South Africa

101 Fishing Charters

South Africa Fishing Charters

Search top fishing charters in South Africa

Top South Africa Destinations

Top Fishing Charters in South Africa

Gaff Charters

Gaff Charters

4.4 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent (13)
Durban • 21 ft • 4 persons
3 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $50
Spinning Reels Charters

Spinning Reels Charters

5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent (2)
Cape Town • 25 ft • 6 persons
3 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $435
Aquaholics Fishing Charters

Aquaholics Fishing Charters

4.8 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent (2)
Durban • 30 ft • 10 persons
3 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $184
Deep Sea Fishing Knysna

Deep Sea Fishing Knysna

5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent (1)
Knysna • 28 ft • 10 persons
3 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $217
Outrageous Fishing โ€“ Stiek Yt

Outrageous Fishing โ€“ Stiek Yt

5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent (1)
Cape Town • 15 ft • 1 person
trips from $186
Outrageous Fishing - Depth Charge

Outrageous Fishing - Depth Charge

4.2 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent (15)
Cape Town • 23 ft • 4 persons
1 person is looking at this charter.
trips from $435
La Bleu Marlin

La Bleu Marlin

5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent (4)
Sodwana Bay • 28 ft • 6 persons
3 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $466
Michelle Deep Sea Fishing Charters

