Fishing on Mafia & Latham Island

These two islands, located not far from the coast of Tanzania, offer the best chance of catching a dogtooth tuna weighing over 100 kilograms. Especially around Latham Island, monster fish are regularly caught. But it’s not just the doggies that are huge here; somehow, all fish species seem to grow a little faster here. When surface fishing, GTs weighing over 40 kilograms are common, and in certain months there are also large schools of yellowfin tuna. There are now several operators offering crossings from Zanzibar.

Hotspots around Lathman Island

• Drop-offs on the west and south coasts
• Seamounts around the island
• Southwest Channel – very productive for tuna

Hotspots around Mafia Island

• Kinasi Pass – depending on the current, there are many GTs here
• Chole Bay – protected lagoon with snappers and barracudas
• Ras Mkumbi (northern tip) – very productive for pelagic species
• Outer Reef Drop-off – perfect for larger predators such as GTs

 

Recommended months: October – April

Fish species:

(In)Shore:

Bluefin Trevally, Snapper, Mangrove Jack

Offshore:

Popping: Giant Trevally, Yellowfin Tuna

Jigging: Jobfish, Dogtooth Tuna Grouper,

Casting: Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo

Recommended lures: