Gabon Season Opener: Week 1 Fishing Report

The 2025 fishing season in Gabon kicked off with a week that tested both skill and patience. Early-season conditions were far from ideal, as the region’s signature heavy rains had yet to arrive. These rains play a critical role in the ecosystem: they push fish from the upper lagoon down toward the mouth and flush fresh water through the system, creating the natural signal that draws oceanic predators, most notably tarpon, into feeding range. Without this push, expectations were modest. Yet the week delivered more action than anyone anticipated.

Tarpon: The Main Attraction

Tarpon were the primary target, with anglers casting stickbaits to entice these powerful migrants. Even with the delayed rains, the lagoon mouth held enough life to produce memorable encounters. Over the course of the week, seven tarpon were successfully landed, the largest tipping the scales at around 30 kilograms. As always, the species proved why it’s one of the most difficult fish in the world to hook. Their rock-hard, bony mouths resulted in numerous missed connections and heartbreaking losses.

One encounter stood far above the rest: an estimated 70-kilogram giant that erupted into two spectacular aerial leaps before wearing through the 180-lb leader in under two minutes. It was a humbling reminder of the raw power these fish possess. For many anglers, even the battle, victory or not, is a highlight of the trip.

Variety Keeps the Action Hot

While tarpon were the headline act, the supporting cast was equally impressive. Solid cubera snappers, threadfin, and cob provided consistent action at the mouth and along the shoreline. Their power and aggression kept rods bent during the quieter tarpon windows.

Inside the lagoon, light-tackle fishing delivered constant entertainment. Topwater lures drew explosive strikes from cubera, jacks, and small barracuda around the mangrove edges, while light-jigging sessions near rock formations produced smaller threadfin and cob. These sessions were a welcome break when tides weren’t optimal or when anglers needed a breather from the intensity of tarpon hunting.

A Promising Start Despite Tough Conditions

Although nature held back the rains, the week unfolded smoothly. The combination of tarpon encounters, species variety, and steady action left the group more than satisfied. As the season progresses and the rains eventually arrive, expectations are high for even more dramatic fishing at the lagoon mouth.

For a first week marked by unpredictable conditions, the results were encouraging, and every angler left with a smile, a story, and a well-earned ache in their casting arm. Gabon once again proved that even on a “tough” week, it remains one of the most exciting fisheries on the planet.