White Stumpnose is one of the main species that fishermen target when fishing Langebaan.
Although they take white mussel as bait, it is actually live prawn they like. Normally these prawn can be pumped at low tide, but lately it has become more difficult to get tally. The first thing that springs to mind is that the stocks are depleted due to over pumping by so many fishermen…well that`s not true. I have my secret places where to pump and even here they are hard to find. I wonder if there is a correlation to the availability of prawn and the feeding habits of the Stumps.. lately these Stumps don`t just grab the bait like always. They put the prawn in their mouth and just sucks on it. So you have to start thinking like a fish and just hold your line very tight..when it gets heavy, then strike and almost all the time a 40cm plus “Bloukop” will surprise you.
Then there is that “Locomotive” that I have been targeting the past two years, every time I go on the water with the boat, but it seems that I am at the wrong station. There are only two spots that works..or so I thought, but then comes this lone fishermen with his old rod and reel, a 2,0 hook and one prawn on it…and next moment a 66cm Steenbra..vas Pappa! Where? – at the Paaltjies, the Alabama boat launching site right in the middle of town and this from the beach casting towards the Island.
Well it`s that time of the year which we call the “silly season” Visitors are arriving..the moon phase is perfect. The water is warm, a fresh South Easter, perfect fishing conditions for the Baan. So every morning at 01h00 boats get launched and by late morning they return with good catches of Cob and Elf. If it`s sharks, Spotties and Smooths that you target, then right now the Baan is the place to be. There are plenty and more.
Bait to use will be chokka for sharks, white mussel and prawn for Stumps, maybe also some red bait and for Elf and Cob it must be fresh Pilchard. Make sure you change the Pilchard often and it must be as fresh as possible. Those expensive sleeved ones might be the best buy.
Well enjoy the weekend, be ready for some South Easter blowing which we as fishermen like and keep your Baan clean.
Till next time, stywe lyne!
By: A Fisherman from Langebaan
