Inshore Charter

Five hours of trolling and reef fishing inside the bay, with lines off at 12h00. This is the fishing day for people who are not yet sure they are fishing people: sheltered water, short runs, and back at the harbour with the afternoon still ahead of you.

What it's like

You board in Simon's Town in the morning and the boat works inside False Bay the whole charter. Trolling between marks, dropping baits on the reefs when the sounder finds fish, and moving with the conditions rather than fighting them. Lines come off at 12h00.

Because you stay inside the bay, the water is sheltered and the run times are short. You spend the five hours fishing rather than travelling, and there is always somewhere calmer to tuck into if the wind gets up.

Who it suits

First-time anglers and families. The action is steady, the water is calm, and nobody is eight hours from the harbour wishing they were home. If your group is half anglers and half passengers, this is the day that works for both.

Anglers chasing tuna on the deep water want the deep-sea charter instead.

What you're targeting

Yellowtail, which bite all year in the bay and fight hard for their size. Snoek in winter when the wind allows. And the reef species that hold on the structured ground: kob, kingklip and steenbras among them.

What's included

• Skipper and crew for five hours
• Rods and tackle, aboard and included
• Fuel, safety equipment, life jackets
• Water aboard, ice and cold storage for the catch

From R7,900 for the boat.

What you need

• A valid recreational fishing licence. Required on every fishing charter, and we cannot take you without it. Buy one online at permits.postoffice.co.za or at any Post Office. We will remind you the day before
• Sunscreen, a hat and a layer for the run home
• Sea-sickness tablets an hour before departure if you are unsure

The boats

El Hombre, El Padre and El Pescador run this charter out of Simon's Town, along with El Capitan. Which you get depends on the size of the group; all of them carry the tackle and the shade for a morning inside the bay.

If the weather turns

Inside the bay is the sheltered option, so this charter runs on days the offshore boats stay home. We still call it 48 hours ahead. If we cancel, full refund or a new date, your choice.