Bazoruto Mozambique Grander

[amadougrand]

Duarte A. Moreira Rato's first mate Alex was running Zamizi.

Duarte credits the girl to unusually high water temp and an excess of bait. He also stated the the bite has been exceptional for the time of year, with the previous months big fish being 850 and a 700 was taken farther south at Inhambane which was the largest ever recorded there.

The fish was previously reported by Hook on Granderwatch and the Billfish Report.

[Capt Josh]

Damn another grander! Come on Panama PLEASE cough one up in the next month for me!!!!

[MarlinMoz]

The 850 was actually caught at bazaruto as well and by the same crew - although it was my second deckhand on the wheel at the time.

The 700 was at Inhaca, the Island 17 NM out of Maputo the capital city - south of Bazaruto and Inhambane.

Amazing numbers this late in the Season, reports of good fish are coming in from Bazaruto, Inhaca, Inhambane and even Sodwana in SA every single day. Water is up to 26.5c as south as Sodwana, YFT all over the show and even wahoo who are not supposed to be that prolific this time of the year are cutting skirts and providing great fillets daily at Baz.

Good luck Josh, go get those girls in panama...

[amadougrand]

Duarte Rato said he went 2 for 3 yesterday livebaiting with skipjack and YFT. Says the bite is remaining consistent and resulting in an extremely long and unheard of season. Usually they are on to the Tuna and Sails. Also says the bait is everywhere and with the boys down south being rigged with 30lb gear for the Tuna and Sails they are getting blacks in the 150 - 300lb range on the smaller sail baits.

Even the weekend warriors down near Moputo are encountering blacks on almost every outing.

Though the end of a long season where there were at least 2 granders landed and the record was broken twice in the more southerly waters, what a great way to start a new year. I'm sure we will be hearing more from Duarte Rato and the region as the season heats up in the fall.

[JFT]

Love your posts !

[reel fool]

Nice fish for 20 & 30 lbs gear. Congrats.

[amadougrand]

Thanks JFT, but I just pass on the info I get. My job currently doesn't allow me to fish these places that regular (in fact I am still conceptual stage for my first trip with Duarte), but I am working on that. My problem is the fall fish run really coincides with my fall hunting schedule.

Concerning those guys down south working on 20-30 gear, that would make for some sporting fun on a 400lb fish. I'm not a fan/nor endorse intentianally undersizing tackle, but if the Blacks are a bi-catch on the targetted Tuna and Sails then I'm 100% aboard.

Cheers,
MW