I was waiting a long season for the geelbek season to start and cant wait to target them again. Most awesome and exciting fish to catch from the side. One of the strongest fish too. Not for the faint hearted and poor muscled. Be prepared to have stiff arms after hitting a goid evening of geelbek. Just a shame how many people are destroying this awesome species.
Almost Time for geelbek
- Thread starter Harrie
- Start date
Stormycape
Senior Member
Hi Harrie
Tell us how and where you target them from the side.
SC
Tell us how and where you target them from the side.
SC
You obviously don't get them as much as from a boat, but worth trying for as only a few schools of fish comes in close enough during late summer. And if you hit a school on your own, it will cause loads of fun and memories. January to end March are peak times. Sea needs to be flat, warmer water of 18-20 is preferred. At night after sunset and also before sunrise are great times. When it is dark you dont need mercy water. It can be clear. Watch out for the headlamp on the water. Not good. Maasbanker for bait is the best but fresh sardines also works great all on a 6/0-8/0 hook with enough red float on it so that bait is suspended from the bottom. Most of the times they bite very "skelm" so you need to concentrate on waiting for the small bites or pulls. Sometimes it feels like mullets biting but when you reel in your bait is gone, and I mean gone. They will take you slowly, let them swallow your bait by giving slack, a good strike and then winch with all your energie and power. Don't try and fight them soft. They will find a bamboes or structure to get stuck in.
That's the basics! Hope it helps.
Harrie
That's the basics! Hope it helps.
Harrie
Stormycape
Senior Member
So I assume you target them from shore in the Betties Bay, Hangklip ans Pringle Bay area?
SC
SC
Ill see you on that beach Harry. I've had it twice in your area when we've hit it big. Can't wait to do it again. And yes agree with you that it should be kept on the down low as to where they come out. Unfortunately not all fishermen on here are responsible. And that's by no means directed at any person in particular.