February on Alphonse delivered two exciting weeks on the flats. From explosive deep water GT and metre class milkfish to trophy permit and record bonefish sessions, anglers experienced the full spectrum of what the Atolls have to offer. While some species proved elusive on the flats at times, persistence and a willingness to explore different areas rewarded guests with memorable catches and milestone fish.
GT action came mostly from deeper water edges and coral ledges, where patience and persistence paid off with seven fish landed. Charles stole the spotlight with a powerful 102 cm GT taken on a popper near Bijoutier Island. Donald also found success along the same area, landing a strong 84 cm GT after losing several large fish earlier in the week. Michael sight fished a 62 cm GT cruising the lagoon edge, while George and Even each landed impressive fish around 80 cm after some sessions blind casting offshore. Andy also got in on the action and landed two for himself. While the GT’s were more scarce then usual, those that appeared delivered unforgettable fights and memories for our anglers.
An incredible 620 bonefish where landed across the two weeks, including several fish pushing the mid 60 cm mark, with the largest measuring 65 cm. One standout day saw an astonishing 122 bonefish landed in a single session with five anglers each catching more than 20 fish. These powerful silver speedsters kept rods bent and spirits high, often running anglers well into their backing across the shallow flats and lagoon edges.
Milkfish provided some of the most thrilling battles of the period with 6 landed including several impressive specimens. Ross led the charge with a stunning 94 cm milkfish hooked from a group feeding along a lagoon channel. After a gruelling 20-minute fight through coral structure the powerful fish was finally brought to hand. Michael followed with another superb milkfish measuring 92 cm hooked from a large feeding group on sandy flats and fought deep into the lagoon. The following week produced even larger fish. Mark and Collin both landed powerful milkfish close to or exceeding the 1 metre mark, each battle lasting nearly an hour before the fish were safely netted.
Triggerfish fishing delivered 11 fish across moustache and yellow margin species including several trophy specimens. Meredith opened her week with a moustache trigger before later landing a magnificent 51 cm yellow margin triggerfish after a technical stalk along a finger flat. Lane landed her first triggerfish after multiple attempts on tailing fish along the edge of a lagoon finger while several other guests joined the trigger tally throughout the fortnight. The largest moustache trigger of the period measured 40cm and yellow margin reached 52 cm.
Permit provided some of the most memorable moments of the fortnight, with 4 landed. Charlie landed the standout fish, a beautiful 60 cm permit taken from a group feeding behind St Francois Island. After several shots at the cruising fish his flexo crab was finally inhaled resulting in a thrilling fight and a trophy catch. Lane also celebrated her first ever permit on the sandy flats while James combined a milkfish, permit and bonefish to complete an impressive flats slam early in the week.
From record bonefish numbers and metre class milkfish to trophy permit and offshore GT action, the last few weeks were definitely ones to remember. Alphonse and St Francois continue to surprise anglers with its diversity and memorable catches.