GALJOEN FISHING and TIPS over the years.

This article is dedicated to my cousin ALAN BEST who passed away in a

tragic accident back in 1994, when I pick up a fishing rod I think of him, he

was an admiration, he could catch a fish anywhere anytime, I truly miss

you and what we shared from our youth days - Rest in Peace Alan.

From back in the late 1970’s we caught many species, right into the SWA

bush war in the operational area on the border, we both were in Sector

70 Caprivi M’Patcha in 1980 and Tiger fish ruled… one of those fish those

days was the Galjoen at Cannibal Bay near Camps Bay and Glenn Beach,

near the area we resided at and a few things we learnt I will share here.

Today I have a simple 10 foot rod, Penn 500 jig master ( one of the oldest reels

around still today) Many other makes bought today were not even heard of

those days but Penn is still going strong…… and I use a 3 ounce spoon sinker

with a size 1 circle hook, sinker trace is 5,5kg and reel line is 11,5 kg, with a

hook trace of 9,1 kg’s - that’s me done and dusted……so far no problem, and

with this set up that Penn 500 Jigmaster can reach distances, but I don’t

generally cast far anyways, these are awesome reels, simply put one of the

best. If you get one that needs a service give me a call, I will help you, but try

get the 1960-1970-1980 made in USA Jigmaster not the new China one.

FISHING HOLES BRINGS HUGE REWARDS!

GENERAL

Watching many guys today casting trying to cast miles, isn’t necessary,

and a few other small tips I will mention here.

If a fish bites and the interest suddenly fades away wiggle your line in

case the bait dropped between rocks and fish can’t get it!

Casting far isn’t needed, most times Galjoen venture CLOSE to the shore,

they seek the muscles on the rocks, coral worm etc that is close to the

shore, so high tide they come close. The top photo shows wave height I

have a lot of success in, just a metre or less, not rough weather at all.

I have most success 2 hours after high tide, when the water is at a dead

zone, not pushing too much nor going out, that central state, in the

morning around 9 o clock is a good time for me, and when the water is

churning, like it looks active, white water with lots of oxygen, if the water

has less oxygen Galjoen will not feel at ease and vacate that area. If it has

foamy texture or not is not a factor, but it must look white with active

water and oxygen – and be a ginger beer colour.

Sea like this top picture is in my opinion related to previous results is not

good, and avoid severe cross currents that shift your bait to the left or

right. Also note that this area has zero open shells on the shore, an area

that has many open shells is a sure sign fish are feeding in the area. You

MUST walk your fishing areas on a spring low tide and look for holes,

places the Galjoen will come in to feed, and mark these areas. The more

you do to locate holes the more you will catch.

WATCH FOR TELL TALE SIGNS OF

FISH ON THE BEACH The below photo is of an area I fish a lot, the spring tide shows the hole

between the rocks, and the other photo the hole on high tide, fishing in

the hole 25m off the shore gives me very good results, it is NOT necessary

casting miles. But make sure it has signs of fish i.e. - open shells… lots!

AWESOME WATER CONDITIONS, white, lots of oxygen and churning big time!

Spring tide image above of the one hole that I fish, excellent Galjoen spot.

NOTE the channel that feeds the hole on left, this is an awesome spot.

Note white water with lots of oxygen and note the wave height, metre at most,

too rough or too windy and you can’t feel much on the rod, this is also a factor!

Here is another excellent spot, once again 25m from the shore, high tide

and lovely water, note that central hole, and it has an awesome channel

as seen in below low tide image. By knowing how the rocks look allows

you to cast well on a high tide and place your bait well.

Cast very close to the shore at this hole, awesome spot. Galjoen hot

spot.

Look at this image at

spring tide taken on the

left of this hole, millions

of black muscles and coral

worm, plenty Galjoen

food, this is why Galjoen

come VERY VERY VERY

CLOSE inshore on a high

tide

Now picture in your mind this area at high tide and Galjoen looking for

food, not hard to do, fishing close to the shore on high tide is key!

Besides Red bait that is the Galjoen’s king choice of food, try using black

muscle also, by offering him what he gets easily but does not have to

fight to open shells might just tip the scale in your direction also. BUT I

use mainly red bait and prefer the bait that is NOT fresh, I cut pods open

from red bait washed up on the

beach, I find that the not so

fresh stuff is better.

