Sea Mountain
Truly offshore
Deep sea fishing - Kenya - the seamount of Pemba Channel
The Pemba Channel
Any natural geological formation acts as an attractant to marine life and the Pemba Channel lying between Pemba Island and the mainland is no exception. The fast flowing East African current flows from south to north up the channel where it is forced up by the lip in the north of the channel creating amazing rips and eddies bringing nutrients to the surface. This is what makes the Pemba Channel so special and such a great place to fish.
The Sea Mount
Further afield lies what we refer to as the "Sea Mountain" - a sub-sea island in the middle of a vast expanse of open ocean. This is a huge underwater mountain that forms part of a ridge perpendicular to the current creating massive upwellings and prolific fishing. Surely there can be little adventure available that is more fun than this !
Best fishing
The best fishing that Pat or Simon have ever experienced was at the mountain in mid March when the monsoon was threatening to change back to the south. Leading up to our departure from Shimoni the fishing in the Pemba Channel had been atrocious with flat, featureless seas. We wondered why we were making this trip, but as soon as we crossed in to the main ocean to the east of Pemba Island the sea changed dramatically.
When we arrived on the mountain around midday it was calm, hot and very little was moving other than a lone humpback whale. But as the afternoon wore on the ocean came alive until by 4pm there were skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, frigate mackerel, dorado as far as the eye could see.We rose striped marlin one after the other and had our live baits taken by sharks as well as marlin. When night fell and we began drifting for swords it just got even more dramatic. In the boat's lights were hundreds of small fishes milling about and flying fish were crashing on to the deck. Each boat collected a 20-lt bucket full of these beautifull fishes off the decks, great eating and excellent bait. When one of the boats shifted position in the dark and for a time was heading directly at us with their spotlight reaching out ahead we were gob-smacked. The flying fish were escaping from the oncoming boat in clouds flying out of the search light beam - it was very dramatic. Every boat caught swordfish that night and nobody slept a wink.
If it is at all possible the morning was even more amazing and for some time we just stood and stared. As far as the eye could see there were fish and what looked like flocks of birds turned out to be flying fish like swarms of locusts with majestic frigate birds swooping down them. The yellowfin tuna, all 15-25 kg were everywhere and taking whatever you put in the water. On Kamara we tried to avoid them by using only the biggest marlin lures but it made no difference and in a short time our fish box was full to the brim. But, as soon as the sun grew hot everything sank back in to the depths and the mountain went to sleep. It was a long way home but we had strikes from marlin all the way home. None of us who were there will ever forget that trip !
What fish ??
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Striped marlin
Shimoni is the #1 destination in Africa to catch striped marlin and skippers Pat & Simon Hemphill have landed more than any other skipper in recent years.
Stripies occur over the same months as the sailfish above with an average size of 55 Kg and with individual specimens of over 100 Kg.
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Yellowfin tuna
With a plentiful food supply huge schools of this species are often encountered and typically far more voracious than those nearer the continent.
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Broadbill swordfish
This species is prolific in the mountain waters ! Overnight on the Sea Mountain provides an excellent opportunity.
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Sailfish
Abundant during December, January, February and March and with an average size of between 25 and 30 Kg and often encountered on the way to the mountain.
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Blue and Black marlin
We have encountered blues of all sizes there including one that was without doubt a grander.
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Bigeye tuna
This is the only place in East Africa that these great fighters may be caught, September-October being the best.
The Programme
The sea mount is 55 miles due East of Shimoni and must be done with a minimum of 2 boats. Generally we leave Shimoni at 06:30 arrive at the seamount around noon in time for the evening bite. We then fish for broadbill overnight and after fishing the early morning rise we return to Shimoni arriving at around 15:30 on day 2. Make an enquiry and learn more ...
Important notice
For safety reasons (and to enjoy the company of others interested in our activities of course ! ) these trips are always conducted with a minimum of two boats.
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