:fswim Hi to everyone, For many years I have been

[Guest]

Hello Guys

The best advice that I have for those wanting to catch steenies, is fish for them when you hear that they are around. We ahve caught quite a few decent fish in the Knysna/Plett area and it is good to have a few contacts in your area. i speak to guys in Natures Valley, Plett and Dana Bay to get a feeling if the fish are about. We tend to catch more in the Brenton area than we do on the Wildside of Buffalo Bay up to Groenvlei. The guys who fish Gonnas also get good fish.

Conditions are important. We get better fish on a small sea often after Berg winds in April, May, June or the first South Easters in late September, early October. Baits used are normally fresh chokka with either sand prawn or tiger prawn mixed. Looking for cigar type bait. If area has some newly washed out shallow rocks with beds of small mussels, you in the right area. Can also use a number of sand prawn bound on small float. Cracker will also give you a surprise on this.

Me currently using flouro trace of around 10 kg. Cant say it really makes a difference but makes me feel better. Used to use 12.5kg Maxima Ultra Green and had good success. I fish light so little risk of pulling off light trace lines.

For big fish low tide on Brenton beach with light Berg wind and fresh bait. Have caught fish there both at night and during the day.

Hope this helps

Anton

 

[Simen]

@Walt- No this does not always apply to all species. And yes flesh on the outside also attracts more peckers. But think of it this way. Targeting a fish who is more a hunter e.g. cob will go more for bait in its natural state.Looks like a fish on the hook shiny skin outside etc, The Steenbra is more of a scavenger, more looking for food washed loose and worm baits etc. I have never heard of Steenbra for e.g caught on live bait. Also more softer baits like sandprawn, lice, octopus. A Hard bait like a crab is also taken, shaken very hard and then eats the pieces washed free.
I have often seen when we fish for steenbra that when you bait up with the skin on the outside they are reluctant to take the bait. Now just the opposite happens to be with cob ( these 2 species are normally found together ). Sometimes in great numbers, but more smaller ones. The big guys also tend to shoal alone.

Further regarding the biting method of the steenbra it tends to bite down on bait, first with it's lips and swims a meter or two before swallowing. The mouth in relation with the body is small. The opposite cob has a large mouth in comparison with its body.Just tends to swallow.
The reason I am saying this, is as I mentioned to fish with a slack line, so that when he has the bait between its lips he feels no resistance.

 

[johand]

syd we talking about 300m ,go down on a spring u will see a piece standing out

or walk about 100m have a throw. if u dont get stuck u not on the spot

scratch u bound to find or even better  u will start getting fish and thats what its all about..if weed and red bait laying around in a patch thats also been a sign u on the spot.......have u ever tried suide-strand for steemers.. if u dont come right let me know let u have a book of every single place by name rocks direction to cast bait time of year tide  done by hand in a book form...tried and tested..same as the spot u get 100lb cob still today..do u know of derek the old light house keeper then u will know the spot..problem u cannot land them have lost plenty on that spot ..

SAID TO MUCH ALREADY BIG MIKE IS WATCHING TO CLOSELY

 

[syd]

Johand,
 
Been to Struis this weekend. Fished Saturday (whole day) and today until about 2'0 clock. Found the wreck, but one day too late!! We fished Argonauta beach on Saturday, nil of note (babers, small steenie, sandies and a small houndshark). Used fresh bloodworm, moonshine worm, chokka, pilchard. Towards late afternoon the elf started to come in and I tried a spoon which was lying in my bag - with a treble hook which was very BLUNT!!! Got three takes out of about twenty throws.... great fun, but I lost each one because the hook would not set properly.... another lesson learnt!!! Then last nite we heard the cob and even galjoen came out at the wreck. Early this morning (just before sunrise) we were there but so were quite a few other guys. We got one small belman and a small steenie. Water looked great, with lots of harders but just out of reach for the cast net. Even tried a small white crab as suggested by Flippie - no luck.

At least I now know where the spot is - thanks for the great tip

 

[Guest]

Hello Gents

I have heard talk of some serious Steenies coming out at Keurbooms in Plett. This would be the time to fish for them at places like Brenton, The Gonnas and Dana Bay. The sea is flat and there is a slight bergwind here today. ideal conditions given that there are fish about. I have a good mate out fishing today. Will keep all posted as to fish coming out.

