Skinning Water Fishing

St Brandon Blog: 12 – 22 May 2026

Week Six of the 2026 season at St Brandon’s Atoll was shaped by spring tides, bringing stronger water movement and exciting opportunities across the flats. The increased tidal flow created dynamic fishing conditions, rewarding anglers who remained adaptable and made the most of every chance.

Bonefishing continued to impress, with 105 bonefish landed during the week. The quality of fish was exceptional, with several trophy specimens brought to hand. Steve Charles enjoyed an outstanding week, landing magnificent 9.5 lb and 9 lb bonefish, while Randy added a superb 8.5 lb fish. These memorable catches once again highlighted why St Brandon’s is regarded as one of the world’s finest destinations for trophy bonefish.

Permit fishing was undoubtedly the standout feature of the week, producing an outstanding 10 permit. Steve Charles landed two exceptional fish weighing 13 lb and 7.5 lb, while Chris enjoyed a remarkable run of success, bringing five permit to hand, the largest tipping the scales at 8.5 lb. Mike also joined the action with a quality 8.5 lb permit, making it one of the most productive permit weeks of the season. The results were a testament to patient stalking, accurate presentations, and making the most of the opportunities created by the larger tides.

The bluefin trevally added another burst of excitement, with two fish landed during the week. The standout belonged to Steve Raymond, whose powerful 65 cm bluefin delivered the blistering runs and aggressive takes that have made this species a favourite among anglers visiting the atoll.

With trophy bonefish, exceptional permit fishing, and exciting trevally action, Week Six proved to be one of the highlights of the season so far. A huge thank-you to all our guests for their enthusiasm, determination, and great company on the flats. We look forward to seeing what the weeks ahead have in store.

Tight lines,
The St Brandon Guide Team

Catch Tally

Bonefish: 105
Indo-Pacific Permit: 10
Bluefin Trevally: 2

: Screenshot

: OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

: OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

St Brandon Blog: 28 April – 8 May 2026

The fourth week of the 2026 season at St Brandon’s Atoll saw the return of strong spring tides, bringing increased water movement and plenty of activity across the flats. These dynamic conditions created exciting fishing opportunities throughout the week, with anglers needing to stay mobile and adapt as fish pushed onto the flats with the incoming tides.

Bonefishing was once again a major highlight, with an impressive 92 bonefish landed during the week. The combination of moving water and actively feeding fish resulted in consistent action across the atoll. Dave and Marlin both landed superb 9 lb bonefish, standout catches that further demonstrated the remarkable quality of St Brandon’s fishery. Whether targeting singles in skinny water or schools moving across the flats, anglers were rewarded with plenty of memorable encounters.

Permit fishing remained challenging but highly rewarding. While opportunities were fewer than on the neap tides, anglers who remained patient were rewarded. The highlight came from Ned, who landed an excellent 8.5 lb permit after a well-executed presentation and careful approach. As always, success with permit required a combination of persistence, precision, and a little bit of luck.

The bluefin trevally provided bursts of excitement throughout the week. Four fish were landed, with Donaldo’s impressive 72 cm bluefin standing out as the largest. Their aggressive takes and powerful runs delivered plenty of adrenaline and added another dimension to the fishing.

Golden trevally also featured, with two fish landed during the week. These striking fish brought additional variety to an already productive period and are always a welcome sight on the flats.

Overall, Week Four delivered another memorable chapter in the 2026 season. Productive fishing, challenging spring tide conditions, and a variety of quality species combined to create an exciting and rewarding week at one of the world’s premier saltwater fly-fishing destinations.

Tight lines,
The St Brandon Guide Team

Catch Tally

Bonefish: 92
Indo-Pacific Permit: 2
Bluefin Trevally: 4
Golden Trevally: 2

St Brandon Blog: 9 – 19 September 2025

The second week of the season at St Brandon’s Atoll delivered action-packed fishing and unforgettable moments for our guests. With calmer winds and stable weather, anglers were treated to ideal conditions for sight-fishing across the atoll. We fished neap tides throughout the week, which meant more time spent tracking fish tailing and cruising over shallow flats—perfect opportunities for guests to test their skills in classic St Brandon fashion.

Bonefishing was consistently strong, with plenty of singles and doubles spotted tailing across the pristine flats. Many of these fish were found in skinny water, setting the stage for exciting visual eats and rewarding battles. The average size ranged between 5–6 lb, with several larger fish landed during the week.

A special mention goes to Byron, who landed a beautiful 8 lb bonefish on his very first trip to the atoll—an outstanding achievement and a memory that will last a lifetime. Congratulations, Byron!

Permit made several appearances over the course of the week, providing those electrifying, nerve-tingling moments that make St Brandon’s such a special destination. A number of fish were hooked, and Ricardo stole the show by landing two permit—a truly fantastic accomplishment on his first visit to the atoll. Anyone who has chased permit knows that every encounter is a thrill, and successfully landing one (let alone two) is something to be proud of. Well done, Ricardo!

The trevally action was lively, with various species harassing baitfish along the flats, islands, and coral ridges. Giant trevally (GT) remain a bucket-list target for many anglers, and a few solid fish made appearances this week.

Once again, Ricardo had a week to remember, landing a magnificent 97 cm GT—a powerful fish and an unforgettable moment for everyone on the flats. While bluefin trevally proved a little more elusive this week and none were landed, good numbers were seen cruising the edges. With conditions improving and spring tides approaching, we’re confident their time will come.

It was a spectacular week at St Brandon’s—beautiful weather, eager fish, and an enthusiastic group of guests combined to create an atmosphere of pure fishing magic. As we transition into the spring tides, excitement is building for the weeks ahead.

A huge thank-you to all our guests for making it such a memorable trip. We can’t wait to welcome the next group to this incredible atoll and see what adventures await.

Tight lines,
The St B Guide Team