Fish

Red steenbras

Steenbras rojo

Petrus rupestris

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

10–40 lb.

Depth

30–500 ft.

Best time

Daytime.

Found in

1 area

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: The biggest South African seabream: a powerful, bronze-red to coppery fish with a big head, and large canine teeth like a dog's.
Typical size: 10–40 lb.
Maximum size: About 6½ ft (200 cm) and about 175 lb (80 kg) published.
Diet: Fish, octopus, squid, crabs and lobsters.
Behavior: A solitary, territorial reef predator that lives for decades in the same reef area, which made it easy to overfish.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southern Africa. Rocky reefs and banks from Mossel Bay to KwaZulu-Natal; found only in South Africa.
Habitat: Rocky reefs and banks from Mossel Bay to KwaZulu-Natal; found only in South Africa.
Depth: 30–500 ft.
Fishing depth: Deep reefs and pinnacles from boats.
Best season: Closed in South Africa from October 1 to November 30 (spawning).
Best time: Daytime.
Best tides: Moving current over the reef.
Best weather / conditions: Calm offshore weather.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Do not target it.
Best artificial lures: Do not target it.
Tackle setup: If one is hooked on reef tackle, bring it up and release it quickly with a descending device.
Hook size: Circle hooks reduce harm to released fish.
Line: Heavy reef tackle.
Leader: Heavy mono.

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

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Descender Hooks Pliers Gloves

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Rocky reefs and banks from Mossel Bay to KwaZulu-Natal; found only in South Africa.
Rig up: If one is hooked on reef tackle, bring it up and release it quickly with a descending device. Heavy mono.
Pick your bait: Do not target it. Lures: Do not target it.
Fish it: Avoid known red steenbras reefs; if you catch one, release it right away using a descending device so it gets back down to the depth it came from.
Time it: Daytime. Moving current over the reef.

Fishing techniques: Avoid known red steenbras reefs; if you catch one, release it right away using a descending device so it gets back down to the depth it came from.
BigJoe's tip: Learn to recognize the big canines and coppery color, and have a descender rigged and ready when fishing deep South African reefs.
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.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Big teeth and spines — handle carefully.
Regulations: South Africa allows only 1 per person per day (60 cm minimum) outside the October–November closed season, but the species is listed as Critically Endangered — anglers and scientists urge everyone to release it. 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: Critically Endangered; every fish released helps this giant come back.

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Sources & photo credits