Hermanus to Plettenberg Bay
Overberg and Garden Route
The water
Where the cold and warm currents meet, so conditions swing between seasons and winds.
The shore
Estuary mouths, long bays and rock gullies. Many beaches are easy to reach but have strong rips.
Gear note
A medium-heavy surf rod around four metres is a common all-round choice here.
Check a setup in the builderSeason
Warmer months bring more variety, and estuary mouths can fish well on the incoming tide.
The fish
Often targeted here
Kob
The surf angler's prize: a strong, silver bottom fish that feeds in the gullies at dusk and after dark.
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.
Spotted grunter
A strong, spotted fish of estuaries and calm beaches, taking prawn and worm.
Blacktail
A common, spirited little fish of the rocks, taking worms and red bait.
Also mentioned: Dusky kob in the surf zones, Bronze bream, Elf in the warmer months.
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.