Small juvenile Galjoen caught

and released within two minutes

in mentioned conditions, this

one had seal attack damage.

REDBAIT – old and real stinky!

Feeling a Galjoen’s THUMP

THUMP THUMP on your line is awesome. Great fish to catch.

WALK BEACHES ON LOW TIDE AND MARK HOLES and

areas that will attract Galjoen at high tide, the more

homework you put in the more rewards will be had.

KEEP WEATHER CHARTS AVAILABLE and study them. Here is my latest chart for coming Sunday, high tide is past

8 in morning so I will be at the beach at 7 and it’s still dark, after a cup of

coffee I will walk to the spot in low light, and fish 3 hours on the pushing

tide. The wind and conditions so far look just right.

See Sunday’s info, all points to just like I like it, a metre or less wave and a

good time for the high tide.

08-58 HIGH TIDE so I will start

fishing around 07-15 and work

about 3 spots in 3 hours.

Let’s see what happens

Sunday………the only thing is a

South wester, would have

preferred a rain wind, but let’s

go wet a line.

Did another spot check today (THURSDAY) the waves the

same but wind getting better, shows a North wind…

BAIT TIP- A small tip regarding baiting a hook is far too

many guys make a mistake of tying the cotton around the

bait too much, redbait won’t come off so quick, put a

small amount on the hook, tie cotton around the neck of

the hook only, close to the eye, leave the bottom piece

DON’T TIE THAT PART, try use the orange nipple side of

the redbait, then add another piece over that piece you

tied on, NO Cotton on that piece, the fish will take that

first then it is easier to hook him up on that second

attempt.

Try to use as old and frot red bait as you can, I said this

before but try! Bury red bait on the beach and dig it up a

week later, lekker vrot!

Sometimes, when it goes quiet, wait for a storm, the

water will open to offer new holes and new food for Mr

Galjoen, wait till it’s a good high tide, use 3 hours

effectively and try areas close to your ones that went quiet, sometimes

this works in your favour. I have 4 holes on a specific beach and always

try them, they offer good results as time goes by. My general assumption

of a place like Blaauwberg is a success ratio of around one Galjoen every

7 or 8 visits, this is an idea, and Glenn beach is about every 4 visits…. I

think it’s the coral worm they like. The below fish was after a week of

rough weather, it opens new holes and fish are active.

THE RESULT 2 minutes at the hole I mentioned at the start of

this article, real close to the shore, a small juvenile

Galjoen so it was released, BUT is a Galjoen no

less, awesome fishing for these awesome fish.

ALWAYS

RELEASE

UNDERSIZE

FISH

G Laubscher

0824853885

MY HOOKS, examples and favourites These are an assortment of hooks that I found at low tide or use

through my fishing hours, I prefer circle hooks and these are the

examples used by fishermen for Galjoen.

I am not a fan of the long shank hook although I have a few in my box simply

as emergency hooks if in case I need extra or somebody needs a hook,

although I have indeed caught Galjoen on the #1 hook here, and I have had a

lot of success with this small hook here, it is 3cm long and 15mm wide.

These are my favourite hooks,

they have all produced catches

– just remember that Galjoen

have small mouths, the point

showing inwards helps Galjoen

hook themselves. Don’t strike

when you get a bite, keep

your line taught at all times, if

you really must when they

bite pull your rod gently backwards, don’t be in a hurry, let the fish hook itself,

then just help to set the hook with a taught line, don’t strike back violently.

When these species bite they are aggressive biters, and most times hook

themselves easily, don’t be over anxious and strike soon, be patient and let

the Galjoen do all the work, most important always keep your line taught,

this way he hooks himself and you can feel everything that is happening

below the water, especially if the wind is blowing.

G Laubscher

0824853885

G Laubscher

0824853885

FOLLOWING WEEKEND – Another Galjoen -

the same spot. Here is another Galjoen, 36cm just past legal size. Really fat Galjoen, same set

up, Penn 500, 3 ounce sinker, 10 foot rod, awesome combo with 12 kilogram

line. This fish hit my line so hard and fled it gave me a fright, standing

daydreaming and then BAM BAM BAM, 3 huge takes.

