19 minute read
Fishing clever in the Cape
By Donavan Cole
I DON’T think there is another species of fish in the Cape that causes as much excitement and chaos at our slipways and on the water as the Cape snoek does.On any good weather day in False Bay when the fish are around,it is not uncommon to have over 100 boats, kayaks, rubber ducks and almost anything that can float in an area the size of a few rugby fields.
The snoek’s name comes from “zeesnoek”because the early Dutch colonists said it reminded them of the freshwater pike (or snoek) they found in the Netherlands.
Snoek (Thyrsites atun) are encountered along the entire west coast of South Africa to Namibia and up the south/east coast as far as Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha).While we make massive catches of snoek in South Africa,we also import large quantities from New Zealand.The main reason for us importing so much of these fish is due to their consistent superior quality.In South Africa our snoek frequently go “pap” where the flesh will turn to jelly, resulting in it been inedible.The imported snoek do not have the same enzyme in their flesh that causes them to go pap.
I know a few boat owners who don’t allow anglers to bring snoek on board because of the mess they create with their blood and scales. Snoek have tiny scales, each the size of a match-head, which they will usually shed when you lift them from the water. These scales then fly around sticking to every surface on board, including any exposed skin.Once dried, they can be near impossible to remove. Snoek fishing also results in a lot more blood flying around than other species as you break every fish’s neck after landing.
WHEN AND WHERE
The last two years were two of the best snoek seasons we had around False Bay in the last decade, and we can only hope the 2023 season will bring similar catches. In 2021 and 2022 the snoek arrived around Cape Point by the middle to end of September with good catches being made from September through to January.This year we caught our first snoek of the season outside Cape Point in the second week of September, and as I write we hope we’ll soon be catching them inside False Bay.
The easiest way to find where the snoek are is to look for the commercial handline snoek fleet.These boats are not hard to spot.They are usually open centre console mono-hull ski boats between 6 and 9m and fitted with the largest outboard engines the boats can handle, in order to load and push as much fish as possible.It’s not uncommon for some of these 12-man boats to load in excess of 2000 snoek a day, which they can catch in a matter of a few hours when the larger shoals arrive and they are feeding properly.
The main area where the snoek are encountered is in Buffels Bay, which is just inside the Cape Point.The snoek often move deep inside the bay too, with large catches being made right off Millers Point slipway when the season is in full swing.Years back we would frequently get snoek even deeper inside the bay, catching them off Simonstown, Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay.
Outside Cape Point, the main area where the fish will be caught is on Rocky Bank, which is around five miles south-east of Cape Point.You can also find snoek around the Anvil,Bellows, South West reefs and further up the coast towards Scarborough and Slangkop Lighthouse.
On your echo sounder snoek will show up in different ways depending on what they are doing.When they’re free swimming, you will usually find them “writing”in a closed red ball on the sounder.As soon as you stop and drop lines you should see the shoal break up and disperse all over the screen when they start feeding.(See photos below.)
When the fish are busy feeding on baitfish, you will find them broken up at different depths.These shoals will usually grab a lure or bait line.There are, however, times when you will barely see them as they “write”so close to the ground that you cannot see the difference between fish and the seabed. The best way to check the different ways they will show up on your fishfinder is to take note of the showings while you are catching them or while you are among boats that are catching.
CATCHING SNOEK
Once you arrive in the area where the commercial boats are anchored,the weather and your specific location within the fleet will affect how you catch them.
The most common way of catching them inside False Bay will be on anchor. First find a spot where you will not hinder or obstruct other boats.You need to consider that if the wind comes up, there is a very good chance of dragging the anchor so it’s best to always try and find a spot where you can put out as much anchor rope as possible.Try not to anchor directly ahead of another boat so that you don’t run the risk of dragging onto them or catching their anchor rope with your lines.
Once you’ve thrown anchor and it’s hooking, you need to figure out where the fish are in the water column so you can place your bait lines accordingly. Check your echo sounder to see where the fish are “writing”,and stream your lines out to reach that specific zone.
When the fish are scattered and slow inside the bay, put bait lines out at various depths, and once you start feeling the fish in a particular spot, put the rest of the lines there.
When snoek fishing, we will usually work in fathoms, one fathom being 1,83m.This is roughly the same as when you extend your hands as wide apart as possible while holding the line, and measure from fingertip to fingertip.
When you see the fish markings on the echo sounder set in metres, the quickest and easiest way to calculate fathoms is to divide by two, so 20m will mean measuring off 10 outstretched arms/fathoms of line. Alternatively, you can change the measuring units on your echo sounder to fathoms, and fathom off your lines accordingly.
I usually start by dropping a line down to the bottom with a heavy weight attached to the hook.Once it reaches the bottom,I lift it around two fathoms from the bottom.I will then set another line four fathoms from the bottom.When fishing with a hand-line it is pretty simple to set your line at a certain depth and keep it there, but it’s not as easy when using a rod and reel.
When bait fishing with a rod and reel,I will usually “fathom”off the desired depth by pulling the line off the reel onto the deck and then pitch the bait out to settle at that depth.You might find this quite tedious, but it will make all the difference on those days when the fish are biting slower or at a specific depth.
One way to mark your line on the reel at a specific depth where you are catching the fish is with a short piece of dental floss that you simply double and choke around the line. Then, when you want to reset your bait, simply drop the bait until you reach the dental floss marker.
The next thing to consider is how to weigh your line down, especially when there is current in the water. Always use as little lead as possible on your bait lines so that the bait can pass through the water column, because snoek will often take the bait while it’s sinking.You can then take up the slack and set your lines at that shallower depth.
There are, however, days when you might need a few ounces of lead to keep your bait down when the current picks up.
I usually use a barrel or ball sinker that I have free running on the line to lay against the swivel on the hook.I often use a fluorocarbon bite trace between the main line and hook, and I like to attach the leader to the main line with a knot.You can use a swivel, but there are times when the snoek are feeding madly and will grab a swivel while you’re pulling the line in, resulting in the line being bitten off.
Once your lines are set, you wait for the bite.The way the snoek grab the bait will depend on how they are feeding on the day.At times the line might just go tight if the snoek has the bait in its mouth and swims off.You want to strike then to set the hook.
Once your lines are set, you wait for the bite.The way the snoek grab the bait will depend on how they are feeding on the day.At times the line might just go tight if the snoek has the bait in its mouth and swims off.You want to strike then to set the hook.
At other times they will bite like a smaller reef fish and then you mustn’t strike immediately.Feed the bait to the fish, and only strike when the line goes tight.If you miss the bite and you can still feel there is bait on the hook, don’t retrieve your line immediately as the fish will probably come back a second time and give you another chance.
You can sometimes entice a second bite by pulling the bait in slowly.This is why pike is the favoured bait for snoek fishing as its nice and tough, and snoek will often return a second and third time if you miss them.
Once you set the hook, you want to pull as hard as you can, depending on the tackle you’re using.A fast retrieve is necessary because seals are often waiting to take your fish!
A seal will usually take the fish deep down and then come up for a breather as far from the boat as it can.If a seal does take your fish, keep as much tension as possible on the line while the seal is swimming away.Your best chance of getting your fish back is when the seal tries to throw your fish on the surface.
Be very careful of pulling too hard when you have a snoek that’s been hooked on a spinner or lure.If the lure
pulls out of the fish’s mouth while you are fighting with the seal, it will shoot back at you like a bullet.
When fishing outside Cape Point you might find that the commercial boats are all huddled together with their engines running while they keep their boats facing into the sea and their crew work their lines and pull fish. Sometimes the skippers will just move from shoal to shoal that they find using sonars and echo sounders, and then keep the boat in the perfect position for the crew until the shoal disperses. They will then up lines and head off to find another shoal.
When fishing outside Cape Point you might find that the commercial boats are all huddled together with their engines running while they keep their boats facing into the sea and their crew work their lines and pull fish. Sometimes the skippers will just move from shoal to shoal that they find using sonars and echo sounders, and then keep the boat in the perfect position for the crew until the shoal disperses. They will then up lines and head off to find another shoal.
When you encounter the boats fishing like this, it’s best not to get in the very middle of the mix of boats, as you are unlikely to be able to keep your boat in a fixed position between them, and run the risk of catching their lines or even colliding with one of them as you drift past.
Rather come in on the downwind side of them.If you’re unable to remain in position, then just drift away from them and once you stop catching you can move back up and start again.
PAP SNOEK
The best way to ensure that a snoek does not go pap is to break its neck as soon as you bring it on board.This is done by pinning the fish down between your legs (if you are wearing oilskins),holding it behind its head with one hand and placing your other hand’s thumb in the fish’s eye and your other fingers under its mouth.You then bend the head backwards 90 degrees until you feel the neck break.
If you’re not keen on breaking the
neck like this you can use a knife to cut its throat to bleed it.
Warm water and warm weather will usually cause a snoek to go pap very quickly, so keep the fish as cool as possible and out of direct sunlight.
Snoek are usually “vlekked”(butterflied) by cutting them from tail to head alongside the dorsal fin.A second cut is then made to separate the backbone from one side.When folded open, it’s opened up like a butterfly, hence the term.
When “vlekking” a snoek, you want the meat to be a nice pink colour and visibly firm.If the meat looks white then the fish is on its way to going pap. If the flesh has a jelly-like appearance it is best not to eat it, as the taste and texture would probably put you off snoek for life.
The best way to ensure that the meat does not deteriorate any further after cutting is to lay the fish flat and throw a handful or two of coarse salt all over the flesh side.Leave the salt on for around 20 to 30 minutes and then rinse off with fresh water.Hang up for a few minutes to drip dry.This will usually firm up the meat and stop it from turning completely pap.
FEROCIOUS FANGS
Snoek have incredibly sharp teeth and many anglers have ended up in the emergency room to be stitched up after being bitten and losing a lot of blood. Snoek are believed to have an anticoagulant on their teeth which will stop blood from clotting, and most bites will bleed profusely.
There is an old snoek fishermen’s tale that if you cut the eye of a snoek and rub the jelly in the cut it will stop the bleeding.I find the best thing to carry for snoek bites is a bottle of “Staaldrupples” as this will stem profuse bleeding and help blood clot.
The snoek bite itself is not usually where the injury happens; it’s usually your reaction to being bitten and pulling your hand back that results in the worst wounds.
TACKLE AND BAIT
Snoek are pretty fierce predators with big mouths and razor-sharp teeth that will destroy most baits and soft lures in a single bite.The average snoek caught in the Cape is around 2- to 4kg, but it’s not uncommon to catch them up to 6kg.
Tackle varies widely and is up to the angler.I have caught snoek on the lightest tackle while fishing inshore league on 4kg line, and on heavy 120kg hand lines.Although the thick lines don’t really give the fish a chance, it can be just as much fun as on the lighter tackle.I do, however, adjust my tackle according to the prevailing conditions, depth of water, current and how the fish are feeding.
The most common and exciting way to catch snoek will be using lures, and I am yet to find a lure that a snoek will not take when they are around in their numbers.They can, however, get quite fussy some days when they only want to take a certain colour and swim past most lures.
You can use pretty much any spinner/jig that you would use for yellowtail.I generally advise people to use the lures that usually gather dust in the back of the cupboard, as you will probably lose a few lures every time you head out thanks to their sharp teeth.I have found that if you use a thick fluorocarbon bite trace you will end up losing a lot less tackle.
The size/weight of the spinner/jig you use will depend on the tackle you are using.My go-to spinner is a Tin Garfish spinner that I bend slightly to give it a nice action.These spinners can be a bit heavy for the average spinning setup used by anglers in the Cape.
The second best option for me would be an old trusty Tin Snake spinner that I also bend to give a nice action.Tin spinners work so well because teeth marks and scratches will give the spinner a nicer finish and look to a hungry snoek.
I usually put a heavy duty 4/0 or 5/0 treble hook on these spinners.The main reason for using heavy-duty hooks is so you can use pliers to remove the hook from the snoek’s mouth and keep your fingers well clear of those razor sharp teeth.
If you choose to catch snoek “commercial style”with a handline you can opt to use a traditional “dollie”and “bokstang”. This consists of a shiny/coloured barrel lead between 3- and 5oz, and a brightly coloured skirt made from rubber inner tubes or gloves cut into strips.The most common colour is red. These days you can pick from an array of colours and use either a single 11- or 12/0 hook.
