Spots to fish.
With modern technology using programmes like Google Earth it gives the angler the ability to have a birds eye view of a spot. In the Western Cape two areas are popular with anglers most notably Macassar and Strand.
Another spot worth a mention is Cape Point.
Western Cape
Google view of Macassar showing off its reef system.
Strand.
Offering the angler a wealth of reefs to fish from. Starting from Melkbaai it worms its way past spots like Macauvlei to Harmony Park up till bikini bay in Gordons Bay.
All spots able to produce when at its best.
This is the area adjacent the slip. On the right hand side from the surf Garrick are sometimes caught with kob at night also caught.
This area further towards Gordons Bay called Macauvlei. A lot of reefs are found here with edibles such as blacktail and stumpnose readily taking your bait.
Edible caught in Strand.
This is the Harmony Park area which includes spots like Oumansgat and Steenbrasgat. Also an area with a lot of reefs to choose from in close proximity to your car if you parking here.
Pictures offering a view from the ground.
Note angler fishing the reefs at low tide. No need to head on back to your holiday home because its low tide being in front offers you the opportunity to do what you were planning on doing and spending all that hard earned cash on.. to catch fish.
Strand caught galjoen. Wonderworm being the bait of choice when sand prawn proved second best for me.
Harmony Park on low tide.
Close to Gordons Bay.
South Cape up to Sedgefield
Starting at Cape Agulhas. Suiderstrand is one spot always worth a try for a variety of species to be caught on the reefs.
This sign greets you on the gravel road travelling towards spots like Suiderstrand and The Wreck of the Meisho Maru 38.
Suiderstrand.
A spot that has the potential deliver very good results. Park in the huge gravel parking lot and fish in the big bay on the push and high as well as the low for a variety of species.
The reef system on the left side of the bay also productive on low tide with ego bruising musselcracker sure to test you between the gulleys.
Fish I caught at suiderstrand.
The wreck another spot to try. About halfway between the Agulhas lighthouse and suiderstrand on the gravel road.
One spot that can give huge galleon.
The wreck.
A view from the road of spots taking you to suiderstrand and the wreck.
Example of Agulhas caught musselcracker. Sand prawn proving to be irrestable for this fish. Safely released after I took the photo.
Another spot past the wreck. Excellent spot and being one of my all time favourites.
Struisbaai harbour. From the harbour itself at night well known for catches of elf with the reef system to the right offering anything from Garrick to black stingrays.
Arniston. A area well known for winter catches of galjoen and white steenbras and summer catches of shad and huge kob as well as musselcracker. One area that holds the possibility of hooking into a bus bronze bream along this coastline.
Witsand.
A place that has turned a lot of ordinary anglers humble personal best catches into impressive once in a lifetime catches. Home to the mighty Breede many a hundred pound cob has been caught here in this general vicinity.
Please note fishing is not allowed from sunset to sunrise on the river whether from the side or a boat. In case conditions are not right from the beach.
Stilbaai.
One spot comes to mind. PREEKSTOEL. A wonderful place for the whole family to relax and for the angler many a reef to hop on and try to get a pull.
Fransmanshoek.
A deep water spot legendary for producing huge catches of kob back in the day and still a favourite for anyone looking for a big musselcracker to a black stingray to name a few.
Mossel Bay.
Another excellent fishing spot and here where I caught my first big musselcracker at first attempt at getting one. This having driven all the way from Cape Town in the hopes of getting one and Mossel Bay didn’t disappoint.
Sedgefield.
To the right of the parking lot a decent amount of reefs to fish from catching anything from musselcracker to stumpnose to huge kob from the surf.
Remember to improve ones success rate try and fish very foul reef areas with shorter traces and reef areas with access to sandy bottoms with longer traces with shorter sinker traces if possible.
Spring and Neap tides. ☽☾
Spring tides in general making for better fishing. With the bigger sea loosening up organisms between the rocks it creates a better feeding opportunity for any opportunistic fish. This is when the angler must be at his most careful and more optimistic.
