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| Alphard Banks | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17th, 2008 09:58 pm |
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1st Post |
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romek Member
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Greetings folks, I have been a silent joiner for the past few weeks reading many of the posts! The information and sharing is great and from my side very much appreciated so THANKS 2 ALL! I did a search for the Alphard Banks and found very little on it and wanted to know if anyone has been before and if so what it was like? How did they prepare? Where did they confirm weather checks and what went into planning etc? Did they stay over the night? It sounds for fisherman, divers and spearos like a must for the bucket list (: Would appreciate any reports, feedback and or information. Best Regards Romek
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17th, 2008 10:58 pm |
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2nd Post |
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miles Sealine Expert - Offshore 
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Hiya It's 41nm from Struisbaai harbour. If you're coming from Cape Infanta, its a bit closer. Most fisherman and spearo's only go there for the day. None of the recreational guys overnight there. That part of our coastline is rather well known for its bad weather and i seriously wouln't want to overnight there on a small boat (anything under 30'!!) Use Bouyweather.com and make VERY sure that the sea is going to be flat. Its a VERY long run and if the sea becomes nasty, you're in for a very scary ride!! What boat are you planning on using? You intend spearing or fishing?
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17th, 2008 11:11 pm |
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3rd Post |
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Freakazoid Senior Member 
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Miles, do you think a Robbie 20 will make it their and back safely, launching from Witsand? Have you been? Is it worth the trip compared to the canyon? Want to spear and fish there if possible. What would it take to get you to come along, pleeeeaase?
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17th, 2008 11:18 pm |
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4th Post |
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Hammertime Sealiner 
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He he lads. I've made that run on big boats. Get yourself a Rodman and hold the f... on cos it make the deadliest catch a reality and I'm not shyting you. Those of you who been caught out there will know what I mean. Me I want to be on a deck type boat or a very big sportfisher thanks.
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17th, 2008 11:33 pm |
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5th Post |
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Freakazoid Senior Member
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Bummer, I'm looking for some good offshore spots off Cape Infanta. But I know that sea can get really bad. You often see big boats hide in the bay at Infanta. When I grow up I suppose.
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17th, 2008 11:34 pm |
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6th Post |
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miles Sealine Expert - Offshore
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Hiya The Alphard Banks rise up to about 15m, from water depths in the 80m+ range. Most of the commercials that go there primarily target yellowtail, geelbek and red steenbras. Most anglers/spearo's that have been there will relate tales of yellowtail schools as big as soccer fields!! Same as HUGE geelbek schools too!! Marlin, dorado and small yellowfin have also been taken here. Two years back, there was reports of GIANT BLUEFIN tuna jumping out of the water here!! The reef fish, like your red steenbras, has been commercially targetted here, so don't expect fire-works. How-ever, yellowtail is what we're after and the Alphard Banks certainly holds VAST quantities of them!! I can't remember exactly how far it is from Cape Infanta, buts its not alot closer!! Your 20' Robcraft would work , JUST PICK YOUR WEATHER CAREFULLY!! Hope you have 4 stroke motors, or else you going to have a HEFTY fuel bill!! The Alphard Banks IS really a very exciting place, one which EVERY angler should at least visit once in his life-time!! Word of warning though: the banks can also be very fickle and fishing can also be VERY poor here, if conditions are not suitable!! So, PLENTY of fish is not gauranteed!! Last edited on Mon Nov 17th, 2008 11:36 pm by miles |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17th, 2008 11:40 pm |
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7th Post |
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Freakazoid Senior Member
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I checked the distance with the coords i could find on the net and it seems to be about 36-38 miles, almost due south. I got E-tec's but I saw from another post you are not a fan. I am still very much in the apprenticeshipn stages of offshore fishing and will keep a keen eye on the fuel consumption and also a regular check on the motors.