In years gone by snoek fishermen didn’t have all these options and they would simply use a lead barrel that was scratched using the back of a knife, and a piece of dried shark skin that was then cut into strips to make a skirt.This is known as a snoek lead.
The easiest option to use on a handline is a snoek spinner.You will find these in every possible colour combination under the sun with an 11- or 12/0 hook attached by means of an oval clip. When fishing with a handline you will get less bite offs if you use a spinner than when the line is attached directly to the hook as it is on a snoek lead.On a spinner the line is above the lure, meaning it’s further away from those sharp teeth. Snoek spinners are also easier and quicker to change than a snoek lead.
When casting or throwing out your lure, throw it as far as you can from the boat.Let the lure sink through the water with the line under tension as opposed to just dropping the lure down next to the boat.Let the lure freefall down, as the snoek will very often grab a lure while it’s sinking.If the line is slack, it will usually swallow the lure and swim off, and when the line tightens you will get bitten off.
Bait fishing for snoek can be a lot of fun, but can also be extremely frustrating when the snoek are not taking the bait properly.When they are shy, you will often pull in your bait to find teeth marks all over the bait where the fish has simply “tasted”it.
Just like lure fishing, choice of tackle and hooks will vary from angler to angler.The most common hook to use is a 10- to 12/0 with a swivel attached to the eye.The big hooks help reduce the chance of getting bitten off, but you need a bit of force to set these thick gauge hooks into a snoek’s mouth.
When fishing with lighter tackle,I usually opt for a thin gauge 8- to 10/0 circle hook.Using these circle hooks will usually result in far fewer bite offs than when using a similar size J hook.I have also found that I get far fewer bites when using a wire trace, so I usually use a thick fluorocarbon bite trace.
Most fish baits will work but imported pike is by far the first choice for most fishermen.Unfortunately it’s not always easy to get and is very expensive.You will usually only be able to buy pike in 10kg boxes.The most cost-effective approach is to buy one box, drop the frozen box on the ground a few times to break the fish apart, then repack them in smaller packs while still frozen.You can then remove the bait from your cooler as needed.
Once you defrost pike it won’t refreeze well, so I usually refreeze any unused defrosted bait and then use it as chum on the next trip.
Another way to chum is to use the stomach contents of the snoek that you have already caught.Hang the snoek over the side of the boat while holding the base of the tail.Use your other hand to rub the belly from the tail side towards the head, and you will push out the stomach contents.
If you do decide to use a handline, make sure you have “vingerlappies”on your index/pulling fingers.These are rubber or neoprene tubes made to slip over the finger to stop you from getting cut when pulling the lines.It also provides extra grip when pulling.
Snoek can also be caught on trolled lures, but will not often take on a surface lure, so if you want to catch them on troll rather opt for a deep diving lipped lure.Trolling is also a great way to find a shoal of snoek to then cast spinners at or throw bait lines on.
If you hook up while trolling,don’t stop the boat immediately.Troll on for another short while and this will usually result in the rest of your lures hooking up, as snoek are a shoaling species.
Watch your echo sounder while pulling in the snoek you have hooked up.If you ran into a shoal, then you should see plenty signs of them all over the echo sounder screen.If this is the case, then clear the lines and drop a spinner or jig and you should hook up pretty quickly.
You should also carry a bolt cutter on board when snoek fishing and ensure it can cut through any hook in your tackle box.I have seen more hooks in people’s hands and bodies from catching snoek than any other species, because snoek mouths have a terrible habit of tearing, and when you lift the fish from the water, the lure then comes straight back at you.
SIZE AND BAG LIMITS
The current SADSAA All Tackle snoek record is 8,4kg (caught off Hout Bay in June 1974 by G.Sandell),but I have often seen snoek over 9kg caught on commercial boats around Cape Town.
The IGFA All Tackle World Record is 7,67kg (caught in Chile in March 2017).
The bag limit for snoek is ten per person per day with a minimum size of 60cm.
If you’re keen to join us for a day’s fishing in False Bay to target snoek,or would like updated info and catch reports, then visit <www.oceanlife charters.co.za>.
