Hells Gate Failure or Wise ?

[Moztoppie]

Had a lovely Easter weekend at Santa Maria “Hells Gate”

Malboer and myself decided Wednesday afternoon to leave for Santa Maria early Thursday morning and give the “Gate” a go although there is horror stories from guys with Ski boats but we wanted to try it on the Pro Fishas….We would never knew if not trying it ourselves…our only reference was a Zulu-Extreme warning in 2011..

Got camping space at Bemugi’s and as always Hetta was super…The camp is clean, nice ablution and power point…(5 star against Mili)

We walked the 3.6 km to the point that night on full moon and the perception was that it could be possible to launch through the “gate”
Early Friday morning paddled the estuary looking for the deeper channels pulling Macs and due to the outgoing tide it was wild through the gate and we called it…
On return needed to park the yaks about 1 km from where we entered that morning at day break ..It was dry up to the camp …(Low, low)

Took the family for a nice swim at Ponta A’Brill and tried some drop shots ..strangely no success.. Possibility of Kayak launch looks good if you could pass the shore dump..

With the wind almost zero Saturday morning we tackled the gate again and went through the “gate” almost in the dark on the outgoing tide but was forced North alongside Inhaca into a kind of bay with 6 to 8 meter water……
There was a physical wall of waves about 400 meters from shore were the current met the sea and very, very un predictive…
We went closer and backed up few times and made the decision that it would not be wise to try…For me at least…
Had a nice run in the “Bay” but was dropped..
Beached at the south point of Inhaca and Malboer drifted bait out in the rushing current..and was taken by a Bony…..
Couple of Brozies was swimming upstream into the estuary…
(GO –Pro Battery flat again)
Surely there is certain times when the gate will be safe to launch but the width of that window is very small..and we needed more time to be sure and find that window…Might get out but return is questionable …

Really appreciated my Pro Fisha…… paddling against a 7 km/h current and 12 knot head wind and kept moving with my physique ? …Super yak..!

Sunday morning we almost found the yaks floating from where we left it due to the spring high…Did not launch but packed and took the 5 hour trip back..

Any tips and suggestions on launching at Hells gate will be appreciated because it is a lovely place and entering the coordinates into the GPS at my house before departure it showed 172 km to destinatition……
(5 hours)…I will surely visit it again….

The Pic does not justify the real feel...

 

[Serra Moz]

HG, will be different from day to day, tide to tide... been there boating a few times, usually on the Inhaca side you get some sandbanks stretching / running far out, now I suppose that might be one of the reasons why so many boats flipped there in the past? Swells picking up in seconds, right behind the boat....Not sure how often they update the google pics on HG? But have a look on google, it should give you an idea? You will see a channel running close the a reef on the SM side...., I cannot suggest a best tide, because I have seen it good / bad through all tides, very unpredictable, letting alone me giving you tips on kayaking thru there, but yes, it's possible seen some flat days too... As far as I know, the Inhaca side (East of course) have some restrictions, make sure it's legal to fish there.

 

[CBass]

As said, HG is very very unpredictable. I would like to think that on a Kayak your best bet is to have very little wind, especially a NE wind and then you will have to get your tides correct. You would need to launch around 30min after the Low Tide and then plan to be back 30min before Hightide. I would not venture anywhere near HG on a outgoing tide, especially a Spring Tide. If you find it calm, and can go thru then always run the tightest line you can to the rocks and turn South Asap. If you dont, you gonna run a long way into breaking waves. Also a option is to run in from far North on the inside of that main current that Runs at around 45deg to Inhaca going out. But be very very careful with any plans and MAKE SURE ON THE TIDES!! I have launched there a few times and in Dec I pulled 2 Spearfisherman out of Hells Gate that were probably 30seconds from death! They were messing around in the Gate and the tide turned and they had a spotter in a 3m duck with a 5Hp outboard! I risked my boat to pull them out and was very very pissed off with them!! When I had spoke to them in the pub, they were totally oblivious to the risks associated with HG!

 

[Moztoppie]

Quote...As far as I know, the Inhaca side (East of course) have some restrictions, make sure it's legal to fish there.[/quote]

Serra..Thank you...Yes, actually we came to the conclusion after maybe an hour that we might be illegal there and packed...The paddle into the gate against the outgoing tide was a very good workout...

My google image of September 2016 showed a very open channel without any white water or waves and based on that I thought it to be possible to launch but found a total different scenario...

Still a very nice experience...

 

[Serra Moz]

Moztoppie wrote:

Quote...As far as I know, the Inhaca side (East of course) have some restrictions, make sure it's legal to fish there.

Serra..Thank you...Yes, actually we came to the conclusion after maybe an hour that we might be illegal there and packed...The paddle into the gate against the outgoing tide was a very good workout...

My google image of September 2016 showed a very open channel without any white water or waves and based on that I thought it to be possible to launch but found a total different scenario...

Still a very nice experience...[/quote]


I have / had a map / chart with these co-ords somewhere in my box of wonders, I cannot remember if the zone stretches out to 5nm or 5kms or 3???? However it is from the N tip of Inhaca (Farol).... down to the area where you guys were at....LOL, Before this became a protected area we often use to do good reef fishing / mixed with drift for couta ect... Very productive the locals still fish them to my knowledge? Very good for spearos too, then again I have seen the resident Tiger there too. I you go further out, it get pretty deep, it works in steps more / less, like 100mts - 200mts - 500mts, that's where the okes go for billfish.. Ask any lodge on Inhaca or near SM, for a map, it will indicate the spots that you can fish....as you know some rules and areas are not always well explain and little info regarding it.

