08/01/2025
🌍 **Madagascar. Just another day on the ocean.** 🐟⚓
Many people are curious about what a typical day at sea looks like. Let me give you a glimpse! 🌊
🌅 **Morning Vibes:**
The day starts around 7 AM, with breakfast ready by 8. But before that, many are already busy! Anchored in shallow waters, the early risers kick off their day with popping or bottom fishing using a piece of filet. Mornings are prime time for great catches and a perfect warm-up before lifting the anchor and chasing the big fish.
If the conditions are right, we might linger in the anchorage, trying for spectacular surface strikes from feisty GTs. Once we head into deeper waters, the fishing methods change. We switch to trolling, setting up several rods with various lures: live bonito (which we catch earlier), filets, wobblers, or other artificial baits. Each setup targets different species—sailfish, tuna, barracuda, mahi-mahi, sharks, wahoo, and even the legendary marlin. 🎣🐟
Sometimes, unexpected surprises steal the show—like the rare hammerhead shark we recently caught. And all this is just the morning! In between, we catch bonito on lighter gear, which is both a challenge and a source of bait.
🌞 **Adapting to the Ocean:**
We adjust our methods and locations based on the conditions. Some days, we return to shallower waters for speed jigging or popping to target other species: snappers, groupers, chicken fish, or even GTs. Each day offers a rich variety of ocean life.
While I describe this as a "typical day," there’s truly no such thing! Every outing is different. Whether it’s a sailfish caught on two rods simultaneously, a marlin battling sharks for the bait, or a reel overheating during a frantic fight—it’s always an adventure.
🍴 **Midday Break:**
Around noon, we pause for lunch before resuming fishing. With sunrise and sunset happening at 6 year-round, we head to a shallow anchorage before dusk for nighttime fishing. Night fishing often involves bottom rigs with generous bait portions, targeting fresh fish for dinner. The red snapper is a prized catch, and Judie’s chili-fried snapper—cooked fresh on the spot—is a treat you’ll never forget. 🐠🔥
🍽️ From grilled to raw sashimi, the variety of fish here is unmatched. My personal favorite? Dried wahoo with rice porridge for breakfast—a local crew specialty I always join in for.
🌌 **Night Adventures:**
Some wrap up fishing after dinner, while others fish late into the night, ready to wake up and chase the next day’s big catch.
🏝️ **Is Madagascar a Fishing Paradise?**
Having fished here for eight years, I can confidently say—yes! This is one of the world’s best sportfishing destinations. Our motorized catamaran allows us to access remote fishing grounds beyond the reach of day boats, adapting methods to the conditions for maximum success.
🎣 Most first-timers can’t believe the sheer abundance of fish here. I hope it always stays this way!