crayfishing from the rocks

[fakes]

As the last day of the recs crayfishing day,before it re-opens easter weeken, starts the wend gusting at 27 knots at 6am and my dad brother and myself desides to hit the rocks at cape of goodhope. Arrive there at just after 7 just to see quite a number of anglers in the researve already.. With the tide lowering and to be expected on its lowest round about 10am we went down to our fav spot. Patiently waiting for 8am to start fishing we start getting ready. 8 am and the baits gets dropped first up is dad with a bunch shouting "kom skep" got them all in the net and had 3 size crayfish and 5 undersize.. The cycle continued and we had quota by 8:45 am.. Nice sizes though. When finished we went a bit down for some line fishing only managed some small hotties which we released again. Had a wonderful day.. Can't wait for Easter weekend

[Seacat]

Well done Fakes. Good to know that there are still healthy numbers of good size crayfish that side. Unfortunately this past week end was a blow out for us boaters.

[Seeker]

Does that crazy additional cost for transporting crayfish through the reserve only apply to boats and not shore anglers?

[fakes]

Same applies to us.. The costs are killing us.. This year we took out an activity card. But with the season being shorten and some rough seas on days we are permitted to catch we only managed 7 entries for the season.. We still have 5 entiers to the researve left..

There are quite alot of crayfish at cape of goodhope..
We have gone with a few less then quota at times but never empty handed..

[Bryan]

Could you explain how you go about catching them from the rocks? Maybe a pic of the rig you use?

[fakes]

Its quite simple we use the older 1piece 12ft rods.. With penn 49 and similar reels.. 20kg+ line because the bait with sinkers is a bit heavy.. We then use a baitbag or orange bag which we collect at the fruit and veg shops.. We use pilchards as bait normally insert 4-5 pilchards into the bag depending on the size then tie the bag. Add 2 x 5oz sinkers rigging them with a piece of thin rope.. Then cast the bag setup between the bamboos or next to the rocks.. Wait a few minutes then reel your rod low till the line is tight then lift it at once and retrieve at the same time. Try keeping the bunch below the water.. Another person should then use a scoop me and scoop it. Some guys also use a bamboe rod with rope. And they also use a wire ring and rig some limpits on it. But that does not work as well as the bait bags with pilchards. Other popular bait is also snoek and yellowtail guts in the same bags and sinkers. Pm me with your number then ill forward some pics.. I have some trouble adding pics to the forum from my phone.