Manou1
5
36,09 ft
Madirokely, Madagascar (MG)
From
$776
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
Fishing in Madagascar
With its location in the western Indian Ocean, next to Mozambique, Madagascar is a true sport fishing paradise. Giant Trevally, Grouper, Jobfish, Sailfish, Dogtouth tu...
Read more..With its location in the western Indian Ocean, next to Mozambique, Madagascar is a true sport fishing paradise. Giant Trevally, Grouper, Jobfish, Sailfish, Dogtouth tuna are just a few exciting species that will attack the poppers & jigs.
Most fishing charters are located in Nosy Be, Nosy Mitsio and Antisiranana.
The wildlife in Madagascar is just staggering. The country is is full of national parks, rainforests, beaches, and animals you won’t find anywhere else. The biodiversity on this island is imense with roughly 200 000 known species like the lemurs, chameleons, frogs and birds, of which 150 000 are endemic.
SEE AVAILABILITY FROM FISHING CHARTER
Most popular fishing boats charters in Madagascar
14 boats for charter near by Madagascar
Our nearest destinations in Madagascar
Tips & Tricks, bait and more
Madagascar is, without a doubt, one of the top fishing destinations in the world. The main island and the surrounding archipelagos provide a wide variety of spots, each with their own unique species.
Giant Trevally
N°1 fish species for all jigging and popping lovers is the Giant Trevally also known as “GT”. This predator features impressive teeth that will destroy your lures. Extremely strong fish! The best time for GT fishing is from November to May, but you might want to avoid December, January & February for the risk of cyclones.
Groupers
There is a large variety of groupers of all different colours and sizes found in Madagascar. Their habitat is the rocky areas and the reefs located all throughout the ocean floor around the island. They can be targeted via fishing techniques such as jigging or with bait.
Humphead Wrasse
The Humphead Wrasse is one of the unique and exciting fish species found in Madagascar. They are also one of the largest and can be found over 6ft in length on occasions. They are commonly fished for in the nearby reef and coral surrounding the island with crustaceans or other natural baits.
Dogtooth Tuna
These beautiful fish are a spectacular catch because they put up an extremely strong fight. They’re one of the top sportfishing species in Madagascar. Slightly smaller than the bigeye or bluefin tuna, these fish are distinguished by their speed & strenth. They can be caught by artificial lures, especially jigs.
Blue Marlin
Some of the biggest marlins can be found when fishing the island of Mauritius, off the coast of Madagascar. They call the warm waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans home. Small tuna and live bait are best for trying to catch one of these prized silver and cobalt-blue fish. Be prepared for a hard and long fight, as the Blue Marlin can grow up to 14 feet long and easily be of 1,000 pounds.
Amberjack
These game fish are most often found around reefs, shipwrecks, or other areas with debris. In Madagascar, you can find them near the Radama Archipelago. They’re recognized by their dark green and black colouring, often with dark stripes. The amberjack is mighty and will put up a fight.
Barracuda
The snake-like fish known for its razor-sharp teeth is no stranger to the waters of Madagascar. You’ll find the Miocene barracuda near Nosy Makamby, a small island off the coast of northwestern Madagascar. A large surface lure is best for catching these fish, but be aware that they can do some real damage to the lures.
Top sport fishing species in Madagascar
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Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) are also commonly referred to as dorado, dolphin or dolphinfish. They are recognizable by their bluntly shaped heads, long dorsal fin and their bright colouring, dark blue and green on their dorsal side and yellow on their sides and underside.
MORE INFO >Dorado
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Distributed throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, the Giant Trevally - also known as GT - (Caranx ignobilis) is the most wanted species for popping lovers. They can be 1,70 cm long and reach up to 80 kg (175 lb)!
MORE INFO >Giant Trevally
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Yellowfin tuna grow fast, up to 400 pounds (180kg) in about a 7-year lifespan, and they range in length from 59 inches to 88 inches long. They’re known for their torpedo shape, with a pointed nose and a sickle-shaped tail, and have dark blue backs with yellow sides (thus their name) with a silver underside.
MORE INFO >Yellowfin Tuna
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Grouper is common name for all the bass-looking-fish from the Epinephelinae Family. This family also includes sea bass by the way. Grouper are colorful predators who like to live in rocky areas, reefs, wrecks where they can hide.
MORE INFO >Grouper
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Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), also known as Ono (meaning “delicious” in Hawaiian), are found in many subtropical and tropical waters. They’re identifiable by their blue-green upper body which shifts into silver towards their belly. They also have blue vertical striping along their sides. These predators are torpedo-shaped and have long and largemouths with teeth.
MORE INFO >Wahoo
FISHING SEASON IN Madagascar
Sport fishing in Madagascar is possible all year round, but due to tropical depressions during the months of January, February & early March, the fishing can be pretty hard this time of the year. This is why normally Madagascar’s fishing season runs from March 15 to January 15. April to July is arguably the best time of year to drop your line, as you’ll find many more Marlin and Sailfish during this time. The best time for GT fishing is from November to May, but you might want to avoid December, January & February for the risk of cyclones.
Spring
Once the wet season subsides, the fishing season kicks into full gear. Fish like the Giant Trevally are popular from March to May.
Summer
Though popular year-round, the prime Blue Marlin season is from October to June. April to June still brings about a few showers, though it’s a beautiful time of year to visit with wildlife emerging after the raining winter months.
Fall
September through November are the best months to hook a Sailfish. Though they can be found year-round, the fall months tend to see larger populations of the prized catch.
Winter
Fishing in Madagascar is great in January and February, but the wet season is approaching. These are the least popular months to visit the island. February brings a higher risk of cyclones. It’s best to avoid during this time.
TOURISM & OTHER ACTIVITIES
Madagascar is full of beaches, history, and wildlife. In the last 14 years, tourism has been on the rise. If calm, natural, and underrated beaches are your thing, then Madagascar is the place for you. Ranomafana National Park is a must-see and is home to the endangered golden baboon lemur. If you’re looking for somewhere historical to spend the day, the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is one of the most sacred spots in the country. It was once home to Madagascar royalty and is hundreds of years old.
You’ll likely eat zebu meat while visiting, which is a local breed of cattle. Food is very heavily meat and rice-based and is absolutely delicious. There are lots of options for vegetarians as well, with a wide variety of noodle dishes.
Visas are required to visit Madagascar, and they can be obtained at all international airports. The fee depends on how long you plan to stay, and can only be paid in cash, so come prepared. You’ll also need proof of yellow fever vaccination to enter the country, though a passport photo is not required.
Visit Nosy Be Radama, Mitsio islands, Cap Saint Sébastien, Castor, Banc du Leven, Banc de la Cordelière, Nosy Saba etc
LEGISLATION / REGULATIONS
You need a fishing license to fish in fresh water and salt water. The fishing charters in Madagascar normally have the fishing license included in the price, so you don't need to buy one if you're chartering a boat.
Frequently asked questions about fishing in Madagascar
According to our customers, some of the most popular fishing charters in Madagascar are:
Manou1
Catamaran Nosy Bleu
Dolphin
Kikao
Manou1
Catamaran Nosy Bleu
Dolphin
Kikao
Depending on the boat, a fishing charter in Madagascar can accommodate up to 6 passangers, although most charters are for 4 people.
Typically in a charter in Madagascar, a fishing boat charter will include the use of the boat, Fishing tackle, Fishing License, Bait & lures. Some charters may also include Snacks and Drinks, while others may allow you to bring your own.
On average, the prices for a fishing trip in Madagascar are around $86 per hour. However, prices can vary depending on factors such as the duration of the trip, the size of the boat, and the number of people. For shorter fishing trips and smaller boats, prices can start as low as $300 for 8 hours and 4 people. During the high season, prices can increase up to $1285 for a 9-hour-trip with 5 people.
In Madagascar, you can fish:
Grouper
Yellowfin Tuna
Giant Trevally
Dorado
Wahoo
. Fishing regulations may vary, so make sure to check them before you go to Madagascar. We recommend Catch & Release, especially for undersized fish (for example using barbless hooks).
Grouper
Yellowfin Tuna
Giant Trevally
Dorado
Wahoo
. Fishing regulations may vary, so make sure to check them before you go to Madagascar. We recommend Catch & Release, especially for undersized fish (for example using barbless hooks).
In Madagascar you can do a variety of fishing methods including Jigging, Bottom Fishing, Tuna fishing, Trolling, Marlin fishing, Popping. Regulations and restrictions vary depending on the species.
