Typical Fish Catches in the coastal waters of Gambia are:
	Tarpon 20-300lbs Snapper 5-110lbs Grouper 5-10lbs Guitar fish 10-90lbs Thread fin salmon 5-70lbs Jacks 5-50lbs Cat fish 2-60lbs Barracuda 5-70lbs Rays 5-400lbs

West African Shore & Boat Fishing Festival Competition:

Beach Fishing: It is possible to hire a safari land rover to take you from the main hotel resort areas over bush and beach along Gambia's southern seaboard. Here, you can find plenty of sandy bays lined with shallow reefs and rocky outcrops which provide the ideal environment for the dedicated shore angler. A day trip can last around 7 hours. Anglers can choose from a variety of methods including both lure and bait fishing. Shore angling in The Gambia is available at any time of the year and any state of the tide. It is also so diverse that almost any arrangement of tackle can be deployed. For beach angling in the open sandy bays, a standard beach casting outfit is frequently used to throw out the bait beyond the surf's edge. Otherwise, lighter spinning outfits are also a common choice and are used effectively when fishing from the scar reef and rocks. You are advised to bring your own tackle, otherwise you can hire a set from your local operator. Typical catches include species such as Barracuda, Shovel-nosed Rays, Jacks, Stingrays, Cobb and a range of localised species. Blue Water Fishing: Deep sea fishing up to 20 miles offshore on a 28 foot Glacier Bay Catamaran using methods such as trolling, drift fishing, live baits and sight casting to target Sailfish, Dorado, Marlin, Tuna and many more pelagic species. The 'blue water' season in Gambia runs from the middle of May to October. During the summer June to Dec, large groups of migratory Marlin and Sailfish run down the Senegalese and Gambian coasts, along with Dorado, Tuna and Sharks. This adds up to an excellent sport fishery. Creek Fishing: The Gambia's estuary is fringed on its banks by dense mangrove swamps interconnected by a maze of saltwater bolongs. These splendid, wild water-ways make an ideal habitat for a range of tropical fish and an ideal marine environment for the light tackle angler. Shielded from the Atlantic Ocean, the bolong's meandering water-ways are perpetually tranquil and appealing to the boat anglers who prefer to avoid rough waters. Angling methods include both lure and bait fishing. Target species include Barracuda, Butterfish, Ladyfish, Snappers Threadfin Salmon as well as plenty of localised species. Reef: More than 70 different species are regular catches in the reefs - these include Barracuda, Cubera Snapper, Threadfin Salmon, Cassava, Jack Crevalle and Stingrays. Bottom fishing and trolling with 12, 20 and 30lbs gear, it's amazing how hard these fish will fight. The coastal region of The Gambia is made up of many inshore reef sandbars, rocky outcrops and deep channels, as well as the Gambia River. Primarily a tidal estuary, these features provide an ideal marine ecosystem for a number of renowned sporting fish as well as numerous local tropical species. Skiff Fishing: The shallow clear waters of the islands at Tanji are home to numerous predators including Queenfish, Jack Crevalle, Barracuda, Snapper and Tarpon. If you fancy yourself as a bit of a Rex Hunt this is the trip for you, lure fishing on light gear is the name of the game. You may also catch a glimpse of the giant turtles. Sports Fishing: Using this method along the Gambian coastline gives the travelling angler the chance to try out a variety of fishing methods including lure fishing, bait fishing at anchor using a variety of dead or live baits. Moored close to the rocky outcrops and reefs using a simple stainless steel paternoster rig with quite light tackle and local fresh prawns for bait will create many hours of enjoyment for the angler. The exhilaration of battling with a number of tough fighting reef dwellers is increased by not knowing what you're going to catch on your next bait! It is common for over a 12 local species to be caught in this way. On the same fishing grounds, near to the sandbars and reefs you can also aim the larger species. Typical catches include African Pompano, Angel Fish, Moray Eel, Hardhead Catfish, Trevelle Jacks, Grouper, Tropical Wrass, Cubera Snapper, Ladyfish (Nine Bones), King Threadfin as well as other colourful tropical species. Using heavy duty fishing gear, baits such as herrings are gently dropped into the depths to lure some renowned hard fighters. Fishing slightly off the reefs, the West African King Threadfin (locally known as Kujeli) can be hunted down. These recognised sporting fish have become a favorite with anglers. Although a shy feeder, the Threadfin once hooked, will give a lengthy powerful fight all the way back to the boat. Other local species such as Ladyfish react in pretty much the same way. Apart from the diverse bottom fishing that is available, lure fishing or trolling from a traveling boat is a well known method when targeting Barracuda. Moving along the Gambian coastal region, fishing with a selection of artificial lures, it is an anxious time for the fisherman as he passes time in anticipation for his rod to bend over and line start screeching from reel. Believing them to be fleeing fish the Barracuda will strike at the lures. Once hooked, these fish resist being caught hard often emerging from the water's surface in an attempt to release themselves from your hook. Other predatory species such as the Large Pompano, and  Spanish Mackerel are also favorites. A typical full days' sport fishing will often include a combination of different techniques to suit the type of fishing on that particular day. The ever changing tidal coloration and flow of the currents often determines which fishing methods are used and which fish are to be sought after. This decision is best left to the boat's captain and crew whose invaluable local knowledge of fish behaviour and grounds will put you onto what's taking the bait. Tarpon Fishing: Belonging to the Elopidae family they are by far the most powerful gamefish in The Gambia! Do battle with the Silver King or more accurately the Silver Queen as most Tarpon over 150lbs are females. The Gambia is home to some of the world's largest Tarpon; the unofficial world record fish of 303lbs was landed by a UK angler in 1995. The weight of a tarpon in The Gambia can range from 15lb to 250lb, with numerous fish having been caught weighing in excess of 100lbs. A day sport fishing for one of these 7-foot fish off the coast can be the experience of a lifetime. These amazing fish can be targeted using a variety of techniques such as live and artificial bait, rods and line The tarpon give away their presence when they occasionally rise to the sea surface. The 'Silver Kings' as they are sometimes known owe much of their reputation to their often enormous size and their habit of making, spectacular leaps after being hooked on the line. Although these giants can be caught throughout the year the best time to catch the larger specimens is November through to May. Despite have some of the largest tarpon in the world these fish can prove elusive so aiming for the best tides is a critical factor. In Gambia tarpon are mostly targeted over the rise of the high tide in the mouth of the River estuary given good weather conditions. Calm sea conditions are needed to fish the tarpon for the best results and you must be prepared to look at alternatives if the weather turns for the worse. Tigerfish: A chance to travel inland and catch one of the top freshwater sporting fish (Hydrocynus Vitattus). The average weight is 12lbs but in the 2006 season fish up to a massive 23lbs were netted. Superb fishing is available in the waters all around Janjangbureh (Georgetown) on McCarthy Island which is 180 miles up the Gambia River. Angling is done at various spots around prominent features; deep channels and sandbanks, sunken trees and rocky outcrops. Fishing for Tigerfish is usually done in two sessions; early evening and early morning with lure fishing; slow trolling a variety of lures along the edges of the river banks and around marked features provide the most consistent strikes. Once hooked, this formidable predator will break from the water with a display of powerful turns and twists. You can stay in a secluded bush camp called the Bird Safari Camp which is equipped with a restaurant, bar and swimming pool.