By Scotty Kyle

I live in South Africa. Now my home is about 500 km south of the Mozambican border but for decades, I lived on the coast immediately south of the border and often went up into Mozambique for work, fun and some amazing fishing. Let me tell you about this wonderful part of Africa.

About Mozambique

Mozambique, situated on the south-east seaboard of Africa, with a 2 700 km (1 677 mile) coastline, offers some of the best sport fishing in Africa. From trophy tiger fishing in the mighty Zambezi River to playing a leaping, reel-stripping blue marlin in the ocean, the country offers much that will certainly help to fill the bucket list of an enthusiastic angler. 

Mozambique is a large country, with about 801 000 sq. km (309 267 sq. miles.) of area and 34 million inhabitants. But in many ways, it is a country of extreme contrasts. From idyllic pristine beaches with palm trees, coral reefs and superabundant fish, to completely overfished bays full of people, pollution and little else, from places where you can walk for miles and be completely safe, to localities where being a tourist can be scary and dangerous, Mozambique has it all plus more. But with preparation and local knowledge or guides, it can truly be an extremely exciting, rewarding and relatively cost-effective sport fishing destination. 

Some safety warnings are necessary. Mozambique went through a protracted and vicious civil war that officially ended in about 1990, but still lingers on in some areas. It’s not a good idea to go to the far north of the country, around Cabo Delgado, and certain far north offshore islands, that used to be a paradise for sport anglers, are now very unstable. But if you concentrate on safe coastal regions and specific foreign visitor areas and facilities, and book your trip through a reputable fishing lodge or tourist operator, you can have some of the best sport fishing experiences anywhere in Africa.

Fishing Types in Mozambique

There are three principal types of fishing available: tiger fishing in freshwater, shore fishing and charter boat fishing. All can be easy, fun and successful with a little bit of preparation and care.

Tiger fishing

Mozambique is one of the best destinations for tiger fish (Hydrocynus vittatus), an aptly named freshwater predator that looks like it’s about to tear you apart. The species is common in many rivers, pans and dams; unfortunately, many areas have been over-fished, are difficult to access, or found in “unstable” areas. The best way to enjoy a safe and successful tiger fishing trip is to use an online marketplace like BaitYourHook.com and book your trip from a reputable fishing lodge. 

Prime areas are the huge Cahora bassa dam on the Zambezi River. Various comfortable, fairly up-market, lodges along the river can offer access to exclusive fishing areas plus the equipment, advice and expertise that will optimise your chances of excellent catches.  You can fly internationally to Maputo and then locally to Tete airport. These lodges usually offer to collect you at Tete airport and take you, comfortably and safely, direct to the lodge where all your needs will be met. 

Warmer months are usually better for larger fish, but the lodge will be able to give detailed information to tailor your trip to suit your hopes, ambitions and pocket.

Shore Fishing 

Shore fishing for species like the giant trevally, greenspot trevally, bigeye trevally, barracuda and several hundred other species, can be found all over the Mozambican coast. Unfortunately, in some areas local people have operated beach seine nets, which depressed fish populations. The problem has got even worse lately, with access to improved nets and outboard motors. But with a coastline of 2 700 km., there are still excellent fishing spots left, with fishing camps, lodges and guides available to help you be safe, have fun and catch good fish. 

South Africans tend to drive up the coastal highway to their favourite spot, camp and begin to fish. For visitors from other countries the best option is to book a stay in a reputable fishing lodge, and have the lodge organize the transfer from Maputo international airport. A local lodge or camp employee will also be able to assist you through customs, which is often a great help as few officials speak English. 

The Mozambican shoreline offers excellent fishing for bait, lure and fly fishers. Bait fishers often do best early in the day, late afternoon or after dark. Apart from the usual game species, many species of sharks and rays are often abundant. Lure and fly fishing is usually best off rocky shores and points or along estuaries or tidal lakes. Light, medium or heavy tackle may be used depending on the target species and size of fish. 

Shoals of medium-sized trevallys are present in many areas and can give excellent sport while there is often the possibility of a giant trevally smashing into your lure or fly. This is another reason why it is best to contact a local operator to establish important realities of an area and its fish, well before your visit.

Charter fishing. 

Charter boat fishing for billfish, king mackerel, dorado and many other species is becoming very popular, organised and productive in Mozambique. Many boats are associated with lodges or hotels, and most will collect a visitor from the nearest airport. Many of the island lodges, such as those of the Bazaruto Archipelago, can organise to have you picked up at the airport, taken to a local harbour and then sailed directly to the lodge. This will ensure your safety and comfort and increase your fishing pleasure and success. 

Most offshore boats can target billfish, sportfish or bottom fish. The kind of fishing can depend on the preferences of the visitor but, once you are offshore on a boat, all sorts of things may happen. You could spend all day cruising in magnificent weather – trolling and waiting for a marlin strike – but you could also divert to look at a whale, turtle or even a dugong. If seabirds are seen diving, then it can be excellent sport/fun to speed off and cast into the melee of birds and fish and await a hook-up. 

Casting into a feeding frenzy of fish can be extremely exciting and stressful and lead to snapped lines, tangled lines, bad tempers and/or glorious success. Species like bonito, though not sought-after for food, can be extremely fast and powerful on their first run and all you can do is watch the line peel rapidly off your reel, hold on and pray that nothing gives.

What else you need to know about fishing in Mozambique

• All marine fishing in Mozambique waters requires a fishing license and these should be available at the local “Maritime office”. If you are fishing through a lodge or from a boat, then your hosts will usually organise this for you.
• Vehicle hire in Mozambique is possible, but costly. Clean toilets are scarce even along the coastal highway. It’s best to leave it to your operator to organize all your transfers.
• Police roadblocks can be common, and are usually no cause for concern. Maintain a sense of humour, be respectful and polite, and you aren’t likely to get in trouble.
• Despite all safety warnings, the average Mozambican, including the uniformed official, is a friendly and happy person not looking for trouble (but willing to make a few cents if the opportunity arises). 
• Beware that in Mozambique the term “Lodge” can cover anything from six stars to minus six stars and local conditions can change rapidly.
• Beaches in areas with sport fishing are usually excellent, the water clean and the snorkelling absolutely stunning. 
• Much of the Mozambican shore has a very great tidal range, in the Vilanculos area it can be around 4 meters in a tidal cycle. This can make fishing a little complex, exciting and also imply an element of risk. Once again, a local guide can keep you safe as well as increase your chances of success. 

In conclusion 

Wherever you are in Mozambique it usually feels like a tropical paradise and, in many ways, it can be exactly that for you and your family. The safety warning may sound alarming to a citizen of Western Europe or the USA, but on the ground reality is no worse than anywhere else in Africa, and better than in many places. If you search the Internet for pictures of fishing in Mozambique, you will find amazing and exciting photos and, all going well, your photos could soon be added to them. 

If your dream is to land a trophy marlin or tiger fish it can come true in Mozambique. If your aim is to have an exciting, successful and fun sport fishing experience then again Mozambique is a good choice. On your return home you will not only have the satisfaction of having had an excellent experience you will have learned a lot that will help make your next trip even better. Use a reputable online marketplace such as BaitYourHook.com to explore, find, and book your trip.

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