FISHFINDER: November
What to target in November
Whether holiday maker or competitive surf angler, knowing where to find fish and what bait and tackle to use is a great help. Here top surf anglers graciously give readers their hints and advice. We will be expanding this feature as we progress through the year.
KZN North Coast
Book a deep-sea fishing charter – St Lucia
Book a Rock & Surf or Fat Bike fishing trip – Mapelane, St Lucia, Mission Rocks, Cape Vidal
Natal Stumpnose
Beach
- Where to find them: They are found in rocky areas and sandy beaches. They love to feed around “sand plumed” and very often they feed close to shore.
- Favourite spots: St Lucia beaches to First Rocks and at Cape Vidal
- Tides Preferred: Low tide
- Bait: Sea lice, crayfish (remember you need a bait license) pink prawn/chokka combo.
- Tackle: These guys hit hard, and the first run is normally strong but after that their fight is not too strong so medium set up is good enough. I like to use a 6/0 circle hook on a 50cm trace.
- Regulations: 5per day 200mm minimum size. My regulations RELEASE Please…
Info supplied by: Jeff Asher-Wood, Rock & Surf charter. SMS only: 082 978 1098
Sailfish
- Boat, kayak or Jet Ski.
- Favorite Spots: Cape Vidal from a depth of 25 meters and deeper.
- State of Tide: Tide has no influence.
- What bait to use: Live Maasbanker, Redeye Sardine or Sugar Mackerel works best. Some prefer lures. As a last resort, fresh dead bait will also work.
- Tackle (line class, leader, sinkers, and knots): Due to the rough bill, a leader of 30kg plus breaking strain is essential. A fluorocarbon leader works best. A mainline breaking strain of between 15kg to 19kg is sufficient. The leader is knotted to the mainline with a Bimini Twist or Slim Beauty knot. Some anglers prefer to use a circle hook tied to a fluorocarbon leader with a Snell knot. The simplest way to attach the live bait to the circle hook is to hook the circle hook trough the nostrils of the live bait. The hook can also be bridle rigged by looping a piece of Dyneema line through the hook and attaching the live bait to the hook by pushing a cable tie through the bait’s eye socket and then looping the cable tie through the loop in the Dyneema. When circle hooks are used, the drag should be left loose and the fish allowed to swallow the bait before setting the hook. For those who do not believe in circle hooks, many sailfish have been caught using a standard couta trace. Releasing the fish will be more difficult though.
- Fishing Regulations: None – but it is a gentleman’s agreement amongst anglers that all sailfish be released alive and unharmed to fight another day.
Info supplied by: Manie Combrinck, kayak angler of note.
Falsebay, Strandfontein, Cape Town
Kob
- Boat/Beach: Beach
- Where to find them: Strandfontein to Macassar
- Favourite spots: Arendse Road – Strandfontein
- State of the tide: Pushing tide
- What bait to use: Live bait (Harder), Chokka, Pilchard
- Tackle – (line class, leader, hooks, sinkers, knots): .45lbs mono, single 8/0 circle hook, 7 oz grab sinker, 1.0 leader line
- Fishing regulations: 5 per day and only 1 fish over 1 meter. We prefer to only keep 1 fish per day.
Info supplied by: Roux Swart – Madfin Extreme Beach Charters – 083 302 8963
Namibia
Spotted Gully Shark
- Boat or Beach: Beach
- Tide: High
- WHERE TO FIND THEM: Find them in gullies.
- FAVOURITE SPOTS: Popeye, Jakkalsputz, Winston
- WHAT BAIT TO USE: Mullet
- TACKLE: Assassin Horizon zero, HMC Heavy XL, Penn Slammer 7500
- FISHING REGULATIONS: One a day to keep BUT rather release them.
Info supplied by: Marina Kruger, Hentiesbay Angling Tours, 081 251 1489
Mozambique
Greenspot Kingfish
- Boat/Beach: Beach
- Where to find them: Specie prefer reef area.
- State of the tide: Full tide.
- What bait to use: Sebile 1.5 to 2 ounce or 4 to 5-inch jerk shad.
- Tackle – (line class, leader, hooks, sinkers, knots): 20 – 30 Whiplash, 0.60-0.65 floro carbon, treble or 4/0 inline hook.
- Fishing regulations: 5 pp per day.
Info supplied by: Iron River Pro Staffer, Charl Marais.
Springer
- Boat/Beach: Beach
- Favourite spots: Estuarine in shallow coastal waters.
- State of the tide: Any tide.
- What bait to use: Spinner or bucktail lures.
- Tackle – (line class, leader, hooks, sinkers, knots): 20-30 Whiplash, 0.6-0.65 floro carbon, treble or 4/0 in line hook.
- Fishing regulations: 5 pp per day.
Info supplied by: Iron River Pro Staffer, Charl Marais.
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