Shore Based GT Trips Hallaniyat Islands Oman

[Nick Bowles]

One of the pinnacles of GT fishing is to be able to land a monster GT from the shore. This is most probably the toughest challenge there is. You have a lot of factors playing against you to be able to carry out this feat but it is also one of the most exciting ways of fishing. It is in a sense the true hunter vs hunted scenario. You have to be able to get to the location, you have to have the right equipment, you have to have a bunch of luck and above all you have to deal with a very tough and dangerous terrain.

Fishing for monster GTs from a boat is hard enough but now image trying this from the shore! Almost impossible but doable! We are very lucky to be based out on Hallaniyat Island which is 50kms off the mainland and closest point Shuwaymiyah. There are a load of benefits for this including reduced traveling time by up to 3 hours per day but the best part is we are in the middle of Monster GT country.

For the last couple of seasons we have had limited accommodation but this coming season we now have 10 rooms available allowing us to grow the products we are able to offer. This includes offering decidaited flyfishing from 2 27ft Pangas but also to be able to offer Shore Based GT trips. In the passed we have only fished from the shore when weather has been bad or we having a rest day, but now we will set up trips to target GTs from the shore around the islands. We are in a very lucky position that we even have big GTs swimming into our marina in front of the lodge, so the whole place is one big opportunity.

Maany of the points and locations we fish from the boat are accessible by vehicle from the lodge. But we have a lot of additional points and bays that are accessible by one of our pangas that will group off groups to fish from the shore. This is not going to be for the faint hearted and will be a lot of hard work but I think the pinnacle of GT fishing is to land a 50kg GT from the shore!!

The best part of this is that the cost of a shore based trip obviously does not include the charter boat so price wise is a great option to come to the island and enjoy your stay and fishing. There is also the possibility to combine a trip of shore based and boat based fishing!

For more information please contact me at [email protected]

Cheers,
Nick


We are lucky to be the only lodge based out on Hallaniyat Islands 50kms off the mainland in the middle of GT country!

The main Hallaniyat Island, we based on the Southern end. Miles and miles of fishable shore.

The GTs chase in mullet and big eye trevally to the shallows.

Miles and Miles of beaches and points

I think in a month you would not be able to fish all of the islands!

Many of the points, bays and islands are where we fish from the boats and land monster fish. This location we landed a 62kgs GT which would be easily accessible from shore.

[Alex Jordan]

Cool! was hoping we could have a try when we are down not long now!

[Nick Bowles]

Howzit Alex, we can definitely give it a go. I;m going to try a couple of days from various locations. The good part is now there is a road almost across the whole island so we can drive to various locations to fish. There is some deep water close in in a few spots and then points, breaking water, sand bays, lots to choose from! The good part is that we are on the island and can be on spots way before the sun is up and fish until dark so a good chance at getting into the bigger fish.

Cheers,
Nick

[Trevor Skinner]

Can we take a cappuccino maker and 'staff' to carry everything?

I'm in



Trev

[Nick Bowles]

Trev I'll arrange a few porters, and maybe a helicopter to get your gear around! Think maybe for you and me we will try off the marina wall!

I'll have a couple of days before you arrive so will see if we can find a couple of places to try early or late one of the days.

[Evan Gluck]

Looking forward to seeing the results! 

[Alex Jordan]

Dang I am looking forward to the coffee!

[Nathan Tsao]

I've been waiting to see some "off the rocks" action from you guys over there for so long! Anyone can catch GT from a boat, from the rocks is where the action is at!!! Cant wait to see a 50 show up for you or one of your clients Nick, best of luck on the hunt.

[Trevor Skinner]

Nathan,

It'll happen. I've seen big fish chasing bait in very skinny water right next to shore and some of the prime reefs that are fished from the boat are less than 10 metres from good old terra firm. Hooking 'em will be one thing, extracting 'em will be something different but that's the challenge.

The light tackle shore fishing has always been spectacular and if you're handy with the long wand there's a whole new world of opportunities.

Very exciting.


Trevor

[Nick Bowles]

Hi Nathan, It has been something that we have been wanting to do for a long time as the fish are there and in close and some great points to fish off. The lodge is about 200ms away from the first point out on the island, so lots of opportunities and areas, just needed the extra space and time to be able to target the shore areas. I think hooking the fish is one thing landing the fish safely is going to be a whole other problem!! If we can land one 50kg fish for the season I'll be extremely happy, I think this is the ultimate GT prize! I have had big GTs come in close on fly in Seychelles wading and it is a knee shacking experience and leaves the adrenalin ringing in your ears.

