Vidal Species and target tactics

[Lichia amia]

Southen Pompano ( Trachinotus Africanus )


Habits and Feeding

Pompano are shallow-water species and are most abundant during summer months when the water is warmer. They feed over sand, along beaches or close to reefs and rocky outcrops. Mussels growing on the rocks and reef are their most favoured food, with mole crabs ( sea lice )  adding to this diet.


Fishing Techniques

Light or medium tackle can be used when fishing for Pampano , depending on the terrain. Along a sandy beach with little likelihood of being reefed , the light-tackle angler can present bait on their choice of light line. All that is required once the fish is hooked , is a reel with a smooth drag system. Patience is also necessity,as a decent  size Pompano will prove very difficult to land,especially if there is a slight drop-off from the beach. Any pray of their prey species on a 1/0 or 3/0 sharp hook will do the as bait, though mud and oink prawn are good alternatives to use.

When fishing close to reefs or rocky outcrops, medium tackle my be saner choice. There is every chance that once-in a-lifetime specimen mat take the bait,and imagine the frustration if it ran straight into a reef or around the roc and was lost. Drop -shot fishing closely resembling a prey species is another method well worth trying and is very exciting. The take on a moving lure is something special and is almost always the main topic when discussing the days fishing over a Dop .


SASSI list :Red
Minimum legal size: None
Bag limit: 5
Eating Qualities: excellent

[Lichia amia]

Wildeperd ( Diplodus hottentotus )

Habits and Feeding

Wildeperd do not congregate in large shoals , but are mostly found singly. They occur in deeper reefs only accessible to boat fishermen, as well as closer inshore,off sandy beaches and in deep pools or gullies. They are often caught after periods of stormy weather , when the sea has been rough and the water is discoloured. When the water temperature drops and other inshore or bottom species are off the bite, a Wildepred may be the only reward for a days efforts, as they do not seem to mind the cooler temperature.

Fishing Techniques

Known to put up a strong fight for their size, Wildeperd ate often sly when biting. Lighter tackle therefore gives a better chance of success. In strong water conditions , a sliding sinker would also be a advantage. When fishing in gullies or pools close to the shore, drift bait or small ball sinkers give the natural presentation. Fresh read bait is particularly good for Wildeperd, but they will also take white mussel, musselworms, small crabs and bloodworms.


SASSI list :[color=red]Red[/color]
Minimum legal size: 30cm
Bag limit: 5
Eating Qualities: please release

[Lichia amia]

Bonefish ( Albula vulpes )

Habits and Feeding

This species feed in shallow, often clear water of estuaries and lagoons, where they search along the sandbars or mudflats for prey.They also feed on the sandy stretches of beaches close to river mouths and in calm, shallow water formed by large , rocky ledges or reefs extending at an angle out to sea. Roaming singly or in small groups, they burrow for mussels, worms, prawn,crabs or any other organisms that may occur in or on the sandy bottom. They are known toe enter very shallow water, often with the pushing tide, feeding with their tails or just the upper lobe of the tail visible above the surface.


Fishing Techniques

Fly-fishing is properly the best way to target them , but I will leave it it Rory and his mates to target them on fly while I look after the Keg on the back of the Bakkie. They may be taken by fishing with bait on light tackle and again good quality tackle and careful bait presentation are required. Bait needs to look as natural as possible to convince the often-shy Bonefish that he has struck it lucky. Bait such as small crabs,sea lice, prawn and worms form part of their diet and use a 1/0 to 2/0 hook. If at all possible fish the rig without a sinker.

[CASTSA]

Make sure some of you get far up north(+5kms) from the bay fishing for the GT's, early morning, evening and in the dark....
Live Bait ( return & non-return clips), Bonnie Heads, chokka, Plugs and Poppers(even in the dark).....all work really well.......even a whole natal sard works well....I was up there 2 weeks ago and I got one over 20kgs on a Natal sard with a little floatation.