HUGE TIP- When you collect redbait take a few pods - bury them and hide

someplace in the sand, let it rot, use it a few weeks later! Your wife will love

the smell all over you when you get home, put a mattress in your garage HA HA.

G Laubscher

0824853885

G Laubscher

0824853885

Note how chubby he is

a really fat Galjoen.

RESULTS This can be a result of conditions out of your control, waves, currents, winds,

rain, water temperature, water colour, and with Galjoen fishing you will see

you will go to the beach let’s say 10 times, but 3-4 times you will turn around

and leave as its far too crappy, or out of 10 times only 2 or 3 are favourable,

it is a hit and miss, I don’t get out a lot due to work but this season so far

since July (it is now September) I have caught 3 and two in the past week,

unfortunately so far all this seasons catch was under 40cm but that’s just

fishing and after all it is still a Galjoen no matter the size. And in this total I

had 3 huge takes that I failed to catch, so all in all it is not that bad, and in an

area that I watch fishermen fish and catch nothing, so I must be doing

something right, this coast is pretty raped with fish it isn’t like other coastal

hotspots, but the longer you try the more rewards will be reaped. Avoid

fishing beaches with no rocks, Galjoen are in these areas as belows image.

DON’T BE FOOLED by thinking the water is to calm, to clear and

just all around don’t look right, this day I caught a Galjoen at this

exact spot, in such conditions, so sometimes things work the exact

opposite, it is fisherman’s luck! No rule book!

G Laubscher

0824853885

SATURDAY and Sunday FOLLOWING the last 2

successful weekends, the outcome.

Was hoping to make it three weekends with a fish on each one – looking at

the report today, it shows Sat and Sunday to be both pretty nice wave

heights, however Sat says a SE wind BUT Sunday a North wind with a 1-2m

wave, so my money is on Sunday morning, but will try both mornings, let’s

see what happens, I vote for Sunday.

ALL factors point to Sunday

being the best day here, so let’s

see…

See the energy force, not too bad

so Galjoen don’t need to fight so

bad to get to rock feed. Force less

Sunday to other days.

Fish both days 6-30 to 9.

To end these are the things I have learned and use over the years, these tips

are what I use, and it has rewarded me well over the years, from the 70’s and

back then we had no fancy equipment, but today I still use the SAME reel,

same length rod, same trace style, same line breaking strain and it still works

well today, no need to change anything at all – don’t fix what isn’t broke….

This is why I don’t belong to internet forums and other chat rooms because

you will always find know it all’s and people who are just troublemakers who

talk about the same thing 1000 different ways on most forums and also push

specific people in order to sell stuff, so be careful what you believe on most

forums they can be dangerous places and most people have agendas. Teach

yourself and keep most of what you know to yourself including hotspots. I am

not saying all are bad but most are clicks of people, their post count will tell

you how much time they have in relation to others. Not saying all forums and

members are bad or to be taken with a pinch of salt, no sir…. but many are!

GO LOOK FOR HOLES!!!!! JUST get out at low tide and look for holes, then fish them at high tide, and

for me 2 hours after high tide is my most successful in all, with ginger beer

colour water. DON’T CAST FAR, it isn’t necessary, cast close to the shore.

FINALLY BE SAFE, watch your back at all times, on quiet beaches, always look

around you ever minute, it is not so innocent today as was the 70’s so be

careful and be safe! Try not fish alone. We had a saying when I used to dive,

it was dive alone and die alone, so with fishing try always have somebody

with you it is a lot safer, remember this is 2019 and South Africa……

REST WELL ALAN, I miss our friendship. I always admired you and how you

could basically catch a fish in a Zink in somebody’s kitchen, your ability to

read water and other attributes that produced fish was incredible, I will

always miss you and I thank you for what we learned together, it has helped

me a lot over the years.

Gary Laubscher

0824853885

QUICK CHECK ON WEATHER

Just did a quick check today before

weekend tomorrow and it is looking good

SUNDAY still looks good see wave height

and wind but Sunday is a NW Wind!! So it is

still looking good. Saturday is good but

Sunday looks better! I VOTE FOR SUNDAY!