advise on false bay and table bay

[danman1979]

Hey Guys

I wanted to ask your advise. I am and will always be a very keen River fisherman, and fish the breede often. I have a 18 FT Flamingo down at Witsand. I have had boats for years and am more than confortable with beach launches and sea conditions.

I am just about to buy a Duck, 5.2 Metre Infanta with 1 x 90 Yamaha on the back.

I stay out in Big Bay and really want to boat for those nice flat days where i can launch at Melkbos.

Im also keen to fish in False Bay and also attempt some snoek.

But here goes, the problem.

1. I have huge respect for the sea and dont like venturing out too far. (To be truthful, i am shit scared of the sea and dont want to be more than a 15 - 20 minute run away from the slip.) I suppose this is a good thing

2. I do get sick at times, but this hasnt happened in years.

In saying this, I really want to get into my inshore fishing.

My question to all you guys:

1. In False Bay, are there some nice reefs close to the launch ? ( ie: 15 minute run away). I can launch in Strand

2. Within the Cape Town Harbour, how far out do you have to be to get into some snoek or yellowtail. Can i catch much off sea point etc

3. Langebaan and Ysterfontein, Do you have to travel miles to get some good reefs.

Any advise would be hugely appreciated and i look forward to reporting my travels back here.

 

[angelos]

Hey Dan

In false bay you proberly wana try out lauching from Millers and maybe make a run to Rocky Banks or around piont to SW reefs or Anvil , Bellows whatch out swell break heavily there.others wise if you in the sea point area run to South end Robben island .Yserfontein you proberly go to Dassen Island.You cant go wrong there.


cheers

 

[Patrick]

The start of Rocky bank is around 12.5 NM from Millers, SW reefs is around 8. Not really the short run you're looking for and the water can get rough outside the point. I wouldnt recommend it without some experience 1st. You will also need a VHF and D reg boat if you intend running to Rocky Bank legally.

The snoek do appear in Buffels Bay from time to time as do the tail, so you could launch from the slip in Buffels with your duck quite easily.That is a short run out to the 40m mark where the fish usually are. The paddleski guys do that trip. Only the kelp on the slip in winter makes launching a bit tricky.

There are reefs all along the strand area.

You could easily get into some snoek now off robben island. The sea is flat and on Sat the fish were between OPBC and whale rock which is a shortish run. You'll also need a D reg boat to get out there. Just always stay clear of whale rock and watch the surge at OPBC slip now in the winter.

I'd avoid Yzerfontein and Dassen Island in the winter or until you've got lots of experience. The surge there in the winter is notorius. Read Miles's thread. Cars get washed away there off the slip.

 

[Muffin Man]

You have plenty options.

Gordons Bay harbour or Harbour Island launch gives you access to places like Harmony (cob, Geelbek,elf and yellowtail), five houses (cob, geelbek), The gatjie (cob), the poort (cob,Geelbek), Blinkklip (cob,geelbek, elf, yellowtail) and a little further offshore from the Strand the Kelders (geelbek, Yellowtail).

Millers Launch you can catch yellowtail at Penguin rock, platbank, meadows, soutwater, blackrocks, smits, millers, simonstown, fishhoek. These areas all fish well but in summer months (November to March/April) are best.

Oceana launch for Robin Island quick and easy only problem mist at times get GPS. Yellowtail, snoek and occasional Geelbek.

Dassen Island launch at Yserfontein, I have fished here a few times and had good results as far as Yellowtail go. Do not go if there is a big swell running 2m or less is fine, mist can also be a problem. Have caught Tail all around the Island you just got to look for them.

Cheers Paul.

 

[peks@mweb.co.za]

Yzerfontein het darem nou al 'n paar jaar 2 slipways. Die ou een - ja is moeilik om te launch veral as water sterk is, maar die nuwe een redelik maklik. Foto van boot wat op nuwe slipway launch. Kan sien dis redelik goed beskerm. Die ou slipway is regs weggesteek en daar moet jy jou storie ken.

NS : Snoek vanoggend by Bontduine in Yzerfontein uitgekom !

 

[danman1979]

Thanks Guys

Its seems that Gordons bay is probably the safest and easiest for me right now.

When you say there are some reefs off the strand, how far out is that, and do i look out for any markers specifically

Dan

 

[Patrick]

The reefs run from the shore out to beyond the backline, from GB down to the Strand. Should be able to see it on your false bay chart. I havent fished there off my boat yet but did a few times off my old fishingski. Summer months are when its more productive.
Muffin Man will probably be able to give better advice as he's fished that area more.
Dont be afraid of launching Table Bay for the snoek. The water is very do-able at the moment, just need to get the boat on the trailer quickly if there is a surge. Plus with all the boats out there now it will be easy for you to find the fish.