Archive for the ‘Salt Water Fishing’ Category

August has been a very up and down month for us. First up the weather Gods that had been treating us so well in June and July decided that Cape Town needed to be reminded about how winter is supposed to be. Most of this month has been cold, wet and windy making shark viewing more challenging.

One particularly strong cold front rolled through the Cape last week. We left the wind reader going on our boat and the strongest gust recorded was 63 knots, about 120 kilometres and about 80 miles per hour. The main part of the system was 600 miles south of us where the barometric pressure went as low as 950 bar. These systems do not normally come so close to us and this resulted in spectacularly large swell. By chance we had planned a weekend up the east coast and were able to admire these impressively huge waves on the drive up. Chris also had a few great surf’s with his mates in 8-10ft uncrowded conditions at a secret spot. Having the chance to view the sea in this state increases one’s respect for nature even more. I couldn’t help thinking how wild and unpredictable Mother Nature is as we watched these brute waves crashing against the shore after having travelled hundreds of miles to reach their final destination. I can’t imagine what is must have been like 600 miles south in the Roaring Forties…

As much as we love the sea we know that we always have to have our guard up and it is good once in a while to have a reminder of what she is capable of. Shark Cage Diving

The sharks were hunting pretty intensely up until about the 18th of August. During this time we were seeing in the region of 15 to 20 separate events each day that we were on the water. Throughout the season the sharks have been more or less constant with their success rate when hunting the cape fur seals. This is just under 50% and August was about the same. In the natural world this makes the white shark a very successful animal. To give you an idea lions are successful only 20% of the time. In think the most successful animal is the wild dog at about 70%.An interesting observation we made this month was a successful kill about 3 kilometres (1.5 miles) from Seal Island. This is the longest distance from the island we have recorded an event. That being said attacks on seals have occurred in False Bay infrequently in other areas. I have just read on a Birding report that while on a bird-watching trip out of Simonstown the group saw a white shark successfully attack a seal just outside the harbour, some 8 miles from Seal Island. These attacks probably happen more often than we think; it’s just that the chances are seeing these are pretty slim. Of course there is nothing to say that a shark can’t attack a seal just because it is not at Seal Island especially if the opportunity presents itself.Shark Cage Diving

We have yet again spotted our mate “Wonky tail” making a kill. We have seen him feeding in June, July and August but still have not had him visit our boat.

After the 18th the predatory activity tailed off quite dramatically as did breaches on the decoy. We were still seeing in the region of 5 events per day, but we definitely got the feel that there were less sharks at the Island towards the end of the month. While the predatory activity was busy during the first past of the month we struggled to get sharks up to the boat again. Also, when we did get a shark it did not wanted to stick around and would most times make two or three passes and disappear. We had more success once the predations started slowing down but it seems to us like the white shark season at Seal Island is slowly coming to an end. Some mornings we have not seen a single predatory event, usually the first sign of the season coming to an end. We are still seeing a few sharks around the boat so we hope this will at least continue for a couple of weeks.The other day we saw a 1,9 meter shark (about 3.5 foot) around the boat. Seeing small sharks is just as rare as seeing very large sharks. This shark would be about 2- 3 years old and was very confidant around the boat. This often happens until a larger shark inevitably arrives and displaces the smaller shark.

Always news that that I love to share is a Rasta sighting! Last week Rob saw her as she apparently followed his decoy but did not breach. Unfortunately she did not visit the boat but it is enough for Chris, Roband I to know that she is still around and doing well.Rob has also just phoned us now to say that Cuz has been around his boat this morning. Just shows how the sharks come and go. We have not seen Rasta since late May and Cuz since late June. I sincerely hope that Chris & I get one last look at them before the season comes to an end. Shark Cage Diving

