Ski-Boat — May-June 2017

the mighty Agulhas current ascends
along the Agulhas Banks to swathe very
large inshore areas with some generous
warm eddies, spiraling directly from its
sharing heart. This manifestation her-
alds the annual time of plenty which so
many dream about — especially those
whose livelihoods are entirely depen-
dent on the bounty of the sea.
Most of the offshore anglers make
use of the breakwater launching facility
at Struisbaai harbour, but launching
from Arniston presents a specific —
probably unique — challenge to skip-
pers. Because they have to launch
directly from a concrete slip into the
surf, boats are required to have special
wheeling modifications enabling them
to cope with these rodeo type take-offs.
(See SKI-BOAT November/December
2007 for details.)
The potent combination of unique
launching challenges, strong winds,
wild seas, unpredictable undercurrents
and rocky inshore make this part of the
coastline difficult to navigate; it’s advis-
able for inexperienced crews or
unsound boats to stay away.

Notwithstanding all that, this region is

often referred to as having some of the

best fishing waters in South Africa.

Located on the Agulhas shelf, the area

offers relatively shallow fishing grounds

and copious quantities of a large variety

of linefish species are lifted from these

very productive waters each year.

Although remarkable quantities of

geelbek (Cape salmon), kabeljou and

red linefish species are taken, the yel-

lowtail enjoys the lion’s share both in

terms of being targeted and yields. As

we all know, numerous factors influ-

ence catch results, even on an hourly

basis, so the estimated yellowtail catch-

es coming from these waters cannot be

quantified. However, compared to the

meagre catches experienced over the

last two years, especially this year, some

astonishing yields of several hundred

tons of these green and gold beauties

have been taken in years gone by, both

by commercial and sport fishermen.

During the high season it is not

uncommon for most anglers to return

to shore with their full tally of the

allowable ten fish per person, whilst a

single commercial boat carries upwards

of three tons at times.

THE PREY

Our subject of focus, the renowned

Cape yellowtail, is probably the most

prized quarry along the entire seaboard

of South Africa. The yellowtail is a very

robust, fast swimmer; in my books

pound-for-pound the strongest adver-

sary in the sea!

Those sudden, vicious strikes fol-

lowed by lightning fast take-offs and

long, very hard runs have resulted in

many unwary anglers losing their pre-

cious gear to Neptune. In these shallow

waters, if you happen to stay in control

during these adrenalin-loaded moments

and manage to terminate that line strip-

ping run, you’ll probably still get

snagged on some underwater structure.

The large specimens in particular are

absolute masters at choosing the ocean

floor as their defensive zone and, whilst

playing foul, will fight to the bitter end.

Fishing methods include using drift

baits and trolling or casting with live-

baits or lures. The yellowtail’s habit of

SKI-BOAT May/June 2017 • 67

The Agulhas and Overberg region is filled with contrasts, from beautiful yellow and green fields of canola and wheat to fish-

rich aquamarine oceans that beat up against treacherous rocky shores.

The Struisbaai harbour (left) offers a breakwater launching facility but at Arniston (right) skippers have to launch directly from
a concrete slipway into the surf, a much more challenging exercise.