Just choose your water before it gets dark.....make sure you know where the bricks are situated....Refer to the "Targeting GT's from the beach" post for tips...........

FYI.....have fun 

[CASTSA]

That Bonefish in the above topic makes for a great live bait ANY SIZE......small pink prawn baits just over the sandbank lip should produce a few of those great baits, 1/0 sharp hook and 0.50mm Flouro......
If you dont get a Bonefish you should get a Wave Garrick which is equally good.....dont be scared about the size, up to max 3KGS

Local natural bait always works well.....

[Rods]

Thankx for all the info guys. Really want to get into one of those GT's.

[Lichia amia]

Ragged-tooth Shark ( Carchrias taurus )

Habits and feeding

While adults hunt alone along shallow rocky ledges, sandy beaches and river mouths, younger specimens are known to enter the estuaries of the Southern and Eastern Cape. In the St Lucia Marine reserve along the Kwazulu-Natal coastline ,groups do adults congregate during breeding season. The Raggies teeth are purely used for gripping prey.The fishes and other small sharks they prey on needs to be small enough to be swallowed whole.

Fishing Techniques

Raggies often bite best during the hours of darkness , but will also feed during the day provided the water is not too clear. The mouth is relatively small,so once you have felt a bite,patience is required to allow the shark to feed properly before attempting to set the hook.Leave enough slack line to allow the Raggy to feed without feeling any resistance. After the bait has been taken, straighten all the slack in the line before striking and setting the hook. Once this shark is hooked , the run is steady rather than lightning fast.

A short length of wire trace is always required when fishing for Raggies, while a sharp 8/0 to 11/0 hook would suffice. Baits include whole fish such as Mullet,Karenteen, small sharks or other suitably sized small fish, dead or alive. The heads of Shad ( in season ) small kob or Bonnies will quite often produce a positive result. Squid ( whole or as strip ) is also excellent to use when fished as a "mixed grill" with a fish fillet.

[Homie]

Time to add on !

[Lichia amia]

More info on spots - with makers and GPS co ords will be a 

[WalkersKiller]

Very nice thread Craig! 

[Kumz]

@ Craig  :shre:... 

[Half-Pint]

Nice stuff! Now to put theory into practice THAT'S the tricky part

[WalkersKiller]

Nice stuff! Now to put theory into practice THAT'S the tricky part

Yip, we need luck and the fishing Gods to be on our side 

[Kumz]

Nice stuff! Now to put theory into practice THAT'S the tricky part

Thats why it's called Fishing & not catching !!!

All we can do is try .... 

[Half-Pint]

For sure! The only way we ever get better is by trying even if we blank or so I keep telling myself;)

[Lichia amia]

Is the  half full or half empty 

[REEFMAN]

For sure! The only way we ever get better is by trying even if we blank or so I keep telling myself;)

Chyne... you need to come fishing with us! No such thing as blanking on our trips! Stop sneaking off on your ace all the time! Best way to catch is learn from seasoned anglers and club fishermen. There are several accomplished fishermen going to Vidal that will put you onto fish. Eg. stick with Doc, Kumz, Mike Pike and you're almost guaranteed to catch if the weather is even half decent!

[Half-Pint]

Reefz I fished alongside Robbie Janse at mazeppa very few more accomplished anglers than him I mean he makes his living guiding folks in that area. We all have to accept that at some point conditions just don't play along and this is where lady luck plays her part. Just look at the reports from this week 14 fish in one day and its a weeks difference. Its the curse of the GP angler we choose our holiday times and hope the weather plays along

[REEFMAN]

I wouldn't guide for you at Mazeppa... know squat about the place. But Mapelane, Vidal, HITW... 
So do you wanna catch fish or not?! 
Just yanking Brad, but you need to try make one of our trips again bud....

[SAfish]

M-B, try to join us please! It would be great to meet you and I am sure we (myself at least) will be able to learn a lot from you.