Waking up in the dark in Tofinho sure beats waking in the dark in Jhb. Where I have been stationed the last month.
It’s still hard work but without the cold it’s great. And watching first light appear over the ocean is what it’s all about.
My light spinning outfit rigged with an SS Tarpon spoon was rearing to go. Moer coffee got me in the same mood and soon I was casting off The Dragon, a small jutting headland shaped like a Dragon’s head, just south of Tofo.
Water moves around this point at a rapid rate and has scoured the reef to a staunch drop off. And in the waves, backlit by the rising sun, I saw the shoal of black tip kingfish.
In a spectacular National Geographic moment on the point at Tofinho, Dustin Volker and friends were treated to a visit by two huge free swimming Killer Whales, a few days ago!
Every year, as the humpback whales start migrating northwards up the East African seaboard, the Orcas follow. They appear a lot less vicious to humans than what has been depicted before, but they show no mercy to baby humpbacks – a Killer Whale delicacy.
Orcas are also know to rip a great white shark to pieces in order to get it’s liver – another favoured treat for the huge mammalian swimmers.
We couldn’t but help ourselves when presented with another chance to run this classic shot of Dustin Volker shot by Mike VW, first run the Casa Algodoal article last month…
Matt VW captured this sick shot of Dustin “Krusty” Volker sitting tight in the green room adjoining Casa Algodoal. Great shot Matt! Copyright Matt VW. All Rights Reserved.
Dustin Volker, in the proverbial green room, not far from Casa Algodoal, in Tofo, Inhambane, Mozambique, this week already. Casa Algodoal is top drawer modern holiday living…with unobstructed views out over Praia da Tofo. Tofo is a favourite beach destination, and is scattered with backpackers, surfers, divers and travelers out in the warm winter sun looking for adventure.
The diving is world class and many Scuba operators offer all kinds of diving and all kinds of reefs. Humpback whales, dolphins and whale sharks frequent the clear warm waters of Inhambane, and you don’t have to blow bubbles to swim with them…take an ocean safari and snorkel if you like!
The famous calm clear waters of Inhambane Bay are home to seahorses, dugongs, starfish, panzy shells…all sorts, and the bay is great for swimming and snorkeling with whole family. And you can get a boat to the islands or Linga Linga across the bay.
The “manne” can book deep sea fishing trips to target tuna, wahoo, king mackerel and billfish…black marlin, striped marlin and sailfish are all taken off Tofo regularly…which is just down the coast from the famed Bazaruto Archipelago.
Inhambane town is a wonder on it’s own, attractive old buildings, some from centuries ago, characterise the overall state of Mozambique. The place can be challenging but if you maintain your senses and take it on…it’s extremely rewarding.
Anyone who has fished the point at Tofinho, in Inhambane, Mozaambique, will have been impressed by Jimmy Bonefish’s skills. Fishing with a rod and a handline, he consistently produces the best catches…sometimes hauling in two fish at once. I have seen Jimmy coming back from fishing at night with 2 queenfish, 2 kingfish and a huge couta! Subsistence fishing rock n surf must be one of the biggest challenges available as far as career choices go. But Jimmy handles it with aplomb. Targeting big gamefish at night, off a 20ft high point made of razor sharp rock! On his own!
Jimmy Bonefish with another potential world record bonefish, that frequent his local fishing spot at Tofinho often
These huge bonefish weigh around 10kg’s are are readily encountered, and caught, in the surf zone, all around the Tofinho headland.
Other subsistence guys fish off the cliffs right into broken and foaming white water, where they pull out smaller bones by the bunch. Perfect live baits for kingfish and other mean backline predators. These guys only have handlines.
