FISHING METHODS
The majority of anglers who come to Lake Nasser
are mainly interested in catching the big Nile perch. Most who visit the
lake for the first time will catch the largest fresh water fish of their
life; practically everyone achieves this goal and has an angling adventure
they will never forget.
The lake also provides some outstanding sport using lighter tackle. The
difference between heavy and light tackle is considerable. At the top end
you have to be prepared for fish that weigh from 75lb up to 200lb+. In the
middle category you will be taking on fish from 30lb+ and in the lightweight
section the lake abounds with small Nile perch in the 10lb to 30lb bracket,
which are exceptional sport on light tackle. In the 'micro' bracket the lake
is full of juvenile tiger fish and Alestes from 6oz to 2lb; a reservoir fly
rod or a light-spinning rod is great fun.
The only problem with lightweight fishing is, how do you cope when you hook
into a 100lb plus fish? On many occasions I have been fighting a nice tiger
or small perch on light tackle when a huge perch decides he wants the same
for his dinner and then all you can do is to watch in despair as the line
disappears from the reel until the bitter end - snap!
We recommend you bring lighter tackle, which will give you a lot of fun as
well as provide you with a method of getting a supply of both dead and live
bait.
TROLLING
You will catch most of your big Nile perch while trolling because trolling covers a larger area of water than shore fishing and as a result puts the lures in front of more fish. Landing big fish is much easier from a boat than it is from the shore, due to the heavy boat tackle used and the advantages of playing fish from a boat.
SHORE FISHING
Shore fishing is a 'one to one' challenge
between the angler and the huge fish - a big hook up from the shore is
awesomely exciting.
Although it requires more skill than trolling, shore fishing will
occasionally produce extra fish from a good area, rather than trolling over
the same area with a noisy engine.
If you decide to give shore fishing a good try, then you will catch big fish
- the present shore caught record is 179lb.
When shore fishing proceed with stealth don't let the fish discover you are
there otherwise you will spook them. Camouflage is important so wear neutral
colors. Move slowly and when you see a fish freeze, he will not see you if
you remain absolutely still, wait until he is looking away before you cast
or move again.
When a fish is in sight do not cast directly at it even if the fish has
never seen a lure you will frighten it? Place your lure well away from the
fish and retrieve so that the lure runs 6/8 feet off to one side, in the
fish's peripheral vision, he will spot it and attack. Do not retrieve
directly towards the fish otherwise he will think he is being attacked by
something that normally flees in terror.
In some hot spots, which have been heavily fished the fish may be lure shy.
Try a lure that does not have a flashing metal diving vane instead use one
with a plastic vane, which does not reflect sunlight. Rubber shads and
casting dead bait works very well when fish are differcult to catch.
The best months for shore fishing are from March through the summer months.
DRIFT CASTING
When wind conditions are favorable the fishing
boats may be used for drift casting. With the engines switched off and the
occasional use of the anchor for better control hot spots can be covered
reasonably quietly.
FLY FISHING
Internationally very little is known about
fly-fishing for Nile perch, which makes them an even more interesting
challenge for the dedicated fly fishermen. We are starting to make some
progress with the fly fishing for Nile perch 'learning curve' but we still
have a lot to learn. The potential is incredible when one considers the size
of fish available - we capture amazing fish using lures and now we must find
out how to do the same thing with a fly rod. The lake fly caught record to
date is a Nile perch of 56lb.
From what we have discovered the most important consideration is to come
during the right season. It is much easier to catch Nile perch on a fly when
they are in shallower water from mid March through to the end of July.
Tiger fish, which can grow up to 16lb are spectacular fun on a fly rod and
the smaller Nile perch of 20/30lb will also provide an outstanding
challenge.
CATCH AND RELEASE
The African Angler practices a strict catch and
release policy. However, from time to time we do kill the occasional Nile
perch for the kitchen.
A Nile perch of 75lb can be up to 15 years old and when they reach 100lb
they are something like 20 years old. Also, these big fish are the main
breeders and if we kill them we are wiping out future sport on Lake Nasser
as well as our business.
"Don't kill with kindness". It's not always a good idea to give
away lures or fishing tackle as presents to local people. We have a lot of
evidence that these lure are being used for commercial fishing where all the
Nile perch are killed.
Please always be patient when you come to release your big catch. Sometimes
the poor old fish is worn out after giving you his all in a hard fight and
the fish needs time and help to recover and live to breed again.
