Best places for ocean fishing

Popular angling places along the Western Cape coastline

This page lists the best ocean fishing locations in the Western Cape. For species identification, bait, and regulations, see the main illustrated guide for sea fishing.

Ocean fishing basic rules

  • Fishing is for personal use only (no selling of catch)
  • Rod, reel, and line must be used for angling
  • Cast nets may not exceed 6 metres in diameter
  • Spearfishing is restricted to approved species and methods
  • Boat fishing requires appropriate approval and permits

Best places for angling

The Western Cape coastline offers a wide range of ocean fishing spots, from rocky points and sandy beaches to sheltered bays and estuaries. Conditions vary by location, season, and weather, so it is important to choose the right spot for the type of fishing you plan to do.

This guide lists reliable ocean fishing locations across the region, with practical details where available, including access, safety considerations, and the types of fish commonly caught. Use this page to find suitable spots, then follow the links for more detailed information on each area.

Where various fish can be found

    • False Bay – tuna species (seasonal)
    • Rooikrans – blacktail, hottentot, kob
    • Kommetjie – white steenbras, stumpnose, tuna and albacore by boat
    • Hout Bay – snoek, tuna, crayfish
    • Melkbosstrand – steenbras, kob, blacktail
    • Langebaan – seasonal pelagic species,black marlin, broadbill and sand shark
    • Kalk Bay – yellowtail, yellowfin tuna, kob,
    • Paternoster – snoek in winter and crayfish in summer
    • Lamberts Bay – snoek during winter, occasionally yellow tail. At Die Mond, just north of the harbour, steenbras, galjoen and hottentot can be caught.

     

    Bait Guide (Saltwater Fishing)
    Certain baits consistently perform well in the Western Cape, depending on the season and the species being targeted. Commonly used bait includes squid (chokka), sardines, mullet, bloodworm, rock worm, black mussel and prawns. Squid is regarded as one of the best all-round baits, especially during summer when it is naturally abundant, while sardines remain widely available and effective for many different species. 

    Other commonly used baits include:

    • Mullet (live or dead)
    • Yellowtail (strong scent, attracts sharks)
    • Bloodworm (excellent for rock fishing species)
    • Rock worm (natural bait for blacktail and bream)
    • Mussel (black and white mussel for reef species)
    • Sand and mud prawn (estuary fishing)
    • Red bait (excellent for galjoen)
    • Sea lice (highly effective when available)

    Seasonal conditions and availability often determine the best bait choice.

Local conditions

Fishing success in the Western Cape is strongly influenced by tides, weather, and seasonal fish movement. Timing and local conditions can make a significant difference to catches.

 Fishing tides and bes fishing times chart 

Fishing code of practice

Explore the full Western Cape fishing overview