The story of Struisbaai fishing is a very inspiring one. What used to be a small fishing village gradually turned into one of South Africa’s most successful coastal settlement. Nowadays, Struisbaai is not only a thriving destination for sports anglers, but its harbor also hosts a commercial fleet of respectful size. Horse riding, hiking, and diving are just some of the other things you can find in this lovely town, apart from the world-class angling opportunities that is.
Known For
In the Western Cape Region, anglers regard Struisbaai as the capital of nearshore fishing, and it’s easy to see why. Stretching for more than 200km to the south is a long and shallow part of the continent shelf that’s known as the Agulhas Bank. These waters are home to a wide variety of pelagic and bottom feeding species, making them a perfect choice for any angler looking for a big prize. Speaking of big prizes, the deep sea fishing in this part of South Africa is absolutely outstanding, and well worth the invested time and effort.
Nearshore Fishing
Most nearshore fishing here is done in the eastern reaches of the Agulhas Bank. This usually means fishing near De Mond, but sometimes even further out. Of course, it all depends on what you’re looking to catch. Probably the most popular species targeted on nearshore trips is the Yellowtail Amberjack. Yellowtails reside in these waters year-round, but reach their peak numbers in summer and fall. Another local favorite is the Kob. Visiting anglers from the US consider Kob to be the Redfish of South Africa.
Some of the other species found nearshore include Geelbek, Leerfish, Fingermark Bream, and more besides. Not only is there so much variety to be found here, but you don’t even need to spend a long time looking for it!
Deep Sea Fishing
The second pillar of the local fishing scene, you’ll find many anglers who will readily claim that deep sea fishing in Struisbaai can easily give Cape Town a run for its money. Whether you might agree or not, the fact remains that you’ll find some amazing fishing a couple of dozen kilometres out. For the most part this will include numerous species of Tuna (Yellowfin, Skipjack, Bigeye), Black Marlin, and Mahi Mahi.
Need to Know
The currency used in South Africa is the Rand. You can find ATM machines spread out all over, and most businesses accept major credit and debit cards.
Regulations
All adult anglers will need to have a fishing license in order to fish in Struisbaai. Cumulative bag limits are the norm in South Africa, and your charter captain will tell you about any current exceptions taking place during your stay.
Budget
Most charter trips to the Agulhas Bank will last between 5-6 hours. This can cost you anywhere between ZAR 8,000-10,000, depending on the size and capacity of the boat. Deep sea fishing trips, on the other hand, usually last longer than 10 hours and will set you back somewhere in the ZAR 15,000 mark.
Getting There
Highway 2 connects the entire southern coastline, so that will be your main avenue of approach, regardless where you’re coming from exactly. If you plan on flying in, keep in mind that the closest airport is in Cape Town, some 150 km away from Struisbaai.
This is one of the prime fishing destinations in South Africa, and a day of fishing is all you need to find out why that is. There’s plenty of other things here to do as well, making Struisbaai a perfect destination for a summer fishing getaway.