Fish

Black musselcracker (poenskop)

Rompemejillones negro (poenskop)

Cymatoceps nasutus

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

5–25 lb.

Depth

3–260 ft.

Best time

Day, especially on a rising tide.

Found in

1 area

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A heavy, dark gray to black seabream with powerful jaws and thick lips; big males grow a fleshy bump on the snout (poenskop means 'bump head'). Young fish are lighter with dark spots.
Typical size: 5–25 lb.
Maximum size: About 5 ft (150 cm) and about 75 lb (34 kg).
Diet: Mussels, crabs, sea urchins, rock lobster and other shellfish, crushed with its strong teeth.
Behavior: A slow-growing, long-lived fish that lives in the same rocky area for years; famous for its crushing bite and dogged fight around rocks.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southern Africa. Shallow rocky coasts and reefs of South Africa, from the Cape to KwaZulu-Natal; rarely enters estuaries.
Habitat: Shallow rocky coasts and reefs of South Africa, from the Cape to KwaZulu-Natal; rarely enters estuaries.
Depth: 3–260 ft.
Fishing depth: Rocky gullies and ledges from shore; reefs to 150 ft from boats.
Best season: Year-round; winter is often best from the rocks.
Best time: Day, especially on a rising tide.
Best tides: Rising tide into rocky gullies.
Best weather / conditions: Moderate surf; too rough is dangerous on the rocks.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Crab, rock lobster heads, mussel, octopus and red bait.
Best artificial lures: Rarely caught on lures.
Tackle setup: Heavy 12–14 ft rock rod and a strong reel — you must drag the fish out of the rocks.
Hook size: 5/0–8/0 strong hooks.
Line: 30–50 lb mono.
Leader: 60–80 lb mono.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Leader Sinkers Hooks

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Shallow rocky coasts and reefs of South Africa, from the Cape to KwaZulu-Natal; rarely enters estuaries.
Rig up: Heavy 12–14 ft rock rod and a strong reel — you must drag the fish out of the rocks. 60–80 lb mono.
Pick your bait: Crab, rock lobster heads, mussel, octopus and red bait. Lures: Rarely caught on lures.
Fish it: Cast a crab or mussel bait into deep rocky gullies with a sacrificial sinker, hold the rod and strike hard when the bite comes, then pull the fish away from the rocks at once.
Time it: Day, especially on a rising tide. Rising tide into rocky gullies.

Fishing techniques: Cast a crab or mussel bait into deep rocky gullies with a sacrificial sinker, hold the rod and strike hard when the bite comes, then pull the fish away from the rocks at once.
BigJoe's tip: Black musselcracker hit hard and head straight for a hole — set the drag tight and lean back the moment you feel it.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Good eating when small; big ones are coarse and best released.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Its jaws can crush fingers — never put a hand near the mouth. Rock fishing is dangerous; watch for big waves.
Regulations: South Africa: 1 per person per day with a 50 cm (20 in) minimum, and no sale. Listed as Vulnerable — many anglers release big ones. South Africa requires a recreational fishing permit (sold at post offices and online), with daily bag limits, minimum sizes and closed seasons for many species; Namibia and Mozambique sell their own licenses. Recreational catches may not be sold, and marine protected areas have their own rules.
Conservation: Big 'poenskops' are old males decades in the making — release them.

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Sources & photo credits