Goliath Tigers

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EugeneC

Sealiner
Hello All,

I have the opportunity to travel to Congo for a week next year in June/July (which I understand is the best time) to try for a Goliath. This is something I've wanted to do for ages and things are shaping up finally. I have done tons of research, so I've pretty much covered whatever can be found on the web. What I'm really looking for is a local contact.

This is obviously a real hardcore destination in fishing terms and I haven't really found any operators that inspire confidence. I'm quite comfortable with a DIY approach, but for this particular trip I'd really like to get a local contact - preferably someone that fishes and has some experience with these fish. A week is not a very long time to target a Goliath, so having some local knowledge will definitely make a huge difference.

If anyone knows anyone and you're willing to share, please let me know, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks in advance,
Eugene
 
E

EugeneC

Sealiner
Anyone? I know there's a couple of Sealiners that have been there and done it, but I'm not sure if they're still active on the site....any input is very welcome, PM me if you don't want to share in public.
 
P

Pershond

New member
There's a book that's about 40 years old (everyone was wearing Speedo's and the boats were made of wood) that was an epic read for Goliaths. They went through bait, setups, spots, etc. I'll see if I can find out what the book is called.
 
I

ignatius

Sealiner
Title: "The Largest Tiger-fish of the world-The Goliath"
Author: Douglas Dann
ISBN: 2-9600192-1-0

Hope you find a copy. Never easy to catch them and a logistical nightmare. Check and re-check outfitters and areas before you commit.
 
E

EugeneC

Sealiner
Thanks for the input gents, much appreciated. I have a copy of Douglass Dann's book, from what I understand fishing for goliaths hasn't really progressed much from what they were doing back then in terms of techniques.

From my research it appears these fish are not as scarce as I first thought, but the real challenge lies in getting to the right spots. Boats are a problem, logistics are a nightmare and operators seem to be non-existent.

I've checked out a number of operators and got turned off every single one hearing from past clients about false advertising, broken down boats, credit card scams and all kinds of nasty c***. Hence I'm really keen to find someone I can trust over there. If need be I have no qualms about going it alone, but then it won't be next year, 'cos I'll need a lot more than the 7 - 10 days I'll be able to spend there next year.
 
R

Ryan

Sealiner
Google a guy with the name Dirk Reiche - went to school with him many moons ago - I think he is on Facebook - but at some stage about 5 years back he was leading groups to that part of the world for Goliaths flyfishing.
 
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Fishpaste

Sealiner
Recorded a program j the other night on DSTV regarding tigerfish...Africa's Piranha or something like that and I am sure there will be a Goliath discussion in there. Do a search and see if you can find it.
 
A

Ant86

Sealiner
Have a look here, sure will get some leads for a trip. Its quite an epic report.

http://www.theflyguides.com/tfg-blog/item/finding-goliath-in-a-war-zone

This could be your go to guy ( I see Dirk Reiche whom Ryan refers to in his post fished with Francois for Goliaths in this youtube clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCnjR4AjShk )

http://www.theflyguides.com/contact/item/francois-botha
 
E

EugeneC

Sealiner
Thanks for the replies guys, appreciated.

Ryan, I think Dirk is a Sealine member, but not active anymore. I sent him a PM a while back, but he's not spending much time on here though. I'll try FB as well, didn't think of that. From what I can gather his company is no longer operating in Congo, or they've gone a little quiet, the webpage doesn't exist anymore.

Fishpaste, I saw that program too and got a few leads from there, thanks for the suggestion.

Antjar, thanks for the links, it looks promising and I'll definitely get in touch with these guys.

Thanks again gentlemen, I sincerely appreciate all advice!
 
E

EugeneC

Sealiner
Does anyone know how I can reach Andy Coetzee? He's the angler in the "Africa's Piranha" doccie mentioned by Fishpaste.
 
