Team Strike Heads to Jebel Sifah Championship

BIG GAME FISHING IN OMAN OCTOBER 1-5, 2025 - CLICK HERE

If you’re compiling your bucket list of the world’s best fishing destinations for giant trevally and yellowfin tuna, Oman should be very near the top. It’s just one of the reasons Team Strike is heading to this Middle East big-game Mecca in October, to take part in the IGFA Jebel Sifah Championship.
This prestigious welfare-focused IGFA-backed competition in one of the richest and most beautiful ecosystems on the planet will attract the offshore fishing elite, all searching for leaderboard-smashing yellowfin tuna, marlin, GTs and more. But what is the essential gear you need to land the world’s biggest game fish? Here, Strike’s Strategic Consultant, Sandro Onofaro, talks us through his essential tricks, tips, fishing tackle, and kit list for targeting giant trevally (or GT) and tuna before he heads to Oman to practice what he preaches at the Jebel Sifah tournament.

WHAT IS THE IGFA JEBEL SIFAH CHAMPIONSHIP? WHY DO YOU LOVE IT SO MUCH?

Absolutely – not only is it the biggest and most prestigious competition in the Middle East, but it’s an IGFA competition first and foremost. That means that it’s an ethical event with welfare taken very seriously. It’s great to see anglers from around the world coming together to participate in something so focused on the wellbeing of species.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE AT THE EVENT?

It’s an exceptional competition. Oman is a beautiful country both on land and at sea. Expect to see professional teams with a keen drive to compete fairly, all targeting some of the best species of fish in the world.
Species such as…
Yellowfin tuna, giant trevally, and maybe marlin too.

WILL YOU BE LOOKING TO SET ANY PBs?

Definitely, there’s a good chance of getting my best yellowfin and GT out there!

WHAT'S THE BEST FISHING GEAR FOR TARGETING YELLOWFIN, GTs, AND MARLIN IN OMAN?

I’ll be packing trolling lures, jigs, poppers, 300lbs mono leaders, and reinforced gloves. I need to have footwear that will really give me the stability I need to fight large game fish in the warm weather, so the three Strike shoes I’m choosing to take are the Silvertip Strap Sneaker, Narrowtooth Flip Flop, and Bluefin Sandal. Their quick-drying performance is a real must when fishing a multi-day competition, too.

WHAT IS STRIKE'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE COMPETITION?

Aside from competing as Team Strike, we’re a brand partner of the event, awarding the winning teams with shoes and a beautiful trophy for the largest catch.

WHAT'S THE MOST UNIQUE THING ABOUT FISHING IN OMAN THAT YOU DON'T SEE ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD?

It's the abundance of yellowfin tuna, and the prehistoric-sized GTs.

AS WELL AS IGFA, THE COMPETITION IS HOSTED AND ORGANISED BY ETHICAL ANGLERS. WHAT DO THEY SET OUT TO ACHIEVE?

Ethical Anglers is a relatively new initiative that’ll help educate teams on the ways to uphold the strict welfare-focused rules of the competition. They're helping to build an international event that brings together the most responsible and competitive anglers: something that really aligns with Strike’s drive and passions. Ethical competitiveness, in every situation, is a level of performance we measure ourselves against.

ARE THERE ANY TEAMS THAT YOU'D REALLY LIKE TO BEAT WHILE YOU'RE AWAY?

Oh, there are several. But I don't want to reveal which ones they are right now!