South Africa trip

[BenCantrell]

This is a few months after the fact, but I'm just now wrapping up going through photos and fish IDs. In March I went to South Africa with three of my species fishing buddies. We split our time between the east (Indian Ocean) and west (Atlantic Ocean) coasts, and I ended up with 67 new species for my lifelist.  Tigerfish was a huge bucket list fish that we wanted to catch, but other than that we were mostly racking up as many species as possible.

Photo album:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/64436841@N04/albums/72157679616952348

For the last few days of the trip we hired a big game surf fishing guide in Struisbaai, a small town on the southern tip of the continent.  Here's the catches that you guys will be most interested in.

Lesser Guitarfish


Dusky Kob


Smoothhound


Ragged Tooth (Sand Tiger) - estimated at 286 lbs based on length


Keep 'em wet!


Smooth Hammerhead


I'll eventually write up more about gear and methods and other details, but for now I'll just post the pics.  It would be great if I could get caught up with my blog!

[lightline21]

This is a few months after the fact, but I'm just now wrapping up going through photos and fish IDs. In March I went to South Africa with three of my species fishing buddies. We split our time between the east (Indian Ocean) and west (Atlantic Ocean) coasts, and I ended up with 67 new species for my lifelist.  Tigerfish was a huge bucket list fish that we wanted to catch, but other than that we were mostly racking up as many species as possible.

Photo album:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/64436841@N04/albums/72157679616952348

For the last few days of the trip we hired a big game surf fishing guide in Struisbaai, a small town on the southern tip of the continent.  Here's the catches that you guys will be most interested in.

Lesser Guitarfish


Dusky Kob


Smoothhound


Ragged Tooth (Sand Tiger) - estimated at 286 lbs based on length


Keep 'em wet!


Smooth Hammerhead


I'll eventually write up more about gear and methods and other details, but for now I'll just post the pics.  It would be great if I could get caught up with my blog!

Sweet! Great pictures! I'm sending you a PM.

[vdisney]

Wonder why they call it a Ragged Tooth??

Awesome trip Ben, and a great write up.  Congrats on adding more to the life list   

[itsyaboysears]

Awesome Ben! Still jealous of that ragged tooth. Maybe one day. One day

[Chris]

Did you do any slide baiting? I've been doing it off the beach now and then and it's worked well.

[BenCantrell]

Did you do any slide baiting? I've been doing it off the beach now and then and it's worked well.

No, still haven't tried it. We used three way rigs with sputniks.

[Pinoyfisher]

Did you do any slide baiting? I've been doing it off the beach now and then and it's worked well.

No, still haven't tried it. We used three way rigs with sputniks.

So similar to what we do here? Also, that open mouth pic of the sand tiger is f'ing awesome!!!!!!!!! I would've pulled a tooth.

[BenCantrell]

So similar to what we do here? Also, that open mouth pic of the sand tiger is f'ing awesome!!!!!!!!! I would've pulled a tooth.

Yeah not too different. Lighter line and wire leader though, and leader snelled to the hook instead of crimped.

Here's the guy's Youtube page:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYG6kNN9RLLjQtidOKWWRHg/videos

I was really hoping for a bronze whaler:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rF5P-nLRFI

[Sharkinthedark II]

Awesome trip! Was following along on IG 

[Latimeria]

That's just awesome stuff Ben.  That's some awesome stuff getting out to fish other parts of the world like you've been doing.  Very Cool.