Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Cape Town, South Africa
The city of Cape Town, South Africa is one of the best fishing destinations on earth. Knowing the best times and seasons to fish these insanely rich waters will make a big difference for your success.
The best time to fish near Cape Town is December through May for albacore, tuna, and geelbek. For black marlin, broadbill swordfish, kob, sharks, and carp, the best time is June through November.
| Fish Species | Best Seasons to Fish Near Cape Town |
| Black Marlin | May-October is the best fishing season for coastal black marlin. |
| Broadbill Swordfish | September through January is the best season dolphin near Cairns. |
| Tuna | December through May is the best time to catch all tuna species. |
| Albacore | The summer is best with December through March being ideal. |
| Geelbek | January through March is the best geelbek fishing window. |
| Kob | October is the hottest month to catch kob in Cape Town. |
| Carp | May through December is the best time to catch all tuna species. |
| Rainbow Trout | April-June is the best fishing season for coastal black marlin. |
| Sharks | May through September is the best time to catch all tuna species. |
Cape Town is the place where two oceans meet with each other. Fishing around the city is always excellent. Cape Town is known for its productive fishing spots. The local guides will take you to the spots where anglers can try reef fishing.
The destination offers excellent offshore and inshore fishing opportunities. Anglers can try different fishing techniques and target many different species of fish in the waters of Cape Town. Here, fishermen can try such techniques as light tackle, trolling, spinning, fly fishing, and others.
So, you can use a fishing technique that’s more to your liking. If you have never visited Cape Town before, then it would be better for you to book a charter with a guide. A lot of fishing charters are available for anglers in Cape Town and its surrounding areas. It’s pretty easy to book a fishing charter online.
Best Time to Fish Cape Town
A fishing trip always requires meticulous planning and preparation. When getting ready for fishing adventures in Cape Town, anglers have to decide when it’s a great time to fish the waters of Cape Town. And of course, you should always check the weather forecast carefully before going fishing around Cape Town city.
Actually, it’s possible to fish in Cape Town all year round. So, anglers can visit the location and enjoy fishing in the area at any time. It all depends on the species of fish that you are planning to catch during your fishing trips in Cape Town. Anglers need to study the bite times of their favorite fish species ahead of time and then plan their fishing trips accordingly.
Of course, it would be better for anglers to fish in the Cape Town area when the vast majority of species are active. It’s important to note that a peak fishing season in Cape Town begins in December and finishes in March. So, you’ll manage to get a lot of bites and achieve the best results during these months. According to the opinions of many anglers, Cape Town fishing is the most productive in January.
Recommended Fishing Charters in Cape Town
These Cape Town-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Type of Fishing Offered |
| Spinning Reels Charters | Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore, Wreck & Reef |
| Cape Boat Charters | Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore, Wreck & Reef |
| Vida Loca Boat Cruises | Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore, Wreck & Reef |
| Ocean Life Fishing Charters | Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore, Wreck & Reef |
| Heliox Fishing Charter – Cape Town | Reef, Inshore & Offshore |
| Outrageous Fishing – Depth Charge | Reef, Inshore & Offshore |
Cape Town Species Breakdown: Best Times & Seasons
Cape Town is well-known among anglers for its diversity of fish. Anglers can catch many different species of fish in the local waters. Now, we’ll provide you with a list of the most common species of fish in the region. We’ll briefly describe the species of fish that anglers can catch in the area. Plus, we’ll explain where and when to catch these species.
Tuna (Various Species)
Tuna will be your main target during a Cape Town fishing trip. Here, it’s possible to fish for different species of tuna including yellowfin tuna, skipjack tuna, and bigeye tuna. You need to know that tuna is a fast-moving fish. So, it’s always a lot of fun to catch it. Fighting tuna fish is exciting. There are a lot of fishing charters available in the region that specialize in tuna fishing. False Bay is the best place to target tuna in the Cape Town area. Keep in mind that tuna bites well during the summer and fall months.
Black Marlin
Cape Town impresses anglers with an abundance of marlin fish. Here, anglers have an opportunity to target black marlin. Marlin fishing season starts in May and finishes in October. It makes a lot of sense to target marlin in the waters of Kommetjie Bay.
Albacore
Albacore is another common fish that anglers can target in the waters of Cape Town. Anglers often catch albacore fish during their deep sea trips. Albacore is a migratory fish that prefers to live in warm temperature waters. The fish bites well during the summer months. Anglers should fish Kommetjie Bay to catch albacore fish.
