Geelbek (Cape Salmon)
Illustration: gardenroutefishing.co.za
A sleek, golden-mouthed predator of the deep reefs and one of the finest eating fish in the Cape. Geelbek feed hard at night, which is when the ski-boat fleet targets them.
Where & how: deeper reefs and drop-offs in 40-100 m off Mossel Bay, Plett and Algoa Bay. Night drifting with sardine or live maasbanker on long-shank hooks; the bite is soft for such a big fish. Winter and spring produce the best runs.
Conservation: heavily depleted — the daily limit is 2, 60 cm minimum, and no sale by recreationals. Handle deep-caught fish quickly.
Field guide
Bores hard for the reef the moment it's hooked — turn its head early or you'll be cut off.
How to catch Geelbek (Cape Salmon)
Medium boat outfit, long-shank hooks
Conventional boat reel (4/0–6/0) for deeper marks, or a 6000–10000 spinning reel for lighter inshore reef.
0.40 mm mono or 30–50 lb braid.
3/0–6/0 octopus/beak hooks on a two-hook bottom trace.
0.60–0.80 mm fluorocarbon or mono trace.
Sardine, live maasbanker
When to catch Geelbek (Cape Salmon)
NIGHT fishing over deep reef, winter–spring
Slack tide over the reef makes bait presentation easiest; the fish often feed best on the tide change.
Feeds across a range; roughly 15–20 °C inshore, holding deeper as water warms.
🥅 Landing
Boat: use a gaff or net for the pot, lift smaller fish by the trace. Watch spines and teeth.
♻️ Release
Use a descending device to recompress fish brought up from depth (barotrauma) and give them the best chance of survival.
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