Red Steenbras
Illustration: gardenroutefishing.co.za
The copper giant of the deep reefs — a top predator that grows past 60 kg and lives half a century. Old-timers' photographs of red steenbras hauls are exactly why so few remain.
Status: the stock has collapsed and red steenbras is now fully protected — zero bag limit, no take, no sale. Any fish hooked must be released immediately; from depth, use a descending device to counter barotrauma.
Why it matters: a single big 'copper' is decades old and a key reef predator. Seeing one on a deep reef off this coast is a privilege — treat an accidental catch accordingly and get it back down fast.
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 Red Steenbras
Not targeted — protected
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.
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When to catch Red Steenbras
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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.
📏 Limits & restrictions
🚫 FULLY PROTECTED: zero bag limit, immediate release with descending device
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