Where to fish? Keurboomstrand.

There has been, and there are raging debates amongst anglers on the subject of productive/popular fishing spots:

• Do these spots consistently produce catches of the same fish species, during certain seasons and/or climate conditions, or not?

The answer to this question, as everything else related to rock and surf angling, is not simple and straight forward, in my opinion.
As it is generally accepted amongst experienced anglers, one of the secrets for success in rock and surf angling is the ability of the angler to “read” the ocean and identify different underwater formations such as: sandbanks, “holes”, channels, sand plates etc., in order for him or her to be able to select the most appropriate area in which, he or she can cast the carefully prepared bait, when targeting specific species of fish.
It is also established that certain fish species visit consistently specific areas year after year, during specific months. Not only the seasoned anglers, but any person understands that the ocean moves enormous quantities of sand in the tidal zone consistently, therefore: holes, channels and sandbanks at specific fishing spot may quickly disappear or move, which will require from the angler fishing the spot to be able to “read” the ocean and select the most likely areas for his/her cast.
This article is not going to deal with the subject of “reading” the ocean, but rather attempt to point out to any newcomer, or beginner anglers, which are the most popular fishing spot in the area, based on accounts received from local anglers (in some cases my modest personal experience) and the fish species caught at  these spots.
Keurboomstrand is a small community situated east of Plettenberg Bay (approximately 12-13km).

Vehicles are not allowed on the beaches, but there are number of places fairly close to fishing spots where one can park. I would like to commend the local communities in the area, in their effort to position armed response vehicles at some of the parking’s in close proximity to the fishing spots during the holiday season . This will go a long way to ensure the security of the parked vehicles and anglers and will allow the anglers to enjoy fishing during some of the most productive hours of the night. Excellent initiative!!!
Tackle and good quality bait can be purchased from Plettenberg Sport Shop the guys running the place will provide you willingly with information where some catches were made.
Robberg Seafood offers some good quality bait, too.  The best bait at the best price in the area can be obtained from “The Bait Master”.
And of course, the best bait by far, that you do not buy, is the one that you collect in the Keurbooms river – sand prawns, mud prawns and blood worms.
East of Keurboomstrand series of large rock formations can be observed on the coastline:

• Arch Rock – is a well known landmark which attracts many tourists. One can expect good catches of galjoen during winter.

• Bloubankies – well known for good catches of white mussel cracker. Also one can expect to land some kob at this spot.

• Picnic Rocks – has produced some good catches of kob and white mussel cracker.

• One can expect to catch white steenbras, black tails from the sandy beech in front of the resort.

The main beach of the resort have lost considerable amount of sand during the last few years and does not have the same look as before, but the combination of isolated rocks and sandy bottom remains attractive spot for the anglers.

The long sandy beach extending from Picnic Rocks to the Keurbooms river is known to produce good catches of kob, white steenbras, white mussel cracker, shad and garrick.

• The spot in line with the bridge before the first parking area (sea photo below) is known to produce very good catches of kob.

In general, for the entire area, the following summary for likely catches may be drawn:

• During Winter and Spring : One will most likely catch galjoen, shad, white steenbras, black tail.
• During Summer and Autumn: One will most likely catch kob, white steenbras, musselcracker, grunter, shad.

Note: With the invent of the Global Warming, many anglers in the area are starting to believe that somehow the catches associated with November/December months have moved to March/April, and many inconsistencies with the above summary were observed.