Loango Lodge Fishing Rules and Guidelines

We hope that in the time that you are at Iguéla you will realize that the fishing experience here is something special. We have formulated a set of rules and guidelines in the interest of trying to keep it this way. Most operators in the region do not stipulate a set of self-imposed rules and it is by example that we wish to influence other operators positively in the future.

• The decision to kill or release a fish hooked and landed by a client is at the sole discretion of the guide/skipper. The guide’s/skipper’s decision may only be vetoed if the angler wishes to release his/her catch.
• No trophy fish are to be killed. Generally speaking, all fish larger than 10kg/22lb will be released. A number of smaller fish will be kept for consumption. In the event of a trophy fish being mortally injured, the decision may be taken to kill the fish.
• When not specifically targeting tarpon, all treble-hook barbs on lures are to be flattened to facilitate the easier and safer release of landed fish. While small fish can often shake a barbless lure loose, larger fish generally stay attached.
• Circle hooks should be used using fish baits (e.g. live bait, fillet, etc.). It usually takes a little practice for anglers unfamiliar with circle hooks to master the hook-setting technique, but once mastered, circle hooks are extremely efficient. Circle hooks tend to hook fish along the edge of the mouth; this minimizes the number of deeply hooked and thus badly injured fish as well as increases the number of fish landed. (*The efficiency/practicalities of circle hooks for surf fishing are still under evaluation.)
• A heavy nylon leader (min. 1mm in diameter) of at least 1.5m/5ft long is to be used at all times with 9kg/20lb or heavier outfits. On lighter outfits, nylon leaders should not be thinner than 0.75mm, and always as long as is practically possible. Fishing at Iguéla provides one with the real chance of hooking a number of fish species that in these waters grow in excess of 50kg/100lb, one needs to be prepared for this. Long, heavy leaders not only prevent a fish rubbing or biting through the leader during a long battle, they also make it quicker and easier to land the fish with less stress and damage to the fish and the guide/skipper.
• When required, steel trace should not be in the form of bare cable or piano wire, these tend to damage and cut the mouthparts and face of the fish. Nylon coated or carbon coated wire are preferable.
• Tackle and tippets lighter than 5.5kg/12lb should not be used, and “silly outfits” (e.g. fixed spool reels attached to fly rods) will not be permitted. Fight the fish as hard as your tackle will allow, so that they can be landed with energy to spare.
• Iguéla is remote and medical evacuation is a complicated and expensive procedure. To minimize the risk of injury, the amount of alcohol permitted per angler in each boat will be limited.
• While every angler wants to return home with a fine picture of his/her dream catch, we ask that you try and minimize the harm to fish that are to be released while photographing them. A landed fish should be allowed some time to recover after the battle, before being removed from the water for photo opportunities.
• Do not photograph or film the local people without their permission.

Please spare a thought for the magnificent fish that inhabit this coast and for the fisherman who will come after you.