Garrick (Leervis)
Lichia amia
Also known as: Garrick, leervis, leerfish
Illustration: gardenroutefishing.co.za
The leervis is the Cape's premier light-tackle gamefish — a fast, dogged fighter that hunts mullet in water barely deep enough to cover its back.
Where & how: rocky points (Vic Bay, Mossel Bay Point), river mouths and estuary channels from November to April. The classic method is a live mullet slow-trolled or freelined; artificial anglers throw big surface plugs and spoons at first light. When garrick smash bait on the surface the take is spectacular.
Tackle: 9-10 ft spinning rods, 10-15 kg braid, wire not needed — but a strong leader for the rocks.
Conservation: slow-growing and heavily targeted. Limit 2 per day, 70 cm minimum; many specialists release all their fish. Handle big fish gently — they fight to exhaustion.
Behaviour
Fast, aggressive surface predator that pushes bait against the shore and structure.
Reproduction
Spawns off KwaZulu-Natal in winter; young move south into Cape estuaries.
Field guide
Streamlined silver body with a wavy lateral line and yellow-edged fins; forked tail.
Southern and Eastern Cape coast, into KwaZulu-Natal.
Surf, points and estuary channels chasing mullet
Common 3-10 kg; over 25 kg possible
Commonly 3–10 kg; over 25 kg possible.
Mullet and small baitfish, hunted in the shallows.
Cape estuaries hold juvenile garrick.
Strong seasonal migration — north to spawn in winter, south to feed in summer.
Blistering first runs and often spectacular aerial work — a light-tackle thrill.
Queenfish (tropical)
70 cm minimum, 2 per day, no sale; slow-growing — many are released.
How to catch Garrick (Leervis)
9-10 ft spinning rod, 10-15 kg braid, strong leader
Fast 6000–10000 spinning reel for casting and jigging, or a light conventional for trolling.
20–30 lb braid with a mono top shot.
5/0–8/0 for bait, or upgrade the trebles/singles on lures.
0.60 mm fluorocarbon; single-strand wire for toothy species (katonkel, snoek).
Live mullet, big surface plugs, spoons
When to catch Garrick (Leervis)
First light, incoming tide, Nov–Apr
Low-light around the tide change, especially when bait is being funnelled past a point.
Building to full moon on spring tides
Warm water of 19–24 °C pushes them inshore; find the temperature/colour break.
🥅 Landing
Net or lip-gaff at the boat; on the rocks lead it to a gulley on the swash. Keep the line tight — they throw hooks.
♻️ Release
Bleedable table fish are usually kept; if releasing, minimise the fight, keep it in the water and revive before letting go.
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