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KFSA-Kayak Fishing South Africa
Fish we target
King Mackerel or Couta are probably the most targeted fish from a Kayak is the King Mackerel or Couta. They are caught from December until the end of July all along the Natal Coast. A hungry predator which uses sight or vibrations in the water to catch it's prey. Knowing how and where the fish hunts it's prey is the key to catching them. A fish which passes by quickly (paddling fast) will probably not catch the attention of a Couta. On the other hand a wounded or distressed fish which swims lazily past and seems to be struggling will swiftly be eaten! To enhance the attraction we use Couta flashers or Dusters and coloured skirts. See tackle and rigs These are attached in front of the Couta's favourite bait fish Mackerel, Sardine, Redeye Sardine, Bonito, Walla Walla, Jap Mackerel etc. Favourite hunting areas for Couta are reefs, drop offs, pinnacles, thermo clines, and where there are bait fish. A strong fighting fish which average from the shoal type Couta which are 4-8kg up to the Croc Couta which go from 20kg to 40kg. The Sardine run is a good time to catch the big Couta. Natal Snoek or Queen Mackerel are similar to Couta but not as strong fighters for their size. The main difference is the Snoek can be a very fussy eater so you must use fluoro carbon and scale your tackle down. Often found in large shoals around rocky outcrops, river mouths, current rips, and shallow reefs usually less than 10 metres deep the Snoek can easily be spotted when smashing into baitfish on the surface. You can catch them by spinning with Onde Onda or dropshot, or trolling fillet baits or Clark spoons through the shoal See tackle and rigs As with all game fish feeding on the surface this is a very exciting way to fish.
Yellowfin Tuna or Tunny are very strong fighting fish which prefer the cooler greener water. Caught on a live bait or chunks of sardine these will test your tackle. Many of these fish are landed over 20kgs on a Fishingski! There presence is often betrayed by their surface activity of either chasing bait fish or jumping clear of the water. A freshly caught live bait is a good method to catch these fish or trolling a Rapala or Halco Lure See tackle and rigs Often these fish can be caught swimming with dolphins. Again reefs , wrecks, pinnacles are good spots to find them. Hook into one of these fish and you are in for a long fight often you will be towed long distances!!!
Dorado are a seasonal summer fish which can be caught in numbers usually when we get the warm blue water, and you definitely have a good chance of getting a "double up" The easy part is hooking them, the hard part is landing them! These acrobatic fish will leap and shake their heads and fight to the end! Like Sailfish their colours are very bright when in the water and quickly fade when removed.
Sailfish are probably the ultimate catch from a Kayak. The sight of a Sailfish "sunbathing" with it's sail out of the water is one of the most incredible sights you will ever see, second only to releasing him back into the water after a long fight. The colours of a Sailfish when he is excited are quite magnificent and quickly fade if they are removed from the water. Try to land a Sailfish quickly as they often fight to the death. Kingfish are the real tackle testers. Once you hook one of these monsters you know you are in for an arm aching fight. A good time to target the big Kingfish is during June / July when the sardines are around. Strong hooks and leaders are required as well as patience for the long fight. Trolling, live bait, Rapalas, Halcos all work. Also dropshot is a good method to catch them, especially the smaller ones. Balance your tackle to the size of fish you expect to catch. Pickhandle Barracuda / Sea Pike are often caught when fishing for other game fish, although they can be specifically targeted. They tend to hang around in large numbers around under water obstructions and refs. When you catch one keep looking under water as often the shoal follow their mates up to your ski!!! Early morning and late afternoon is the best time to fish for them. They have large eyes and are shaped to ambush their prey with short bursts of energy. They have huge teeth from which a Rapla, Halco, or bait fish has no escape!!! Prodiagal Son are often caught when fishing with the methods listed above. A good place to find them is under other large marine creatures, especially Whale Sharks. Garrick Barracuda
Wahoo Are not often caught on Kayaks / Fishingskis due to not being able to troll your bait fast enough for them. They are occasionally caught when pulling a Rapala or Halco lure as fast as possible. These speed masters will test the drag on your reel to it's limit.
Marlin Although these huge predators are not specifically targeted there has been some landed by Kayak fishermen. To catch and land one of these ocean predators would be a lifetime achievement. I was fortunate enough to land one in the Paindane species classic competition May 2008
Bonito or Eastern little Tuna Are the ultimate game fish bait. If you see these fish on the surface throw a spoon or Onde Onda to catch them. No passing game fish can refuse this tasty meal. Larger specimens are also caught and like the rest of the Tuna family give a good fight. Bottom fishing is generally frowned upon from Fishing skis / Kayaks as it is the bottom fish which attract the game fish to come to the reefs - no bottom fish no game fish! Having said that when the game fish are not about the odd one for the pan does no harm. Please observe all bag limits and size limits. Do not fish without a licence which is available from the post office.
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Tel: (039) 973 1572 / Fax: (039) 973 1572 Email: ugh@telkomsa.net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
