Lures for an African Angler safari - Tiger Fish Lures and Nile Perch Lures

Destination Guide

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Nile Perch & Tiger Fish Flies

Don't underestimate the strength of Nile perch when it comes to destroying lures; most lures are not strong enough and require replacement hooks and split rings. The bigger Rapala lures are fitted with hooks and rings, which are just about strong enough.
The lures (or baits) we suggest for Lake Nasser tend to change as we research and discover new products. The following list (summer 2006), are the ones we currently suggest you consider bringing. Some will work better than others and a lot will depend on prevailing fishing conditions. Lures marked with an * designate the level of our recommendations.

Bucher Depth Raider, straight & jointed Bucher Depth Raider, straight & jointed ***

A good trolling lure which runs to 14 foot plus. The hooks and split rings must be changed. The sinking version produces big fish from the shore but needs a powerful rod to cast. Colors - Silver Baitfish, Black Perch, Natural Perch, Red Head

Halco Sorcerer 150 XDD - Crazy Deep **

The Crazy Deep will dive to 8m on 8kg line! Designed for Barramundi it’s a great shore lure off deep drop offs.
Colors – Mullet, Orange Chartreuse, Green Tiger, red head

Manns Stretch 30+ & 18+**

Deep diving lures with a good action which are very useful during the winter months when the Nile perch are lying deep. Hooks strong but if you want to quire sure replace them.
Colors - Pearl/Black, Chrome/Black, Red Head, Green Mackerel

Manns Stretch Imitator Junior **

This is a new lure from Manns which has not been fully tested by us. Dives to 20/25 feet and needs to be trolled slowly and we think it will work well.
Colors - Tinker Mackerel, Bleeding Bunker, Croaker

Musky Big & Little Ernie ***

Ernie lures have a natural fish shaped body a rattle and good swimming action. Effective trolling lures that dive to about 15 feet. The smaller little Ernie is effective for shore fishing and for summer trolling. Change split rings and hooks on both of them.
Colors – Perch, Black perch, Tennessee Shad, Fire tiger

Nielsmaster Invincible 25cm *

Big trolling lures which dive to about 14 feet. They are tough, but you must replace split rings and hooks.
Colors - Red Head, & Silver Shad

Rapala Super Shad Rap SSR sinking & floating ***

Great for shallow trolling and shore fishing, runs at 7/8 feet. This is an important lure for the summer when perch are in shallow water. Replace the hooks.
Colors - Red Head, Shad, Perch, Crawdad, Fire Tiger and metallic finishes

Rapala X-Rap Magnum 30**

This new Rapala lure has not been fully tested by us but the conventional wisdom says ‘this is going to be a winner’. Good minnow shape that will dive up to 30 feet.
Colors - Silver, Spotted Minnow, Bonito

Rapala Magnum CD18 & CD 22*

Many regulars use a CD18 instead of a CD14 for shore fishing. The CD18 is a good trolling lures, which run at 12 foot plus. Tip: Paint the silver diving vane black.
Colors – Purple, Fire Tiger, Mackerel

Rapala Magnum Countdown CD 14 **

The CD14 is a good lure for shore fishing in deeper water – they can be counted down to where the fish are lying. Tip: Paint the silver diving vane black
Colors - Red Head, Orange, Purple and Fire Tiger

Reef Digger 7inch straight & jointed diver *

These lures have a lifelike action for cranking or trolling. Tip: Paint the silver diving vane black. Picture shows replacement Owner hooks with Wolverine split rings.
Colors - Black Sparkle, Chartreuse Shad, Sucker, Shad

Russelure 6.5 inch **

This lure performs well during October through to January.
Colors – Gold, silver, green & black (paint at home)

Soft Plastic Lures ***

A wide range of tails with jig heads, shads and twisters are available and are very effective for shore fishing especially in ‘Hot Spots’ where the fish are used to regular lures

Tiger Fish Lures

Tiger fish like bright flashy lures we suggest the following.
Rapala weed less minnow spoon.
Sea Meps sizes #0 #2 & #3, in Silver.
Meps Aglia in Silver or gold
The #0 size is a killer for small tiger #3 #5 for larger tigers.

Nile Perch Flies Nile Perch Flies

If you are getting commercially produced flies look at saltwater or Tarpon patterns on 3/0 & 4/0 hooks that must be very sharp are reasonably successful.
Home tied flies can be very successful. Try and copy a small prey fish, see illustration of Tilapia fingerlings. Flies should be big with a heavy side profile. Fast sink flies are a must they therefore should be heavily leaded.

Tiger Fish Flies

Tiger Fish Flies Tiger's favorite food is small minnow type fry. Flies should be bright and flashy.
Crazy Charlie's, Small Deceivers and various reservoir lures on sharp hooks work well.
Best colors, hot orange, red, white and silver