Vermaaklikheid/Duiwenhoks Estuary Fishing

[MKing]

Hi Everyone.
Myself and 3 mates are heading to Vermaklikheid at the end of March. We often fish Witsand but decided to change it up for this trip to try something new.
Anybody have some helpful tips on fishing the Duiwenhoks Estuary - What works there and good spots to catch?
Any helpful info will be much appreciated!
Thanks.

 

[Dr halibut hoffman]

Follow the brown water...the clear water will waste your time, bring a canoe...The fishing off the rocks in the surf, is very hungry on tackle but I've caught all sorts of species and old fish too so put back big pens en derms and gallies and crackers etc to keep the stocks good. Some very old fish off those reefs in under those overhangs and in those caves in front the cliffs.. Best bait in river is caught in eastern cape at night under bright lights , same as witsands, else mudprawn and livebait..Not as much sand prawn there last time I was there. The fishing is very dependent on the tide there, you have to follow the nice water up and down..Put back big fish, they are under enough pressure from the poachers, locals and offshore commercials. Pick up litter and don't make a mess, it is a beautiful part of the world. Lots of small fussy leeries also , live mullets and light tackle for them..also great fun on little stickbaits etc. Deep holes close to the mouth are very snaggy, lots of tree debris and rope and old line and crap down there, try not add to it.

 

[Whitewash]

Lovely place.

You will need a canoe or small boat.

As you make your way down the river from Vermaaklikheid towards the mouth, there are tall palm trees on the bend. Water about 8m deep there ... good spot

Fish all the way down until before Kleinfontein ... all good spots. look for nice drop-off from mountain into the river. fish opposite the drop-off on the ledge. Preferably with livies.

At the gate of Kleinfontien water 6-8m deep. Good for shore fishing at night.

About 500m down river past Kleinfontein (look for the boat launch site), fish the banks on the opposite side on VERY light tackle and mud prawn. Good for spotted grunter.

My experience is that the best time to fish is on high tide, at the turn of the tide to low. The river will "stand" for about 20-30min. I find that to be the best time to fish drop-off and ledges.

Barbel follows the brown water .... but as they say....where there is barbel, the cob lurks.

No trolling is allowed on the river.

come tell how it went