 

[Serra Moz]

You should set up a rig for Sailfish next, lots of them around. Funny thing about HG is that I think most incidents (boat flipping) happened on the way back.... due to the fact the skipper has committed himself and cannot back out...

 

[Moztoppie]

Serra Moz wrote:

You should set up a rig for Sailfish next, lots of them around. Funny thing about HG is that I think most incidents (boat flipping) happened on the way back.... due to the fact the skipper has committed himself and cannot back out...

Serra Yes, that is what made me turn...the unpredictivnes..There is a sudden swell from nowhere..
and the thought that I must return..

Will surely rig for those guys, still on the big five short list from the kayak.

I found this confirming what you said:

Maputo Protection Area is a marine protected area in Mozambique. It was established when the government of Mozambique proclaimed the area on the 14 July 2009 and declared the 678 square kilometres (262 sq mi) Marine Protected Area stretching from Ponta do Ouro in the south to the Maputo River Mouth in Maputo Bay in the north (including the Inhaca and Portuguese islands) as a Marine Protected Area, the area stretches three nautical miles into sea. (5.56 kilometers)

How strict it is enforced, I don't know..? surely if you are a tourist it is going to cost you dearly when caught fishing in this areas..

There is total red areas like Techa Banine North to Ponta Dobella which I know is out of bounds..We had a Kayak friend heavily fined when found fishing from his kayak North of Techo camp...

 

[Serra Moz]

Moztoppie wrote:

Serra Moz wrote:

You should set up a rig for Sailfish next, lots of them around. Funny thing about HG is that I think most incidents (boat flipping) happened on the way back.... due to the fact the skipper has committed himself and cannot back out...

Serra Yes, that is what made me turn...the unpredictivnes..There is a sudden swell from nowhere..
and the thought that I must return..

Will surely rig for those guys, still on the big five short list from the kayak.

I found this confirming what you said:

Maputo Protection Area is a marine protected area in Mozambique. It was established when the government of Mozambique proclaimed the area on the 14 July 2009 and declared the 678 square kilometres (262 sq mi) Marine Protected Area stretching from Ponta do Ouro in the south to the Maputo River Mouth in Maputo Bay in the north (including the Inhaca and Portuguese islands) as a Marine Protected Area, the area stretches three nautical miles into sea. (5.56 kilometers)

How strict it is enforced, I don't know..? surely if you are a tourist it is going to cost you dearly when caught fishing in this areas..

There is total red areas like Techa Banine North to Ponta Dobella which I know is out of bounds..We had a Kayak friend heavily fined when found fishing from his kayak North of Techo camp...

lol...Correct enforced? Depends who owns the boat, nuff said.... Personally I think it was an overkill to make a protected area on the Inhaca stretch? Yes do go for S/Fish suggestion!

 

[Moztoppie]

CBass wrote:

As said, HG is very very unpredictable. I would like to think that on a Kayak your best bet is to have very little wind, especially a NE wind and then you will have to get your tides correct. You would need to launch around 30min after the Low Tide and then plan to be back 30min before Hightide. I would not venture anywhere near HG on a outgoing tide, especially a Spring Tide. If you find it calm, and can go thru then always run the tightest line you can to the rocks and turn South Asap. If you dont, you gonna run a long way into breaking waves. Also a option is to run in from far North on the inside of that main current that Runs at around 45deg to Inhaca going out. But be very very careful with any plans and MAKE SURE ON THE TIDES!! I have launched there a few times and in Dec I pulled 2 Spearfisherman out of Hells Gate that were probably 30seconds from death! They were messing around in the Gate and the tide turned and they had a spotter in a 3m duck with a 5Hp outboard! I risked my boat to pull them out and was very very pissed off with them!! When I had spoke to them in the pub, they were totally oblivious to the risks associated with HG!

C Bass..Thank you..Ja, some people do not respect the sea as it should be respected...we always say don't be afraid of the sea but you need to be 100% aware and respectful..

If I have any doubt before I launch I do not launch...No need to put myself ore my attempted rescuers in danger like you have been.... Hope the tab in the bar was on them that evening

That small window on a Kayak is very small and to stay out paddling for 6 hours is OK without wind or current
but how many days on the ocean it is without wind and current..? and then Murphy might give you that once in a lifetime Saily on the way in and be towed around without taking care of time... on a kayak it is up to a 2 hour fight..

We spoke about the fact that HG will be better on Neap tides and might open the window bit wider...Spring tides is violent sometimes and at HG with the tide changing rapidly on the ocean side and the bay still very high it is a recipe for disaster..at some stage the wall breaks..and all that water wants to level out at once..

 

[Joe N]

Thanks for the valuable info guys. I was planning on taking my fishing ski to Santa Maria this coming Dec; but now reconsidering.

I'm thinking of rather taking my 3.9m rubberduck with 20 hp motor. Do you guys think the duck will be OK to negotiate Hell's Gate for some fishing behind the surf?

Any info on vessel license, fishing license, fishing spots and restricted areas would be appreciated.

 

[Moztoppie]

Hi Joe

Yes, the ski in the bay is OK, (West of Inhaca) trawling the channels but exiting the gate on a ski is dangerous.

The duck is fine,but choose your time of the tide wise, i would enter or exit on the change of the tide and still be very careful.

Fishing licence and launching permits are obtainable at Bemugis, I am not sure if it must be organised before hand.
The normal laws apply on your craft (Seaworthy and COF)

The spots I never got but the whole East coast of Inhaca Island is restricted,
Means North of the gate but to the South you are legal up to Ponta Dobela

Enjoy it and be safe

 

[Joe N]

Hi Moztoppie,

Thank you so much for the information. I will give some feedback on our return.

Joe