Michelle Deep Sea Fishing Charters

4.9 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent (6)
Struisbaai • 24 ft • 6 persons
1 person is looking at this charter.
trips from $310
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 4.22
Based on 23651 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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Book with Must Catch Fishing Charters you will have the time of your life!!
5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Book with Must Catch Fishing Charters you will have the time of your life!!
Ansie S.
Ansie S. Boksburg, GP
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
4.3 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
Stephen K.
Stephen K. South Africa
If you are prone to motion sickness please take pills before docking. Motion sickness will spoil all the fun.
5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
If you are prone to motion sickness please take pills before docking. Motion sickness will spoil all the fun.
Nichole D. V.
Nichole D. V. Grahamstown, EC
Contact captain before finalizing trip to plan best trip re weather and season
5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Contact captain before finalizing trip to plan best trip re weather and season
Andrew D.
Andrew D. El Paso, TX
Be prepared for time on the boat waiting, it's not all action, BUT when it is ,it's worth the wait.
4.7 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Be prepared for time on the boat waiting, it's not all action, BUT when it is ,it's worth the wait.
FishingBooker Member
FishingBooker Member United Kingdom
Make sure you dress for comfort and not for style and take a change of clothes for the littler ones
5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Make sure you dress for comfort and not for style and take a change of clothes for the littler ones
Christine C.
Christine C. Johannesburg, Gauteng
Get hold of a quality charter fishing outfit where the skipper can put you on the fish. Having GPS points given to you is never enough as you need to know how to fish those marks.
5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Get hold of a quality charter fishing outfit where the skipper can put you on the fish. Having GPS points given to you is never enough as you need to know how to fish those marks.
Timothy T.
Timothy T. New Zealand
Tunatic Fishing Charters
Tunatic Fishing Charters
Fishing charter in Cape Town
5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 2 reviews
Most amazing day, will absolutely reccomend Tunatic charters for a fun-filled day
Jan S.
Jan S. Pretoria, GT
Mighty Fishing Charters
Mighty Fishing Charters
Fishing charter in Margate
5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 19 reviews
What an awesome day we had! I love people who share my passion for fishing, and the skipper and the deck hand definitely are passionate about fishing. Safety came first, and that was a huge relieve, they ensure that even the kids had fun fishing! And we got the first Dory of the season what a bonus. Thank you Dawie and all the other crew for giving us priceless memories!!! I can recommend this charter to anyone who are passionate about the sea and the fish in it. Will see you again soon
Cornell V. R.
Cornell V. R. South Africa
Mighty Fishing Charters
Mighty Fishing Charters
Fishing charter in Margate
5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 19 reviews
Had a lovely day with a cre that made this day and experience amazing for my father Jan van Niekerk and sons Adriaan, Timothy and Eddie Craukamp ๐Ÿ˜€. My father is 73 and had an amazing day with his grandson's...this was an excellent experience for them all and they will tell everyone about it ๐Ÿ‘ Thank you God bless the crew ๐Ÿ™
Bertha C.
Bertha C. Johannesburg, Gauteng
Lagoon Fishing Knysna
Lagoon Fishing Knysna
Fishing charter in Knysna
5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 1 reviews
Had the most amazing trip with my son The Captain and his crew were amazing All over excellent service with lots of knowledge which was shared with us Would highly recommend and defiantly do it again.
Monique S.
Monique S. Cape Town, Western Cape
Blade Charters
Blade Charters
Fishing charter in Hermanus
5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 2 reviews
We had the most unbelievably experience!! Our whole family was accommodated do on the boat and the equipment and crew were fantastic (probably over experienced) Our fishing was extremely successful and almost every time we threw in, we would pull something up. A Wonderful experience I was able to provide for my father!! Thank you
Thomas V. Z.
Thomas V. Z. Cape Town, Western Cape
Mighty Fishing Charters
Mighty Fishing Charters
Fishing charter in Margate
4.7 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 19 reviews
Great trip Strong currents in the banks forced closer to the coast but lots more fish, skipper landed a couple of big fish, rock-cod and muscle cracker. I caught my quota of "slinger's" and Scotsman Will definitely do it again
Harry V. N.
Harry V. N. Roxbury, ME
Mighty Fishing Charters
Mighty Fishing Charters
Fishing charter in Margate
5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 19 reviews
We had a great day fishing. Caught an 18kg yellowfin tuna and a lot of other bottom fish. The great experience is met only by captain Dawie's passion. They were super helpful and friendly and informative. Would recommend to amyone if you wamt a great day fishing.
Ettiene V. A.
Ettiene V. A. Jupiter, FL
Guide Fishing Lower South Coast
Guide Fishing Lower South Coast
Fishing charter in Margate
5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 5 reviews
Fantastic time with Barry. Extremely knowledgeable local guide who knows every nuance of the conditions at hand. My son and I caught and released grey shark, Cape stumpnose, blacktails, puffer and moray eel. The highlight at the end was the one that got away, a 2m sandshark, pulled me to the ground and ended up losing 300m of line. Will definitely be coming back for more.
Anthony T.
Anthony T. Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Guide Fishing Lower South Coast
Guide Fishing Lower South Coast
Fishing charter in Margate
5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 5 reviews
The trip with Barry was unbelievable, learnt a lot from this trip. Barry is a GREAT guide and I'll definitely recommend booking this trip for some exciting action and to learn more of bait presentation and when to target which fish. Was a great trip. Definitely a 10 out of 10 from me.
George R.
George R. Benoni, Gauteng
Simply The Best Fishing Charters
Simply The Best Fishing Charters
Fishing charter in Durban
5.0 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 1 reviews
Family fishing Best trip ever, filled with fun and lots of fish Jakes are the best Captain and host we ever went fishing with.
Naude V. J.
Naude V. J. Parys, Orange Free State

FAQs about Fishing Charters in South Africa

To give you an idea of how much a fishing trip in South Africa costs, the average price for a 4 hour private trip is $312, while an 8 hour private trip will cost you $401. These prices are based on trips booked on our site recently.

Prices will vary depending on trip length, fishing technique, as well as the type and size of the boat you booked. However, to give you an indication, the average boat size in South Africa is 25 ft and the most common vessel type is a Offshore sport fishing.
According to customer reviews, Gaff Charters, Spinning Reels Charters, and Aquaholics Fishing Charters are some of the most popular fishing charters in South Africa. Full list of top fishing charters in South Africa.
Gaff Charters, Spinning Reels Charters, and Aquaholics Fishing 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 most popular fish species you can target are Tuna (Yellowfin), Dolphin (Mahi Mahi), and Yellowtail Amberjack. Top fishing techniques include light tackle, trolling, and deep sea fishing. Offshore fishing, reef fishing, and inshore fishing are commonly offered by local guides.
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. Check availability for local fishing charters in South Africa.