ZAMBEZI FISH SPECIES
Some of the fish species you may catch on a fishing day trip with Joe.
tiger fish
Hydrocynus vittatus, the African Tigerfish
Southern Africa’s number 1 fresh water sport fish and the fish everyone who comes fishing on the Zambezi wants to catch!
The Tiger fish or water dog is silvery in colour with thin black stripes that run horizontally along the body culminating in a red, forked fin with a black edge. Its head is large and the teeth are sharp and conical, which are used to hold and chop prey. The Tiger is a formidable predator that can be caught on on bait, lure, and fly. Be prepared to set the hook as soon as it hits the water, as Tigerfish often strike immediately!
NEMBWE
Serranchromis Robustus. Yellow belly bream | Nembwe
Nembwe are a beautiful light green in colour with a painted dark green stripe running along the body in line with the tail.
This is an ambush predator of note with bass like characteristics
Nembwe will swim around logs and near roots and strike with aggression and power when the opportunity arises – any small fish that can fit in its mouth is a potential meal.
Nembwe can be targeted on bait, lure, and fly. |Average size is between 2 – 3 kgs but reach up to 6 kgs
BARBEL
Clarias Gariepinus, African sharptooth catfish | Barbel
Barbel are a large, heavy boned, flat headed species. They have pointed teeth and long barbs on their heads. They can become huge and reach up to 1.4 metres in length with a weight of up to 60 kgs.
Barbel, like other catfish will eat a number of bait variants lures, worms as well as dead or alive bait
They are extremely aggressive and strong and have a reputation of pushing anglers and tackle to their limits. They can be caught on bait and lure and are an especially exciting catch on fly.
humpback bream
Serranochromis altus , Humpback Bream
Found in the upper Zambezi particularly on the edges of river channels where there’s a slower current.
Humpbacks have a rounded snout, a slightly upward-pointing mouth with a long dorsal fin and a truncated caudal fin.
They can reach a weight of up to 5kg and a length of 50cm. Target them with larger lures or baits, with the best time to catch around August to early November.
UPPER ZAMBEZI YELLOW FISH
Labeobarbus codringtonii, Upper Zambezi Yellowfish
Found throughout the Zambezi and Okavango Rivers in Southern Africa but a less common catch on a day out with Joe
The Upper Zambezi Yellowfish prefers fast water with a rocky bottom and seldom occurs over sand or in aquatic vegetation. It feeds on aquatic insect larvae, crustaceans, mollusks and small fish. They are highly sought after by sport anglers and fly fishing is the preferred method of catching them.