Nicky Momberg Yellowfin Tuna 77.7kg makes it two in a row off Shelley Beach
Nicky Momberg Yellowfin Tuna 77.7kg makes it two in a row off Shelley Beach.
77kg Yellowfin Tuna at Shelley Beach
Unbelievably another outsized yellowfin tuna by Nicky Momberg on Nitro. And I get the very rare chance of apologising for reporting that it was a charter boat that caught yesterday’s fish of 101kg’s. Nope, it was Nicky Momberg! On the good ship NITRO.
Congratulations again to Nicky and his crew.
Thank you to Craig from The Tackle Box in Shelley Beach for the photos and weight details of today’s remarkable yellowfin. Maybe the lucky boat Nitro will go out tomorrow and make it three in a row. A hat-trick that no-one would believe without photos that’s for sure!
And here is yesterdays groundbreaking fish all over again…crew in full glory…historical moment for all Shelley Beach deep sea anglers…dreams do come true.
100kg Yellowfin Tuna off Shelley Beach
Here’s to hoping these fish might have recently made KZN a place to come and show off their size. These are huge fish, double the size of anything anyones come with before.
At this stage, these fish were reportedly caught on lures trolled with 80lb gear.
STOP PRESS!
This in from Nicky Momberg, on the fish he caught the day before – the 101kg yellowfin tuna…
“Thanks a lot. Was on a Pulsator Marlin Magnet Kona and we got it on the 1800 meter mark. Took 1h:45 to land it. Was my dreamfish for the past 10 years I’ve been fishing there and knew the fish would be there one day”
You can get your Pulsator tackle right there at the base. The Tackle Box have the best location ever for a tackle shop. Loads of parking. And just on the hill overlooking the launch, as you turn in from the north entrance. Signs everywhere.
If you’re looking for a backpackers in Xai Xai – you’ve found it!
Watch the video…
Bamboo Beach Backpackers is right on the beach at Xai Xai! It features a value restaurant and fun pub. Dorms, singles and doubles at the usual rates. Free tea and coffee.
But the main attraction is certainly the location. Right on Xai Xai Beach itself. The idyllic lagoon style bathing out front is safe and tranquil. The beaches stretch for miles each way and are adorned with features and attractions like rock pools and sandbanks. There is a protective barrier reef which at low tide is completely exposed. This reef runs for miles along the entire stretch.
There is all sorts to do and many activities available at Xai Xai. Deep sea or shore fishing. Scuba diving. Snorkeling. There are many places close by that you can visit by foot.
The infamous Limpopo River joins the Indian Ocean at Zongoene, down the beach to the south. Trips can be arranged. If you’re an avid sport fisherman or fly-fisher, then this is certainly a bucket list type destination. It is wild down there!
Getting to Bamboo Beach Backpackers is as easy as catching a bus. Bus travel in Mozambique has been upgraded phenomenally as of late. Safe and steady, the prices are also completely reasonable. You could get from Maputo to Xai Xai for about R200 or less, on these big new and comfortable busses. Maputo to Inhassoro costs about R300 one way, as a side note.
Getting in touch with Bamboo Beach from the outset of your travels is a good idea. They will arrange your pickup in Xai Xai and transfer to your new beach location.
Catch that sunrise!
“No eternal reward will forgive us now, for wasting the dawn.” – Jim Morrison
The hottest New Years ever was the feeling for the 2017/2018 years Ocean Fest, staged at Fatimas Nest, Praia do Tofo, Inhambane, in Southern Mozambique.
Program
Starting the 27th December 2017, the music poured on out.into the night. Night after night! Daytimes filled with jazzy rocky outfits and local performances. And bang into the New Years party. On the hottest day of the year! And for sure, after super hot days like the 31st, the heavens opened that evening. For 20 minutes. The inevitable eventuality was well foreseen. All were dry and dancing right through the balmy, palmy night.
Music ranged through all the party genres and local talent – delivered by a long list of acts. Many from Mozambique, with the International acts.
The décor, the light show and the sound flooded the dance floor with new years party vibes. The countdown took everyone by complete surprise. When the sun came up on 2018, the party was still in full swing.
History
The Ocean Fest was started in 2008, by Fatimas Nest and a handful of willing musicians and DJ’s. It has grown into something wild with fun and numbers – now, a very talked about event. Many Tofo lovers making the pilgrimage back each year.
Ocean awareness is the driving motivation behind the festival’s conception. Fatimas Nest is involved in many marine conservation activities in the Inhambane area. The sparkling clean beach the very next morning is a great example, that others could easily follow.