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Fishpaste

Sealiner
EugeneC wrote:
Does anyone know how I can reach Andy Coetzee? He's the angler in the "Africa's Piranha" doccie mentioned by Fishpaste.
Click to expand...
Ended up watching the program a couple of nights ago and all I can say is EPIC!!!
Funny thing is I do work in the DRC from time to time but never trusted the situation too much up north...
 
E

EugeneC

Sealiner
I guess the situation in general isn't really all that great, else there would have been plenty of operators making big bucks on the rivers and ordinary folk like me wouldn't be able to dream of fishing for Goliaths.

That said, I know it can be done and I'm not going to give up until I find a way. Whereabouts in the DRC do you work?
 
E

EugeneC

Sealiner
BTW, the link Antjar posted of Francois Botha is seriously hardcore; he fished in CAR, which is a fair bit more intense than DRC! I don't know that I really have the minerals to visit Bangui for a fishing trip...
 
K

Krugel

New member
Antjar wrote:
Have a look here, sure will get some leads for a trip. Its quite an epic report.

http://www.theflyguides.com/tfg-blog/item/finding-goliath-in-a-war-zone

This could be your go to guy ( I see Dirk Reiche whom Ryan refers to in his post fished with Francois for Goliaths in this youtube clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCnjR4AjShk )

http://www.theflyguides.com/contact/item/francois-botha
Click to expand...

Absolutely Fantastic!
 
F

Fishpaste

Sealiner
EugeneC wrote:
I guess the situation in general isn't really all that great, else there would have been plenty of operators making big bucks on the rivers and ordinary folk like me wouldn't be able to dream of fishing for Goliaths.

That said, I know it can be done and I'm not going to give up until I find a way. Whereabouts in the DRC do you work?
Click to expand...
Work for a US company with a mine in the DRC. Freeport McMoran Copper And Gold. Katanga province in the south east.
 
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EugeneC

Sealiner
Hectic, I'm sure you've seen some interesting angles on life...I'm off to Nigeria in a couple of days, just waiting to finalise shipping my stuff - moving to Abuja.
 
F

Fishpaste

Sealiner
EugeneC wrote:
Hectic, I'm sure you've seen some interesting angles on life...I'm off to Nigeria in a couple of days, just waiting to finalise shipping my stuff - moving to Abuja.
Click to expand...
You could say I have seen some things...travelled quite a bit...lived in UK for 10 years...married a Basque "separatist" (Spanish)if I am allowed to say that out loud :?
Not sure I would want to move to Nigeria just yet ;) but that said there are way worse places out there...!
 
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EugeneC

Sealiner
Ha ha! Yeah, I've gone a similar route, lived in the UK, US, India, Middle East and now back to Africa. Didn't marry a separatist, but my wife's Chinese and they're never too far from the action when it comes to stirring in politics ha ha!

When I left SA again 2 years ago I didn't think I'd be excited to return to the darkness, but I really am. Abuja is a little less chaotic than Lagos at least...

If you change your mind about the northern parts of DRC and feel like making a mission after Goliath, you know where to find me ;)
 
S

STB

Member
Hi I had the oppotonity to fish the Congo in 2010,one of my best times ever.I had a contract for 2 months to survey the hole river with 3D scanners from Soyo on the coast at Angola to mitadi.I marked every tiger over 25 kg.these marks is still on my boat today best place for lot of them is s place called Boma and then serlue.but my biggest iv seen was at Mitadi its the highest point a cargo vessel can go up river from the oacen.its the narrowest point of the river being 375 m deep.on the k edd y side it comes up to 25 m dept witch is 20 wide.the big boys play hereupto 80 kg in size.you can fly to Kinsasha then on a small plane to Mitadi stay in the hotel and walk down to the highest point of the key highest up river very nice place to fish on fly as its all grass to the water.youl meet a local there trying ever day but be we'll prepares I fished with a 80 pound malin rig. 80 pound line 7/o wire dubblef up for 1,5m and 12/0 circle hook.to improve your nook up rate shorten your hook point so the barb and point is the same length.it helps
 
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