Bait collection on a spring tide is easier at low tide with day time high tide normally around mid day on weekends making it possible to be at the water at that magical hour when the tide starts pushing which is normally 3 hours before high tide. Night high tide around mid night or later.
Species like galjoen and musselcracker that like strong water will be more active in this highly oxygenated water. That said fish have been caught in all tides with baits not associated and funnier stories to add etc.
Neap tides one can at certain spots fish throughout the tide without having to leave the mark. This allows you to fish a spot far out when fish might come in to feed at high tide as opposed to not being able to do so on a spring tide because of rough water and retreating to safer reefs behind you or dry land. As with everything ones safety comes first. Day time high tide normally for a neap sees the angler having to be on the reefs before sunrise if he wants to fish the push of the tide with low tide normally around mid day.
The tide again coming in two hours before or on sunset getting later as the days pass.
Winter and summer species. ☠☀
Winter species caught frequently along these coastlines are galjoen and musselcracker. Larger specimens of musselcracker are not often caught in false bay and best to try in the southern cape at places like Pearly beach / Die Dam as well as Arniston / Agulhas and further towards Mossel bay. Blacktail are ever present with zebra very rarely caught in false bay. Belman are at times caught in the strand area when shoals of these fish make an appearance with it over before most have heard about it.
Macassar at the right time will also see good catches of belman during winter by those lucky enough to know about it or at the right place at the right time.
Kob along the False bay coast will surprise the angler but very few anglers catch them during winter. Kob normally come on the bite in numbers from August onwards till May. Day catches are regularly made for kob but the larger specimens are caught at night. With personal safety an issue this is something many an angler wont consider.
Shad or elf make an appearance at about the same time like kob.
Preferred wind conditions. ☄
For false bay the south easter after a day or two brings the fish on the bite. Too much and water temperature drops and fish go off the bite.
Species like belman prefer a north west wind and calm seas. Larger fish are regularly caught at Witsand. False bay fish averaging 2-3 kiograms.
For the Agulhas and Witsand a south easterly is also the preferred wind for fishing. Same applies to Mossel Bay and surrounds.
Safety first.
When out on the reefs ones safety should always be in the back of your mind. In the rush to get a bait further out because the next wave is small with bigger ones to follow should not be taken lightly if you don’t know whats covering those rocks right in front. Some rocks are covered in algae and other slippery marine vegetation.
If you new to a area take five minutes to observe how the waves break on the reef or rocks to have a idea of how safe it really is.
A picture showing rocks covered in marine vegetation. ✗
Other’s to consider especially on Strand’s reefs are the ever present flatfish that cruise in with the incoming tide resting between the reefs. For an angler now content on moving back to dry land the chances are always there he can step on one of these rays that are equipped with a nasty barb that can cause some nasty wounds.
Keeping fish in a bag and it dripping blood in the water can attract sharks like ragged tooth or even seals.
This is a addictive form of fishing that allow’s the angler many a fascinating story and experience to tell. The more you do it the more it can show you how little you know of an area and how fascinating and alive the ocean really can be.
Best fishing days. ✓
Something to always try and plan a day out on. Days when it coincides with a mid week day have proven to be more successful for me but should one day in the month be on a weekend when I normally get a chance to wet a line I try to keep that day for fishing.
A big thank you to Stywe Lyne for permission granted for use of a best fishing day chart for September. All credit to Stywe Lyne. Example of a best fishing day chart found in a copy of Stywe Lyne that should be found on your pedestal for your next trip's planning.
Rules and regulations.
Please remember ignorance is no excuse. It will not be treated lightly by law enforcement officials if the law is not adhered to. There are maximum amount’s one can take for bait like sand prawn and worm to name but two. There are certain species that was regarded as bait which by law is illegal to be in possession of like perlemoen and siffie as well as crayfish. The latter different if store bought with slip as proof.
The same applies to fish where there are minimum size limits as well as maximum bag limits.
Certain species have a closed season like galjoen and shad / elf.
Adhere to the rules as stated in your fishing permit and you will enjoy your fishing more.
