Cobbled streets, historical buildings and, of course, the stunning ocean and mountain surrounds make this charming town the ideal place to spend an afternoon, especially if you are going on a fishing trip charter as well.

There are a few set fishing trips that you may wish to partake in, but there is also the option of customising a charter if you so desire. The set charters offered are categorised as follows: Inshore, Offshore, Crayfish, Scenic & Eco, and Birding Charters.

Inshore Charters

Targeted species: yellowtail, hottentot, red roman, cob, snoek and various shark species.

These charters leave the yacht club early, around 7:30am. We will sail along the coast to Cape Point, Seal Island, Rocky Bank or Buffels Bay depending on the weather conditions and what has been happening in these areas over the past few weeks. On these charter fishing trips the prize catch is the yellowtail, a trophy catch for any angler due to its tough, fighting spirit. These fish species can be caught by children, but it may take them a little while to reel in depending on their size, age and patience.

There are numerous snoek runs in these waters throughout the year, which offer myriad opportunities for young and old, experienced and inexperienced to cast off and reel in the catch of the day. If there are no open water species biting, the fishing boat will take you over the reefs where fishing for indigenous species provides great entertainment for all. And if the charter takes us to the Cape Point area there is the option of dropping crayfish nets around the point. Keep an eye out for dolphins and whales, as well as the numerous bird species that inhabit this area.

Offshore Charters

Targeted species: longfin tuna (albacore), yellowfin tuna, yellowtail and Dorado

The deep sea fishing charter leaves the False Bay Yacht Club very early, around 6:30am. We will travel about 25 nautical miles south of Cape Point to The Canyon, an area known for its prolific “big fish” species. As we arrive in this area we will begin trolling (towing one or more lures behind the boat) with the aim of luring and enticing one of these species. Yellowfin tuna can weigh over 100kg and are incredibly strong, so when you catch one and haul it onboard there is an incredible feeling of accomplishment.

Although the yellowfin is the trophy catch, we will also fish for longfin tuna, which, although it only weighs up to 35kg, is nevertheless incredibly strong and usually puts up a good fight. There can be times when the population of longfin is so prolific that the charter will need to move to another area in order to target yellowfin. During our charter fishing trip we will see numerous pelagic bird varieties, and there is also the possibility of spotting dolphins, whales and mola-mola (sunfish).

Crayfish Charters

Targeted species: West Coast rock lobster

These charter fishing trips are considerably more flexible, so we can leave the yacht club as late as mid-morning. The waters around Cape Point offer an abundance of crayfish, and once there we will put not-too-fresh bait into bait bags and tie these to a crayfish ring. We then drop the nets around the kelp beds and head off to enjoy the Cape Point scenery from a different angle. After a while we will return to check on the nets and claim our catches. There is usually sufficient crayfish for guests to take back to their hotels where the chef will prepare them for their evening meal.

This is the ideal charter if you are not all that interested in fishing. Find peace on the open water and enjoy the captivating scenery. There is also the opportunity to watch various pelagic bird species soaring the skies, as well as dolphins, seals and possibly even whales frolicking in the waves.

Scenic & Eco Tours

The False Bay coast experiences considerably warmer water than the Atlantic Seaboard, which encourages astounding levels of bio-diversity. If you are interested in nature, particularly the maritime kind, and enjoy photography, then this is the ideal charter for you.

Once aboard the fishing boat we will head out across the bay. These waters are known to be patrolled by sharks, particularly Great Whites, who hunt the Cape Fur seals that seek refuge on Muizenberg’s Seal Island. During winter and spring, Southern Right whales venture to these shores to calve their young - a breathtaking sight from a distance of 100m. There may also be dolphins darting about in the waves, as well as a variety of ocean birds circling the sky. These charters are not only scenically attractive, they are informative (and therefore educational) as well – perfect for the whole family.

Birding Charters

Prominent species: gannet, albatross, skua, tern, petrel, shearwater, and many others

The ocean waters around the Cape Peninsula are home to incredible amounts of bait fish. These attract a variety of bird species, which is perfect for both the ornithologist and the casual bird watcher. These charters usually follow a fishing trawler, boats that normally have numerous bird species following in their wake. Our charter can get quite close to the bigger fishing boats, which will allow us to get near to these birds for close-up viewing. This also gives enthusiastic photographers countless opportunities to take some stunning snapshots.

So if you are interested in angling for the Cape’s majestic yellowfin, sampling some delectable West Coast rock lobster that you have helped to prepare bait for yourself or if you are simply interested in the birdlife and scenery, these fishing charter trips are fun for the whole family.