Masbango
Bonaire is a small island in the South Caribbean and its waters are visited by schools of big-eye scad, or as the locals call it “Masbango”, few times a year. This is an exciting time for fishermen as well as divers. While it is a traditional food source for Bonairean people, divers prefer not to see them in nets. The school of fish, also referred to as "bait ball", is a wonderful sight to behold as a dark cloud of fish descends upon you. This cloud is often dispersed by its own set of predator fish, mostly jacks such as Crevalle Jack, Horseeye Jack, and sometimes barracuda.
The first set of images below are from my first encounter years ago… It was a magical day for me. I was occupied with a minuscule juvenile fish hidden within a coral head and was completely absorbed with taking a macro shot. At some point, I felt movement behind me or at least some sort of presence… I was at about 70ft. When I turned around, I was shocked to discover this HUGE school of fish in the water column. From that moment on, I forgot about the tiny fish and spent a fantastic time playing and taking photos and videos within the baitball.
It all begins with a darkness that descends upon the reef... The massive school of big-eye scad at 70ft. Bonaire.
Crevalle Jack makes it entrance...
The chase has begun
Shadow play
Crowd disperses
The predator
From the reef to the deep blue... a live path
The formidable hunter
ANOTHER DAY… ANOTHER MASBANGO
TIME WARP - that's what I am calling this one. You can go through this fish tunnel and go to a different dimension or time ;) ... I know my husband was somewhere on the other side of this tunnel. That is not a joke actually.
A different day a different Masbango
Masbango in the shallows
Masbango in the shallows
Masbango and barracuda
Francis & Masbango
Francis was a local fisherman that was born and raised in Bonaire. He was our neighbor and we always enjoyed talking to him. He loved telling us stories of Bonaire as well as fish. You could see him sometimes on the boulevard, sitting by the water and gazing out to the sea and his little boat… accompanied by his faithful dog Barbon.
Each time there was a new Masbango in Bonaire waters, Francis would first go, check it out and then determine which way the fish is moving and strategize about where to cast his net the next day to keep the fish within a certain area. This one time he was very proud of the haul he was getting and wanted me to take his photos. Below is Francis and the baitball. The water is super murky due to a combination of sand and fish poop!