 

[syd]

That's right, make me jealous!!!!!!! Keurbooms just a little out of reach from Bellville....

More seriously guys.... This thread has produced some great info over the past few days, mostly on fishing for steenies but also some nice advice re. belman fishing.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED!!!!!!!!!

I will obviously try out the advice and provide feedback on what worked for me or not. And if it worked the picture to prove it.

Tight lines and remember to put the big one back.

PS Mike, if you can organise a horse with a sidecar we can fish the Struis Plaat to the Mond and I'l share some of the steenie info I got via private mail!

:fishn

 

[Reefman]

Personally, I think this thread has become worthy of being posted into the FAQ section... a definitive guide to Steenbras... anyone agree? Anyone disagree with this thread being cleaned up a bit and being posted as an article....?

Comments please...

 

[syd]

 I definitely agree! The content of info posted was very consistent, it is now just a question of applying it.......

 

[neilg]

There is no hard fast rule when it comes to rigs or bait for any fish, if they swim past it chances are they'll take it. Depends on many factors.

There are however ways that have proved to be more successful than others, and these are the ways you should be looking at.

You can use either a fixed rig or a running sinker, altough running sinker seems better due to the fact that the fish won't have to "pick up" and carry the sinker.

Cast Just in front (incoming tide) and just behind (outgoing tide) a sandbank, its definately the best places to look for them as this is where there is the most "movement".

Bait, well most work, with LOTS OF PEOPLE only using white sand crab (easily caught, search on forum), you can and will however also have success with chokka, squid, pilchard, prawn and mussels. Try mixing and matching and see what works for you.

Set your drag VERY VERY light, Steenbras are like Grunters, if they feel tension they let go !

Don't go for heavy traces, the lighter the better, thick line is a major turnoff !

Remember something, small bait (and hooks) can catch small and big fish, big baits (and hooks) can only catch big fish.

Some very nice steenbras have been landed between Swartkops river mouth and the harbour (a +-5km stretch), with some being on the surf and some being in very deep water.

 

[neilg]

And ofcourse the worms are very good aswell

 

[fisherlady]

Hi guys,

Need to know if a floater is required for white steenbras and also need to know of any hot spots over this weekend. Your assistance will be much appreciated.

 

[Noddy]

fisherlady - i've caught two sized ones and the rest under.. none of the undersized ones were kept (all released).
but i can tell you this..

of the 2 sized ones - 1 was with float, 1 without.. so no set rule on that.. suppose it depends on which area u at and what the water conditions are like..

 

[syd]

From what I can gather from all the advice that I got on the steenbras topic, a float can be used especially when there are a lot of bait nibblers around. I would alos think that the calmer the water, the more reason for a float to increase the movement of the bait.

Regarding hot spots I will leave it to the better informed steenie fishermen...!

Syd

 

[Marthin]

the west coast steenbra, the one simen had on the pick is rounder. The white steenbra is the real pignose with the longer face. The one the boy is holding up on page 2.

That's also the one that will make you think ur line's got stuck on a jetski heading to the horizon...

 

[midnight marlin]

In the 30 odd years of angling and targeting steenies in falsebay and the southern cape I have come to this conclusion.80% of all steenies that are landed are either foul hooked or snared.Steenbras that are caught from pure sand beaches are the most difficult to catch.Your traces are of the utmost importance in varying water and weather conditions.On sandy beaches you need a sliding sinker trace with a sliding (skelm)hook on your hooksnood that you set in the top of your bait be it worm prawn chokka(falsebay) sardine(hermanus plaat) or redbait(pearly beach bantamsklip buffelsjag die dam rietfontein and brandfontein)In the rocky areas of the forementioned you dont have to use the skelm hook.I have found the steenbras will take the bait amongst the rocks without much ceremony.
At the plaat(stuisbaai) when the nw wind start picking up thats when the big steam trains start comming out.They will go for pink prawn on a longish hooksnood and sliding sinker trace a cast to the front face of those prominent parralel sandbanks of the plaat and then you just have to hang onto rod untill the inevitable happens.Set tour drag lightly but do not engage it.When the fish takes the bait wait for about ten seconds for the fish to swallow the bait and then you strike lightly and engage your drag.If it is abig fish let him run with the line until he tires turn the fish and reel him in but do not tighten your drag to much.If the fish decides to turn and run allow him to do just that.land the fish with the breakers and do not resist to much if the water draws out just reel him in with the next wave.

