Game Fish

Yellowfin tuna and Longfin tuna (also known as albacore) are the two species we most commonly dive with. Yellowfin tuna fishing is very popular off Cape Point. Catching yellowfin tuna is no doubt a challenge and we do offer tag and release game fishing, however we spend most of our time diving with these magnificent game fish which can grow upwards of 100kg in our area. On some occasions we have had more than 50 yellowfin tuna (all over 100lbs) around our boat for more than 4 hours while we dive within an arms length of them. Although they do on occasion come close they are always moving fast and photographing yellowfin tuna is testing to say the least.

When sharks and tuna mix you are in for an exhilarating experience as the fastest creatures in the sea dart around you.

Yellowfin tuna off Cape Town are most abundant in the Spring and Autumn months and whilst on our pelagic shark or bird watching trips the chances of encountering these spectacular fish is good. On many occasions tuna are seen hunting bait fish and this always gets the heart pumping as the surface action is furious with huge fish exploding through the surface in pursuit of panic stricken bait fish. Coupled with this are ever alert sea birds diving down from above and even flying underwater in the case of shearwaters to get their share of the glistening prize.

Whilst tuna are the most common gamefish we encounter, fishing for marlin is also slowly becoming more popular and Black marlin, blue marlin and striped marlin are occasionally caught as well as the seldom seen shortbill spearfish.

Broadbill sword fishing was once excellent but due to over fishing for this species few are now caught although little effort is made to catch them by the sportfishing fleet.

Dorado and Wahoo can only be expected when the water warms up to over 21° C and are never purposefully targeted in our area. Yellowtail or amberjack are often closer to Cape Point and are sometimes found in huge shoals and large catches are sometimes made often by throwing shiny spinners at them.

If you are interested in tag and release Game fishing off Cape Town or would like to do a game fish dive please contact us and we will give you the best season for your preferred activity.