Cape Point & False Bay

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa · Saltwater · Advanced

Cold, nutrient-rich Atlantic water meets the warmer Indian Ocean off the Cape Peninsula, making it one of the richest inshore fisheries anywhere. Yellowtail on the pinnacles and yellowfin tuna a short run offshore.

Getting there & access

  • Fish from: land-based or boat

Shore angling at Cape Point sits inside the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, and two permits are needed: a DFFE recreational fishing permit, issued through South African Post Office branches, and a SANParks My Activity Permit at the line-fishing level, bought online and valid 12 months from purchase. The activity permit also exempts the holder from park entrance fees at pay points when fishing. The MPA contains six restricted areas, five of them no-take zones where fishing is prohibited, so check the zone boundaries before casting.

Access information source

Species

  • yellowtail
  • snoek
  • yellowfin tuna

Best times to fish

  • Yellowtail (Nov-Apr)
  • Tuna year-round in settled weather
  • Early morning before the wind

Recommended gear

Essential

  • Heavy spin or jigging outfit
  • Spinning jigs and live bait
  • Foul weather gear
  • Fluorocarbon leader

Optional

  • Charter booking
  • Sounder
  • Seasickness tablets

Regulations and requirements

  • A recreational fishing permit is required and can now be bought online through the DFFE portal
  • Daily bag and size limits apply per species
  • Large parts of False Bay and the Table Mountain MPA are no-take zones

Rules change regularly — always confirm with the relevant fisheries authority before you fish.

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