POPPING, JIGGING & DROP SHOT FISHING IN MAURITIUS
INTRO
Discover the thrill of popping, jigging and drop shot fishing in Mauritius. These advanced sport-fishing techniques are practised just beyond the reefs, near passes, and over drop-offs and bottom structures along the West Coast of Mauritius.
Target a mix of powerful reef and pelagic species while experiencing some of the most dynamic and technical fishing available in the Indian Ocean.
POPPING, JIGGING & DROP SHOT FISHING IN MAURITIUS
TARGET SPECIES
These techniques allow anglers to target some of the most exciting sport fish found in Mauritian waters. Expect explosive surface strikes, hard runs and unforgettable fights from iconic species such as Giant Trevally, Dogtooth Tuna, Bluefin Trevally, Yellow Lyretail Grouper, Green Jobfish, Amberjack, Spangled Emperor, Sky Emperor, Rusty Jobfish, Ruby Snapper, Spanish Mackerel and more.
Whether you are a beginner looking to experience high-action fishing or an experienced angler chasing trophy fish, popping, jigging and drop shot fishing in Mauritius offer endless opportunities in pristine tropical waters
Giant Trevally (GT)
A local favourite around reefs and sandy bottoms. Frequently targeted with drop-shot rigs and light jigging, this species provides both a great fight and excellent table fare.
Bluefin Trevally
A spectacular reef predator known for its acrobatic strikes on poppers, jigs and soft plastics. Bluefin Trevally patrol reefs and passes around Mauritius and provide fast-paced action throughout the day.
Dogtooth Tuna
One of the most powerful predators in the Indian Ocean, the Dogtooth tuna is a prized target for serious anglers visiting Mauritius. Found around deep reef drop-offs and underwater structures, this formidable fish is famous for its explosive first runs and relentless strength once hooked. Dogtooth Tuna are most commonly targeted using vertical jigging, where they strike aggressively on fast-moving metal jigs. Their incredible power, speed and stamina make them one of the toughest adversaries an angler can face.
Narrow-Barred Spanish Mackerel
A fast, hard-hitting pelagic predator, the Narrow-Barred Spanish Mackerel is a prized target in Mauritian waters. Found along coastal drop-offs, reef edges and offshore structures, this powerful fish is known for its blistering runs, razor-sharp strikes and aggressive attacks on trolled lures, live baits and metal jigs.
Yellow Lyretail Grouper
A beautiful and aggressive reef species commonly caught while jigging or drop-shotting over coral structures between 10 and 100 metres. A colourful highlight of many Mauritius fishing trips.
Green Jobfish
One of the most sought-after deep reef species in Mauritius. Often caught in waters between 20 and 100 metres while vertical jigging, the Green Jobfish is a powerful fighter and a prized catch.
Yellow Lyretail Grouper
A beautiful and aggressive reef species commonly caught while jigging or drop-shotting over coral structures between 10 and 100 metres. A colourful highlight of many Mauritius fishing trips.
Sky Emperor
A local favourite around reefs and sandy bottoms. Frequently targeted with drop-shot rigs and light jigging, this species provides both a great fight and excellent table fare.
Spangled Emperor
One of the most respected reef fish in Mauritius. Often found near coral structures and sandy patches, the Spangled Emperor responds well to soft plastics and drop-shot presentations, offering powerful resistance on light tackle.
Rusty Jobfish
A deep-water specialist caught while jigging in depths of 100 to 200 metres. Known for its strength and stamina, the Rusty Jobfish is a highly prized species among serious anglers.
Ruby Snapper
A striking deep-water snapper often caught over offshore drop-offs. Its vibrant red colour and strong fight make it one of the most rewarding jigging targets in Mauritian waters.
Other species frequently encountered during popping, jigging and drop shot fishing excursions include Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Barracuda, Thumbprint Emperor and various Groupers or Rock Cod.
Why choose us?
Our goal is to provide an exciting and productive fishing experience while exploring some of the best fishing grounds along the West Coast of Mauritius.
Popping, jigging and drop shot fishing require patience, knowledge of underwater structures and the ability to adapt techniques depending on conditions. Our experienced guides has years of local expertise with multiple fishing techniques to maximise action on board.
