Blacktail fishing
About Blacktail
The blacktail, or dassie, is a tough, hard-pulling sea bream of southern African rocky shores, named for the dark blotch on its tail and found right in the wash and white water. Anglers catch it from the rocks and surf with light bait gear using prawn, redbait, mussel and small fish strips fished close to the rocks. It is a scrappy, abundant and accessible shore-fishing favourite that punches above its modest size in the turbulent water it loves.
Typical size: Usually 0.3-0.8 kg; trophies over 1.5 kg, to about 40 cm. Record (approx.): approx. 2 kg (varies by region).
Season, time and habitat
Darker cell = more active that month. Based on the species' usual yearly rhythm.
Common questions
When is the best time to catch Blacktail?
Blacktail fishing is usually best around Nov-Dec. The best windows in the day are usually dawn, dusk.
Where can you catch Blacktail?
Blacktail is most often found in coast. Napp shows the nearest waters and the live odds on the bite right now.