August usually signals the return of Southern Right Whales into False Bay. They migrate from feeding in the Antarctic to breed and calf in Southern Africa. When we arrived one morning we were surprised to see two Southern Rights very close to Seal Island. They weren’t in the least bit bothered when a shark began chasing a seal 80 meters from where they were. I guess size has to count for something…We also had a unique situation where a brydes whale and calf were moving past Seal Island. We were on anchor waiting for sharks but watched as the mother and calf seemed to be making a beeline for our boat. We were amazed as the two animals came within a few meters from us and we could clearly see them underwater as they swam past. They are usually veryshy whales so we were thrilled at seeing them so close. In September we will be doing the last few white shark trips as well as hopefully trying a few pelagic shark trips. September has in the past not been a very successful month for this but it is still worth a try. It is also the best month for pelagic bird viewing with a chance of seeing fairly rare Albatross species such as Wandering and Royal, so this is also a motivation.

A fair number of Shark Byte Readers joined us on trips this month. Thanks to all of you who made the visit, it is fantastic for Chris & I to be able to show shark enthusiasts the very special sights at Seal Island. I know it was very exciting for all these people to finally see what they have been reading about and I hope that more of you will be able to do the same thing in the future.

For the months of September and October we have a special on large size prints running on our website, and we have updated Photo’s of the Month with a couple of new images.

With best wishes from Cape Town,

FreshAire

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South African Shark Diving Locations

South Africa is one of the prime locations to view and experience shark cage diving at its absolute best. If you want to see the Great White Shark, master predator of the ocean in action; South Africa boasts with various prime shark cage diving locations. To experience a true South African, adrenalin filled shark cage diving adventure, contact anyone one of below reputable and licensed operators to make your booking.

Prime Locations for Shark Cage Diving

Dyer Island and Geyser Rock
Dyer Island is situated in the Southern Coast of South Africa, just 12 km off the coast of the holiday and fishing village, Gansbaai and 160 km drive from Cape Town. It is also a nature conserved area for 7 000 Jackass Penguins. Just south of Dyer Island lies Geyser Rock, a natural habitat for the Cape Fur Seals. Both of these areas have become a popular feeding ground for the Great White Sharks. The area between Dyer Island and Geyser are more familiarly known as the Shark Alley. An area well-favoured by the Great White’s for hunting prey. If you are looking for exceptional predatory action and sharks breaching, be sure to expect just that when shark cage diving at Gansbaai!
Daily Great White Shark cage diving trips are launched from Gansbaai’s neighbour, Kleinbaai. Divers can book accommodation at some of the many Bed and Breakfast establishments in Gansbaai or Kleinbaai, and enjoy good quality food at nearby restaurants.

Mossel Bay
Mossel Bay, a Mediterranean seaside town just off the coast of the Eastern Cape Province, is situated on a sun washed peninsula embraced by the warm, Indian Ocean. It is the making of a beautiful sea life offering a diverse range of fish, seals, whales, penguins and of course plenty of Great White Sharks.

Aliwal Shoal
One of the most popular diving sites in all of South Afica, Aliwal Shoal is situated in the Kwazulu-Natal province, just off the small coastal town; Umkomaas. This shoal lies just in the inner edge of the warm, Mozambiquen current, providing great visibility for spotting sharks of up to 40 metres. This area is well-known for the Ragged Tooth Shark; a shark specie that looks very scary but is actually quite gentle by nature.

Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
This exciting diving location can be found just four hour’s drive from Kwazulu-Natal’s capital, Durban. In this area divers and interested shark cage divers can go to either Sodwana Bay, popular for Whale shark and Ragged Tooth shark spotting or St Lucia to spot Whale sharks. The water’s visibility of up to 40 meters contributes to making it a prime area for shark diving.

If you are planning a holiday to the South African coastal shores or just a short breakaway holiday and looking for some adventure filled activities to fill your holiday with, contact Shark Cage Diving for your not so average, adventure of a lifetime!

