St. Brandon’s Atoll – Hosted Trip Report 2016:
When pondering the question “How far would you be willing to travel for amazing fishing,” it seems easier to answer at a desk behind a computer. It’s harder to answer when you are run down and tired with days of travel ahead of you to get home. Last year I was not sure if I would return to St Brandon’s Atoll. However, when I arrived home, it only took a couple of days to re-commit!
On our recent trip to St. Brandon’s Atoll with FlyCastaway, everyone was in agreement. For that type of fishing, we would easily travel that distance again. St. Brandon’s Atoll is made up of 50 small islands, coral ridges and vast sand flats. It runs 50km north to south. The atoll is situated 270 nautical miles north east from the main land of Mauritius. The crossing to the atoll in 50ft sport fishers can be very pleasant as well as extremely nautical.
Our WorldCast Anglers group were one of the first groups to experience the new guesthouse on Rapheal Island at the north end of the atoll. While it was not luxurious. the guest house was extremely comfortable and a welcomed change to the prior live aboard scenario.
When asked, “Why you would go all that way,” the first thing that comes to my mind is the bonefishing. Not to discount the other species at St Brandon’s Atoll, but simply put, there is no other place in the world where you can catch that size of bonefish in that skinny of water. We only landed 2 fish over 10 lbs. However, the amount of fish that straightened hooks, broke our 20lb or just got away, was simply amazing.
While the GT’s evaded us for the most part of our trip, we lost a monster during picture time and landed one smaller fish during the week. The other Trevally species turned out in numbers. There were several encounters with trophy Bluefin Trevally as well as 10 Golden Trevally being caught. One Golden Trevally measured out at 80 cm, a fish of a lifetime!
The Indo-Pacific Permit of St. Brandon’s Atoll amazingly cooperated during our trip. Our WorldCast Anglers group completed their week with 10 permit landed. This beat the Atoll record of 7 permit landed, truly icing on the cake!!
The weather cooperated for the most of the trip. Most importantly, we had an amazing group of anglers and guides. It truly was a pleasure. When pondering the question, “How far would you be willing to go to fish,” I think the unanimous answer after this trip by this group was “really far!”
We also got to see some other fish you don’t get to see every day, we look forward to 2017! For more information on this trip in 2017, please email WorldCast Anglers or call us at 800-654-0676. You are also welcome to sign up for our e-newsletters. Trip information can always be found on our WCA Hosted Trips webpages.
-Mike Dawes
WorldCast Anglers President
