mountain streams teem with rainbow trout and the Northern Lakes are home to Nile Perch.
Fishing Sites
There are various Lakes, Rivers and Dams rich in trout, bass, nile perch and tiger fishing. Fishing sites are Lake Victoria Chania river, Sirimon river, on the northwestern side of Mt. Kenya, Kupungani Bay, Lake Elmenteita, Mfangano Island camp (around Lake Victoria), Kericho (area controlled by Kericho fishing association), Lake Naivasha, Lake Turkana, Kiwaiyn island and Cherangani Hills.
Deep Sea Fishing
Many beach hotels along the Kenyan coast organise sport fishing. However, not many have their own boats. Check equipment before booking or at the very least, ascertain whether a company is a member of the Kenya Association of Sea Anglers (KASA). Also establish who lays claim to the fish caught.
There is a nine month fishing season in the country - from August to April. Blue, black and striped marlin occur all year off the Kenya coast, peaking from January to mid March. December is the top sailfish month while large yellow fin tuna in the 80 kg class are found from late August to early November. August to November are generally the best months for tuna while December to March is generally best for billfish. In the interests of conservation, KASA members support the tagging and release of billfish when it comes to sport fishing.
From May to August the sea is rough and most offshore angling stops. The southern wind blows from mid-March to mid-November, and the northern wind blows the rest of the time.
Shimoni
Located on the very south of the Kenyan coast, opposite the Pemba Channel, Shimoni has been for many years the centre of the big game fishing industry in East Africa. Virtually all the striped marlin, in all line classes, together with many other fish in the Africa Record lists were caught in the Pemba Channel
Pemba Channel Fishing Club
The Pemba Channel Fishing Club is Kenya’s oldest sport fishing operation and the holder of most East African gamefishing records. The Club has 5 boats, Jasiri, Shuwari, White Otter, Pingusi and Countdown, which have the most experienced crews on the coast. Accommodation is available to visiting anglers at the exclusive residential club.
Sea Adventures Ltd
Run by the hugely experienced Hemphill family, Sea Adventures run 2 boats, Kamara and Broadbill which is the largest sportfishing boat on the Kenyan Coast. They specialise in light tackle and all gear from 8 lb to 80 lb is supplied on board. I.G.F.A rules are strictly adhered to and the crews do not strike the fish for their clients, which can render a potential record unclaimable. The tag and release of billfish is encouraged and all fish caught are the property of the client and can be sold on your behalf. Novices as well as experienced anglers are welcome and children’s fishing is available during the off peak periods.
Diani
Located about 20 km south of Mombasa, Diani is the most popular beach in Kenya with many hotels offering fishing trips.
Blue Marlin Fishing Club
The Blue Marlin Fishing Club runs 2 fully licenced boats with a capacity for 6 pax and 3 crew. They run trips to the Pemba Channel, Shimoni, Watamu and Chale and also offer night fishing.
Nomad Boats
Nomad operates 3 fully licenced sportfishing boats with maximum capacity 4-6 pax. All fish caught belong to the company and they issue certificates for big fish. Nomad is a member of I.G.F.A and K.A.S.A.C
Jet Point Fishing Club
Jet Point operates 2 boats and arrange trips around Diani as well as to the Pemba Channel. The larger boat has a maximum capacity of 6 pax and the smaller one a maximum of 4 pax. Both boats include all equipment, radios and safety equipment.
Mt wapa Creek, Howard Lawrence Brown Deep Sea Fishing
Located 18 km north of Mombasa, Howard Lawrence Brown Deep Sea Fishing runs a fishing centre with rustic banda style accommodation and offer light tackle and salt water fly fishing as well as deep sea fishing. They specialise in day trips and extended fishing safaris which include night fishing for broadbill swordfish and sharks. The 2 boats, Kipapa and Bahari, are equipped with international standard equipment and tackle with a variety of line classes from heavy marlin gear to stand-up tackle and salt water fly fishing, spinning and casting gear.
James Adcock Fishing Ltd
James Adcock runs 3 boats specializing in big game fishing, spin fishing, ground fishing and also fishing inside the reef which is ideally suited for children. The minimum period of hire is 4 hours and all charges are per boat. All fish caught belong to the client and all boats are fully licenced.
Malindi
Located north of Mombasa, Malindi is another popular fishing centre, with the surrounding waters especially good for sailfish.
