- Kei Mouth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Angling for the Best Kei Mouth Fishing Experience
The diversity of fish and fishing opportunities is one of Kei Mouth’s biggest draw cards and over the festive season, we expect to welcome hundreds of keen anglers to the village.
While some will be heading out to deeper waters with operations like Wild Coast Fishing Charters, others will take their chances from the shoreline, hoping for some fun fights, good bites, and maybe something tasty for their evening meal.
If you’re simply looking to while away an afternoon, you won’t mind throwing a line from the most scenic spot at whatever time suits your schedule. But, if you are determined to bring home the bacon (so to speak) and land a decent edible that all the family can enjoy, you need to be a bit more focused in your approach.
The best way to maximise your chances of catching is by booking a guided fishing trip with one of our local experts. Clint Gower of Wild Coast Fishing Charters is your go-to skipper for deep-sea fishing, while Dylan Lees of Great Kei Fishing is the most experienced and knowledgeable when it comes to rock and surf.
Even if you do decide to go it alone, you’ll still stand a good chance of catching, thanks to the diversity of good fishing spots Kei Mouth has to offer.
Finding the Best Fishing Spots in Kei and Surrounds
Local knowledge is key when it comes to location. Clint Gower, who’s been fishing the area since he was a young boy, recommends Double Mouth as the best spot if you’re looking for a decent catch, but also says that the Kei River Mouth can be rewarding if you pick the right time and conditions.
Dylan Lees, who has been fishing these shores since he was knee-high to a good size blacktail, told me you can fish the deep water at Duck Pond one day and then switch to the shallower waters off Lady’s Beach another, and find both spots equally rewarding.
If you’re targeting kob, the mouth of the Great Kei River is a good starting point, or you could try your luck on the beach next door, which is more of a gamble.
The Best Baits for Catching Wild Coast Fish
When I first started fishing, my husband told me, “You can’t catch no fish with no bait,” which was good advice, but little did I realise how many different baits there are to choose from.
Not only do you have to pick the right ingredients, but how you present them also makes an impression! It seems Wild Coast fish are culinary experts who require some imaginative plating if they’re going to tuck in!
For Dylan and Clint, chokka is king when it comes to tempting fish to bite, although pilchards and pink prawn also have their place on the hook. The shoreline offers a bounty of natural baits, with Dylan noting that “live bait, sand prawn, and shellfish such as saddlebacks and cockles can all produce excellent results, depending on the conditions and target species.”
The Most Alluring Lures For Wild Coast Fishing
Because of the nature of his fishing operation, Clint doesn’t spend much time fiddling around with lures, and, as far as Dylan’s concerned, there’s little point in trying out a range of different styles as the “only lure that’s really worth using” is the paddle tail, which he says, “can be very productive for kob.”
The Best Fish to Target Off the Kei Mouth Shoreline
While some fishermen enjoy playing around with non-edibles, catching and releasing sharks and rays, others prefer to concentrate on species that provide good eating, as well as good fishing. Dylan loves that the area offers so much variety that you can, to a degree, pick and choose.
When it comes to catching edibles, kob or kabeljou is definitely at the top of the list with its firm flesh and sweetish flavour. It’s also, Dylan says, a species you can fish for “in most places and at most times of year.”
Aside from that, you might be lucky enough to hook at black steenbras, blue fish, or even a silver steenbras, although I prefer the blacktail, simply because it’s the only species I ever seem to land!
If you’re thinking more along the lines of commercial species, you should consider hopping on a boat with Clint and heading out to the deeper waters where you might be lucky enough to pull out a geelbek, soldierfish or even a skipjack tuna.
Regardless of your target species, there are usually regulations regarding minimum fish sizes. Measure each catch from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail using a tape measure. Any fish falling short of these requirements must be released back into the water – not only is this a legal obligation, but it also gives the fish a chance to mature. Who knows? The undersized fish you release today might be your trophy catch next year!
What Skills Do You Need to Join a Guided Fishing Trip?
According to Clint, there’s only one thing you need to join a deep-sea fishing expedition and that is, “To not get seasick.” Well, speaking from experience, I can tell you that you don’t even need that. I get seasick in a kayak so when I went deep-sea fishing, I stocked up on travel sickness tablets and ended up being the only person on the boat not turning green around the gills. It proved to be one of the best experiences of my life!
For rock and surf fishing, Dylan says, you don’t need any specific skills, although, he says, “It helps if you’ve got an idea of how to fish or if you’ve fished before but we cater to everybody, from absolute, complete novices to really highly skilled anglers.”
Fishing on the Fly along the Wild Coast
If neither deep-sea nor rock-and-surf fishing appeal, you might want to try your hand at fly fishing, although both Clint and Dylan reckon the opportunities are rather limited. Clint’s seen people catch on the fly off the boat, but only when the fish are very active.
Dylan also admits that it’s not the easiest way to go about catching a fish, saying, “It can be attempted, but it’s very, very difficult and unlikely to be successful. However,” he adds, “there are estuaries nearby in Morgan Bay, Double Mouth, and even across the river in the Transkei, which are quite good for fly fishing.”
How to Apply for a Recreational Fishing Permit
Regardless of what type of fishing you plan on doing, you must apply for a recreational fishing permit. Fishing without one is illegal and carries heavy fines and prison sentences.
While anglers used to have to visit their local Post Office for a fishing permit, in recent months, the Department of Forest, Fisheries, and the Environment have stepped up and moved things online, so you can now apply from the comfort of your holiday home!
Follow these steps to make sure it’s you doing the catching, rather than the one getting caught:
- Use the following link to access the website: https://www.fishing.dffe.gov.za/
- Create an account by clicking on the Login link in the top right corner of the page
- Fill out the required information
- Confirm your email address by entering the required OTP number
- Click on “New Application.”
- Complete the online form
- Check the details of the permit
- Continue to payment
- Print out your permit and carry it with you at all times when fishing. You will also be asked to present your permit when joining a guided fishing trip.
Conclusion
Whether you’re an experienced angler or just starting out, Kei Mouth offers something for every fishing enthusiast. From the deep-sea adventures with Clint Gower to the rock-and-surf expertise of Dylan Lees, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to create memorable fishing experiences.
Remember that successful fishing in Kei Mouth comes down to three key elements: getting your permit (now available online), choosing the right spot with the right bait, and most importantly, respecting our marine resources.
By following size regulations and practising catch-and-release with undersized fish, you’re not just following the law – you’re helping ensure that future generations can enjoy the same fantastic fishing experiences that you do.
So whether you’re dreaming of landing that prize kob, hoping to hook a black steenbras, or just looking to spend a peaceful afternoon with a line in the water, Kei Mouth welcomes you and wishes you the best of luck.