A hamour lives close to cover: coral heads, rock, ledges, mangrove roots, harbour walls. It sits still, lets a small fish or crab come too near, and swallows it in one gulp. Hooked, it does one thing and does it hard, which is turn for its hole. The first few seconds decide the fight, so on light gear you lift firmly and keep the fish coming up and away from the bottom. In the Gulf the name is used loosely, and several close relatives get called hamour too.
On Reelzy the boat that lists it is Small Game Fishing in Mahebourg, which works the big lagoon on the southeast coast of Mauritius. The morning mixes casting lures, light trolling and bottom fishing, and grouper belong to the bottom fishing: a bait or soft lure dropped beside the coral and held there. The boat leaves at 6:00, runs 4 or 6 hours, and is yours alone for up to 4 people. Rods, tackle and drinks are on board.
Grouper is a fish you hope for among the lagoon catch, sharing the water with jacks, barracuda and plenty of smaller reef fish. If a good grouper is what you most want, say so when you book, so more of the morning goes to the bottom. Ask too what you can take home; our guide to who keeps the fish on a Mauritius charter explains how boats here usually handle it.
Questions and answers
Short answers to what people ask before they book. Anything else, ask the captain in chat.
Which part of the Mahebourg lagoon trip is for grouper?
The bottom fishing. Small Game Fishing mixes casting, light trolling and bottom fishing, and grouper come to a bait or soft lure held beside coral and rock. Tell the captain grouper is your priority and more of the 4 or 6 hours can go to it.
Is hamour good to eat?
Yes. Hamour has firm white flesh and is one of the most prized table fish around the Gulf. On the Mahebourg trip, ask the captain before you go out what you can keep.