Gordon Barnard
New member
Greetings fellow / Lady anglers. This is my 1st posting on the site and I must unfortunately say that all fishing stories are not good ones.
I very recently had the opportunity to spend 10 days on East Coast of the Isle of Mauritius, had a fantastic holiday but witnessed some very disturbing fishing events. Maybe it is the done thing over there and there definitely appears to be no control from any sort of authority. The local beach fisherman parade the shallow waters daily with their fishing poles," from 3m cane sticks to precisely manufactured graphite poles" raping the shallows of all marine life willing to eat the tasty morsels presented on the smallest hocks I have ever seen. I personally witnessed fish as small as 60mm in length being yanked out and placed into hip or shoulder pouches. On one day I say a couple of fisherman remove over 8 different species, ranging from rock cod to silver-biddy, nothing bigger than 150mm. During one or two paddling trips with the kids I notice the same events taking place of timber boats which were pushed around with long wooden sticks, these fisherman also used hand lines. This practice has probably been around for generations and one can only wonder how many species have been affected by this practice (rational exploitation !!!!!).
Let me now add a bit of news on the brighter side; dropshot works very well in Mauritius waters! So for those of you Rock & Surf anglers planning a holiday to Mauritius, PACK THE DROPSHOT OUTFIT. A light 7 or 8 ft rod, I personally preferred my 9ft, reel to suite - no more than 7lb line, cammo worms are a must & few 2' minnows and don't forget a couple of 3/4 oz plugs for those small Kingies. Even though it was the cooler month, "Winter", I am happy to add 4 more species to my Dropshot count, all within casting distance from the beach. Head for a rocky point or a boat jetty early in the mornings or just before sunset and have your plug smashed-up. "The local fisherman almost had a fit when I returned my catches".
Oh yes by the way, don't let the private charter boat operators along the beaches talk you into "Lagoon" fishing; that's fishing inside the reef, you can catch everything catchable from the beach. The Lizard fish of which you will catch many are crazy about the Red commo worms, AND, for those of you EXTREME Rock & Surf guys wanting an absolute awesome experience, there is a local chap offering "REEF" fishing, a must do, look him up when you are there. (Dominique Theveneau - 230 7299120 ). You get taken by boat to the outer rim of the reef and standing on the reef you fish into the deep pelagic zone with rolling White water for really big GT's. A little expensive @ 400 euro but once in a life time must.
One last thing: on trip to Mauritius you will be allowed to take your rod in a rod holder as hand luggage but on the return flight it will have to go through with your baggage.
Well that's it, my bit to add about fishing in Mauritius.
Tight lines
I very recently had the opportunity to spend 10 days on East Coast of the Isle of Mauritius, had a fantastic holiday but witnessed some very disturbing fishing events. Maybe it is the done thing over there and there definitely appears to be no control from any sort of authority. The local beach fisherman parade the shallow waters daily with their fishing poles," from 3m cane sticks to precisely manufactured graphite poles" raping the shallows of all marine life willing to eat the tasty morsels presented on the smallest hocks I have ever seen. I personally witnessed fish as small as 60mm in length being yanked out and placed into hip or shoulder pouches. On one day I say a couple of fisherman remove over 8 different species, ranging from rock cod to silver-biddy, nothing bigger than 150mm. During one or two paddling trips with the kids I notice the same events taking place of timber boats which were pushed around with long wooden sticks, these fisherman also used hand lines. This practice has probably been around for generations and one can only wonder how many species have been affected by this practice (rational exploitation !!!!!).
Let me now add a bit of news on the brighter side; dropshot works very well in Mauritius waters! So for those of you Rock & Surf anglers planning a holiday to Mauritius, PACK THE DROPSHOT OUTFIT. A light 7 or 8 ft rod, I personally preferred my 9ft, reel to suite - no more than 7lb line, cammo worms are a must & few 2' minnows and don't forget a couple of 3/4 oz plugs for those small Kingies. Even though it was the cooler month, "Winter", I am happy to add 4 more species to my Dropshot count, all within casting distance from the beach. Head for a rocky point or a boat jetty early in the mornings or just before sunset and have your plug smashed-up. "The local fisherman almost had a fit when I returned my catches".
Oh yes by the way, don't let the private charter boat operators along the beaches talk you into "Lagoon" fishing; that's fishing inside the reef, you can catch everything catchable from the beach. The Lizard fish of which you will catch many are crazy about the Red commo worms, AND, for those of you EXTREME Rock & Surf guys wanting an absolute awesome experience, there is a local chap offering "REEF" fishing, a must do, look him up when you are there. (Dominique Theveneau - 230 7299120 ). You get taken by boat to the outer rim of the reef and standing on the reef you fish into the deep pelagic zone with rolling White water for really big GT's. A little expensive @ 400 euro but once in a life time must.
One last thing: on trip to Mauritius you will be allowed to take your rod in a rod holder as hand luggage but on the return flight it will have to go through with your baggage.
Well that's it, my bit to add about fishing in Mauritius.
Tight lines
