Why fishing is a great hobby for anyone: Equipment, licenses, permits, and expert tips for beginners.

Why fishing is the perfect hobby for the whole family

Fishing is the ultimate outdoor hobby for all members of the family and for all types of weather and terrain in South Africa. With so many hidden gems on the coastline and inland, South Africa can offer days of sun-soaked fun with different techniques, fishing spots, and styles to choose from. Getting started is also very easy with plenty of spots for beginners wherever you are going away.

The best part about fishing is the peace and quiet of relaxing by the water with no expectations of what you may or may not catch. The element of surprise is fantastic and bound to keep any youngsters excited and entertained for hours.

Fishing is also a fantastic hobby to accompany your other outdoor adventures - so when planning or packing for a hike or camping trip, it’s always a great idea to pack some spare fishing gear in case you come across a tempting spot. For the more advanced fishing enthusiasts, South Africa also has amazingly competitive and challenging deep-sea fishing and plenty of other unique spots and types of fish to test your skills against.

The best part about fishing though - and especially in South Africa - is that is very easy to jump and get started despite how old or skilled you are. There is always something fun for everyone to do. And with enough practice and patience, you are bound to be landing those big catches soon and enjoying plenty of delicious fish braais afterward!

Where to fish in South Africa and what you can expect to catch

Flyfishing in South Africa

With South Africa’s immensely beautiful coastline, freshwater and flyfishing is often taken for granted here, although these types of fishing locations also have amazing beautiful locations and scenery - as well as a wide variety of fish to catch using different techniques.

Some of the best flyfishing spots in South Africa include:

- the midlands of KwaZulu Natal

- Mpumalanga

- the Eastern Cape around the towns of Barkly East and Lady Grey.

At the furthest tip of Africa in the Western Cape, trout are found in the high mountains a short distance inland of Cape Town where the climate offers perfect sunny conditions most of the year and always something to catch wherever you find yourself.

Most of the rivers and lakes can be reached with ease, (especially if you are driving a 4x4) and also make for fantastic camping and hiking spots so that you can enjoy multiple outdoor adventures all in one spot.

Apart from these main locations, there is good trout fishing in the independent Kingdom of Lesotho, a landlocked country filled with mountain streams and sunny damns - most of them at an impressive height of 2500m feet above sea level. Food for the fishes is more abundant in these high streams than in other spots in South Africa, with particularly dense populations of mayfly making them an ideal spot for in-land fishing adventures.

The condition, taste, and average size of the trout are exceptional - and make for amazing feasts on a fish braai! You can browse our range or braai gear here that will help your make the most out of your next catch.

What you can expect to catch while fly fishing in South Africa?

Salmonids were introduced to southern Africa near the turn of the century from Loch Leven brown trout stock imported from Scotland. These browns did well in their environment, and rainbows were introduced a decade or so later to complement them. Still, most of the rivers retain a clear identity, either brown or rainbow waters, rarely ever holding both species.

South African trout waters are small by international standards, with more streams than rivers, yet the average size of the trout caught is large. Most of the rivers here produce large fish to be caught with reasonable levels of skill required. In the upland sections of most rivers, the trout proliferate and the waters tend to become filled with tasty fish waiting to be caught.

Stillwater flyfishing

Good trout fishing is dependent on good rainfall seasons and sometimes poor rainfall or hot conditions can cause some fishing spots to change or not produce any fish, depending on the time of year you are visiting. South Africa is normally somewhat dry, but droughts are less common in the eastern highlands than they are in the interior regions, which can sometimes be devastating for local fishing spots. It is still advised to check and research the area before your trip in case of any changes to the surrounding lakes or damns,

To compensate for the relative uncertainty of the river water, South African trout fishermen have taken to Stillwater flyfishing. All the still waters are man-made lakes or dams which are usually large enough for plenty of fishing activities,

Most are remarkably fertile spots for fishes to grown, allowing for impressive trout sizes waiting to be caught, and the growth rate of the fish in them is phenomenal.  Most of the fishing is done from float tubes, using floating lines, imitative nymph patterns, and dry flies.

What is the best season to go flyfishing in South Africa?

Most river fishing in South Africa is done wading. The trout season starts in September and goes on through to the end of May. Many of the still waters, on the other hand, have no closed season at all which makes South Africa a fantastic fishing location for the majority of the year.

The best of the fishing is in spring from September to October, and in autumn, from late March through May. During these months the water is cooler and the trout are more active feeders.

The mountain streams of the Western Cape are a notable exception, where free-rising trout come to the surface more commonly, which is quite similar to the upland streams in Lesotho and definitely worth the visit.

Ocean Fishing

Deep-sea charters are available from ports along the coastline, which is shared by both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, as well as the cold Benguela and warm Agulhas currents, bringing with them a wide variety of species and different challenges to seasoned fishermen.

Almost 15 percent of all known coastal marine species are found on the South African coast, with both the Indian and Atlantic oceans offering different fishing opportunities.

Big fish that one will encounter at sea include barracuda, sailfish, and tuna. Take note that permits are required for ocean fishing and it is always suggested to do research before any fishing trips with your local municipality to make sure that you have the exact documents or permits required for your next fishing adventure.

Beyond deep-sea boat fishing, South Africa has amazing beaches, piers, and rocks that offer deep sea fishing experiences from the coastline itself. Ocean Fishing also requires one to have a good knowledge of what they can expect to catch and what bait or tackle to use. A good tip is to ask your local fisherman or enquire at a place that sells fishing bait for some handy tips about the area.

