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General Angling Topics => Rock and Surf Fishing Reports => Topic started by: adam on January 15, 2013, 08:16:54 PM
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Hallo everyone. Got back from a long weekend on the Tsitsikamma coast this morning. To be more specific, we went to Eersterivier for the old man’s birthday. Friday morning at around 9 we were packed and off we went. My parents took the lead with their friends in tow with me and a friend bringing up the rear. We still had a bit of shopping to do. The girlfriend will only arrive later the day and I was hoping I could get her hooked on the ocean like the rest of us.
We arrived at about 10:45 and by 11 we opened the second beer. Needless to say, by dusk when the conditions were perfect we were in no state to do rock fishing. After two failed casts I threw in the towel and joined the braai. Saturday morning we were up early, around 4 I would guess and the lines were in at 4:30ish. Nothing happened till just before dawn when I had a solid take – nothing wakes you up like a screaming reel. I spilled my coffee all over myself and slipped a bit, but eventually got the rod out of the holder – ON!
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/Eersterivier%2013%20Januarie%202013/2-10_zps10447bfe.jpg)
After a twenty minute fight I finally had a number plate, more or less. Only saw the back and tail about 10m out and was sure it was either a big steenie or cracker. Alas, as I was walking it to the beach, it turned straight into the rocks, snagged the sinker and the hook pulled. Damn! Right at my feet!
Anyhow, second cup of coffee….
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/Eersterivier%2013%20Januarie%202013/3-8_zpsb093ae47.jpg)
…and ON!
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/Eersterivier%2013%20Januarie%202013/4-6_zpsbac6361f.jpg)
I learned from my first mistake and went straight down to the beach while the fishie was still running.
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/Eersterivier%2013%20Januarie%202013/5-7_zps7f7c406b.jpg)
Pulling it from the beach was much easier and I landed a half decent smoothie of 155cm. Not what I was looking for, but a fishie non the less.
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/Eersterivier%2013%20Januarie%202013/6-7_zpsca46c590.jpg)
That was that for the early morning and we took a bit of a break waiting for the tide to drop. At low tide we went to one of my favourite spots on the rocks for some scratching. It was a bit slow, but after the compulsory few strepies, the girls started to get into the swing of things. First fishie for her – a little cracker on the ultra-light stuff! Gave a good fight and I was very surprised to see her land it. Definitely a natural. After a quick photo it was safely released.
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/Eersterivier%2013%20Januarie%202013/7-4_zps9c2c858d.jpg)
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/Eersterivier%2013%20Januarie%202013/8-3_zps27921a9a.jpg)
Next up was my friend Estelle landing a little poensie. Unfortunately it arrived almost dead and we couldn’t revive it. A bit later a stumpie also took her bait before it went dead again. I blanked….
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/Eersterivier%2013%20Januarie%202013/9-3_zps77db16b4.jpg)
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/Eersterivier%2013%20Januarie%202013/11-3_zpsedb24065.jpg)
Rock fishing rule number one, two and 3 – Never turn your back on the sea!
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One of my friends’ kids caught a decent blacktail. Just look at that smile!
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/Eersterivier%2013%20Januarie%202013/12-3_zpsb3682485.jpg)
We slept a little later on Sunday and then went off to fish a deep water point as the swell had subsided a bit. No takers – again…
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My dad went out on a friend’s boat and at least they got something for the braai that evening. A couple of romans, carpenter and dageraad were caught.
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/Eersterivier%2013%20Januarie%202013/15-1_zpsb45b09a4.jpg)
Monday morning we went onto the rocks to the west to collect some bait as we were running low by this time. Few venture her and for good reason too. It was a very difficult walk, but well worth it. We got some red bait and crabs and then caught some strepies with the light tackle – good sized ones too. Estelle also landed a little steenie that gave a really good fight.
Strepies of close to 30cm
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/Eersterivier%2013%20Januarie%202013/16-1_zps6cefc56f.jpg)
Steenie – safely released
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/Eersterivier%2013%20Januarie%202013/17-1_zps48963a05.jpg)
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/Eersterivier%2013%20Januarie%202013/18-1_zps6ecf5b4e.jpg)
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Monday evening I dropped a strepie head out over the reefs while we were braaiing. The water was calm and clear so I wasn’t really expecting anything. Just as I was taking the last tjoppie off, the reel started to run a bit. After a really tough but short fight, untangling lines, rock climbing barefoot and some splashing around I finally landed something again - 150cm gully shark. It got stuck in a deepish pool, but I finally got it out. Not a big fish, but with the effort I went through to land it, I was really happy!
