The 2023/2024 season on Farquhar showed true to form, living up to its reputation of being the best atoll to catch multiple species along with some of the biggest GTs in the Seychelles. This season’s anglers had an absolute blast, which resulted in some phenomenal catches as well as some notably rare catches. The diversity and allure of the atoll keeps anglers and guides coming back every year. Leaving the pet GTs in the morning leaves you wondering what you might see or catch that day.
The catch stats from the season proved why Farquhar is the place to be, with an impressive ten flats slams. The giant trevally stole the show this season, though, with 302 GTs landed, of which 27 were greater than a metre and the remaining 60%, all greater than 80cm; of the 22 weeks, only four weeks did not have a metre plus GT landed. The permit also showed this season, with ten landed. The general shift towards targeting the massive GTs Farquhar has to offer meant the triggerfish had a rest, but when targeted, some brutes were caught, often stretching the tape measure past 50cm. The ever-present bumphead parrot fish were also caught in abundance this season, with a total of 35, many of which measured greater than 90cm. Farquhar’s thick-shouldered, hard-fighting bonefish also put up a great fight, doubling the figure from last season and coming in at 697 fish for the season. The big five species often steal the show, but a good few notable species were landed this season with multiple African marbled groupers, saddleback grouper, sailfish, dogtooth tuna, golden trevally and last but not least, four African pompano.
Gigantic giant trevally
While we congratulate every angler who joined us and caught their first species or added many more to their tallies, we had some extremely special catches we thought were important to mention.
The race for GT of the season was on from the get-go, but in the end, Chris S took the honours for landing the season’s fish, with a magnificent beast coming in at a phenomenal 126cm. Noah was a close behind with a phenomenal week, landing three metre plus GTs, the biggest of which was an impressive 122cm. Moving onto a very similar looking trevally species, the African pompano, or diamond trevally as it is known in the Seychelles, made an appearance this season with Brian B catching the fish of the season, at 97cm. The golden trevally is an equally sought-after species and well underrated on Farquhar. Emily set her sights on landing one of the unique fish, and she did, landing a lovely fish of 90cm, the largest of the season.
Plentiful Indo-Pacific permit
Catching a permit is an incredible feat to start with, but catching a fish over 50cm is the catch of a lifetime. Chris, Nikita and Richard Snr all did so this season with Richard taking the biggest fish, measuring an incredible 68cm.
Nikita’s permit resulted in bringing his lifetime tally to 20 fish, a phenomenal achievement.
Brilliant bonefish
A season report without the mention of one of the best species to target on fly wouldn’t be a report. Igor took to targeting the impressive bonefish Farquhar has to offer and landed an astounding 35 fish in a single day, with a large majority being over 60cm, setting a record on Farquhar.
Tricky triggerfish
The triggerfish were true to form and tested many anglers’ skills, with a select few guests enticing some of the larger specimens to eat their flies. The race for biggest triggerfish was on, with Ian landing the first notable fish, a first for him, with a hefty 53cm yellowmargin.
Later in the season, Justin rose to the challenge and tipped Ian with a fantastic 56cm specimen; closer to the end of the season, Dennis matched Justin with another impressive fish of 56cm. Nick took the cake, though, in the last week of the season, landing an incredible 57cm fish.
Spectacular special catches
It wouldn’t be a Farquhar season summary without mentioning some other special or unique catches. Makoto landed the bumphead parrot fish of the season measuring an astounding 105cm.
Saddleback groupers can be some of the prettiest fish in the ocean and James took to targeting them landing a phenomenal specimen, showcasing its magnificent yellow colours. John C took to the bluewater and while fishing for a sailfish ended up catching a 100lb dogtooth tuna on fly. An impressive feat on a fly rod and quite easily the fish of the season.
Farquhar availability for the 24/25 season:
16 – 23 Oct 24 (2 rods)
11 – 18 Dec 24 FM 15 Dec (6 rods)
12 – 19 Nov 25 (5 rods)
19 – 26 Nov 25 NM 20 Nov (5 rods)
If you would like more information and availability please contact Charlotte Chilcott or Peter McLeod or call us on +44 1980 847389. Alternatively click HERE if you would like us to contact you.