Langebaan Gamefishing on a Kayak Spread

Langebaan Gamefishing on a Kayak Spread

Langebaan Gamefishing on a Kayak Spread: Langebaan has clean water all year round?! Imagine that (here in KZN we go brown every rainy season)!

For the international audience here, Langebaan is a huge estuary up the West Coast from Cape Town. It is wonderfully beautiful. Deep channels and sandspits. Rocks and reef. Islands. Lotsa kelp but I’ll take stuff that over dirty water any day.

So many shades of blue!

And a huge mouth area. Making it easy for estuarine gamefish to enter and exit with the tides.

Estuarine Gamefish Species

Garrick – these things only really ever go for fast-moving lures in the upper part of the water column
Kob – these guys take a much slower retrieve mid-water to the bottom
Yellowtail – aggressive and feeding up and down the entire water column – very deep to very shallow
Shad – a shoaling fish that take the same baits as the above, but with #6 piano wire
Snoek – sure becomes a gamefish when you hook these guys on a lure

This is a really cool range of fish to be targeting. You can rig up strip baits, or swim baits, and paddle all over the place.

There are certainly other species that will also fit in the target range of the MYDO Kayak Spread, but these are the most gamefishy.

Leaders

The never-ending question…

You will get far more strikes when using a nylon leader. Flat out. But, what happens when a shad comes along? Snip-snip and he’s gone. And so, we work a compromise…

We are fishing a moving bait. A single hook right in the bait’s tail will hook up on strike against about 1 to 2 kgs of drag. I use a small, super-sharp, and strong treble to ensure a hookup right on the first bite.

With this hook is right at the back of the bait, any sharp teeth should stay down that end during the fight. There is a good 4 inches or more of wire before the nylon starts.

And so…we can fish a wire dropper from the baitswimmer to that back hook. Which is buried completely in the bait. Invisible. And then a flouro/nylon to the swivel. Doing it this way means you don’t need a swivel since you can fish the baitswimmer right on your existing leader. Ideally 30 to 40lb. Which is heavy for any estuary but it’s better to be prepared for a big fish. And those garrick and yellowtail will teach you a lesson if your tackle is to too light.

Note: after you have attached your strip bait, you can adjust the uni-knot to make sure there is play in the join. Since it is this articulation that makes for the swimming action we are after.

Kit

Braid 30lb to 50lb (top line at least 100m). Leader. A good 300m of backing. We don’t like hurting fish with light tackle. We need to get these fish in healthy for a good release. The chances of survival on light tackle is far less for any fish. They get tired and give up. On heavier tackle, you can get him in the net still frisky and good to go back.

Spread

Trolling more than two sticks on a kayak is risky as hell. Rather two maximum. And then one up front for sight-casting to surface-feeding fishies.

Then we also gonna spread them apart. As in one really close behind you at about 6 metres. Then the other one set back a little further at about 10m. This means you can turn easily without tangling. Put the longer rod further back, and your shorter rod close by. The baits are slightly weighted. And when you stop to cast, the spread sinks down. But to different depths again lessening the chance of tangling. When they drop down like this, they become extra-lethal and you get to hunt the entire water column. When you are done with casting, and you set out again – this is when plenty strikes happen. You got to watch out for the bottom structure though, with that 10m bait.

This gallery demonstrates the various deployments of MYDO Baitswimmers for estuary fishing…

Action!

You need to get that other line out of the water quick smart. And try manoeuvre away from kelp or the reef/rocks/other boats.

When a big fish is charging away from your kayak, you can to swing the boat to point the bow at the fighting fish. If you hold your rod tip to one side, the kayak goes in the other direction. And so you can steer after your fish. Lessening the overall drag on your kit. And keeping you close.

Fishing Spot Guide for Langebaan

1. The Ore Jetty: Located near the entrance of the lagoon, this spot is popular for catching white stumpnose, elf (shad), garrick, and kob. The jetty provides easy access and is a favourite among both locals and visitors.

2. Roman Banks: This area is known for its abundance of Roman fish, as well as other species like Hottentot and galjoen. It’s a great spot for shore fishing and offers beautiful views of the lagoon.

3. Lynch Blinder: A productive spot for catching a variety of fish, including white stumpnose and kob. This area is best fished during high tide when the fish are more active.

4. Schaapen Island: Accessible by boat, this island is a fantastic spot for catching yellowtail, garrick, snoek, and various species of shark. The waters around the island are rich in marine life, making it a prime fishing location.

5. Meeu Island: Another boat-accessible spot, Meeu Island is known for its excellent fishing opportunities. Anglers can expect to catch species like kabeljou, geelbek, and garrick (leervis) here.

6. Bokkomlaan: Famous for its dried fish industry, Bokkomlaan is also a great spot for fishing. The area is rich in history and offers a unique fishing experience.

Fishing Tips:

• Best Time to Fish: Early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times to fish in Langebaan.
• Bait: Pilchards, sardines, and other local baits can be bought from bait shops and the Langebaan Total Garage.
• Permits: Ensure you have the necessary fishing permits, which can be obtained from the local post office. If you are lucky enough to have a functioning post office. Otherwise online.

Safety

Kayaking in Langebaan Lagoon is a fantastic experience, but it’s important to be aware of potential dangers:

1. Strong Winds: The lagoon can experience sudden and strong winds, which can make kayaking challenging and potentially dangerous.
2. Tides and Currents: Be aware of the tides and currents, as they can change rapidly and affect your ability to navigate.
3. Cold Water: The water in the lagoon can be quite cold, especially during certain times of the year. Hypothermia is a risk if you fall in and are not properly dressed.
4. Marine Life: While encounters are rare, be aware of the presence of marine life such as jellyfish and stingrays.
5. Boat Traffic: The lagoon is popular for various water activities, so be cautious of other boats and watercraft.
6. Sun Exposure: The sun can be intense, so make sure to wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing to avoid sunburn and heatstroke.
7. Limited Visibility: Fog and mist can reduce visibility, making it harder to navigate and increasing the risk of collisions (use your phone to navigate with).

Check the weather forecast before heading out, wear a life jacket, and let someone know your plans. Better still, go with a buddy. Stay safe and enjoy your kayaking adventure!