St Brandon Blog: 4 – 14 & 11 – 21 Sept 2023

Welcome to the start of our Sept – Nov 2023 St Brandon season. We kicked off with a group of 8 guests who had thankfully opted to spend two weeks with us and who were clearly eager to enjoy some of the world class flats fishing this remote Indian Ocean atoll is best known for.

Week 1 Conditions: Neap tides and a steady south easterly wind

In terms of the Bonefishing, we were straight into the swing of things with some world class skinny water tailing fish…on certain occasions there seemed to be fish as far as the eye could see. Some fantastic fish were landed, with good numbers of fish between 4-8lbs and seven fish over 9lbs coming to our nets. A special mention must however go out to Pete who landed landing a gorgeous specimen of 9.5 lbs…congrats on a very special fish Pete!

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The permit fishing was exceptional, with their golden tails making them easy to spot for the excited anglers, who then tried their very best to put their flies onto the proverbially dinner plate. Our guests managed to land 5 beautiful during the opening 7 days, with a special mention going out to Lee on landing ….not one…but two for the week. His biggest fish was a specimen of 11lbs…congrats Lee!

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Although our St Brandon GTs are often few and far between, most of them are truly big fish. We opened our season’s account with a nice one of 100cm, when our guest John achieved this coveted milestone on his very first cast on the atoll! Congrats John on a very special fish!

Fish tally:

Bones x 193 (7 over 9lbs)
Permit x 5 (3 over 10lbs)
GT x 1 (100cm)
Bluefin x 10 (one of 84cm)

Week 2 Conditions: Spring tides & strong south easterly wind

The atoll treated us to some phenomenal skinny water bonefishing! Tailing Bones in ankle deep water made it easy to spot these silver bullets feeding across the flats and our guests enjoyed some classic walk and stalk fishing. Multiple bonefish were caught over the 8lbs mark, with Darren landing a hefty specimen of 9 lbs.

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The permit where again prevalent throughout the week, treating the anglers to some more incredibly nerve wracking but exciting moments. Six fish made it to hand, with Shaun landing an impressive 14lbs specimen. Very well fished Shaun!

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The trevally too were around in good numbers, often witnessed smashing into baitfish hugging the numerous sandspits the atoll has to offer. Congrats to Pete on landing a massive Bluefin Trevally that stretched the measuring tape to a whopping 84cm! Well done Pete…it’s a giant!

All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable opening two weeks with our new friends. We encountered some incredible fishing in one of the most beautiful saltwater landscapes you can imagine. It truly is a privilege to share our love for this place and the fish which make it their home.

Fish Tally: