Malindi has a worldwide reputation for its sailfish fishing. Added to that, we offer fishermen a wide variety of angling, including overnight trips to North Kenya Banks for broadbill, marlin, ‘big tuna’ and shark. We also offer inshore fishing for marlin, sailfish and many other game fish, fly fishing for the sailfish, tuna etc, reef fishing for trevally, barracuda, etc and bottom fishing for a multitude of species.
Our fishing season starts in July and runs until the end of April. The prime time for the “big Tuna’ is the August to the end of October, Broadbill swordfish and black marlin are caught all season, blues and stripeys in February /March and sailfish are plentiful all round the year. In addition, a multitude of pelagic and reef fish are abundant all season.
Daily trips
Full day – 6:30 to 16:30 (10 hours) Short day – 6:30 to 13:30 (7 hours)
On our “normal” daily trips, fishing starts right off the Malindi Waters.
Depending on the fishing and seasonal conditions, we then head for the known hotspots (e.g. Mambrui, Ngomeni, Watamu Banks, Rips…) trying different techniques which include…..
- Trolling baits and/or lures for Sailfish, Tuna, Wahoo and Marlin
- Power drifting with live bait for Marlin, shark and Giant Trevally
- Baiting for Tiger shark
- Bottom fishing with bait for Grouper and some tasty Snapper for your lunch
- Jigging for GTs, Yellowtails, Grouper and Snapper
Whatever our clients want, our experienced kingfisher crews are always trying to fulfill their wishes.
The novice angler is encouraged to hook the fish on his own and the helpful crew will patiently coach them through all the tricks to landing the fish successfullly.
Lamu safari
For GT fishing, we offer a jigging & popping ‘fishing safari’ which is a minimum of 6 full & consecutive days charter. Ideally suited to 2-3 fishermen per boat, boats fish the reefs off Lamu and the waters around Kiwayu. The main target species would be GT, etc, etc etc, etc. All fish are caught strictly on a ‘catch & release’ system. These trips are available from mid October to end December each year and then again for a short window in March. .
North Kenya bank
The North Kenya Bank (NKB) is a steep bank, which rises up from very deep water. It is located 36 miles from Malindi and attracts bait fish, which bring in the predators.
The ‘overnight trip’ is a 2-day /1-night trip, departing early and running out at 15-20 knots. It normally takes 2 1/2 hours to reach ‘the inside Ledge’ where we begin trolling. All 3 of the marlin family and sailfish are found here, and are targeted during the day. For the rest of the day we fish slowly out to the ‘outside drop off’ where the water is very deep and the night is spent hunting the elusive broadbill swordfish. At sundown the crew prepare for night fishing, which entails ‘drifting’ with squid deep down or ‘trolling’ very slowly with lures and light sticks. This technique is proven to be the most successful. The next day is spent fishing back to port, trolling until 2pm and then running back, getting in at around 4.30pm.
Available by pre-arrangement only. area.
South Mlima
For those who find the North Kenya Banks trip too long, yet still want to catch a broadbill swordfish, there is the South Mlima.
The South Mlima is about 25 miles from Malindi and therefore it doesn’t take too long to get there and can be a productive area.
It is worth noting that our biggest Broadbill was caught here.
We offer two different options on this trip:
1) Depart around 2pm and fish out to the Mlima (mountain) giving you a chance for other billfish before sunset, when the crew will prepare for broadbill fishing. Either by drifting deep with squid or trolling slowly with strip baits and lures. The next morning we fish back arriving around 10am.
2) Depart at 5pm, cruising straight out to the Mlima. As soon as you arrive the crew will prepare for broadbill fishing as above. At first light we cruise back arriving back around 6.00am.
