Namaqualand to Saldanha Bay

West Coast

Cold, clean water, long beaches and rocky points.

The water

Cold Benguela water with a heavy swell. Strong south-westerly winds are common in summer.

The shore

Long open beaches broken by rock reefs. Many access points cross private or protected land.

Gear note

Heavier sinkers and a longer rod help against the swell and the weed that builds up on the line.

Check a setup in the builder

Season

Cooler months are often the most popular for galjoen and kob. Snoek runs are seasonal and unpredictable.

The fish

Often targeted here

Also mentioned: Snoek (from the rocks and boats), Hottentot, Harders.

Season at a glance

Compare with similar regions

Months that are usually good for the main target fish in each region
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.