Each week we will discuss a certain species and go deeper into the technicalities of where when and how to target these fish.As we are now heading into the winter season, I thought we should start the series with a fairly common but super-fun and technical fish to target.
The magnificent Belman, otherwise known as baardman, tassel fish and a host of other old-school names such as belkabeljou, because of its similarity to a kob, belvis or tosselvis due to the two little tassels under its throat area.
There are many stories of anglers accidentally throwing a cast net at a Belman while looking for live bait in very shallow water. It is even possible to spot these fish feeding very close to shore, moving slowly and stealthily up and down the banks with the waves. If one finds oneself in this situation one must be sure to keep out of sight and fish really light with long hook snoots, preferably with a small ball sinker or no sinker at all. The most natural bait presentation is also key in this kind of a situation. A nicely presented fresh prawn or worm will do the job nicely.
Although Belman prefer a sandy bottom it does not mean one can’t target them between the rocks. They love to find sheltered water and will often move into rocky bays and holes. Belman will often sit under the overhangs of caves and holes in the reef to shelter from the currents and predators. If one finds an area that has rocky points with deeper holes between one can definitely try to throw a worm or prawn to see if there isn’t a school of Belman in that hole. I have often been surprised while fishing for galjoen to be pulled flat by a Belman on a piece of white mussel.
Belman can be very fussy feeders at times. I prefer to fish very light for them. Although they can be formidable opponents on light tackle, they are clean fighters and often don’t take a lot of line.
I like to fish with a 10 ft to 12 ft rod. Which is preferably 1 oz to 3 oz with a soft tip. I then fish a 4 000 or 5 000-size reel with a maximum 20 lb braid. I normally fish a 50 lb jdb braided leader and I like to use a 10 kg maxima ultra green leader connected to my braided leader with a fg. My hook snoot is normally no more than 10 kg and I like to use seaguar or maxima flouro carbon.
I have heard and seen too many horror stories of bags and bakkies full of Belman! The old folk often tell me how they used to catch a bakkie full of Belman at Blakes, but those days are gone. Why? Because we as recreational rock and surf anglers should not do such things, if only in the interests of conservation of existing fish species.
