Fish

Ladyfish (springer, Indian Ocean tenpounder)

Malacho del Índico (springer)

Elops machnata

SaltwaterBrackish

At a glance

Typical size

1–5 lb.

Depth

Surface to about 30 ft.

Best time

Dawn, dusk and night under lights.

Found in

4 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A long, slender, bright silver fish with a big bony mouth, a single dorsal fin, a deeply forked tail and tiny scales — the Indian Ocean cousin of the Atlantic ladyfish.
Typical size: 1–5 lb.
Maximum size: About 4 ft (118–126 cm) and about 24 lb (10.8 kg).
Diet: Small fish and prawns.
Behavior: Schools in estuaries, lagoons and surf, hitting lures hard and leaping again and again — the 'springer.'

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southern Africa, East Africa & Indian Ocean Islands, Red Sea & Arabian Gulf (Egypt, Oman, UAE) and India, Sri Lanka, Maldives & Pakistan. From Mossel Bay in South Africa up East Africa to the Red Sea and India, in estuaries, lagoons and inshore waters.
Habitat: From Mossel Bay in South Africa up East Africa to the Red Sea and India, in estuaries, lagoons and inshore waters.
Depth: Surface to about 30 ft.
Fishing depth: Surface to 10 ft in estuaries and at river mouths.
Best season: Summer, about October to April in South Africa.
Best time: Dawn, dusk and night under lights.
Best tides: Moving tides at estuary mouths.
Best weather / conditions: Warm, calm weather.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Small live fish and prawns.
Best artificial lures: Small spoons, spinners, minnow plugs, soft plastics and small baitfish flies.
Tackle setup: Light spinning rod with a 2500–3000 reel; 6–7 weight fly rod.
Hook size: Size 1–2/0 hooks.
Line: 8–15 lb braid.
Leader: 20 lb fluorocarbon — their rough mouths wear light leaders.

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

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Leader Lures Jigs

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: From Mossel Bay in South Africa up East Africa to the Red Sea and India, in estuaries, lagoons and inshore waters.
Rig up: Light spinning rod with a 2500–3000 reel; 6–7 weight fly rod. 20 lb fluorocarbon — their rough mouths wear light leaders.
Pick your bait: Small live fish and prawns. Lures: Small spoons, spinners, minnow plugs, soft plastics and small baitfish flies.
Fish it: Cast small lures through estuary channels and mouths and retrieve briskly; keep the rod tip low and the line tight through the jumps.
Time it: Dawn, dusk and night under lights. Moving tides at estuary mouths.

Fishing techniques: Cast small lures through estuary channels and mouths and retrieve briskly; keep the rod tip low and the line tight through the jumps.
BigJoe's tip: Expect to lose many — a springer's bony mouth and wild jumps throw hooks. Sharp hooks and a steady pull help.
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: Edible but not prized — strong or bony; many anglers release it.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Edible but very bony; used mostly as bait.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Slippery and wild in the boat — hold firmly with a towel.
Regulations: South Africa sets a daily bag limit for ladyfish; general limits apply elsewhere. Rules differ by country: the UAE, Oman, Egypt, Kenya, the Seychelles, Mauritius, the Maldives, India and others have their own recreational or charter licenses, and many marine parks and reserves are no-take — check before you go.
Conservation: A sport fish mostly released; also a good live bait for garrick and kob where allowed.

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Sources & photo credits