Bass and Carp Fishing

For some, bass fishing is the way to go. The bass is an intelligent and tricky fish to catch and master the appropriate fishing techniques. This makes it a very adaptable fish to their locations, and also allows them to be found far and wide, and partial to a wide variety of bait. This also makes them a fantastic type of fish to catch for the whole family and in most easily accessible locations.

Carp fishing also has its supporters despite it not being as delicious as other types of fish you can catch around South Africa. Like bass, carp were originally imported into South Africa, and offer an excellent challenge. They also grow to some pretty amazing sizes which makes them a fun fish to go looking for. Catch and release is encouraged for both bass and carp fishing and it is always suggested to enquire about the regulations of the specific spot you are exploring.

What licenses and permits do you need?

Recreational fishing includes any fishing that is done for pleasure or sport. The following general regulations apply:

• You should get a fishing permit from an office authorised by the national Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.
• The selling and trading of fish are not permitted.
• You need to use a rod, reel, and line only, and follow the angling regulations when fishing.
• Your cast net must not be larger than 6 meters in diameter.
• If you are endorsed for spearfishing, you are allowed to catch fish of Class Pisces (that is bony fish, sharks, rays, skates and chimeras) with a speargun only and,
• You are allowed to fish from a vessel (like a boat) provided that you are endorsed to fish from a vessel.

Recreational permit fishing fees

If you would like to fish in South Africa, you will first need to ensure you have the right license or permit for the specific type of fishing activity you will be doing.

It is always advised to check with the local municipality or area for updated permits and pricing before you head out on your fishing adventures! You can also visit us in-store and ask out team of experts for any fishing advice you require.

As of 2021, the Western Cape Fishing Permit prices are listed below. In order to access a fishing permit, you’ll need to pay an application fee of R7. If your application is successful, you’ll need to pay a fee for the issuing of your permit. The following fees, provided by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) apply for an annual permit:

• West Rock Lobster – R87
• East Coast Rock Lobster – R87
• Molluscs, including octopus, squid, worms, other invertebrates, and aquatic plants – R87
• Mud Crab – R87
• Marine aquarium fish – R87
• Angling – R69
• Spearfishing – R87
• Use of cast or throw net – R87
• Additional fee per vessel (only payable by skipper) for recreational fishing from such a vessel – R87
• Scuba diving in a Marine Protected Area – R85

You can also apply for a short term permit that is valid for 4 weeks:

• Molluscs including octopus, squid, worms, other invertebrates, and aquatic plants – R50
• Mud Crab – R50
• Marine aquarium fish – R50
• Angling – R45
• Spearfishing – R50
• Use of cast or throw net – R 50
• Additional per vessel (only payable by skipper) for recreational – R50
• Fishing from the vessel – R50 
• Scuba diving in a Marine Protected Area – R42

Contact the CapeNature offices if you need more assistance:

CapeNature head office, Cape Town: 087 087 9262

Source: https://www.westerncape.gov.za... 

Fishing Gear to get you started.

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OKUMA FIN CHASER 6' BLUE

• Actions suited to both fresh and salt water
• Durable glass fibre rod blank construction
• 1BB drive reels
• Multi-disc drag washers
• Durable ceramic rod guide inserts
• Two-tone anodized aluminium reel spools
• Pre-spooled with monofilament line

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CATCH MORE FISH SHAD COMBO PACK

• Durable tackle tray with latches
• 2 Pre-tied J Hooks with mono leader
• 5 J Hooks
• 2 Double hook bottoms rigs
• 3 Barrel Swivels
• 5 Florescent beads
• 2 Sinker slides
• 1 Reef Sinker
• 1 Pyramid sinker

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CATCH MORE FISH BASS TACKLE BOX

Catch More Fish Bass Tackle Box. With a Shakespeare Catch More Fish tackle box kit anglers will have the basic tackle needed to fish the surf or pier all in one convenient location.

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OKUMA VIBE COMBO 6'

• 1BB bearing drive for durability and smoothness
• Multi-disc oil felt drag washers
• Durable glass fiber rod blank construction
• Durable Dura-flow stainless steel guides
• Comfortable EVA rear split grips

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Expert Tips for Fishing Beginners

Safety First - Always plan ahead and ensure your fishing adventure is done with safety as your highest priority. It is vitally important to always stay hydrated and out of harm’s way when enjoying time on the water and fishing

Rig your rods and gear correctly. It is often quite intimidating to get your fishing gear set up correctly, with the right knots, lures and gear for the fish or area you are in. Speak with our team of in-store experts for advice about the best practices or research the local fishing groups and communities of the places you are exploring.

Learn from other experts. Fishing requires many years of experience and expert knowledge of the area you are fishing in. It is always advised to find some wise, experienced older fishermen to assist you with some good local tips to get you started.

Don’t expect to always catch something and practice patience. There is no wasted time while you are out fishing, even if you don’t have any small nibbles! You can always learn from time on the water and optimize your setup and tactics for your next fishing adventure. Most importantly, it is all about having fun and enjoying the scenery and the company while waiting for your next catch.

My Visserman Vriend

Are you interested in seeing more about the beauty and potential of all that South Africa can offer in terms of fishing?

Download the Fishtube.tv app today and enjoy the first episode of My Visserman Vriend for free on www.fishtube.tv. Proudly sponsored by Outdoor Warehouse.

The first episode of My Visserman Vriend is now available on www.fishtube.tv and will also be available on their Facebook page here.

The upcoming episodes will be streaming exclusively on Fishtube.tv so make sure you subscribe to the website or download the FishtubeTV app.