Tarpon, Threadfin & Trevally: Gabon Group 1 Kicks Off 2025 with a Bang.
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.
As the week unfolded, we experienced Gabon’s signature rhythm: unpredictable and wild, yet incredibly rewarding. Every afternoon, almost like clockwork, large Tarpon would return to the same areas, offering us repeated opportunities to hook into true trophy fish. By week’s end, every angler in the group had hooked into quality Tarpon, though many were lost to leader cuts and hook pulls — including some beasts estimated in the 80–90 kg range.
Beyond the Tarpon, the variety and intensity of the fishing were truly world-class. For two nights in a row, huge numbers of Threadfin invaded the estuary, giving us non-stop action with dozens of aggressive strikes and landed fish. Their hard hits and stubborn fights were a standout moment for many in the group.
We also had a couple of windows to leave the estuary and head offshore to fish around oil rigs. These missions delivered with a solid mix of species: Cobia, Mahi Mahi, several Trevally species, and a few break-offs from unidentified monsters that took us into the reef.
The trip was topped off with a strong showing from some of Gabon’s other heavy hitters — big Kob, Cubera Snapper, Jack, and Senegalese Kob — adding diversity and power to the catch list. During slower midday periods, we switched gears to finesse shore fishing using PE 1.2 setups. Even then, the action kept coming, with Kob, Threadfin, and Senegalese Kob providing plenty of fun and technical challenges.
This first trip of the season set the tone perfectly: high energy, incredible fish, and unforgettable moments. Gabon never fails to deliver — and this was only the beginning.
