3, 2, 1… let’s go! Early flight from London to Libreville, the capital of Gabon. After weeks of preparation and waiting, the excitement is at its peak. The travel goes as smoothly as it can be, with luggage delivered (what a relief!) and only a short wait at the border. The long trip to get the visa at the Gabonese embassy in London was totally worth it.

The first night delivered plenty of action, with loads of threadfin coming to the boat and a few cobia mixed in. Tarpon, however, were noticeably absent, either holding elsewhere or simply not feeding.

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.

Our first trip of the year to Gabon couldn't have started any better. Just minutes into our first session on day one, as we cruised onto the estuary, a massive shoal of big Tarpon exploded across the surface. The action was immediate — rods bent, reels screaming — and we managed to land two solid fish while losing a few more in the chaos. A dream start.