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You have been selected best man for your friend’s wedding and it is time to arrange the bacthelors party of the year! Tired of the same old stripper and booze party, why not really test the men’s bravery and courage by taking them on a shark cage diving trip? A Shark Cage Diving Batchelor’s party would distinguish the real men from the chickens by taking them out to sea and into a cage to face something worthwhile to fear, a Great White shark. If the groom can face the type of challenge where he is put in cage to face the ocean’s greatest predator, and survive this terrifying moment; he is most definitely ready for the nerve wrecking experience of standing in front of the altar and give his hand in marriage to the one person he loves for the rest of his life.

By taking the groom and his fellow men on a shark cage diving trip it would provide him the necessary preparation to master his nerves when the wedding day finally arrives.
Contact Apex Shark for your not-so-average, adventurous Batchelors party.

Remember – The Southern Coast of the Western Cape is one of the world’s top locations for Great White shark cage diving. If going into a cage and have a shark swim right up to you and look you straight in the eye is a little bit daughnting for you, you can always go for the surface viewing from the boats deck

Shark Cage Diving

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Are you planning a weekend away to the Southern Cape and looking for some interesting activities to fill the weekend with? Why not try Shark Cage Diving at Hermanus, Mosselbaai or Gansbaai? It is the ideal way to get the adrenalin pumping for a fun-filled breakaway weekend with your friends, and to conquer your fear of the ocean’s greatest predator.

The Southern Coast of the Western Cape is one of the world’s top locations for Great White Shark Cage Diving. If going into a cage and have a shark swim right up to you and look you straight in the eye is a little bit daughnting for you, you can always go for the surface viewing from the boats deck. Sharks are attracted by throwing out bait which usually creates magnificent predatory action as the sharks near the boat.

Doesn’t matter if you choose to view the sharks from the boat’s deck or in the cage you are guaranteed to see some action and have some fun during your weekend away! try some

Remember this – Sharks are attracted by throwing out bait which usually creates magnificent predatory action as the sharks near the boat.

So see you in Cape Town!!

FreshAire

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Deep sea fishing is a sport that is not for everyone. But for others who take the time to have a deep sea fishing experience, it can be quite rewarding. After all, for some this is like the snowboarding of the fishing world – the “extreme sport.” The adrenaline rush you get as you pull that swordfish or marlin over the side of the boat is unmatched by any other experience.

Before you decide to go on a deep sea fishing expedition, you should consider a few things to determine whether or not this type of activity is a good idea for you. For example, you may not be cut out for deep sea fishing if you tend to get motion sickness easily. If you are unsure of how well you can handle the waves of the open water, try an inexpensive, short excursion first to test your sea legs. Usually you can charter a one or two hour ride offshore that will take you out a mile or so to experience the feeling of the ocean so you can make your determination if you can handle the waves.

When deep sea fishing, you will be in a location where land is not in sight, so you will need to determine if that bothers you. Often, when you get out to sea about ten miles or more, you lose sight of the shoreline. If this thought frightens you, deep sea fishing may not be your sport and you may want to consider a different type of fishing activity. The deep sea where the biggest fish can be caught will only be in a location that is far from the coastline.

Another consideration for deep sea fishing is the amount of time you will be in the sun. You will be in direct sunlight that is also bouncing back at you off the glassy water surface. This could be putting you at risk for sunburn. There is usually no cover from the heat that will be beating down on you all day. It is true that most charter boats have cabins in which you can find shelter from the sun, however, you can’t fish from inside. You may want to reconsider making the trip if you are fair skinned or sunburn easily or are especially susceptible to dehydration or heat stroke. If you do decide to go, whether or not you expect to be affected by these ailments, take with you strong SPF sunblock, a hat, and plenty of water. Charters will usually provide water for you as well, but take your own also.

If you are prepared, deep sea fishing can be the thrill of a lifetime. Don’t be put off by the special considerations that must be taken into account. Simply be cautious and be prepared, but go out and enjoy yourself!

FreshAire

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