Go Fishing, In the Western Cape
Having a bad week at the office or simply looking for a getaway opportunity? Why not take a break from your daily commitments and spend some time fishing.
Fishing is a fantastic way to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. If this sounds like a good idea to you, then it’s time to prepare for your trip.
Ensure that you pack your food and drinks supplies, fishing equipment and gear, and camping equipment into your bakkie canopy. Now that you are prepared, it is time to find the right fishing location.
Here are five fantastic fishing locations in the Western Cape:
Jacobs Bay: Between Saldanha Bay and Vredenburg sits a small bay, missed by most tourists. Jacobs Bay is a rocky bay which makes it a perfect hunting ground for shad. The mussels on these rocks are fantastic at attracting blacktail and steenbras, ensuring that you will have a successful trip.
This is the ideal location for young children or beginners to tackle this exciting hobby, without the chance of being dragged into the ocean. Furthermore, the bay is littered with sharks, but thankfully the shy and toothless kind, posing no threat to you and your companions.
Clanwilliam: Clanwilliam is the prime smallmouth bass fishing venue in South Africa. Surrounded by the Cederberg Mountain range and 250km from Cape Town, it’s possible to fish the lake on a day trip, but it is advised to pack a sleeping back into your Hilux canopy and enjoy a weekend of fishing.
The dam has a slip way that you can launch your boat from and has water so clear you can spot your catch from a mile away. Be warned, the wind tends to pick up in the afternoons, so taking the boat out early in the morning will give you the best results.
Bo Vlakte: Bo Vlakte is a two hour drive from Cape Town and just 22 kilometres outside of Barrydale on Route 62. Situated on a fruit farm in the little Karoo, these three dams will ensure an unforgettable experience. The dams are rapidly becoming the place to go trout, bass or tilapia fishing, with recent noteworthy catches include two trout of 9lb 4oz and 8lb 9oz respectively. Stay over for a night or the weekend in one of the fully equipped cabins, and enjoy braaing your very own ‘catch of the day’ for friends and family.
Melkbosstrand: About 30km north of Cape Town, Melkbosstrand is one of the top fishing locations in South Africa, and one of the easiest locations to reach. The fish touring the area include kob, blacktail, shad and steenbras, and are all edible and great tasting.
A fisherman’s tradition in Melkbosstrand is to catch the fish and then braai it on the beach. What you do is dig a hole in the sand for your fire, and then sit around your braai, eating the fish off the grid.
Black Eagle Lodge: Hidden away in the Overberg Mountains outside Caledon – 90 minutes outside of Cape Town -, Black Eagle Lodge is one of the best places to find trout and subsequently teach your kids how to fly fish.
The lodge offers guests a wide variety of activities, so while you are enjoying fly fishing, the rest of your party can go for hikes, go mountain biking, bird watching, try their hand at fruit picking or simply relax in one of the pools.
Take a relaxing drive up to one of these fantastic fishing spots and enjoy your hard earned weekend getaway. Ensure that you pack the right equipment and spend a relaxing weekend with Mother Nature.