Fishing in Stilbaai

Stilbaai, the 'Bay of Sleeping Beauty', is one of the southern Cape's most complete fishing destinations. The Goukou River winds deep inland and offers superb estuary fishing for spotted grunter, white steenbras and garrick, with kob moving into the lower reaches on the pushing tide. The surf beaches east and west of the river mouth are renowned for kob after dark, while the rocky ledges at Jongensfontein and Morris Point produce galjoen, blacktail and bronze bream in winter.

Offshore, the reefs between Stilbaai and the Blombos banks hold red roman, red stumpnose, silverfish and musselcracker, and yellowtail arrive over the pinnacles in summer. Skiboats launch from the harbour slipway inside the river mouth.

Best seasons: kob and garrick peak from October to April; galjoen fishing is best June to September. A valid permit is required for estuary and rock/surf angling — available at any post office.