Mozambique is a country in South East Africa, famed for its fantastic saltwater fishing opportunities for adventurous travelling rods. Possessing the third longest coastline in the Indian Ocean, which spans over 2,700 kilometres, it offers a vast array of opportunities for anglers fishing from both boat and shore. Our new exciting bluewater destination is found in the incredible Pomene National Reserve in the district of Massinga, in the Province of Inhambane. This isolated reserve spills out over 200 square kilometres of mangrove ecosystems and marine habitats, providing a refuge for water birds, small mammals and nesting turtles above the water whilst below it is home to trophy-sized Giant and Bluefin Trevally, Queenfish, King Mackerel and a host of different Snappers and Jacks.
Limited to just four anglers per week, this wild and remote destination is one of the most secluded and beautiful spots in Pomene, offering an intimate and extraordinary experience in a pristine setting, allowing guests to wet a line, offshore, inshore, from the beach and estuary. If you love your popper, jig and big game fishing and have a true sense of adventure without needing a luxury lodge, then this trip will tick all the right boxes.
The Pomene Reserve holds a special place in the hearts of our partners and friends in Mozambique and is a part of their history. The lodge owner’s grandfather was a passionate fisherman and medical doctor with an adventurous spirit and was the first Westerner to visit the area in 1954. He spent his mornings fishing and afternoons providing medical assistance to the local community. Over the years, the local chief, wishing to show his gratitude, offered the grandfather a small piece of land – which turned out to be 10 hectares, in one of the most remote and beautiful spots in Pomene.
This land has been with the same family for over eighty years, and the new lodge owner has followed in his grandfather’s footsteps, opening doors to anglers from around the globe looking to explore the extraordinary fishing on offer. The operation is small and intimate, with the owner working as the host and fishing guide, with a small support team of dedicated individuals who wish to offer some of the best fishing in the region alongside the best customer service.
To learn more about the popper and jig fishing on offer in Mozambique, visit our YouTube channel.
Our lodge in the Pomene Reserve is self-proclaimed as the Giant Trevally capital of Mozambique, offering some unrivalled sport from both the boat and shore. Most commonly found in shallow coastal waters, including coral and rocky reefs, lagoons, channels and tidal flats, the fish maraud in packs, hammering anything in their path. It’s easy to see why they’re known as the ‘Gangsters Of The Flats’.
A true apex predator, they are acute hunters, feeding on a diet of crustaceans, cephalopods, molluscs and a range of baitfish; it’s also known to employ several novel hunting strategies, including shadowing monk seals to pick off escaping prey, as well as using sharks to ambush prey. Amazingly, footage released in 2017 on Blue Planet II revealed a group of fish hunting birds, specifically targeting fledgelings still learning to fly and adults unfortunate enough to pass low enough, allowing the fish to pounce on them.
Hooking your first GT is an electrifying experience; they can destroy tackle and ego, leaving all in their wake. They’re incredibly fast, mighty powerful and grow to enormous proportions. Across the globe, fish over 180lbs have been recorded, and fish over 100lbs are not uncommon. Once considered impossible to land on fly fishing tackle, they are becoming one of the top target species for saltwater fly fishing anglers.
The fishing in Mozambique in the Pomene Reserve is based on two different vessels – a 21ft Super Cat centre console for offshore fishing and a 15ft Quintrex aluminium boat for estuary fishing. Fishing from the beaches is also possible when conditions and tides allow.
The most popular and effective way to catch the Giant Trevally is to fish with an array of poppers, and stickbaits fished on the water’s surface. Anything with lots of erratic movement and a decent ‘pop’ will attract the attention of the GTs and draw them up through the water column to investigate. Jig fishing and bait fishing (live or dead) are also popular techniques, especially for other species like King and Queen Mackerel. One of the popular things about fishing in the Pomene Reserve is that the methods which work and the array of species on offer are vast.