Providing alternative means for the local community to make a living, is probably the most immediate and powerful measure that can be taken, to relieve pressure on the vital marine life that Mozambique is blessed with. This measure has a direct focus on the waters right there. Which will have an immediate effect on the marine life out front. If this was the focus of all lodges in the area, a tangible difference would be felt. There are upwards of 80 temporary staffers involved now, plus the permanent compliment, in the Ocean Fest.
Praia do Tofo
The town of Tofo has been non-stop fun all over again. Fatimas Nest has been abuzz with international and local holidaymakers alike. And there have been distractions going on all over the place. Even the surf has been coming to the party. The fishing has been great too. Divers loving the crystal clear waters.
If you would like to find yourself right in the epi-centre of all this action, you best get in touch and make your booking for next year. Bungalows are great value. There are sunset ones facing over the wetlands. And beach bungalows, giving you an early sunrise and ocean views. There are also cool dorm setups. And a sizeable campsite, with all you need. Clean ablutions. Rustic kitchen. Plug points.
Set construction
Fatimas Nest grew in size as the preparations, which started a month back, constructed the Ocean Fest 2017/18 set. Beach bars sprang up. Rain cover was erected. Huge sound equipment installed. Lights. Camera. Action!
Construction time again at Fatimas.Almost done!
Media Coverage
Like last year, and the year before, a full video production is on the go, and will be published on The Sardine News, and on the Fatimas website, the minute it becomes available. You can watch the 2017/2018 event right here for now.
This year, TVM vans were parked around, and expensive looking cameras roamed all over. Watch the news!
Next year, a social net and video news stream will be run right through the Ocean Fest. With many acts going live on YouTube / Facebook. This will run through The Sardine News networks, servers and streaming facilities, who will be on site throughout the 2018/2019 event.
2018/2019 Program
As the Ocean Fest has grown, so has the crew at Fatimas Nest gained the invaluable experience that it takes to stage such a big event. Next year promises even more fun – more acts – more everything. And again, you can be assured of a well managed event, with safety and security being the number one priority.
Fatimas Activities
There is an all new activity centre at Fatimas in Tofo right now. Diving, snorkelling, surfing, fishing, sailing, island hopping…can be arranged right at reception. Or online at https://thesardine.co.za/fatimas/, where an online booking system will run.
December is upon us, it’s fishing time – and the Fishing Republic tackle store, is newly opened in The Strand!
Operator Kegan Matheys has been literally overwhelmed with support and at the same time run off his feet. But he is holding on tight and dealing with the crowds just fine.
Kegan has dressed his shop up in False Bay style fishing tackle glam. He has loads of shark and other inedible tackle options, but his forte are the kob that swim the beaches and the bay. Literally pioneering these waters with drop shot and plastic bait fishing, you can visit Kegan for advice and direction. And even hook up a fishing trip or outing with other learner or more experienced anglers.
False Bay is a beautiful place to fish. And going with a few anglers together, makes it all the more safer and fun.
Pop in to the Fishing Republic this season…click here for more information. And a map.
See you there!
A great idea is to click along over to the new stores Facebook page at…
Like and stay in touch. To receive notifications of upcoming events and happenings.
The Fishing Republic team aim to be more than just a traditional tackle store. Using Facebook and their website, you can stay in touch and receive notifications about upcoming events, happenings, and fishing trips.
Right on the beach at Fatimas each year! The Tofo Ocean Festival 2017 looks to be the biggest yet. Check out the post party clip for last years event and festivities…
And details for the 2017 event…
Tofo Ocean Festival 2017
Praia do Tofo is the grand stage for the New Years celebrations here in Mozambique 2017. There is something going on in every corner of the party-infused town. But none as big as the main event – the Tofo Ocean Festival 2017. Held at Fatimas Nest – right on Tofo Beach. Over New Years. 27 December 2017 to 1 January 2018!
It’s an ocean festival, aimed at increasing ocean awareness – but it’s all about the music through the summer nights. In full New Year swing, the sun comes up all too soon every day. DJs and musos line up to contribute to the show. They come from all over the place.
The people also come from far and wide for the Ocean Festival and Praia do Tofo. The Tofo “gridlock” turns into an endless street party all leading to Fatimas.
Fatimas – the scene of the Tofo Ocean Festival 2017
Best leave your car where it is and walk and dance the night away. The town has already started filling up. It’s gonna be a really big year at this
You can get your Pulsator tackle right there at the base. The Tackle Box have the best location ever for a tackle shop. Loads of parking. And just on the hill overlooking the launch, as you turn in from the north entrance. Signs everywhere.
December is upon us, it’s fishing time – and the Fishing Republic tackle store, is newly opened in The Strand!