Kingfisher Big Game Fishing
Kingfisher have been established for over 28 years in Malindi and the company landed Kenya’s first ‘grander’ - a blue marlin of 1250 lbs.The company encourages a tag and release programme and in addition to deep sea fishing specialise in salt water fly fishing for all types of game fish, reef fishing and bottom fishing for red snapper, grouper and shark. The abundance of sailfish provide excellent opportunities for light tackle enthusiasts. The boats take a maximum of 4 pax. Most fishing days are from 0600 - 1400, but in the marlin season from mid-December to the end of March the days last at 1700 hours.
Watamu
Watamu is another world famous fishing destination located north of Mombasa and just south of Malindi. There is usually a run of sailfish just outside Watamu between August and September although the main season is usually from November to March. The largest Blue Marlin are usually caught from mid-Feb to March and the main Black Marlin season is from December to March.
Hemingways
Hemingways runs 4 categories of boat and encourage novice as well as experienced anglers. The practice of tag and release is actively supported with certificates awarded to anglers who have done so. Hemingways operate at a number of sites including ‘The Banks”, an area which contains thousands of small fish sheltering in the shallower water and an outside drop off where the bigger fish patrol. Also ‘The Rips”, an area 14 to 22 miles offshore which billfish pass through when they are running. The North Kenya Banks are over 50 miles north east of Watamu and are full of tuna, marlin and broadbill at night. Trips out here are 2 days and 1 night duration. Other areas which Hemingways deals with, are sailfish on a fly, bottom fishing and trolling.
Mombasa
Deep Sea Fishing from Mombasa is becoming increasingly popular, however it is essential to research a fishing company before booking a trip.
Deep Water Sport Fishing - ‘INCA’
The sportfishing boat INCA run by the experienced Eligio Battaia, has a maximum capacity of 6 pax with 3 crew. INCA is moored at Carneval, located next to the New Nyali Bridge in Mombasa, and leaves at 0730 a.m. 4 hour afternoon trips leave at 1300. INCA supports catch and release and can arrange trips to Shimoni and the Pemba Channel.
Lamu
Located on the far north of the Kenya coast this idyllic, tranquil island provides the perfect base for sport fishing
Peponi
Deep sea fishing is organised from Peponi’s hotel in Shela which has 2 fully operational Boats, Gem and Little Toot.
Fishing on Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is the second largest fresh water lake in the world. Rusinga Island(in Lake Victoria) offers excellent fishing as well as being a paradise for bird watchers. Although a causeway connects the island to the mainland many people opt for a flying safari to save time. Nile Perch abound in Lake Victoria and the record catch is over 500 pounds.
Fly Fishing
There is excellent fly fishing to be had particularly for trout in the mountain streams of the Aberdares, the Mau Escarpment and the Cherangani Hills. Lake Victoria has good game fishing with tiger fish and the giant Nile Perch.
Big Game Fish found off the Kenya Coast
big game fish off the Kenya Coast include: Sailfish, Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Broadbill, Sharks, Yellowfin Tuna and Wahoo.
Sailfish
Locally known as suli suli, sailfish are the most numerous of the billfish found off the Kenya coast. Often playful they jump over the surface of the water in a spectacular display and are dramatic when not overpowered by heavy tackle. The sailfish is most fun on light tackle and are relatively easy to pull in once hooked.
Striped Marlin
These tend to run offshore in cleaner water and can travel in packs. Smaller and slimmer than the other marlin, they can still give a good account of themselves.
Blue Marlin
A jumping blue marlin is the ultimate thrill for an angler as the power and fury of the fish is awesome. Prone to complete changes of direction, boats often have to rapidly re-route as the line is usually desperately low within seconds of opening hostilities. They are often found in deep water following yellowfin and other tuna shoals.
Black Marlin
These are often encountered in shallow water and are very tough fish to catch. They fight deep using their pectoral fins to hold themselves down in the water and fish over 1000 lbs have been fought and lost in these waters.
Broadbill
This is the strongest fighter in the ocean, and are overnight speciality with the boat drifting with squid weighted to different depths and light sticks on the leader.
Sharks
The main sharks found are hammerheads, big tigers and the high leaping mako. Often caught while fishing for tuna, they also take marlin baits.
Yellowfin Tuna
Big yellowfins of over 200 lbs as well as smaller fish are found virtually throughout the year. They are very strong and fight hard often going deep.
Wahoo
Renowned for their searing first run wahoo are one of the fastest fish in the sea. If there is a large shoal, lines are cut by many fish striking at the terminal tackle moving through the water.
Kingfish, Dorado, Giant Trevally, Skipjack and Kawakawa as well as others of tuna descent are other commonly caught fish.
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