Largemouth Bass
Bass fishing is recommended to those anglers, who want to catch freshwater species in Cape Town. Go to Fischerhaven dam to fish for bass. Actually, it’s possible to fish for bass at any time of the year. The peak season to fish for bass starts in the late fall and lasts till the early spring. Bass bites well at dawn and at dusk.
Broadbill Swordfish
Fishermen also have a chance to fight broadbill swordfish during their trips to Cape Town. The best of the year to catch broadbill swordfish is between March and July. Langebaan is the place where you can catch broadbill swordfish.
Geelbek
Geelbek is also known as Cape salmon. The season to catch geelbek is high between January and March. Fishermen should book a charter that specializes in catching geelbek in the waters of Cape Town. The captain will show you some of the best fishing spots where they can target geelbek in the area.
Kob
There are spots in Cape Town where anglers can try kob fishing. The chances to catch kob are high in Melkbosstrand. Kob fishing is the most productive in October. The fish actively feeds at night. Kob fishing is also very productive during the sunrise and sunset hours.
Carp
It’s also possible to enjoy carp fishing in the waters around Cape Town. It’s fair to say that carp is a very strong fish. That’s why carp fishing is always interesting and exciting. Anglers should visit Theewaterskloof Dam to fish for carp in the area. Carp fishing season starts in May and lasts until September.
Rainbow trout
Anglers can enjoy rainbow trout fishing during their Cape Town adventures. Fischerhaven dam is the ideal place to target rainbow trout in the area. The late spring is the best time of the year to catch rainbow trout. However, you can catch rainbow trout all year round.
Sharks
Fishermen should visit Cape Town if they are interested in catching sharks. Without a doubt, sharks are incredible opponents. Jacobs Bay is the perfect place to target sharks in the region. Sharks bite well during the warm months of the year. So, the season to fish for sharks in Cape Town starts in May and lasts till September.
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Best Time of Day to Fish Cape Town
Fish in the waters of Cape Town bite well during the sunrise and sunset. That’s why it’s best to go fishing in the early morning or in the afternoon. It all depends on the species of fish that you are targeting. Study the bite times of target fish species carefully in advance and plan your adventures for the times when fishing in the area is the most productive.
Cape Town Fishing & Tidal Impacts
Anglers need to know when tides are low and when tides are high in the region. It would be great to fish the local waters during the rising tides. The movement of water means an increase in the activity of fish. So, the ideal fishing conditions are created during the rising tides and anglers get the most effective results.
Storms & Cape Town Fishing
Storms affect Cape Town fishing. Storms and rainstorms mean weather changes that have an impact on the behavior of fish. Therefore, fishing can be bad before the storms.
It’s important to know that storms pose a risk to the anglers in the area. It’s dangerous to fish during storms. That’s the reason why fishing during storms should be avoided. It’s also important to note that fish usually go to deep waters and don’t bite during heavy rainstorms.
Nevertheless, fishing can be very good after storms. It’s a great idea to fish in Cape Town right after storms and rainstorms. The reality is, storms boost oxygen levels in the water. As a result, fish is becoming more active. Fish start feeding actively after storms. So, fishermen find it easy to catch it.
Is Winter Fishing Bad or Good in Cape Town?
As you probably know, fishing in Europe is less productive during the cooler months. However, the same can’t be said about Cape Town fishing. It’s important to know that the waters of Cape Town are warmer. That means that anglers can successfully fish in the area at any time of the year.
Winter fishing is good in the Cape Town area. Many fish bite well during the winter months. For example, anglers can target such species of fish as blue sharks, yellowfin tuna, and others.
Night Fishing in Cape Town
Hot weather makes fishing in Cape Town uncomfortable. That’s why some anglers choose to fish in the waters of Cape Town at night. It’s also important to note that many fish species are active at night. Night fishing allows anglers to target carp, catfish, bass, pike, trout, and other species.
Anglers have a chance to catch big fish during night trips. Fishing at night can be more productive than daytime fishing. On the other hand, fishing at night is more difficult than daytime fishing. That’s why night fishing is not recommended for beginners.
Shore/Surf Fishing: Best Times & Seasons
Cape Town has a lot to offer to those anglers, who give a preference to shore/surf fishing. A lot of anglers choose to fish from shore in the area. There are rivers, bays, lagoons, dams, and streams.
