Species
Yellowfin tuna
The most abundant large tuna off Cape Town, and the reason most people book an offshore day here.
How big do yellowfin tuna get off Cape Town?
From around 40 kilograms to over 100. That is a heavier working range than most fisheries, and it is the reason the boat carries stand-up game tackle rather than lighter gear.
A hundred-kilogram fish on stand-up is a serious piece of work. The mate straps you in and stays with you for it.
How are they caught here?
Most often by chumming and presenting dead baits on stand-up tackle, or by popping with heavy spinning gear.
Schools are frequently found near the deep-sea trawlers processing catch at sea. Benguela’s searchlight sonar also regularly locates free-swimming schools that stay with the boat for hours — with fish up to 100 kilograms hand-fed just five metres from the transom.
At certain times of year, jumping yellowfin feed on baitfish at the surface. Those are targeted with trolling gear or heavy spinning tackle, and they are not for the faint-hearted.
When is yellowfin season in Cape Town?
Two peaks rather than one. March to June is consistently the strongest window, and October to December is the second. January and February can produce exceptional fishing in a given year but are the least predictable months of the calendar.
July to September is the low season and we do not target yellowfin then — the fish are further out and deeper, and the boat works the inshore grounds and the longfin schools instead. Booking a tuna charter in August is not something we will sell you.
The facts
- Species
- Yellowfin tuna
- Also known as
- Geelvin, Ahi
- Scientific name
- Thunnus albacares
- Family
- Scombridae
- Typical weight
- 20–100 kg
- Caught on
- Offshore
- Methods
- Chumming with dead baits, Stand-up tackle, Popping, Trolling
- Fished from
- Hout Bay Harbour
Seasonality
When to fish for yellowfin tuna off Cape Town
Based on how this fishery actually runs, not on a generic range. Each month links through to that month's conditions.
Questions
What size yellowfin tuna are caught off Cape Town?
Between roughly 40 and 100 kilograms, with fish over 100 kilograms landed off this coast.
What is the best month to catch yellowfin tuna in Cape Town?
March to June and October to December are the two peak windows. Water temperature at the shelf edge is what drives it.
How are yellowfin tuna caught in Cape Town?
Chumming with dead baits on stand-up tackle, popping with heavy spinning gear, and trolling for surface-feeding fish. Sonar is used to locate free-swimming schools.
Read next
- experienceOffshore tuna fishingFull-day offshore charters for yellowfin, bigeye, bluefin and longfin tuna, on the grounds south-west of Cape Point.
- guideSeasickness on a Cape Town charter, and how to avoid itTake a non-drowsy antihistamine the night before and again ninety minutes before departure, eat a light breakfast, stay on deck looking at the horizon, and stay hydrated. Taking medication once you already feel ill does not work.
- guideWhat to bring on a Cape Town fishing charterSun protection, a warm windproof layer, soft-soled shoes, extra water, seasickness medication and a dry bag for your phone. Tackle, bait and safety equipment are supplied.