Saltwater Fishing in South Africa

Author: Hennie Crous
Struik Publishers
2nd. edition, Cape Town 2000
Soft cover, 15x21 cm, 230 pages, numerous colour photos and bw-illustrations

Publisher's note:

"Saltwater Fishing in South Africa" - a practical guide to the how, when and where of angling along the South African coastline - has been fully revised and updated to offer the most recent information regarding salt-water fishing in the region. With the inexperienced angler in mind, the initial chapters offer expert advice on understanding the influence of nature on the sea and its fish, buying and maintaining lackle, knot-tying, rig-assembling and bait collecting. Thereafter, drawing on over 30 years of experience, the author discusses rock and surf, estuarine, inshore and deep-sea angling, provides details of 20 popular fish species, and gives careful instruction on the tackle and techniques required to catch them.

Thirteen area guides supply commenlary on prime fishing spots around the South African coast as well as the type of fishing available at each. Written in an easy, friendly style, and generously illustrated, "Saltwater Fishing in South Africa" contains all the know-how necessary for the novice to cast for target species with confidence and for the more seasoned angler to improve his fishing skills and catch rate. "Saltwater Fishing in South Africa" makes the ideal fishing companion.

Hooked on fishing since the age of six, Hennie Crous qualified in oceanography and fishing gear technology and has spent a lifetime on, in or by the sea. He holds provincial and national deep-sea angling colours.

Authors Preface:

So often after a day's fishing, when one angler has been particularly successful while others in the party have struggled to catch anything, the inevitable post-mortem will bring to light subtle differences in tackle and rigging or bait presentation. And time and again it will be found that the consistently successful angler is the one who is aware that changes in the prevailing conditions can affect the behaviour and feeding habits of fish, and who instinctively adapts his fishing technique accordingly.

In writing this book my objective has been to provide a useful guide to salt-water fishing - principally for newcomers to the sport but I hope that much will be of interest to those who have been fishing for some time. I make no claim to have written a comprehensive manual, but, over the years, in introducing people of all ages to angling, and assisting others to aquire the skills necessary to make successful angling much more than a matter of luck, I have found the better the foundation a beginner has, the better angler he becomes. This foundation is what I hope the novice will gain from this book.

In conclusion I wish to draw the reader's attention to the vital need to conserve our fishing resource and its environment. Easier access to fishing spots, four-wheel-drive vehicles and simply an increase in the number of anglers is putting severe pressure on our shores and marine life. In the interests of all, I appeal to our anglers to treat our marine resources and shores with respect. Observe the catch restrictions and join the tag-and-release programme, details of which are outlined at the back of this book, and take great care not to desecrate our beautiful shores. If everyone adopts a responsible attitude, fishing will remain the relaxing and rewarding pastime it has always been and its future will be guaranteed for the generations who follow.

Picture above:

Outstanding catches of longfin tuna are still made off the Cape Peninsula. Individual specimens weighing in excess of 25 kg are not uncommon.

From the chapter "Deep Sea - Big Game Angling":

Spinning tactics It is difficult to recommend a particular type of spinner. Most spinnermen have a few favourite spinners in which they have confidence and they will use them no matter what. Longfin tuna are often caught deeper down than are yellowfin, so a fairly heavy spinner will get you into action quicker than a lighter one. Your choice of spinner on any particular day may depend on the state of the sea, the wind and the weather, the class of tackle you are using and the type and size of baitfish that the tuna are disgorging on deck. Again, keep in mind that a dull brass spinner may give you more success on a dull, overcast day than a heavily-shined one.

The speed at which you retrieve a spinner depends on a number of factors, but before you start adjusting your retrieval speed to suit the conditions or the behaviour of the fish, you need to find the best retrieval rate for your set of tackle. Your best retrieval rate depends largely on the gear ratio of your reel and the shape and size of your spinner, but only with practice and experience will you arrive at the retrieval rate that gives your spinner the most natural action as it swims through the water.

The depth to which you let your spinner sink will depend on the behaviour of the fish. Sometimes they take the spinner close to the surface, while on other occasions you may have to let your spinner sink quite deep before winding it back. If you are no longer enticing the fish, change your tactics. Try letting your spinner sink deeper or next to the boat; cast a bit further, even beyond the edge of the chum slick, and bring the spinner back on the surface. Tuna, especially longfin, often take the spinner while it is still sinking.

One final word of advice: remember to check the oval clips or rings that attach the hooks to the spinner, as they are prone to open up if you have been twisting or pulling the spinner out of the fishes' mouths. Also, take great care when you bring a fish alongside the boat - a spinner can be very dangerous should it pull out of a fish's mouth unexpectedly. Try to hold your rod at an angle pointing away from the other anglers. [...]