Fishing The Gourits River

Bait:  Although not so rich in bait as the Knysna lagoon, sufficient quantities of mud prawns, sand prawns and mullet occur.  Sand prawns are found on the sandy beds higher up near the bridge.  The bait is obtained in the same way as in the Knysna lagoon.

Target species:  Except for skipjack, this river is known for the same fish that are found in the Knysna lagoon.

In contrast to the grassy bottom of the Knysna lagoon, the muddy bottom of the Gourits River makes it ideal to employ a very efficient method when going after spotted grunter and white steenbras.  With the boat drifting, a hook baited with prawns is dragged along the river bed.  The grunter or white steenbras will invariably notice it and then it is tight lines!  This method works excellently except in strong wind and currents, in which case the bait moves too fast.

Cob heavier than 45 kg (“honderdponders”) are still regularly caught in the river.  Live mullet on a 4/0-6/0 hook  has proven to be the best tactic.  Many anglers believe that the best time for Cob is when the incoming tide pushes the discolored water of the river back, and again with the outgoing tide when the discolored river water reaches your fishing spot.

Leerfish (garrick) are caught from time to time on the same rig and bait used for kob.

Big elf (shad), although not plentiful, are caught now and then on sardines or other fish bait.

Fishing spots:  Steentjiegat, Witkopklip and Baargat are some of the most popular spots in the river.  As is the case at the Knysna lagoon, fish move high up in the river when cold currents sweep in.

Best times:  The season starts towards the end of September and lasts throughout the summer, the best months being February, March and April.

In contrast to the Knysna lagoon, you may expect to make good catches during the day, due to the muddy water.  It is also a fact that fish are more active when the river becomes somewhat swollen due to good rains in the Karoo.

Prime fishing times are in the evening around sunset and early morning around dawn.  Good catches are often made during spring tide when the deeper water at the mouth allows fish to enter the river.