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!
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….
…and ON!
I learned from my first mistake and went straight down to the beach while the fishie was still running.
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.
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.
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….
Rock fishing rule number one, two and 3 – Never turn your back on the sea!
One of my friends’ kids caught a decent blacktail. Just look at that smile!
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…
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.
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
Steenie – safely released
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!
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!
