Welcome to our world!
The Swartkops River estuary provides a safe nursery environment for over 100 species of juvenile fish and also contains a good supply of marine creatures such as prawns, shrimps, worms, molluscs and crustaceans, thus setting the table for a veritable feast of delight for any large predator which might enter from the ocean.
The one medium sized angling fish which the Swartkops River is renowned for around the world, is of course the spotted grunter (Pomadasys Commersonni), locally also known as the tiger.
HOME | CONTACTS | SA RECORDS | NEWS | PHOTO GALLERY | ANECDOTES | CALENDAR | MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION | FRIENDS | EMAIL
The spotted grunter is a shy fish which is easily startled, but puts up a ferocious fight once it is hooked. The Swartkops River estuary normally experiences two "grunter runs" per annum, namely in June and September. During these "runs", hordes of fish move into the estuary to spawn and feed and their tails can often be seen breaking the surface as they burrow into the mud in search of crabs and prawns. Grunter will take prawns, worms and thin strips of chokka or pilchards fished weightless in the shallows and can also be enticed to take a fly imitating a shrimp. Small running (sliding) sinkers are used in the deeper channels where the currents run stronger.
The average weight for grunter varies from 1 to 3 kg with the S.A. angling record being 9,5 kg. For the best fun, grunter are caught on very light tackle (club members are restricted to 4 kg breaking strain) and after an angler's first encounter with this fish, he or she is guaranteed to be hooked for life. To top it all, the spotted grunter makes for excellent eating! According to current Marine and Coastal Management regulations an angler is allowed to catch five grunter per day measuring a minimum length of 40 cm from head to tail.
Steenbras frequent the sandy areas of the estuary where they blow pink prawns from their burrows by a strong jet of water that is forced through the narrow mouth by the pumping action of their powerful gill covers. In the Swartkops River estuary they often occur solitary, whereas in the surf along the South African coast, they do appear in large shoals. They are caught mostly in the early morning on pink prawns and worm bait and make for superb table fish.
Another important angling fish in the Swartkops estuary, is the well-known White steenbras or pignose grunter (Lithognathus lithognathus) which is similar in shape, habit and appearance to the spotted grunter, but grows up to 20 kg in weight and runs like a steam train when it takes the bait. While the S.A. angling record is 29,9 kg, steenbras encountered in the Swartkops estuary average between 1 and 5 kg with an occasional specimen in the vicinity of 9 kg being caught. Due to declining stocks of these fish all around the South African coast, the minimum legal size of a steenbras is 60 cm and an angler is allowed only one fish per day.
Perhaps the best known and most sought after angling fish in South Africa, is the kob (Argyrosomus hololepidotus), also known as kabeljou and daga, which attains sizes of 50 kg and beyond, the S.A. angling record being 73,5 kg. While it is not a spectacular fighter, its huge size makes it very difficult for the angler who is not well prepared to land this fish. Many heartbreaking tales involve huge kob that were lost right next to the boat after a fight of several hours, because the anglers were not suitably equipped.
Kob are predators who frequent the deeper holes and sandy edges of channels in the estuary and are also found around bridge pylons and jetties. As the kob hunts mainly by combining smell and lateral line senses instead of by sight, it is well equipped to feed at night and in dirty water. They can sense their prey from some distance and are thus most active during low light conditions at dusk, dawn and well into the night. Their diet comprises small fish and crustaceans as well as worms, prawns, octopus, squid and cuttlefish.
They will rarely refuse an offering of sardine combined with squid which is neatly presented on a large hook without a sinker. They are also partial to live bait, such as mullet, strepie or karanteen and are hooked equally well on deep diving rapalas and small, flashy spoons fished near the bottom.
All kob, irrespective of size, make excellent eating, the flesh being soft and succulent. The so called worms that are sometimes reported to infest it, have been scientifically proven to be both rare and quite harmless to man after the fish is cooked, and it also does not detract from the taste in any way.
The minimum legal size for kob is 60 cm and anglers are allowed one fish per day in the Swartkops River estuary.
A fish with the reputation of being the best fighting fish in South African waters, is the garrick or leervis (Lichia amia). This streamlined predator frequents the Swartkops River estuary in the summer months and provides anglers with hours of hectic fishing. It readily takes small spoons, plugs and lures like Rapalas as well as live bait, especially mullet which make up the bulk of its diet.
Leervis are often encountered high up in the river towards the brackish water and can be seen smashing into shoals of baitfish during incoming tide early in the morning and late in the afternoon. The fish is rarely caught at night, but when it is, it is invariably on soft bait like prawn. Although not a culinary delight, leervis are of fair eating value, but are rather targeted for their spectacular fighting abilities. The minimum legal size for leervis is 70 cm which translates to a weight of about 5 kg and anglers are allowed two fish per day in the Swartkops River estuary. Although most fish caught in the estuary do not make the grade and have to be released, they provide the angler with endless fun and satisfaction as they run in cicles all around the boat. The S.A. angling record for leervis is 32,2 kg.
