Deep sea fishing is one of the best activities that tourists enjoy while vacationing on the coastal beaches of Kenya. Over the years, a number of large fish including sharks, marlins and barracudas have been seen and caught in the waters of the Indian Ocean. Deep sea captains and fishermen love a good trip; one that produces huge catches from various locations in the fish-abundant Indian Ocean such as the area around Lamu Island.
Lamu Island is a natural spectacle located off the coast of Mombasa. The city preserves the beautiful architecture used centuries ago, even before the country was colonized by the British. In addition to its beautiful scenery and beaches, Lamu Island is home to what is probably the largest deep-sea fishing spot on the east coast of Africa. The waters of the archipelago are home to some of the most popular sport fishing areas. The sheer volume and variety of fish caught along the Lamu and Mombasa coasts is astounding.
There are several different fish that are easily found in these waters such as wahoo, sailfish, swordfish, blue and black marlin, striped marlin, swordfish, dorado, kingfish, barracuda, mako shark, and tiger shark, tuna, and shortnose marlin. . Although there are over 40 different fish off the Kenyan coast, there are some that are more special than others.
the marlin: This is a very powerful and aggressive fish. A mature Marlin weighs up to 600 pounds and has the strength to throw them into the water when caught. This fish is capable of swimming very deep even when injured and could take nearly twenty minutes to catch, even for a professional deep-sea angler. Striped marlin is much easier to catch in the waters near Pemba Island. They are very agile and free swimmers. When caught, they put on a spectacular stunt show by swimming in and out of the water in an attempt to release the hook. Unlike the Blue and Black Marlin, the Striped Marlin does not dive deep when injured; jump in the air.
The wahoo and the swordfish: The Wahoo has made a name for itself as the fastest fish in Kenyan waters. This fish has the ability to run with a line even when injured. This fish has very sharp teeth and is relatively more difficult to catch and reel in. The Broadbill Swordfish is best described as the most difficult fish to catch. Many times he cuts the line with his very sharp sword as he dives deep into the ocean to avoid being caught.
The shark: This fish is considered the beast of the ocean thanks to its keen sense of smell and teeth. This is one of the most precious fish since it is a rare fish. There are different types of sharks found in these waters, but the most popular are the tiger shark and the mako.
Deep sea fishing is a growing business and sport along the coast and many companies are venturing into leasing boats and fishing equipment. Nothing excites and brain numbs like playing hide-and-seek with fish in their natural habitat, but if you’re determined to complement your next meal, you have no choice but to outsmart the fish.