summer · variable season
Yellowfin tuna fishing in Cape Town in February
The most consistently good fishing month of the year, and the warmest water at the shelf edge.
What are conditions like in February?
South-easterly, easing slightly on the long-term average against January. Workable days: Slightly better than January. Around half to two-thirds of days.
The month most worth planning a trip around if the objective is a yellowfin. Dates go first.
What is running in February?
Offshore water at the shelf edge sits between 19 and 22°C this month, against 15 to 19°C inshore. That gradient is what concentrates the fish.
- Yellowtail5–15 kgPeak
- Dorado3–15 kgPeak
- Marlin60–180 kgPeak
- Atlantic bonito1–5 kgPeak
- Skipjack tuna1–6 kgPeak
- Yellowfin tuna20–100 kgGood
Planning a trip in February
The month most worth planning a trip around if the objective is a yellowfin. Dates go first.
Departure is set by daylight rather than by the clock. In February that means sunrise around 06:07 and sunset around 19:35, giving about 13.3 hours of usable light.
February at a glance
- Season
- summer, variable season
- Daylight
- 13.3 hours
- Sunrise
- 06:07
- Sunset
- 19:35
- Sea temp inshore
- 15–19°C
- Sea temp offshore
- 19–22°C
- Trip length
- 9 to 12 hours
February rates
- Private charter, 9 to 12 hoursR 30 000
Adjacent months
Other months for the offshore tuna
February questions
Is February a good month for offshore tuna in Cape Town?
It is a variable month for this trip. The most consistently good fishing month of the year, and the warmest water at the shelf edge.
What is the weather like off Cape Town in February?
South-easterly, easing slightly on the long-term average against January. Workable days: Slightly better than January. Around half to two-thirds of days. Daylight runs to about 13.3 hours, sunrise around 06:07 and sunset around 19:35.
What can you catch off Cape Town in February?
Yellowtail (peak), Dorado (peak), Marlin (peak), Atlantic bonito (peak). Offshore water at the shelf edge runs 19 to 22°C.