Deep Sea Fishing | Seychelles, 2023

A detailed route within a custom layer on Google Maps

- 1-
Intro

Two years ago, my family and friends traveled to a heavenly corner of the planet to unwind. The experience was unforgettable, and we knew we had to come back for the fishing. It was evident that the area was teeming with fish, making it an angler's dream.

The captain arrived on the island for a few days to acclimate. He even chose a hotel without air conditioning, but with a stunning view. Mango Lodge was particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset. Its owner, Leslie, moved to the Seychelles from South Africa many years ago to build a cozy boutique hotel hidden in the jungle foliage and mango groves.

- 2 -
Fish Market

We visited the fish markets on Praslin Island several times to see the variety of catches with our own eyes and to learn fishing secrets from the locals. The selection was different each time, (on the photo) mostly consisting of Job fish and a bit of tuna. The fish was expensive, and for tourists, the price would be even higher if they didn't try to bargain. If we sold the fish we caught, we could probably have paid for our trip.

No matter how hard we tried, we never saw red snapper for sale - the fish we wanted to try cooking and learn where and how to catch it. At the last minute, 30 minutes before boarding the catamaran, we accidentally came across a fisherman on the side of the road who was selling red snapper. The fish was popular - within 10 minutes, there was nothing left of the catch.

- 3-
Chef JP (Jean-Paul)

We learned from our friends-fishermen on a neighboring boat that they had hired a chef. We had never done anything like that before and decided to try it. The hotel owner recommended an experienced chef named JP, who had previously worked in several restaurants. He shared his secrets of Creole cuisine and surprised us with new dishes every day.

- 4-
First Day At Sea

We woke up before the break of dawn, while the world was still asleep, and quietly tiptoed our way to the fishing spot.

Our aim was to catch a big fish, so we had prepared for months, poring over fishing blogs and YouTube channels, and shopping for the perfect gear.

As soon as the sun peeked over the horizon, our lines started to tug, and our hearts started racing. Our excitement soared as we pulled out the first big fish (King Fish) of the day, and to our amazement, there were even more to follow.

Just one of these beauties was enough to provide us with a delicious feast for the entire day. It was an unforgettable experience, and we felt incredibly grateful for being able to catch our own food in such a stunning location.

After a while, we finally caught the yellowfin tuna we had been waiting for. The reason for our eagerness was simple: we wanted to try making sashimi, knowing that tuna produces the tastiest raw meat.

From that moment on, we all agreed that the first day of fishing had been an absolute success!

- 5-
Safety at Sea is Important

Unfortunately, our fishing trip wasn't without its share of adventures. With so much gear on board, there were bound to be some risks. One of the fishermen accidentally hooked another one, and we were unable to remove the hook ourselves.

Although we had doctors on board, they didn't have the necessary tools or medications. We had no choice but to head to a private island for help, but to our dismay, they couldn't assist us either. So, we had to make the long, night-time journey back to Praslin Island to find a 24-hour hospital and get some rest after spending 20 hours at sea.

It was a valuable lesson for all of us to never forget about safety rules and to make sure we're well-prepared with medical supplies on board.

- 6-
Equipment for Fishing

After everyone unpacked, we had a total of 18 fishing rods on board. A lot of fishing gear was ordered through AliExpress. The most valuable items were the good attachments for securing the fishing rods to the boat and the fishing fighting belt for hauling in the fish. The most commonly used were trolling gear, which allowed us to cast up to five fishing rods at once and catch fish while transitioning to using a lure or octopus bait. We had one highly popular lure that caught a lot of fish.

- 7-
Fish Collection

We wanted to catch big fish in the ocean. The most valuable species were tuna (as we could make sashimi and steaks out of it) and red snapper. However, along the way, we ended up catching several big kingfish, while our friends from another catamaran caught mahi-mahi, also known as dorado. During the bottom fishing near the reef, we caught numerous colorful fish, but not all of them were edible. Although the locals can cook and eat almost any type of fish if properly cleaned and only the edible parts are consumed. Here's a small collection of the fish we caught from the bottom near Fregate Island.

How many of these do you know? To name a few: Trigger fish, Surgeon fish, Vermillion Rock Cod, Bonefish, Snapper

- 8-
Ocean's Finest

Fishing in Seychelles with nine guys was an absolutely incredible experience! The turquoise waters and pristine beaches provided a picturesque backdrop as we ventured into the deep sea. The thrill of reeling in exotic and vibrant fish, like the legendary red snapper and massive tuna, left us in awe of the region's rich marine life. The camaraderie amongst us, the breathtaking scenery, and the fantastic catches made this fishing trip in Seychelles an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime.

Meet the crew:

• Konstantin "Finn Oceans" – The charismatic leader and angler extraordinaire with a penchant for spinning epic fish tales.
• Stanislav "The Bait Whisperer" – An expert in crafting irresistible bait that lures even the most elusive fish.
• Georgii "The Precision Surgeon" – A highly skilled doctor and surgeon who brings his remarkable precision to the art of fishing. With steady hands and a keen eye, he performs intricate "fish surgeries" with his custom-made fishing tools, ensuring that every catch is a masterpiece.
• Vladimir "The Master of Underwater Camouflage" and stealthy fishing techniques. He can outsmart the Octopus.
• Ivan "The Depths Navigator" – A seasoned sailor and expert skipper with an uncanny ability to navigate the trickiest sea channels and locate the most hidden fishing hotspots.
• Paul "The Mindful Recorder" – Armed with his magic glasses, Paul has an extraordinary ability to record every detail of their fishing expeditions with astonishing precision. His glasses capture underwater footage, fish behavior, and even map out the best fishing spots in his mind.
• Boris "The Aquatic Soother" – A burly crew member armed with an "argument" stick that works wonders in calming down even the most agitated fish during their catch.
• Max "The Spectacle Strategist" – With his impressive collection of sunglasses, Max, also known as "The Lord of Glasses," equips the crew with specialized eyewear that enhances their vision, helping them see everything around, even underwater
• Alexander "The Lucky Snapper" – Gifted with an uncanny sense of smell, he possesses the rare ability to detect the elusive red snapper from afar, guiding the crew to the most bountiful fishing spots