Yellowtail
Seriola lalandi
Also known as: Yellowtail, geelstert, kingfish, amberjack
Illustration: gardenroutefishing.co.za
A blue-water speedster that invades the inshore reefs and points each summer when warm water pushes down the coast. Schools smash baitfish on the surface — birds working tight to the rocks are the giveaway.
Where & how: Robberg, Cape St Francis and the deep ledges off Stilbaai and Mossel Bay for rock anglers; offshore pinnacles for boats. Throw heavy spoons and jigs far and retrieve flat-out; on boats, troll lures or drift live baits over structure.
Tackle: strong 10 ft spinning outfits with 15-24 kg braid from the stones — a big yellowtail in shallow water is brutal on gear.
Eating: excellent — sashimi-grade when bled and iced immediately.
Field guide
Blue-green back, silver flanks, yellow tail and yellow lateral stripe; powerful forked tail.
Reefs, pinnacles, deep points, open water
Common 3-15 kg; over 40 kg offshore
Schooling predator smashing baitfish near structure
Blistering first runs and often spectacular aerial work — a light-tackle thrill.
Longfin yellowtail; king mackerel
How to catch Yellowtail
Heavy 10 ft spinning, 15-24 kg braid; jigging gear on boats
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).
Heavy spoons, jigs, live baits
When to catch Yellowtail
Early morning, warm summer water
Low-light around the tide change, especially when bait is being funnelled past a point.
Any moon when bait is present; low-light peaks
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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