With modern technology using programmes like Google Earth it gives the angler the ability to have a birds eye view of a spot. In the Western Cape two areas are popular with anglers most notably Macassar and Strand.
Another spot worth a mention is Cape Point.
Western Cape
Google view of Macassar showing off its reef system.
Strand.
Offering the angler a wealth of reefs to fish from. Starting from Melkbaai it worms its way past spots like Macauvlei to Harmony Park up till bikini bay in Gordons Bay.
All spots able to produce when at its best.
This is the area adjacent the slip. On the right hand side from the surf Garrick are sometimes caught with kob at night also caught.
This area further towards Gordons Bay called Macauvlei. A lot of reefs are found here with edibles such as blacktail and stumpnose readily taking your bait.
Edible caught in Strand.
This is the Harmony Park area which includes spots like Oumansgat and Steenbrasgat. Also an area with a lot of reefs to choose from in close proximity to your car if you parking here.
Pictures offering a view from the ground.
Note angler fishing the reefs at low tide. No need to head on back to your holiday home because its low tide being in front offers you the opportunity to do what you were planning on doing and spending all that hard earned cash on.. to catch fish.
Strand caught galjoen. Wonderworm being the bait of choice when sand prawn proved second best for me.
Harmony Park on low tide.
Close to Gordons Bay.
South Cape up to Sedgefield
Starting at Cape Agulhas. Suiderstrand is one spot always worth a try for a variety of species to be caught on the reefs.
This sign greets you on the gravel road travelling towards spots like Suiderstrand and The Wreck of the Meisho Maru 38.
Suiderstrand.
A spot that has the potential deliver very good results. Park in the huge gravel parking lot and fish in the big bay on the push and high as well as the low for a variety of species.
The reef system on the left side of the bay also productive on low tide with ego bruising musselcracker sure to test you between the gulleys.
Fish I caught at suiderstrand.
The wreck another spot to try. About halfway between the Agulhas lighthouse and suiderstrand on the gravel road.
One spot that can give huge galleon.
The wreck.
A view from the road of spots taking you to suiderstrand and the wreck.
Example of Agulhas caught musselcracker. Sand prawn proving to be irrestable for this fish. Safely released after I took the photo.
Another spot past the wreck. Excellent spot and being one of my all time favourites.
Struisbaai harbour. From the harbour itself at night well known for catches of elf with the reef system to the right offering anything from Garrick to black stingrays.
Arniston. A area well known for winter catches of galjoen and white steenbras and summer catches of shad and huge kob as well as musselcracker. One area that holds the possibility of hooking into a bus bronze bream along this coastline.
Witsand.
A place that has turned a lot of ordinary anglers humble personal best catches into impressive once in a lifetime catches. Home to the mighty Breede many a hundred pound cob has been caught here in this general vicinity.
Please note fishing is not allowed from sunset to sunrise on the river whether from the side or a boat. In case conditions are not right from the beach.
Stilbaai.
One spot comes to mind. PREEKSTOEL. A wonderful place for the whole family to relax and for the angler many a reef to hop on and try to get a pull.
Fransmanshoek.
A deep water spot legendary for producing huge catches of kob back in the day and still a favourite for anyone looking for a big musselcracker to a black stingray to name a few.
Mossel Bay.
Another excellent fishing spot and here where I caught my first big musselcracker at first attempt at getting one. This having driven all the way from Cape Town in the hopes of getting one and Mossel Bay didn’t disappoint.
Sedgefield.
To the right of the parking lot a decent amount of reefs to fish from catching anything from musselcracker to stumpnose to huge kob from the surf.
Remember to improve ones success rate try and fish very foul reef areas with shorter traces and reef areas with access to sandy bottoms with longer traces with shorter sinker traces if possible.
Spring and Neap tides. ☽☾
Spring tides in general making for better fishing. With the bigger sea loosening up organisms between the rocks it creates a better feeding opportunity for any opportunistic fish. This is when the angler must be at his most careful and more optimistic.
