The Cape Peninsula
Forty miles of mountain and ocean, ending at a lighthouse.
0 to 2 nights
Fishing charters
Yellowtail and tuna out of Hout Bay, or calmer water in False Bay.
Deep-sea charters run out of Hout Bay and Simon's Town for yellowtail, snoek and, from the deep water, yellowfin tuna. Half day or full day, tackle provided, and no experience needed.
Two oceans meet near here and the fishing changes completely depending on which side of the peninsula you leave from.
The Atlantic side
Out of Hout Bay into cold, deep, nutrient-rich water. This is where the yellowtail are, hard-fighting fish of five to fifteen kilos that will empty a reel, and where the boats run for tuna in summer. The tuna grounds are a long way offshore and it is a committed day: leave at five, back at five, and often lumpy.
The False Bay side
Out of Simon's Town into water four to six degrees warmer and considerably calmer. Less dramatic fishing and a much easier day, which is the right answer for a mixed party or anyone who has not been on a boat much.
What happens to the fish
Most charters here run catch and release on the big pelagics and let you keep enough for supper. If you want to eat what you caught, tell us and we will square it with a restaurant beforehand, which several in Hout Bay will happily do.
The practical detail
- How long it takes
- Half day from four hours, full day from eight
- When it works best
- Yellowtail run best from November to May. Tuna are a summer fishery and need a long run offshore. Snoek come in through the winter months, closer in and in rougher water.
- Who it suits
- Minimum age 6. Moderate physically. Suitable for families. Children from about six manage the inshore False Bay trips well. The offshore tuna runs mean two hours to the grounds in open swell and we would not put a child on one. Tackle, bait and licences are provided.
Good to know
Where it happens
Cape Town
A working city wedged between a mountain and two oceans.
4 to 6 nights
Itineraries that include it
7 days · 6 nights
The Classic Cape Week
The city, the peninsula, the Winelands and the whale coast, in one region.
10 days · 9 nights
Ten Days in the Cape
The unhurried version, with time on the water and two nights on the coast.
Tell us this one matters
Some of these set the shape of a whole trip. Say which ones you care about on the enquiry form and we will build outwards from them.
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