HOOKED ON THE EASTERN CAPE. 10 FAVOURITE FISHING SPOTS

The coastline of the Eastern Cape is scattered with prime fishing locations and attracts avid fishermen and newbie fish enthusiasts throughout the year, but the salty seaside is not the only place to take your tackle box.  South Africa is diverse in terms of its fishing resources; rivers and dams are also rod-ready and there are some excellent fly-fishing opportunities in our neck of the woods.

Don’t forget to get the necessary fishing licenses and permits, adhere to quotas, catch and release where you can and respect Marine Protected Areas around Garden Route National Park (Tsitsikamma), Hluleka and Dwesa Cwebe nature reserves on the Wild Coast.

Stock up on some bait, get ready to be reeled in on your next fishing adventure and visit these 10 fishing spots as you fall – again and again - hook, linker and sinker for the Eastern Cape. It will be love at first bite!

HUNT FOR TROUT AND BASS IN HOGSBACK, AMATHOLE MOUNTAIN ESCAPE

Hogsback is known for its forests, waterfalls, hiking trails and rolling mist, and if you enjoy fly fishing you’ll be in for a surprise.  Lowestoffe Country Lodge has four fully stocked trout dams, a bass dam and there’s also the Klipplaat River. Not too far from Hogsback you’ll also find Cata Village with wild browns and Mnyameni Dam with pan-sized wild rainbows. The Amatola Fly Fishing Club is passionate about their waters and their website and newsletters are filled valuable up-to-date information for visitors.

ROUTE 72 FISHING AROUND KENTON-ON-SEA

Fisherfolk will fall in love with Kenton-on-Sea as this small seaside village is between Bushmans and Kariega rivers and their river mouths and estuaries. The much-loved Bat’s Cave: a deep, rocky gully, will fill your days with sand steenbras, galjoen, garrick and many more. Do take note of the tides when visiting Bat’s Cave, high tide can get dangerous.

GO WILD FLY FISHING IN SOMERSET EAST, KAROO HEARTLAND

The Karoo is anything but barren when it comes to fly fishing. The Angler & Antelope Guesthouse in Somerset East has exclusive access to 25 km of the Little Fish River and numerous dams, offers guided tours (rods available to rent) and the fish are anything but little; in 2013 an unofficial river trout record was set weighing in at over 14 pounds.  Other species that can you can catch on fly are the indigenous smallmouth yellowfish, bass, mudfish, moggel and even barbel. Nearby Glen Avon Farm also has three stocked dams.

HEAD TO THE NORTHERN STREAMS OF RHODES

The Eastern Cape highlands is home to numerous fishable rivers and streams: one as charming and picturesque as the next and it is no wonder that Rhodes is home to the headquarters of the Wild Trout Association which promotes and manages sustainable fly fishing. Enjoy the crystal-clear waters of Bell River, Bokspruit, Riflespruit, Sterkspruit and Kraai River and don’t miss out on the annual Wild Trout Festival (16-20 March 2019).

GO DEEP AT ST FRANCIS BAY, KOUGA

Whether you get seasick or not, if you are a saltwater fisherman at heart, a trip into the deep blue is usually the highlight of any coastal holiday. St Francis Bay is your launch site to an unforgettable deep-sea fishing adventure, bringing you closer to the big ones! The excursion is a combination of game and bottom fishing – you can catch and release or take your catch home - and you can opt between a full- or half-day trip. Don’t forget to obtain your fishing license before the trip! 

THERE’S MORE TO ADDO THAN ELEPHANTS

Try your hand at fresh- and still-water fishing for bass, deep in the Zuurberg Mountains or learn the art of spinning or fly fishing from a river bank, canoe or float tube – there is a guided adventure for every type of angler – easy, relaxing and pleasurable.

SEARCH FOR THE GAMTOOS RIVER’S GIANT COB, KOUGA 

The Gamtoos River is a fishing mecca and known as an important breeding ground of the dusky cob, white Steenbras and grunter. But the cob – or rather the gigantic massive cob – is what attracts visitors to this river located just a few kilometres from the seaside town of Jeffreys Bay, another popular saltwater fishing spot. Those with boats can launch from the numerous slipways or opt for surf fishing along the coastline. Those with calves built for dunes can lug fishing equipment over a few mountains of sand to throw a line from the shore into the ocean, it may well be worth the effort!

BRAVE BRAZEN HEAD ON THE WILD COAST

Fishing at Brazen Head may not be for the faint-hearted, but it’s a picture-perfect Wild Coast location (20km south of Port St. Johns) that attractions keen rock and surf fishermen. Anglers can expect to reel in anything from blacktail and garrick to a bronze whaler shark, however accessibility requires a 4x4 and a long walk down to the coast. Pretty much anywhere along the Wild Coast is going to offer superb fishing. Just check with your local resort for their recommendations along this vast, and wild, stretch of coastline.

FROM THE SHORES OF EERSTERIVIER, TSITSIKAMMA

Even though the majority of the Tsitsikamma coastline falls under a Marine Protected Area, you can still cast a line when visiting Eersterivier. Expect a variety from musselcracker to bronze beam as you cast from the beach, from “The Stoep” or at the mouth of “Dasgat” but always keep the tides in mind, the area is known for its stormy seas and freak waves.

A FISHING SAFARI AT KWANDWE GAME RESERVE

Why not combine a bit of luxury, game viewing and fishing in one delightful dream package? Kwandwe is a 54 000-acre, world-class Big Five game reserve and guest can experience catch-and-release fishing in either still water or in the Great Fish River.

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KOUGA BAVIAANS │THE WILD COAST │KAROO HEARTLAND │AMATHOLE MOUNTAIN ESCAPE │ROUTE 72 ON THE SUNSHINE COAST │GREAT ADDO │TSITSIKAMMA