South Africa

93 Fishing Charters

South Africa Fishing Charters

Search top fishing charters in South Africa

Top South Africa Destinations

Top Fishing Charters in South Africa

Gaff Characters

Gaff Characters

4.8 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent (10)
Durban • 21 ft • 4 persons
4 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $49
Must Catch Fishing Charters

Must Catch Fishing Charters

4.8 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent (14)
Durban • 24 ft • 9 persons
3 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $113
Spinning Reels Charters

Spinning Reels Charters

5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent (2)
Cape Town • 25 ft • 6 persons
4 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $490
God's Plan Fishing Charters

God's Plan Fishing Charters

Durban • 19 ft • 7 persons
3 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $179
La Bleu Marlin

La Bleu Marlin

5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent (4)
Sodwana Bay • 28 ft • 6 persons
1 person is looking at this charter.
trips from $525
Michelle Deep Sea Fishing Charters

Michelle Deep Sea Fishing Charters

4.9 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent (6)
Struisbaai • 24 ft • 6 persons
2 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $350
Aquaholics Fishing Charters

Aquaholics Fishing Charters

4.8 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent (2)
Durban • 30 ft • 10 persons
trips from $208
Deep Sea Fishing Knysna

Deep Sea Fishing Knysna

5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent (1)
Knysna • 28 ft • 10 persons
1 person is looking at this charter.
trips from $245
If you’re looking for a thrilling adventure in South Africa, why not give fishing a try? After all, over 15% of the world’s marine species are found not far from the 3,000 kilometres of coastline. And that’s before we’ve even spoken about freshwater fishing! Hop aboard a South Africa fishing charter and discover the riches of this world-class fishery.
 
The country borders two oceans, making it a meeting point for some truly prized fish. In the deep, you’ll find Blue, Black, and Striped Marlin, at least three types of Tuna, along with Mahi Mahi, Kingfish, Wahoo, and much more. While nearshore and inshore, you can hook into Yellowtail Kingfish, Garrick, Kob, Red Steenbrass, Sharks, Elf, and the popular Snoek. 
 
In freshwater, you’ve also got pretty much everything you could want. Hit the mountain streams in Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape and you’ll discover some of the best Trout fisheries in the world. And there’s also a number of prime rivers, lakes, and dams stocked full of Carp, Bass, Catfish, Yellowfish, and Tilapia – known locally as Blue Kurper.
 
With such a range of fishing on offer, South African fishing charters have a wealth of trips for you, too. Beginners can test the waters with a few hours inshore or on a lake. Meanwhile, professional anglers can spend days in remote lodges or out on the deep ocean waters.
 
Cape Town and Durban are two of the more popular ports, with Richards Bay and Port Shepstone either side of Durban also offering up plenty of charters. Inland, Rhodes or Stellenbosch are good freshwater starting points.
 

Rules & Regulations

Fishing licences are required in South Africa, even if heading out with a guide. Everyone over the age of 6 in freshwater and 12 in salt will need one, so don’t forget to get yours. For all bag and size limits, your professional guide will make sure you’re fishing within the law. 
South Africa
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 4.2
Based on 22896 reviews by FishingBooker anglers
January

January has good action around Cape Town with reliable bites from Geelbek, Skipjack and Bigeye Tuna, and Kob. Blue and Black Marlin can be targeted in deep waters, as you're in the middle of summer!

February

Offshore fishing charters in Durban are going after Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and Blue and Black Marlin. This is the month to try for that new personal best as summer rages on.

March

The offshore fishery moves west in March. Yellowfin and Longtail Tuna, as well as Kob and Mako and Thresher Sharks can be hooked in the southwest of the country. Take advantage of the end of high season.

April

This is the last month of intense offshore action around the Western Cape, with good strikes from Yellowfin Tuna, Blue and Black Marlin, Wahoo, and other pelagics. Come before it's too late!

