SPOTTED GRUNTER
(Pomadasys commersonnil)
Found in warm waters of estuaries and close to river mouths.
Caught on sardine (pilchard), or squid, but this fish’s favourite bait is prawn.
This fish will provided a good fight. The origin of name “Grunter” comes from the fact that mature species will make a grunting noise when they are caught and taken out of the water.
Eating: Very good table fish
Equipment :
- 4kg line
- 1/0 ore 2/0 hook
KABELJOU | KOB
(Argyrosomus Hololepidotus)
Kob enjoy sandy beaches and bays, which means they can be found near river mouths and provide an exciting fight.
Kabeljou/Kob can be caught on soft baits such as sardine (pilchard) and mackerel. They will also readily take a strip of squid or a prawn. Generally the bigger the bait, the bigger the kob you should catch.
Kob is one of the few surviving shoaling fish so it can be caught in fair quantities.
Kob are excellent fish to eat, particularly in the southern Cape where it is a sought after table fish.
Eating: Very good table fish
Equipment :
- 16kg line (fishing from shore)
- 37kg line (trolling with live bait)
- Sturdy Rod about 12ft
- Long trace +-1.5m when fishing from a boat
GARRICK | LEERVIS
(Lichia amia)
This fish is a coastal species that is normally found in the surf zone.
Garrick occur along the entire South African coast.
Live bait using mullet, Soft bait spinning, Rapala spinning.
Garrick are game fish, and many anglers live for the thrill of hooking up this magnificent species. They are a challenge to land as they will fight till the bitter end.
Fair quality for eating
Equipment :
- 16 – 25 kg line
- Standard beach rod
- Wire trace should be used
MULLET | MUGILIDAE
Even though mullet are regarded by many anglers as bait fish, they can be a challenge to hook due to the mullets shy nature. Mullet have the super advantage of being able to live in either salt of freshwater. They can normally be found in brackish water which is a mixture of salt and freshwater. Mullet will live close to shore in shoals. Young mullet will form large shoals for protection against predators. Mullet can be located by disturbances on the waters surface and jumping fish. When mullet are feeding on the bottom they will turn on their sides that will flash a bright silver colour that can be seen in clear water.
Anglers need to care for all mullet species as the mullet population is under threat.