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/Eersterivier%2013%20Januarie%202013/20-1_zpsfa9c5ff1.jpg)
Tried again this morning, but only got some sand sharkies, so we packed up and left at around ten. A weekend well spent!
Tata See!
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Wow what a beautiful place and what an amazing report and awesome pictures! Great stuff Adam :+ cred:
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Awesome pics!! Great report. It sure does look like a lovely place to visit! Do you perhaps have contact details or a recommendation for accommodation Adam?
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Thanks guys.
Charles, didn't make the booking myself, but will find out for you tomorrow.
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Great report and awesome pics as always. Thanks Adam. :+ cred:
I love the "cover pic" idea!! (clap)
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Very nice report! Looks like you guys had a fab weekend. Nice looking girlfriend Adam, and she can fish. Well done mate!!!
Regards
B
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Thanks guys. Just look at this spot!
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Woweee! What a spot! Superb water...
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:clfoto: Beautiful place... water is amazing. everything has perfect written all over. :tkx: for sharing
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(clap) Simply awesome. I would love to visit that area some day.
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Well now please explain to this novice exactly what you see in that water? :cnfzd :dunno:
Where would you fish it?
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Well now please explain to this novice exactly what you see in that water? :cnfzd :dunno:
Where would you fish it?
Uhm... :blush: Same question from me...( :dunno: )
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Great report Adam, and what an awesome place to fish. :envy
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An attempt from another novice: It's a deep gully within easy reach and will probably contain all sorts of fish feeding on sea weed, crabs, occies, mussels, each other, etc. Looks very promising to deliver hotnotsvis (bronze bream,etc.), mussel cracker, shad, maybe steenbras if there are prawns on the bottom, etc. :dunno:
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If I may add my view: I would fish the pool in the foreground for Klipvis.
Also, it looks like there is a submerged reef on the left with a sandy area in the center. I will work the edge of this reef as fish tend to move along this "line". Don't cast over the fish.
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If I may add my view: I would fish the pool in the foreground for Klipvis.
Hermann Roocroft !!!!!
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Thanks PH. The species you described are great. If I may ask would you fish the deep water next to the outcrop or try to reach the reef in the back? I think a possibililty may also be very shallow just next to the water front?
SAFish agree the pool looks great for Klipvis.
Sorry for the hijack Adam
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If I may add my view: I would fish the pool in the foreground for Klipvis.
Hermann Roocroft !!!!!
:hyst: :hyst: :hyst: :hyst:
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The swells generally come from the west in this area. To the west we have a deep gully that is naturally protected by a rock formation in front. This means that all the nice edible stuff on the rocks get washed off into the gully and then pushed out into the deep hole in front of you.
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/1-10.jpg)
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/2-10.jpg)
As a bonus, you have more large rock out crops in the open water. Same thing here:
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/adam5016/3-8.jpg)
Crab sits on rock
Cracker hangs out next to rock
Wave washes crab of the rock
Cracker eats crab
Happy cracker, not so happy crab
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Thanks Adam! I think the light is like those energy savers, takes some time to shine bright! :nuts: One day I will get it right and catch a great fish!
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Looking at the pic attached...
Yellow ring represents shallow water - defined by the difference in colour. Probably a sandbank. White water on top from water churning as it becomes shallower. This churning up of the sandbank will release food into the water for baitfish, which will gather to feed. White water on top provides some shelter too. Red crosses are where predators eg Kob would wait in ambush.
White X marks a deep trough, between the sandbank and more churning water close to the rocks...
Beyond the yellow circle is more deep water... bigger predators will be feeding on the other side of the dropoff, but demands a good cast out beyond the bank.
Not to mention the dropoffs around the rocky point... reef fish haven... :hnthnt:
Well that's what I see anyway... :blush:
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Thanks RM! So if my understanding is correct the white crosses (trough) may not be productive.
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That is a good read from the photo Reefman, but if you are actually standing there, you will notice the difference.
The sandy patch is actually the only break in an otherwise completely rocky bottom, in other words, the deeper patch of water. The white water on the surface is caused by a rip coming off the rocks through this channel.
I would rather cast into the channel leading out of the gully, or the channel at the back itself. Either way, still a brilliant spot.