May

Deep sea charters are still going strong with reliable Sailfish, Kingfish, and Skipjack Tuna action. Closer toshore you can land Geelbek, Amberjack, Queenfish or Bonito, as a sign of things to come.

June

Offshore fishing slows down as the winter kicks in and the fishing moves closer to the coast. Sailfish and Kingfish are still reliable off the East Coast, but you'll want to focus your attention on the bays or freshwater.

July

Bonito and Geelbek are some of the most active species off the Eastern Cape. Closer to Cape Town you can go after Thresher, Mako and Black Sharks, as well as Gurnard, while freshwater fishing is active, too.

August

Skipjack Tuna is going strong and can be properly targeted in nearshore and offshore waters. Shad is also good. The temperature is in the 15-18°C range, perfect for some sightseeing after your trip.

September

Sailfish start increasing in number during September as we look towards the next fishing season. Black Marlin are also a good target in September, with Leerfish and Gurnard also biting nearshore.

October

You can’t catch Shad during October at all, but that's no worry as the Blue Marlin slowly arrive, and Black Marlin and Sailfish are abundant. This is the start of the real deep sea fishing season, so kick it off in style!

November

If you’re a bluewater fanatic this is the month for you! Blue and Black Marlin, Wahoo, Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, Yellowfin and Skipjack Tuna, and more are biting in the deep. Seriously, the offshore action is red hot!

December

The bluewater bonanza carries over to December. Shad is back on the catch list and you can hook up Amberjack, Cobia, Giant Trevally, and other fighters in good numbers, along with the pelagic monsters.

South Africa Fishing Calendar

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Backline Trip
Francois P. fished with Must Catch Fishing Charters on May 26, 2021
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
A lot of small fish, but still great fun
Rock and surf fishing
Anthony T. fished with Guide Fishing Lower South Coast on February 25, 2021
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Go with Barry, you won't be sorry. Great fun and excitement.
Bay fishing with Captain Ebrahim
Ansie S. fished with Must Catch Fishing Charters on December 28, 2020
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Book with Must Catch Fishing Charters you will have the time of your life!!
In-shore half-day with Captain Kevin
Stephen K. fished with Outrageous Fishing - Depth Charge on November 11, 2020
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Try to leave as early as possible to give yourself time to find the right areas, especially if targeting big game fish Take sunscreen and water Take photos as the surrounding sights are breathtaking. Possibility of seeing whales. Can't go wrong
Half Day trip with Captain Tye/Kye something Ye
Nichole D. V. fished with St Francis Safaris Fishing Charters on October 5, 2019
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
If you are prone to motion sickness please take pills before docking. Motion sickness will spoil all the fun.
Half day trip that ended up as a full day trip with Captain Carl
Annelize K. fished with Bandit Marine Services LTD on August 19, 2019
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Choose Time Bandit! Best value for your money
First deep sea fishing experience a great one!
Craig M. fished with Blue Water Charters - Fat Girl on March 3, 2019
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Contact Blue Water Charters. Take a rain jacket and sea sickness tablets.
Hald day trip
Charles G. fished with Blue Water Charters - Nawty Girl on November 29, 2018
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Watch the weather closely, other wise just enjoy KZN hospitality.

FAQs about Fishing Charters in South Africa

According to customer reviews, Gaff Characters, Must Catch Fishing Charters, and Spinning Reels Charters are some of the most popular fishing charters in South Africa. Full list of top fishing charters in South Africa.
Gaff Characters, Must Catch Fishing Charters, and Spinning Reels Charters all received great reviews from families who booked fishing trips in South Africa.
The best way to experience fishing in South Africa is to book a private charter with a licensed fishing guide. See the full list of charters available for online booking here: List of fishing charters in South Africa.
The top 8 fish species targeted on guided fishing trips in South Africa are:
Skipjack Tuna is going strong and can be properly targeted in nearshore and offshore waters. Shad is also good. The temperature is in the 15-18°C range, perfect for some sightseeing after your trip. Check availability for local fishing charters in South Africa.