One of the popular things about this destination is that all tackle and bait is included in the price. However, if you’d like more information about the equipment that is used and the best way to fish, we have some blogs you may find helpful:
Successful Popper Fishing Techniques
Tips & Advice on GT Popper Fishing
Recommended Giant Trevally Lures For Surface Fishing
Being in such a wild and remote location, the accommodation is basic but includes everything you need for a comfortable stay. It’s located between two bodies of water, just a short 150m walk away from the sea. Rods are limited to just four per trip, keeping angling pressure to a minimum and maintaining the unspoilt feel. The lodge features:
Double Bedrooms:
Two en suite (one is an outside cottage)
One double (not en suite)
Additional Room:
One room with two singles
Bathrooms:
Three showers and toilets
There is a spacious indoor lounge, dining and kitchen area, and outdoor lapa and braai area, which provides shade and shelter and can be used for outdoor cooking and entertainment. The lodge has solar-powered electricity but also has a backup generator.
All meals are cooked at the lodge by the in-house chef and are traditional local dishes, emphasising fresh fish and table fare from the ocean. Soft drinks are all included, and so are alcoholic beverages, within reason.
The below itinerary is flexible should you require additional fishing days or additional free days to explore; we can tailor this itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants who can explain all options available.
Depart Any international Airport (See Details)
Arrive Doha Depart Doha
Arrive Johannesburg Depart Johannesburg
Arrive Vilanculos (Mozambique)
Once you have arrived, you will make your way through passport control and follow the baggage collections’ signs. Once you have collected your bags, a representative will be waiting to drive you the scenic drive to the lodge.
Once you have arrived at your accommodation, you will be given time to settle in and unpack. The fishing guide will then come round and make sure you are ready for your next days fishing.
Overnight accommodation: Pomene Lodge (Single rooms) F/B
Over the next six days, you’ll be fishing the famous Pomene Reserve, a haven for all manner of hard-fighting bluewater species, including Giant Trevally, Bluefin, Golden and Big Eye Trevally, King Mackerel, Queenfish and Sailfish, to mention just a few.
It’s possible to fish with an array of poppers, lures and jigs, live baits and dead bait. The fishing is ultra varied and will see you wet a line from the beach and boat.
Overnight accommodation: Pomene Lodge (Single rooms) F/B
A typical day usually starts with an early wake-up call, followed by coffee, tea and rusks to fuel you for the adventure ahead. After that, you’ll take a peaceful walk down to the boat, which will be prepped and ready for the day.
The first stop is usually at a nearby reef to collect bait before heading off to the main fishing grounds, which is just a short steam.
More breakfast and lunch are provided onboard and packed in a picnic basket, along with drinks to refresh you throughout the day.
After an action-packed day on the water, you’ll usually return to the lodge around 3.00pm. Once back, you can unwind with drinks and snacks around the fire while chef Arturro prepares a delicious dinner. After a long, rewarding day, you can retire to your room to rest and dream about the next day’s fishing.
Overnight accommodation: Pomene Lodge (Single rooms) F/B
Once you have packed your bags, you will then be transferred to the airport to start your journey home.
Depart Vilanculos (Mozambique)
Arrive Johannesburg Depart Johannesburg
Arrive Doha Depart Doha
Arrive Home
The season runs from April to October.
Season: April to October
Peak: August to October
Weight: 20lb to 100lb
Average Weight: 30lb
Season: April to October
Peak: August to October
Weight: 10lb to 25lb
Average Weight: 15lb
Season: April to October
Peak: August to October
Weight: 5lb to 15lb
Average Weight: 10lb
Season: April to October
Peak: August to October
Weight: 5lb to 15lb
Average Weight: 10lb
Season: All Year
Peak: April to August
Weight: 10lb to 70lb
Average Weight: 20lb
Season: March to November
Peak: March to June
Weight: 50lb to 100lb
Average Weight: 70lb
Season: April to August
Peak: July to August
Weight: 5lb to 15lb
Average Weight: 10lb
If your group size is bigger or smaller than the standard two people then please contact a member of the Sportquest Holidays team who will help you.
Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently.
| From | To | Duration | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/04/2025 | 30/10/2025 | 10 | £3,259 | Enquire Now |
Prices are based on two adults sharing transfers, fishing and accommodation (unless otherwise stated) and are correct at the time of going to press. Subject to time of year or date and currency fluctuations, these prices may fluctuate slightly due to flight price increases or fuel surcharge.
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