Fish

Galjoen (black bream)

Galjoen (sargo negro sudafricano)

Dichistius capensis

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–4 lb.

Depth

Surf zone to about 65 ft.

Best time

Daytime, especially on a rising tide.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A deep, compressed, oval fish with a small mouth, small teeth, thick scales and a long spiny dorsal fin. Shiny silver-bronze when in sandy water and almost black near rocks, with faint vertical bars. South Africa's national fish.
Typical size: 1–4 lb.
Maximum size: About 32 in (80 cm) and about 14 lb (6.5 kg).
Diet: Red bait (sea squirts), mussels, barnacles, worms, small crabs and seaweed.
Behavior: Lives in the white water right along rocky shores and sandy gullies next to rocks, feeding in the wash of the waves. Fights hard for its size.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southern Africa and Gulf of Guinea & Central Africa. Rocky coastlines and adjoining sandy gullies from southern Angola and Namibia around the Cape to KwaZulu-Natal, most common on the west and south coasts.
Habitat: Rocky coastlines and adjoining sandy gullies from southern Angola and Namibia around the Cape to KwaZulu-Natal, most common on the west and south coasts.
Depth: Surf zone to about 65 ft.
Fishing depth: 1–15 ft in the white water and gullies along rocks.
Best season: Open from March to mid-October in South Africa; best in winter when the surf is rough and 'galjoen water' (foamy white water) is up.
Best time: Daytime, especially on a rising tide.
Best tides: Rising and high tides.
Best weather / conditions: Rough, foamy surf after a cold front.

What to tie on and what to throw.

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: Rocky coastlines and adjoining sandy gullies from southern Angola and Namibia around the Cape to KwaZulu-Natal, most common on the west and south coasts.
Rig up: 11–13 ft surf rod with a reel holding 20–30 lb line. 30–40 lb mono.
Pick your bait: Red bait, mussel, bloodworm, sand prawn and white mussel. Lures: Rarely caught on lures.
Fish it: Cast a small, tightly bound bait into the white water and gullies right next to rocks with a light sinker that rolls slowly; galjoen bite with quick taps.
Time it: Daytime, especially on a rising tide. Rising and high tides.

Fishing techniques: Cast a small, tightly bound bait into the white water and gullies right next to rocks with a light sinker that rolls slowly; galjoen bite with quick taps.
BigJoe's tip: Bind your red bait or mussel onto the hook with bait elastic — the waves and galjoen pick a loose bait clean.
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: Rich, strong-flavored meat; best eaten fresh, braaied over coals — bleed it right away.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Rock fishing is dangerous: never turn your back on the sea, wear grippy shoes and watch for rogue waves.
Regulations: South Africa: closed season from October 15 to the end of February; 2 per person per day with a 35 cm (14 in) minimum. Namibia has its own limits. 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: South Africa's national fish; respect the closed season so they can spawn.

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Sources & photo credits