The most beautiful, majestic, absolute beast I have ever laid my eyes on is the black musselcracker, also known as the poenskop.
It is the fish of a lifetime and countless dreams. After being defeated on a few occasions in the past, there she lay, in all her might, and I was in total awe!
The bite was absolutely insane, nearly ripping the rod out of my hand as it floorboarded me like nothing I had ever felt before.
When you are fishing with extra heavy tackle and you have a fish on the other end of the line, which makes you and your tackle feel and look like you are using a piece of spaghetti, that’s when you realise what you have on the other end of your line is something truly special.
The doggedness of the fish was mental. Full-lock on the Stella 20k loaded with 80 lb and a 250 lb braided leader to a 1,2 mm Maxima ultra green leader, and she wouldn’t budge.
All I could feel were massive headshakes and power that sent shivers down my spine.
I knew I had her on the other end of my line, but landing a fish this size is extremely difficult, especially in the area where we were fishing. So many of these fights end in tears for the angler, as these fish simply take no prisoners.
At that point I went into hyper-focus mode, using every piece of knowledge I had to try subdue this beast. She ripped my Horizon across the mussel banks at one stage, darting straight under the ledge with unstoppable power.
The harder I pulled, the harder the fish pulled. Having fished for many big fish all over the world, I must say I found myself in a place where I had never been with a fish. To put it into perspective, I had three solid blisters on my left hand after this fight, from just trying to hold onto my rod!
The fight that followed was insane, she had me in the bricks a few times. She had my rod bashing against the mussel banks, she opened my hook and left me huffing and puffing like I had just come out of the ring with Dricus Du Plessis.
When we finally netted her, I was totally broken and exhausted, shaking and trying to take it all in.
Catching this kind of fish is a real privilege. A humbling and eye-opening experience – one that will live deep in my heart and mind for the rest of my life.
I would just like to send a massive “thank you” to Lieze Swart from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). For the past four decades, Lieze has overseen the management of our most important Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). She works extremely hard to keep tagging projects going and look after the precious marine resources we have left. You are a superhero, Lieze! I, and many other conservation-minded anglers, thank you for the impact you continue to make on our marine resources.
The second person I would like to thank is Professor Colin Atwood, a true legend. I had the privilege of fishing with him on a tagging trip. A gentleman, great angler and passionate ambassador for the ocean, Colin may be one of the most important and influential marine scientists, not only in South Africa but in the world. He is responsible for being at the forefront of marine conservation, starting the De Hoop MPA – only one of a long list of accomplishments, way too long for this article. We thank you, sir, for having a huge impact on saving our fish species for future generations to enjoy.
Special thanks must go to Luke, my fishing partner, for putting his body on the line. You did everything you could to land that fish for me. Thank you, my friend, and huge respect.
To think this majestic fish is probably close to 30 years old. I’m amazed to have had the opportunity to hold this fish in my arms, an experience that will forever be implanted right at the top of my memory bank.
I hope that, as anglers, we can stand together to look after what’s left of our amazing coastline and fisheries. We need to realise MPAs are what feed our fishing areas. Without them, there will be very little left.