Another ferocious fighter which frequents the Swartkops River all year round, but especially during the summer months, is the elf or shad (Pomatomus saltator). True to its latin name which translates to "serrated dancer", it is amongst the fiercest of marine predators and one of our best angling fishes. The elf feeds in shoals close to the surface of the water and with its razor-sharp teeth are able, within seconds, to tear even its largest prey to shreds. As it hunts by sight, it invariably prefers clear water during the day and will also feed under artificial light at night. Its diet comprises largely of fish such as anchovies, pilchards and pinkies (gorrie) and is supplemented by shrimps, squid and octopus. Elf will viciously attack a spoon and provide the angler with a real treat. It will jump repeatedly, shaking its head vigorously and biting furiously. This often results in lines being bitten off and spoons hurtling loose. Anglers are advised to use very heavy trace line or piano wire trace and should always be careful to keep their fingers clear of its sharp end. When fresh, the flesh makes for excellent eating, but it deteriorates quite fast.
The long standing S.A. angling record of 10,2 kg was caught close by at Cape Receife and the general size which frequents the river ranges from 1 to 2 kg. The minimum legal size for elf is 30 cm and anglers are allowed four fish per day. There is a closed season for elf from 1 October to 30 November in any year.
The Natal stumpnose (Rhabdosargus sarba) or yellowfin bream visits the Swartkops River occasionally during the winter months. It is an extremely beautiful fish when it emerges from the water before the colours start fading. It is a fine table fish and a strong fighter, but tires rather quickly. The minimum legal size is 25 cm and anglers are allowed 5 fish per day. Specimens caught here average around 2 kg, while the S.A. angling record is 7.3 kg. Its strong teeth easily copes with the hardest of shellfish and the best baits to use are rock and sand mussels, redbait and crabs.
The Sand steenbras (Lithognathus mormyrus) is a smaller cousin of the White steenbras or pignose grunter. It is found in small shoals in sandy areas near the mouth of the Swartkops River and provides the angler with great fun on light tackle. It is not generally found in low salinity areas. It is adept at camouflage as the darker crossbars marking its flanks blend with the ripple marks on the sandy seabed, making it very inconspicuous, even when present in fair numbers. It is easily caught on a variety of small baits such as prawns, worms, small crabs and pieces of pilchard. The fish is very tasty and also makes for excellent bait for larger predators.
The average weight of these fish varies between 0,5 and 1 kg. They do not appear on the protected list and have a bag limit of 10 per angler per day.
The springer or ten pounder (Elops machnata), best known locally as a skipjack, is the one fish that will separate the men from the boys every time. It is a cousin of the well-known tarpon and a furious fighter which runs circles around a boat and jumps repeatedly. If one succeeds in landing one out of every three fish hooked, that is a good average. It will grab the hook tightly in it bony mouth and give the angler the fight of a lifetime, before it throws the hook at will. This aggressive predator penetrates deep into the Swarkops estuary individually as well as in groups and will often patrol the perimeter of a shoal of bait fish, making periodic rushes into it to snatch prey. The large dorsal fin is often visible above the water surface while it is hunting, usually in the late afternoon and early evening.
Almost any flesh bait will tempt this fish, eg. live or dead fish, prawns or squid. Lures are also successful. The SA angling record is 11,8 kg and there is no minimum size restriction while the angler is allowed 5 fish per day. These fish are largely targeted for the fight, however, as it is full of small bones and not very palatable.
The sand or river gurnard (Platycephalus indicus) is common in estuaries where its colour blends well with its muddy surroundings. Due to the barcode-like markings on its tail, it is also known elsewhere as a bartail flathead. The fish is very inconspicuous, especially when it buries itself below the mud with only its eyes exposed, ready to snatch any passing prey. It feeds on shrimps, polychaete worms, small crabs and other bottom-living vertebrates. The fish shows remarkable tolerance to dirty water and fluctuating salinities. This is a fine angling fish which readily takes prawn or fish bait and puts up a good fight. The sharp spines on its back should be avoided, however, as it may inflict painful wounds. The average weight of these fish varies between 1 and 2 kg in the Swarkops River estuary, while the SA angling record is 3,7 kg. While the fish is not on the protected species list, the minimum legal size is 30 cm and the bag limit is 10 per angler per day The gurnard is an excellent table fish.
The Hook and Reel Angling Club
Schooner Crescent, Swartkops, South Africa
HOME | CONTACTS | SA RECORDS | NEWS | PHOTO GALLERY | ANECDOTES | CALENDAR | MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION | FRIENDS | EMAIL