Table Bay to Cape Point and round to Gordon's Bay
Cape Peninsula and False Bay
The water
False Bay is generally warmer and calmer than the Atlantic side, but exposed to south-easterly wind.
The shore
A mix of rock, mixed ground and sandy surf beaches. Much of the peninsula is national park.
Gear note
Rock and mixed ground favour shorter leaders and strong, abrasion-resistant line.
Check a setup in the builderSeason
Autumn and spring are often busy. Shark presence can change how and where people fish.
The fish
Often targeted here
Galjoen
South Africa's national fish: a hard-fighting, black and silver fish found only on our coast, feeding in white water over reef.
White steenbras
A powerful, long-lived fish of the surf zone that feeds on prawns and worms from the sand.
Leervis
A powerful, silver predator that will take a live bait or a lure in the surf and run hard.
Blacktail
A common, spirited little fish of the rocks, taking worms and red bait.
Also mentioned: Yellowtail (from boats and some rock marks), Hottentot, Stumpnose.
Season at a glance
Compare with similar regions
| Region | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Coast | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Quieter | Quieter | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Quieter |
| Cape Peninsula and False Bay | Quieter | Quieter | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good |
| Overberg and Garden Route | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good |
| Eastern Cape | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Usually good | Usually good |
| KwaZulu-Natal South Coast and Durban | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter |
| Zululand and the North Coast | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good |
Dark circles are the months anglers usually rate highest. This is general guidance, not a forecast: seasons shift with the water temperature and the weather.
Before you fish
Fishing in South Africa has rules: sea fishing needs a recreational permit, and dams, rivers and clubs set their own permits, bait rules and limits. Check current regulations with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment or the owner of the water before you fish. Rules change and this site is not an official source.