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17th, 2008 11:46 pm |
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8th Post |
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miles Sealine Expert - Offshore
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Hiya If you're not VERY, VERY experienced in BIG sea's stay AWAY from the Alphard Banks!! Thats asking for trouble!! I can tell you some SCARY stories of coming back from the 12mile banks at Struisbaai, which is only 19nm from the harbour. The Alphard is TWICE as far. For some reason, the sea's at Struisbaai is MUCH worse than the sea's we get off Cape Point. DEFINITELY not the place to 'get to know your boat'. The sea has the nasty ability from going from dead calm to outright SCARY, with swells breaking in a mere 30 minutes. Really has to be seen to be believed!! Inshore at Infanta actaully offers SUPERB fishing. Good yellowtail and leervis, PLENTY bottoms and enough BIG cob to keep one happy. A little further off-shore, you can even go catch some hake/stockfish.
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| Posted: Tue Nov 18th, 2008 02:24 am |
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9th Post |
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Freakazoid Senior Member
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Thanks Miles. I'll definitely stay away. For now have been fortunate enough to get plenty of bottoms in the bay and a couple of nice size kob too. Every now and then we get the odd tuna as well. We'll see, maybe again early next year.
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| Posted: Tue Nov 18th, 2008 07:16 pm |
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10th Post |
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romek Member
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Thanks for your reply Miles. The boat is still in my dreams - I mean plans (: But... (; The plan is to attempt both a spearfishing and fishing mission in February while there are still fish in the sea. I am not quite sure how with a category D skippers license one stretches that extra 2nm to get to the 42nm required? Is an additional license upgrade required for the boat and then skippers ticket as well? I am not too worried by the distance with good planning, kit and all the required equipment. If the boat sinks to the deep without me and I am along I will really panic. I see more and more charters offer the spot as an option and that more folks will be heading out again next year in Feb. The spot will become more common place in the years to come so and I would like to go out while it is still "quiet", so to speak. Perhaps you could raffle a spot on your boat for a mission there one day (; For the forum folks? I would take a ticket. Back to dreaming for me for now. Regards Romek
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| Posted: Tue Nov 18th, 2008 07:41 pm |
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11th Post |
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Hammertime Sealiner
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That would be a category B license you'd be stretching by 3 miles to be 100% accurate. 43 miles from Struis and 37.8 from Infanta point. You can get hold of Alan at http://www.southseasafaris.co.za as that trip is pretty much a regular thing for him and a few of his mates. The weather there really is hectic and I don't think too many lads will go rushing out there, so you got time on your side for now. The February gap is very often only a few days in the month of Feb as far as Alphards is concerned with 12 mile giving up a few more days and some beast tail. That being said Feb in Struis is just about the best and you don't need to run far if it's good fish you looking for. This year Feb produced great fishing and I have planned to stay there for the whole month in 09 along with a few other guys who frequent the area chasing species. Keen to hear how it goes if you go. The place fascinates the hell out of me. Last edited on Tue Nov 18th, 2008 07:42 pm by Hammertime |
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| Posted: Tue Nov 18th, 2008 08:33 pm |
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12th Post |
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kraken Senior Member 
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I was very lucky to have fished the Alphard banks in the early 90's on a large deck boat and the fishing was truely spectacular. Big fish and plenty of them and an experienced skipper made for unforgetable experiences. But a small boat caught in a big sea on these grounds would be f#$ked..... We were on a large vessel and we still got klapped around a bit. All merchant ships passing the Cape are very aware of this piece of water and give it a wide berth in stormy conditions. I've known some hardened skippers who've been caught out there in bad weather and have yet to experience anything that foul.
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| Posted: Sat Jan 31st, 2009 02:24 pm |
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13th Post |
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snowman Member 
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either we have a big enough boat by March or we will charter local guys. we will be going in convoy with some others ... let me know who else(boats) are interested. 30ft+ vessels are a must.
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| Posted: Sat Jan 31st, 2009 03:40 pm |
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14th Post |
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Carlos Moran Sealiner 
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I got caught by a gale Westerly there on my chocka boat,a 70 foot Tally,all I can say that it wasnt a nice experience.Stunning place though.
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| Posted: Wed Aug 15th, 2018 06:22 pm |
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15th Post |
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goldenmaverick Member
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9 Years later! Any of the guys been out to the Alphards the past season? Planning on exploring the Alphards from Witsand with a 28Ft Butt Cat this coming season.  
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