Fishing Safaris
on the Zambezi river in Zambia and Zimbabwe and the Chobe river in
Botswana
The source of this mighty river begins in a marsh in north
western Zambia and flows through Angola, along the border of Namibia,
Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe to Mozambique, before emptying into the
Indian Ocean.
KAPENTA
The Tanganyika sardine is really two species (Limnothrissa miodon
and Stolothrissa tanganicae) both of which are small, planktivorous,
pelagic, freshwater clupeid originating from Lake Tanganyika in
East Africa.
The local names are Kapenta in Zambia, or Dagaa or Ndgaa elsewhere.
Limnothrissa miodon has been successfully introduced in both
natural and artificial African lakes.
Large kapenta fisheries now take place in the Lake Kariba (Zambia/Zimbabwe)
and Cahora Bassa (Mozambique).
Kapenta are dried and are used as a high protein feed for local
people. |
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KARIBA TILAPIA - oreochromis mortimeri
Known in South Africa as the blue kurper this fish was mistakenly
known as a Mozambique bream and were called 'mozzie's, until it
was found that the Mozambique bream was only found in the Zambezi
River below the lake and beyond the dam.
Olive green "blotches" on its back and sides make it
easily recognisable.
Normally caught at about 2 kgs they feed among weed beds and
are a popular fish using worm bait. |
BROWN
SQUEAKER - synodontis zambezensis
a member of the catfish family - also known as Chokachok.
It can be identified by the three spines, one dorsal and two
lateral.
The name Brown Squeaker comes from the fact that when these fish
are caught, they move their two lateral spines rapidly in their
sockets which emits a squeaking sound.
These spines are capable of inflicting a painful wound that is
very likely to turn septic if not treated at once.
Some anglers are known to remove these spines with a knife or
side cutters before handling the fish.
You will not be the only one trying to catch this fish as the
Squeaker is preyed upon by crocodiles and Tigerfish, and the spines
can often cause fatal injuries to the predator.
Bait
They eat anything, insects, mud, algae and fish, and
are mostly caught at night.
They are disliked by anglers who are fishing with worm on the
bottom, as once
they get a bite from this fish they rarely catch anything else.
The Brown Squeaker is surprisingly tasty but plays no significant
role in the
commercial catches on the lake.
The fish seldom exceeds 0.5kg in weight |
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VUNDU - heterobranchis
longifilis
The largest fish in the Zambezi system, found in Lake Kariba
and middle Zambezi.
A giant catfish which attains well over 60 kg (the very similar
barbel, up to 20 kg, is found both above and below the Falls.)
A bottom-feeding river species usually taken on fillet bait.
Strangely, cheap strong smelling soap is an excellent bait.
The vundu is becoming rare in Kariba and should always be released;
there's no point in killing it.
Prefers quiet waters with deep pools.
Bait preferences include ox livers, hearts, kidneys, plucked
birds, meat and fish.
Both the larger and smaller specimens will use the current and
their heavy weight to combat the angler.
The further they run the greater the possibility of getting snagged
on some underwater obstruction.
Keep the battle in open water and use heavy tackle. |
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