Fishing for STREPIE / KARANTEEN
These beautiful little fish (10 – 20 cm in length), with their characteristic horizontal golden stripes are found in summer almost everywhere in calm water where plenty of marine vegetation occurs.
(Sarpa Sarpa)
They are found in gullies as well as the calm water next to harbour walls. The bright flashes of this excellent baitfish are quickly noticed by the attentive angler who will immediately catch some to put in his cool box.
TACKLE
Either a light rod and reel OR a dip rod may be used. The latter consists of a light Cape cane rod, 3 – 4 metres in length with a length of 4,5 kg breaking strain nylon, a bit shorter than the rod, attached to the tip of the rod. Strepies are nibblers and therefore very small hooks should be used. (see sketch of rig).
These beautiful little fish (10 – 20 cm in length), with their characteristic horizontal golden stripes are found in summer almost everywhere in calm water where plenty of marine vegetation occurs.
They are found in gullies as well as the calm water next to harbour walls. The bright flashes of this excellent baitfish are quickly noticed by the attentive angler who will immediately catch some to put in his cool box.
BAIT
Small to medium size musselworms are the most effective bait. Strepies don’t like the musselworm’s rather hard head, so don’t use it. Thread a piece of worm on to fill the hook. Because the bait is firm, several strepies may be caught before it is necessary to rebait. Thin strips of redbait, white mussel, sardine or the flesh of sharks may also be used.
HOW TO CATCH THE STREPIE
You need to do some pre-baiting by dropping small bits of bait into the water. A tin of sardine mince is just the thing to do the trick. Fine bits of redbait, mussels or the flesh of sharks may also be used. You can actually see how the shoal of fish rises to the surface to greedily pick up the bait.
Now it is time to get your line into the water. When the slight tugs start, allow the strepie to pull the tip of the rod somewhat down before striking lightly. If you miss, just wait a moment, for the tugs will start almost immediately and continue till the hook is empty or the fish hooked. Strepies are lively fighters, so don’t use force when playing them. The best time is when the gully gets foamy with the pushing tide.
MISCELLANEOUS
This fine baitfish must be cleaned as soon as possible and put into the coolbox. By catching strepies yourself, you obtain cheap and excellent bait for fish such as shad, kob, musselcracker, etc. Live strepie on the hook are irresistible for most predators.
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