Fishing mysteries

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Etienne Botes

New member
Hello daar!

I am a very keen angler, but also fascinated by fishing literature and fish species, history, locations and so forth. So here I have a few weird tales I have once read in some of my old SA fishing books in SA. And a question or two:

Did you know...

'Couta (King Mackerel) used to be caught quite regularly off Mosselbaai in the old days? Anyone heard of some caught recently?

In Flip Joubert's old book, he also mentioned that Mosselbay used to be a mecca for yellowfin - are they still caught there?

One year, (many years ago) for some strange reason a school of 'couta made an appearance in False Bay and off Rooikrantz!! Quite a few were caught from the rocks. This is not a tall tale. Never happened before or since that I know or read of. I can give you the specific story when I get my hands on my books in SA.    

Finally, a question about Richards Bay. Is there truth in the story that 'cuta is sometimes caught in the lake and the mouth? What about Natal Snoek? I sometimes heard these stories, is it true? Are these catches accidental or are they sometimes actually targeted in RB in the lake?

I just know those Wala-Wala's (Cutlass fish) found by the hundreds in the lake is one of the best baits for 'couta. Used in the deep sea, you can almost count on one couta for one wala-wala.

Beste! 
 
G

Greenhorn

Senior Member
Etienne Botes wrote:
Hello daar!

I am a very keen angler, but also fascinated by fishing literature and fish species, history, locations and so forth. So here I have a few weird tales I have once read in some of my old SA fishing books in SA. And a question or two:

Did you know...

'Couta (King Mackerel) used to be caught quite regularly off Mosselbaai in the old days? Anyone heard of some caught recently?

In Flip Joubert's old book, he also mentioned that Mosselbay used to be a mecca for yellowfin - are they still caught there?

 

......
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I have been living in Mossel Bay for about 20 years now. And I have not heard anything of any couta being caugth in that time.

As for yellowfin, the odd school of yellowfin seldom makes their way into the bay, maybe once in every 6 or 8 years. But when our bigger boat is finished we are planning for a couple of exploration trips offshore (30nm+) off Mossel Bay to find out whether there are any.
 
C

Capespearo

Senior Member
I've read an old spearo book from the late 80's where the author had seen a pair of stray couta off of Cape Infanta.
 
M

Muffin Man

Senior Member
I cannot remember the exact year I think four years ago I can confirm this if need be with the skipper of the boat we fished with, a local at Witsand.

We caught Couta and yellowfin while trolling at sea from just outside the river mouth(Breede) all the way down to the Bus. The water was 24C and the Rapala Fire Tiger was the most productive. Since then I have tried every year during February/March and only caught or heard of Bonnies being caught.

I have just confirmed it with my mate, it was four years ago in March. Two boats that I know of had Couta, Itchy Feet and Playboy. There were quite a few boats that caught the Yellowfin. Cheers Paul (MM)
 
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aquadementia

Sealiner
I've heard rumours of big cuta being caught in the Bay here in Jeffreys. I've personally seen the water temp at 26 degrees in the bay, @ 23 for a over a week. We get 23 every year, so it's possible. They guys dont target them so even if they are there, they are rarely caught. Seen pics of Natal snoek caught in they bay, but all babies
 
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Etienne Botes

New member
Amazing - thanks for the feedback!

If I remember correctly, the information about couta regularly caught at Mosselbay in the past is from Eben Schoeman - the well-known author of Strike. I will find the reference.

The story of Mosselbay being a "yellowfin mecca" is described in Flip Joubert's original book. This book is older than Strike.  

The story of couta being caught from Rooikrantz is from a book published in 1911-ish, I will find the reference on that too, maybe some pics too.


What about the Richardsbay and Cuta story? Any rumours?

Beste!
 
A

aquadementia

Sealiner
Muffin Man wrote:
I cannot remember the exact year I think four years ago I can confirm this if need be with the skipper of the boat we fished with, a local at Witsand.

We caught Couta and yellowfin while trolling at sea from just outside the river mouth(Breede) all the way down to the Bus. The water was 24C and the Rapala Fire Tiger was the most productive. Since then I have tried every year during February/March and only caught or heard of Bonnies being caught.

I have just confirmed it with my mate, it was four years ago in March. Two boats that I know of had Couta, Itchy Feet and Playboy. There were quite a few boats that caught the Yellowfin. Cheers Paul (MM)
Click to expand...
can you organise a pic please?:)
 
M

Muffin Man

Senior Member
I do not have photos of those fish if you are ever at the Breede River you can ask Mark Whoof at the Hotel skipper of Playboy or Angus Kirkham at Nella se Winkel skipper of Itchy Feet they might have a pic or two. Cheers Paul (MM)
 
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nicos

Senior Member
Etienne Botes wrote:
What about the Richardsbay and Cuta story? Any rumours?
Click to expand...
I can't comment about Richardsbay, but I know of a couta that was caught on a cheap combo rod inside the mouth at Santa Maria (Maputo Bay) with some kind of live bait.
 
S

shagnrelease

Sealiner
Etienne Botes wrote:
Hello daar!

I am a very keen angler, but also fascinated by fishing literature and fish species, history, locations and so forth. So here I have a few weird tales I have once read in some of my old SA fishing books in SA. And a question or two:

Did you know...

'Couta (King Mackerel) used to be caught quite regularly off Mosselbaai in the old days? Anyone heard of some caught recently?

In Flip Joubert's old book, he also mentioned that Mosselbay used to be a mecca for yellowfin - are they still caught there?

One year, (many years ago) for some strange reason a school of 'couta made an appearance in False Bay and off Rooikrantz!! Quite a few were caught from the rocks. This is not a tall tale. Never happened before or since that I know or read of. I can give you the specific story when I get my hands on my books in SA.    

Finally, a question about Richards Bay. Is there truth in the story that 'cuta is sometimes caught in the lake and the mouth? What about Natal Snoek? I sometimes heard these stories, is it true? Are these catches accidental or are they sometimes actually targeted in RB in the lake?

I just know those Wala-Wala's (Cutlass fish) found by the hundreds in the lake is one of the best baits for 'couta. Used in the deep sea, you can almost count on one couta for one wala-wala.

Beste! It is so nice to chat to SA fishing friends while living far away here in Switzerland.  
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yip they are caught in the bay and some big ones!!! I think it was around 10 years ago now but the richards bay ski-boat bonanza was won with a couta and a big cob all caught from bay boats.
 
C

Catch 22

Senior Member
Mossel Bay have produced Marlin, my dad have told me stories of Tuna meat being so available from the catches that (like he puts it) "As jy verby die honde stap met n stuk tuna steak dan chunk hy en hardloop weg" ha ha, in the Yaught club is a photo of a Huge Barracuda the guys got off the seal Island apparently(thats in the bay). About 25 years ago we were fishing in the Danabaai area and we got some Cape Snoek there, something thats VERY SCARCE in that neck of the woods.

I guess anythings possible.....and generaal, glad to hear someone is keen to go to the deep and explore as I think there will be good fish out there!
 
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