Alphard Banks, 42 nautical miles SE from Struisbay, Cape Agulhas, is perhaps the southernmost fishing and snorkeling spot in Africa. The place rises to about 15 meters, and then drops to about 80 meters to the west and 70 meters to the east, and the surrounding water drops to 300 meters. This is truly one of the most untouched and fish-rich fishing spots in the Western Cape, and certainly worth the time to go there.
Coordinates and type of location
Location Type: Mill (s)
Latitude: -35.05
Longitude: 20.88333
Latitude (DMS): 35 ° 2 × 60 s
Longitude (DMS): 20 ° 52 and 60 E
A trip to Albard Banks from the port of Struisbay usually takes from 120 to 190 minutes depending on swelling and sea conditions, traveling at a speed of about 35 km / h, and there the weather plays an important role in determining the ideal time for such a trip. The best time of the year is from January to April, when calm weather and warm transparent seas are the norm.
With the warm Agulhas current flowing around Alphard Banks and the rise of cooler water from the Benguella current, we see a lot of nutrients in the water, and there are many pelagic fish such as Yellowtail, Marlin, pelagic sharks such as Supfin, Bronze Whalers, Hammerheads and Great Whites, Tuna, Dorado and King Mackerel. Alphard Banks is the perfect place to hunt for fast sailing Black Marlin and Striped Marlin, and this is one of the places reserved for boats during the tournament of the 2nd Marley tournament.
Since commercial fishing is not allowed at this great fishing spot, there has not been over-exploitation of fish resources (yet). This year, several boats have already ventured there, and Yellowtail schools with fish estimated at between 25 and 30 kg have been seen in the upper water. The dorado sailed, and one of them was piercing with a beautiful specimen of 18 kg. Marlin was also noticed, but there were no successful connections.
Alphard Banks also live in monstrous red strings, some of which have more than 30 kg, and even fish containing more than 50 kg have been recorded here. The limit on red strings is 1 per fisher per day. The favorite bait for these fish is a live 2 kg red Roman or red Roman bait. The subsequent battle, after a successful connection, must be legendary, as the Red Steenes are known for their foul fights — heading to each rock and cave, using their mighty power to catch even an experienced angler to the maximum,
Awesome Charters is based in Struisbae and offers trips to Albard Banks (when the weather permits) on the 28-foot Buttcat to take aim at Big Yellowtail, the Red Steenbras trophy, the powerful Marlin and the beautiful Dorado. Cost R7000 ($ 800) per boat / day with a tolerance of up to 4 anglers.