Bait collection on a spring tide is easier at low tide with day time high tide normally around mid day on weekends making it possible to be at the water at that magical hour when the tide starts pushing which is normally 3 hours before high tide. Night high tide around mid night or later.
Species like galjoen and musselcracker that like strong water will be more active in this highly oxygenated water. That said fish have been caught in all tides with baits not associated and funnier stories to add etc.
Neap tides one can at certain spots fish throughout the tide without having to leave the mark. This allows you to fish a spot far out when fish might come in to feed at high tide as opposed to not being able to do so on a spring tide because of rough water and retreating to safer reefs behind you or dry land. As with everything ones safety comes first. Day time high tide normally for a neap sees the angler having to be on the reefs before sunrise if he wants to fish the push of the tide with low tide normally around mid day.
The tide again coming in two hours before or on sunset getting later as the days pass.
Winter and summer species. ☠☀
Winter species caught frequently along these coastlines are galjoen and musselcracker. Larger specimens of musselcracker are not often caught in false bay and best to try in the southern cape at places like Pearly beach / Die Dam as well as Arniston / Agulhas and further towards Mossel bay. Blacktail are ever present with zebra very rarely caught in false bay. Belman are at times caught in the strand area when shoals of these fish make an appearance with it over before most have heard about it.
Macassar at the right time will also see good catches of belman during winter by those lucky enough to know about it or at the right place at the right time.
Kob along the False bay coast will surprise the angler but very few anglers catch them during winter. Kob normally come on the bite in numbers from August onwards till May. Day catches are regularly made for kob but the larger specimens are caught at night. With personal safety an issue this is something many an angler wont consider.
Shad or elf make an appearance at about the same time like kob.
Preferred wind conditions. ☄
For false bay the south easter after a day or two brings the fish on the bite. Too much and water temperature drops and fish go off the bite.
Species like belman prefer a north west wind and calm seas. Larger fish are regularly caught at Witsand. False bay fish averaging 2-3 kiograms.
For the Agulhas and Witsand a south easterly is also the preferred wind for fishing. Same applies to Mossel Bay and surrounds.
Safety first.
When out on the reefs ones safety should always be in the back of your mind. In the rush to get a bait further out because the next wave is small with bigger ones to follow should not be taken lightly if you don’t know whats covering those rocks right in front. Some rocks are covered in algae and other slippery marine vegetation.
If you new to a area take five minutes to observe how the waves break on the reef or rocks to have a idea of how safe it really is.
A picture showing rocks covered in marine vegetation. ✗
Other’s to consider especially on Strand’s reefs are the ever present flatfish that cruise in with the incoming tide resting between the reefs. For an angler now content on moving back to dry land the chances are always there he can step on one of these rays that are equipped with a nasty barb that can cause some nasty wounds.
Keeping fish in a bag and it dripping blood in the water can attract sharks like ragged tooth or even seals.
This is a addictive form of fishing that allow’s the angler many a fascinating story and experience to tell. The more you do it the more it can show you how little you know of an area and how fascinating and alive the ocean really can be.
Best fishing days. ✓
Something to always try and plan a day out on. Days when it coincides with a mid week day have proven to be more successful for me but should one day in the month be on a weekend when I normally get a chance to wet a line I try to keep that day for fishing.
A big thank you to Stywe Lyne for permission granted for use of a best fishing day chart for September. All credit to Stywe Lyne. Example of a best fishing day chart found in a copy of Stywe Lyne that should be found on your pedestal for your next trip's planning.
Rules and regulations.
Please remember ignorance is no excuse. It will not be treated lightly by law enforcement officials if the law is not adhered to. There are maximum amount’s one can take for bait like sand prawn and worm to name but two. There are certain species that was regarded as bait which by law is illegal to be in possession of like perlemoen and siffie as well as crayfish. The latter different if store bought with slip as proof.
The same applies to fish where there are minimum size limits as well as maximum bag limits.
Certain species have a closed season like galjoen and shad / elf.
Adhere to the rules as stated in your fishing permit and you will enjoy your fishing more.
