The opening weeks of the 2026 Astove season delivered exactly what this remote coral Atoll is known for cliff top GT eats, surf zone permit, lagoon slams, and rods bending from sunrise to sunset. Across the two weeks, returning guests and first time saltwater anglers alike experienced milestone fish, first flats slams, and unforgettable battles in one of the wildest fisheries in the Seychelles.
GT action defined the fortnight, with 51 fish landed across the two weeks, from cliff edges to surf walks and deep coral ridges. The season kicked off spectacularly at the iconic Paulie’s cliffs, where Greg hooked and landed his first GT at 75 cm before his guide could finish calling the shot. Jamie followed shortly after, landing his first GT and then adding 2 more later.
His fishing partner responded with 3 of his own, setting the tone early. Kurt opened his account early and added several more to his tally from last year. Rob, Matt, and Laurent all joined the action, with one standout session producing 11 GTs between Rob and Matt, alongside 2 bluefin trevally measuring 70 cm and 78 cm. The most notable GT of the period came late in the second week when a 90 cm fish was landed during chaotic baitfish feeding in the lagoons channel.
Permit fishing continued its exceptional form from last season, with 8 fish landed in the first two weeks, including one truly special fish. Bill finally completed his long standing quest for an indo-pacific permit, landing one in the closing moments before departing for Cosmoledo. His partner, Kat, also got in on the action and landed her very first fish as well.
Matt and Kurt both completed flats slams featuring permit, GT, and bonefish. Laurent, after years of fishing the Seychelles without a permit, finally broke the streak with his first and landed a second later that same day. One of the week’s highlights came in Kurts final session; after scrambling down jagged cliffs to reach moving fish, Kurt made the shot count and landed the biggest permit of the season thus far, a superb 68 cm fish wrestled clear of rocks and surf. Technical, visual, and high stakes, fishing on Astove at its finest.
As always, the bonefish of Astove kept our anglers extremely busy. Bill and Kat opened their week with over 30 bonefish in a single morning. Large surf and lagoon fish featured, including multiple 60 cm specimens for Laurent and Kurt near Paulie’s and along the lagoon edges. Bonefish were key to multiple slams and kept rods bending daily, whether feeding along mangroves, cruising the lagoon, or tailing in the surf.
Astove’s fishing delivered variety and power in equal measure, from cliff top action to wading in the surf, it provided it all. The abundance of permit has added an exciting element to the fishery, and the bonefish are consistent as always. All in all, an exceptional start to the Astove season, delivering everything this special fishery and destination has to offer.