That means that anglers can find the perfect places for shore/surf fishing easily and quickly. Anglers can also fish from piers. Among the most popular piers in the region are: The Simons Town Pier, Strand Pier, Pier Place, East Pier.
Top 5 Fishing Spots in Cape Town
When planning Cape Town fishing adventures, anglers need to get familiar with the best fishing locations in the region. There are many fishing places in the area. Cape Town has both saltwater and freshwater fishing spots. Anglers can fish in the rivers, streams, dams, in the coastline, or book a deep-sea fishing charter. You need to know where to fish, when, and what species to target in these places. Now, we’ll tell you about some of the best fishing spots in the area.
Kommetjie Bay
It’s a great idea to visit Kommetjie Bay during Cape Town fishing trips. This place provides anglers with great deep-sea fishing opportunities. Here, anglers can catch many different fish species including albacore, black marlin, mako shark, sand tiger shark, and tuna. The fishing season in Kommetjie Bay is high between the early spring and the late fall.
Langebaan
Langebaan is another good fishing spot near Cape Town. Here, anglers can enjoy fishing in the stunning lagoon. The fishing spot attracts fishermen who are interested in targeting black marlin. The best time of the year to fish in Langebaan is between November and February.
Jacobs Bay
Jacobs Bay offers excellent fishing opportunities for every angler. It’s the perfect place to enjoy fishing with the entire family. Here, fishermen can target sand sharks and other species. Summer is a great time to fish in Jacobs Bay.
Melkbosstrand
Melkbosstrand is well-known among anglers as a recreational fishing spot. It’s a little village. The distance between Melkbosstrand and Cape Town is 30km. Among the fish species, you can catch in this spot are blacktail, kob, and others. Here, anglers can enjoy fishing all year round.
Theewaterskloof Dam
Theewaterskloof Dam is the perfect place for anglers, who give a preference to freshwater fishing. Theewaterskloof Dam gives anglers a great opportunity to enjoy fishing at any time of the year. Here, it’s possible to catch such fish species as carp, trout as well as smallmouth bass. Keep in mind that fishing on a dam is possible all year round. However, anglers get the best results in the summer.
Booking Charters in Cape Town
Booking a charter is one of the best ways to explore the fishing places around Cape Town. Friendly and experienced guides would be happy to show you the best fishing spots and assist you during your trips. So, you’ll be able to get the most out of your fishing trip in Cape Town.
Many companies offer fishing charters in Cape Town and its surrounding areas these days. It’s worth noting that fishing charters are available for online booking. Explore all of your options carefully, compare the prices and book a charter that meets your fishing needs and preferences in the best way.
– Best season to go
As we have already said, fishing in Cape Town is the most productive in January. However, a peak season means higher prices on accommodations and flights and more expensive fishing. So, it would be better to plan Cape Town fishing adventures for March if you want to save some money. The prices are lower, but fishing opportunities are amazing.
– Morning vs. afternoon
Anglers choose to fish in Cape Town either in the early morning or in the afternoon. It would be great to go fishing in the early morning during the hot summer months. It’s more comfortable to fish during the morning hours. Also, the surface of the water is cooler during the morning hours. As a result, fish begin to feed actively. Afternoon fishing is more productive during the cooler months. Cape Town is known for its warm waters. So, it would be better to go fishing in the morning in the region.
– 1/2 day, full-day, multi-day charters
The prices of fishing charters depend a lot on trip length. Let’s assume that your budget on fishing is limited. Or, maybe, you are interested in cheap fishing trips? In this case, the so-called 1/2 day fishing trips are worth considering. Anglers can book 4-hour and 8-hour trips. It’s important to know that half-day trips are recommended for beginners, who have just started to learn how to fish.
More experienced anglers can be interested in dedicating a full day of fishing. So, they can book a full-day charter. Full-day trips are longer and increase the chances of anglers catching a trophy. It’s also important to note that full-day trips are more expensive compared to 1/2 day ones.
Avid fishermen can also consider booking multi-day charters in Cape Town. Such trips last several days. Bear in mind that anglers receive meals and drinks during fishing trips. Multi-day charters give anglers even more fishing time. So, fishermen have a better chance to get trophy fish on the boat.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Cairns, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Mallorca, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish the Azores, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in the Canary Islands, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Kenya, please check out this helpful article. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in South Africa. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Tanzania.
