Katonkel (King Mackerel)
Illustration: gardenroutefishing.co.za
The couta of Cape waters — a torpedo of teeth that arrives with warm summer currents and slashes through baitfish shoals along colour lines.
Where & how: offshore and inshore around bait concentrations from Mossel Bay to Algoa Bay in summer. Troll spoons, lipped lures or rigged baits at 5-7 knots; drift live mackerel or maasbanker on wire traces when marks show. Fast strike, blistering first run.
Tackle: medium trolling or heavy spinning gear, 15-24 kg, always wire — those teeth shear mono instantly.
Table: excellent smoked or fresh. Bleed and ice immediately in summer heat.
Field guide
Blistering first runs and often spectacular aerial work — a light-tackle thrill.
How to catch Katonkel (King Mackerel)
Medium trolling/heavy spinning, always wire trace
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).
Trolled spoons, lipped lures, live mackerel
When to catch Katonkel (King Mackerel)
Summer, along colour lines and bait balls
Low-light around the tide change, especially when bait is being funnelled past a point.
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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