RIVER SNAPPER

ONE OF THE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPS OF OUR ESTUARIES AND COASTLINE, THE RIVER SNAPPER (AKA ROCK SALMON) MAY NOT GET AS BIG AS ITS AFRICAN COUSINS LIKE THE CUBERA, BUT IT’S CUT FROM SIMILAR GENETIC CLOTH. LEAD AQUARIST AT USHAKA MARINE WORLD AND PROTEA ANGLER ROB KYLE GIVES US THE SKINNY ON THESE FATTIES.

WHAT: Lutjanus Argentimaculatus This is one of South Africa’s largest snapper species reaching a maximum total length of 120cm and a maximum recorded weight just shy of 17kg. They can read the ripe old age of 31 years. River snappers mature at between 47 and 53cm, and when they are about three to five years old. Spawning is thought to occur in offshore aggregations in northern KwaZulu-Natal during the summer months. They are widespread in the tropical Indo-Pacific and their range in South Africa extends from Kosi Bay in the north down to Gqeberha in the south. As juveniles, they are estuarine-dependent. They grow up here before ultimately, in most cases, moving out to the ocean. There are, however, some individuals that choose not to move out to sea and these grow to impressive sizes within the confines of the estuary. They have been recorded at depths of 120m.

River snapper are voracious predators that eat anything from fish to molluscs and crustaceans, and have even been reported to eat rodents and reptiles which were trying to cross estuaries. They are generally ambush predators who lurk in or around profile, rushing out to grab their chosen prey item before retreating back to their lair. River snapper are definitely more active at night when they tend to move further from structure to hunt. Due to fishing pressure as well as estuarine degradation, river snapper numbers are declining and nowadays there are very few places left where it is anything other than exceptional to catch decentsize fish on a regular basis. River snapper have a minimum size limit of 40cm and a bag limit of five per person but, it should go without saying, anyone who keeps more than the occasional river snapper for personal consumption is nothing short of a doos!

WHERE: As far as fly fishing options go in South Africa, the only real places we have to target them are in the estuaries, as surf and offshore are not practical. Kosi is at the top of my list of venues to target rock salmon as it still has good numbers as well as some really big fish. Pretty much all the estuaries on the KZN and Eastern Cape coast, including the harbours of Richards Bay and Durban, will have rock salmon in them. The numbers and size of these fish will be determined by the state and size of the system. Some of the estuaries on the lower-KZN South Coast do still produce some quality fish and the same can be said for the Transkei estuaries.

HOW: In most cases, fishing for river snapper is all about working structure of some sort, like rocky ledges, trees, weed beds, and even sometimes just a drop-off to deeper water. While younger fish are more than happy to spend their time in relatively shallow water, larger individuals will almost always be found in or close to the safety of deeper water. River snapper are generally more active when the light is low, making first and last light the times to fish for them. For those brave souls up to the task, they are, however, definitely not opposed to eating a fly in the dead of night either.

I have found, though, that, when you’re fishing super-tight up against or over the structure where the fish hold up during the day, they will rush out a short distance to smash a fly or a lure, even in broad daylight. At Kosi Bay, I found something I hadn’t experienced elsewhere and that was that midday, in bright sunshine, was often a very good time to target them. This was when you could find big shoals congregating together close to the surface in the vicinity of the structure where they “live”. The reason for these shoals coming together in broad daylight close to the surface is a mystery, but we did get the feeling that they were possibly just enjoying the sunshine and warming up. The first person to cunningly land a fly close to these shoals of fish would generally get a super-aggressive eat, whereafter, in most instances, the shoal would disappear.

When it comes to fly selection, I don’t think there is any one pattern that is boss. Depending on the conditions, the time of day, size of fish you are targeting, etc., they will eat a variety of the usual saltwater patterns. A baitfish pattern of sorts with a bit of bulk to push some water is a good place to start, but don’t be scared of throwing a topwater fly if you are fishing structure, as a rock salmon eating off the surface is quite a sight to behold. Just make sure your grip on the line is tight and hold on, as they will turn and bolt back to safety immediately. The usual theory of lighter/brighter colours for daylight and darker colours in low light generally applies, but there are days when they are rather fond of dark colours even in the middle of the day.

WHO: DIY or die, boetie!