I grew up fishing for GTs off the beaches at home but not rocks, so been through a lot of info from your guys side, not going to be easy but a worth while challenge! Got a couple of 11ft spinning rods from SA and also we have a lot of conventional 13/14ft surf rods which are good for casting plugs, so going to try a range of normal Japanese Popping rods and some South African Surf Rods. Will also try the conventional with mono which is how we did it in the old days fishing from shore for GTs, sharks, kings etc. From your experience what would be the best set up?

Cheers,
Nick

[Anton Haakman]

Hello Nick

This is a very interesting development as I believe that there are a number land based anglers that are looking for a destination like this that offers the diversity of angling possibilities that this island offers. I know plenty of guys that would travel to a destination such as this even if there was no possibility of a trophy Geet. The abundance of other species available there is enough to keep one busy. The other species that I would be interested in are the couta, longtail tuna and that mussel cracker type bream thing that eats top water lures. The trevallies would all be a bonus.

Do you have an idea of the costing for a 7 or 10day trip. This is something that I would like to plan towards.

I think that some creative thinking is going to be required when considering tackle for these fish. There is no doubting the pulling power of popping rods and high ends spinning reels. The one shortcoming in this sort of terrain is the length of leader that it allows you to throw. There is no doubt that a big fish is going to get you into a bind at some point in the fight with the result that ones leader system will be tested. That is where a multiplier setup on a +- 10ft rod could work. My thinking would be along the lines of Trini DC using 110 lbs Jerry Brown as a mainline connected via friction knot to 1.5mm or thicker leader. One can now obviously throw a much longer leader but you will sacrifice some drag ability on the reel. I believe that Brian Pearce managed to land a number of quality fish off of your boats with a similar type of setup.

The great thing about this is the fact that it is something new to keep the mind thinking and pushing the boundaries a little further. After the season is done you will be able to tell us what worked and what can be improved on.

I really look forward to watching the progress on this one. To be fair I do not think that tackle is going to play a huge role in ones success of landing a big fish. I think it will largely be dependent on the spot where the fish is hooked and the mood of the fish when you hook her.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Kind regards
Anton

[Nick Bowles]

Hi Anton, Thanks for the mail and ideas. We are very excited to start doing the shore based trips as it is something that we have wanted to do for quite a while and also how I grew up fishing in Zululand South Africa. I think the possibilities for a wide variety of species is huge and also both day and night it interesting.

For tackle set ups I think a Trinidad DC is perfect on the conventional and I have been thinking on using a long wind on leader. For the spinning popping rod I'm not a big fan of wind ons, twisties, etc so I'm going to initially try my normal shorted leader with a bimini and a yucatan knot and cast this from outside the top guide. Think it might or might not work but this I have caught some smaller fish with no problem. We have got what I think is a good set up and process on the boats but we definitely need some work on the shore rigs and this I look forward to trying throughout the season!

It all about pushing something new and pushing the boundaries a bit more every year. When we first started GT fishing in Oman many year ago we were using 50lbs braid on way below par reels and rods getting our asses kicked big time, things have come a long way! But always appreciate any help and feedback to help us and clients!

Cheers,
Nick

[Leigh Turner]

Coming from a LBG background, this is some thing i will be very interested in watching progress. Good luck to all who try i cant wait for the reports & pic's. Leigh

[Nathan Tsao]

Nick, the Trini DC honestly kinda sucks as a casting reel. Even when turned down to low control, it still kills your distance. I tend to prefer a lever drag conventional reel for GT off shore. I especially like the ease of drag control when fighting a fish.  You can go full lock when you need it, and then instantly back off the pressure if you are getting reefed, all without messing with a drag knob. For myself in the areas i fish, one of the most important factors is dealing with fish once it has you in the sharp lava rocks, and a lever drag reel is a great tool to apply specific pressure.

[Anton Haakman]

@ Nick - you boys have some exciting times ahead. There is nothing like some creative thought and then trying to put it into practice. It can be very rewarding or soul destroying and the line between the two is very small.

I look forward to watching your progress.

Kind regards
Anton