Kob(let)tober
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Promising future
the Breede River
It had been a long winter in the Cape, maybe not in terms of driving rain and icy cold days, but for any artificial lure angler spring has taken its sweet time. For me, time seemed to stand still in the weeks leading up to the long weekend in September. I’d done my research on catching kob on artificials, stocked up on the relevant tackle, and was convinced that my brother and I would cane the fish when we eventually got to our favourite destination.
Beyond the next bend
just a little bit further
The crunch of the dry sea sand under your feet is only drowned out by the sound of your heart pounding out of your chest. Small beads of sweat run down your cheeks and evaporate before reaching your collar.
I keep checking over my shoulder to see if Jay is still keeping up, I feel bad for pushing him this far, but it will be worth it if he hooks into that bus, surely then all will be forgiven?
“Nog net 10 gooie!” (Just 10 more casts)
perseverance or madness
Fear, adrenaline, uncertainty, excitement, hope, joy… you pick the emotion and I will tell you why.
I have often told the stories of catching large Garrick on chisel nose poppers in the Breede River or double-digit Kob on bucktail in the surf in the Eastern Cape. Truth be told, none measure up to that one late afternoon from the launch pad in the Kariega River.
Transkei, here we go again
back to Lubanzi
A fishing trip to the Transkei never required a second invitation and one to Mbolompo point even less so. We got to know this stretch of coastline over the course of our last couple of visits, but this time there was a new discovery in store for us.
The usual crew, bar a sub or two were on the road before sunrise; passing through Queenstown just in time for coffee and few last supplies. We took turns sitting in front of the single cab bakkie, swapping positions as the ones on the back were nearing hypothermia.
Transkei fishing with the boys
a first for some
An adventure to the Transkei use to be a must for all fishermen.
It was a place of beauty, unspoilt, unfished and wild. Nature in control; time measured by the sun; if it is up its day, and if it is down it is night. Dates were lost into yesterdays, todays and tomorrows. You forgot about the rest of the world for two weeks. There use to be no cell phone signal and no help around if needed. You were at the mercy of the land and its people. You felt alive, free, blessed…
Spotted grunter on top-water lure
Western Cape woes
I am no Dynamo, David Blaine or some other master of illusion. Enticing a rise or fooling an unsuspecting ghost of the flats to take interest in my offering, a surface lure, having the spotted grunter believe that it is a prawn just doing a bit of backstroke along the surface, oh the disappointment.
The Eastern Cape anglers probably shake their heads in disbelief at my lack of regular success, you don’t know how easy you have it with your swimming prawns and weedless rivers (or so I thought – edit 2016, see update success).
Shad or elf
(Pomatomous saltatrix)
What an apt scientific name for this specie. Those of you who have been fortunate enough to hook into a decent size elf on an artificial lure will know exactly what I mean; “saltatrix”. They jump, twist and shake their head, trying to throw the lure, performing all sorts of aerial “tricks”
Kob or kabeljou
(Dusky – Argyrosomus japonicus)
Kob are one of my favourite species of fish to target. As we predominantly fish in the Eastern and Western Cape it is in fact the dusky kob that lends itself to the hours of enjoyment spent in search of this ambush hunter.
Dusky kob numbers are extremely low and without our help will soon be threatened. Let’s work together and save a specie by handling our catch with care and releasing it, let’s make a difference.
Garrick or leervis
(Lichia amia)
This gentleman of the ocean can often be found in large numbers hunting their pray in schools, but are just as comfortable on a solo mission. The excitement of witnessing a leerie smash undoubtedly gets the adrenaline pumping in any true fisherman.
Namibia calling
and we answer
The inner-caveman starts to claw at the surface. You picture catching the salmon on your sushi plate; you order beer instead of your usual vino to accompany a dish; dirt, early mornings and late nights, burps and farts, braaivleis and vuilgrappe; pluk vir jou n wandelstaf (visstok) want hierdie lyf wil see toe.
Basiese kunsaas hengel
Jay vertel ons hoe
Daar word gereeld hengel vrae aan ons gerig en dit verskaf ons groot genot om bietjie van ons kennis en ondervinding te deel met ander.
n Aanhanger het die vraag aan Jayson gerig : “Ek wil bietjie kunsaas hengel terwyl ek in Namibia is, help asseblief uit met basiese benodighede, addisoneel tot stok en katrol”
Getting into rock and surf fishing
We received the following question :
“I need to get a little more distance off the rocks and in the surf. What can look at in the line of rods and reels without it getting too complicated but enough to be able to hold my own when fishing in the sea. I have looked on the web at the fishing store and am confused as there is a big selection. Obviously light rods and good reels is the way to go.”
Hi xxxx
There is a huge selection of Rock & Surf tackle out there, and multiple setups to suit everyone’s needs.
The beauty of nowhere
Exploring the beauty of nowhere, from Cape Town to Cape Cross.