Whether you are chasing trophy predators or simply enjoying a technical fishing adventure, this excursion can easily become the highlight of your Mauritius holiday.
CHARTER BOAT IN MAURITIUS
Onboard Safety and Equipment
- When you board one of our boats, you can be confident that every precaution has been taken to ensure your safety and comfort.
- Michael, Ian, Samuel, Adreniano, Tékoi and Romain are highly focused on their activities, especially when handling fishing gear and fish. Safety on board is a priority, and guests are always guided on how to handle rods, hooks and tackle correctly.
- The “Fish Whisperer 2” is fully equipped for popping, jigging and drop shot fishing with specialised rods, reels and tackle adapted to each technique. Our boat also carries a wide range of lures including poppers, metal jigs, soft plastics and drop shot rigs.
- For safety and comfort, the vessel is equipped with a bilge pump, wash down pump, first-aid kit, VHF radio, safety ropes and life jackets.
Popping, Jigging & Drop Shot Fishing in Mauritius
Mauritius is a year-round fishing destination, and popping, jigging and drop shot fishing can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Summer months generally provide calmer sea conditions, which are ideal for slow drifting over reefs and offshore structures, creating excellent jigging opportunities.
However, excellent fishing can be enjoyed year-round behind the reefs, particularly when baitfish activity increases and attracts larger predators.
Fish activity is often influenced by tides and moon phases, and our team carefully plans each excursion around these natural conditions to increase the chances of success.
FISHING IN MAURITIUS
The fishing techniques
Popping in Mauritius
Popping involves casting large topwater lures to create loud splashes on the surface, imitating injured prey. This technique triggers aggressive surface strikes from predators such as Giant Trevally, Bluefin Trevally and sometimes Yellowfin Tuna.
Jigging in Mauritius
Jigging consists of dropping metal jigs vertically over underwater structures, drop-offs and reefs, then retrieving them using either slow-pitch or fast-pitch techniques.
This method is highly effective for species such as Green Jobfish, Amberjack and Dogtooth Tuna.
Drop Shot Fishing in Mauritius
Drop shot fishing uses lighter tackle with soft plastic lures presented just above the seabed or near reef structures. This technique is extremely effective for reef species such as Spangled Emperor, Sky Emperor, Bluefin Trevally and Yellow Lyretail Grouper.
Private fishing excursions
Since the launch of Fish Whisperer in 2014, we have received numerous requests to share the boat with different groups. After testing this approach, we concluded that private excursions provide a much better experience for our guests.
- Often, guests come from different countries, which requires constantly switching between French and English while fishing. This can distract from the overall experience.
- Occasionally, one or several guests may suffer from severe seasickness, forcing the boat to return early and affecting the entire group.
- In other situations, delays from one group may cause the others to miss the prime sunrise fishing window.
For these reasons, we only offer private fishing excursions to ensure the best possible experience for our guests.
FISHING IN MAURITIUS
The fishing hours
- Our popping, jigging and drop shot fishing excursions are scheduled around the most productive fishing periods of the day.
- Half Day excursions are available either early in the morning from 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM, or in the afternoon from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
- Full Day excursions run from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM, or from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
- Both morning and late afternoon sessions coincide with prime feeding windows for many of the reef and pelagic species targeted during these excursions, offering excellent opportunities for popping, jigging and drop shot fishing in Mauritius.
- Excursion times remain flexible and may be adjusted depending on tides, weather conditions and fish activity to ensure the best possible experience on the water.
Prices
(Maximum of 4 Persons)
Half Day: 5 hours excursion
Full Day: 8 hours excursion
Rs 20,000/Boat Half day
Excursion (Popping &/or Jigging &/or Drop Shot)
Rs 26,000/Boat Full day
Excursion (Popping &/or Jigging &/or Drop Shot)
Inclusions:
Refreshments (water & soft drinks).
Full gear provided including rods, reels, poppers, jigs, drop shot rigs and lures. Guests are welcome to bring their own gear if preferred.
Fish policy:
All catches belong to the boat. Guests may however take home up to two small fish (maximum 3 kg each), which can be filleted on request.
Terms and conditions
Please review our terms and conditions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable excursion.
