Tigerfish
Name
Tigerfish
Other Names
Striped Water Dog
Identification
The body is supple (lithe) and the fins pointy with the tail fin having a deep fork. The Tigerfish has a big head with bony cheeks and strong jaws. On both jaws there are sharp, long, forward facing teeth. The head and body of this fish is silvery with a blue sheen on the back. There are horizontal black lines along the body line and a noticeable black adipose fin near the tail. The fins of this fish is yellow to red and the tail fin is sometimes a bright red. The Tigerfish can grow up to 70cm with a weight of 16 kilograms, but an average weight caught is around 4 kilograms.
How to locate
Local knowledge or a guide is recommended when targeting these species of fish. The best areas to target Tigerfish from Nelspruit is in the Komatipoort area.
Baits to use
Mostly use art lures or trawling of live bait. A wide range of art lure is effective. Flies can also be used with good success.
Tackle to use
A steel trace is essential due to the sharp teeth. Medium to heavy tackle with a good reel with a smooth drag system is used.