 

[jaccil]

syd wrote:

Johand, That sounds like a plan!! I've never fished De Hoop. Have heard from my dad about fishing at Koppie Alleen (that's in  De Hoop is'nt it?). Never had the opportunity as the SANDF closed the area off.
If you gonna clean your great grandfather's grave, I'll bring the flowers!!!
I've heard about the wreck, but never seen it. How far more or less from the entrance?

Koppie Alleen is also the name of a place somewhere along the stretch of beach between Kleinmond and Hawston where only locals really know to find it (it is quite a walk from either side).  It is supposedly a very good spot to get steenbras as they often shoal in this spot.  It is the only spot on the stretch where you'll find some rocks and kelp in the water (though this can only be spotted in clear water on spring low).

Wherever I go, I love chatting to the locals (even here in England).  At times I'll not even bother baiting up and casting when I get the opportunity to harvest some good knowledge!  If only I could spend every day out there on the beach...

 

[Brian 65]

HI

When you guys talk about worm, what or which worm are you talking about, sorry but as a newie i thought all worm were illegal.

if not where and how do I get those worms

Thanks

 

[Brian 65]

HI

When you guys talk about worm, what or which worm are you talking about, sorry but as a newie i thought all worm were illegal.

if not where and how do I get those worms

Thanks

 

[jaccil]

Using worm as bait is not illegal in the Cape.  Bloodworm is the worm most commonly used to target steenbras, but wonderworm, moonshine and coral worm also works well at times.  Where to find these worms - well not in a reserve!  I guess you need to be more specific regarding location, though people tend to be secretive about the less known spots.

Prawn is a great bait for steenies too, and usually much easier to acquire (50 per person per day is more than enough).  Some people believe that to catch big ones consistently, you have to use fish/chokka baits.  Then of course there's crab too - works great when there are lots of crabs around eating the other baits off the hook.

 

[Chris Shelton]

I agree with Frikkie about the crab. Steenies cannot resist them and the pick-up is sudden! I spent a few fruitless hours targetting Steenies at Henties one day, and lazily sitting on the beach pondering what to try next my attention was drawn to a heap of decaying kelp close by. Scratching about I discovered a tiny crab no bigger than a toe nail. Keeping it alive I placed it side ways on a short shank 1/0 hook and did figure 8 turns of cotton around the junctions of the pincers. Casting out to the edge of the perpendicular side of a sandbank I was immediately rewarded with an 11kg Steenie. There was absolutely no buggering around at all, it was a pick up and run! I think that a crab presented this way, whilst still alive has got to be one of the most natural and convincing baits to target Steenies with.

To add a few more pointers, the successful Steenie angler is a wily and constantly thinking angler, one that doesn't become too hung up on text book stuff. He will constantly try different things all the time. For example, there may be a time when you know they are there, but you do not feel them and for some strange reason your hook will come back like polished silver every time. A large steenie is a fish that has endless patience, and unbeknown to the angler can suck at a stationary bait for several minutes on end. I found that the remedy for this was to lengthen my hook trace to two meters. The thinking was that the Steenie will pick up and on feeling no resistance will continue moving on in search of morsals only to hook itself at the end of the two meter travel. This thinking paid off for me one day and I was rewarded with yet another double figure fish.

Boy oh boy, if there is one fish I can write a book about, based just on my own experiences, it has to be the Steenbras. Every one I have ever caught has it's own unique story to tell. So, start thinking and have the confidence to try anything and everything that you have not read or heard of before, (especially when they are not working as I have discovered too many times) and pretty soon you'll be writing some success stories of your own!

Lastly, I cannot over empathies the importance of fishing with a slack line! Contrary to what you may think, the slightest bite can be detected through a completely slack line and you will find yourself fishing so much more sensitively as a result. Good luck and be sure to post your successes!