Sandsharks of Langebaan

Big Red

New member
Hi everyone,

I am heading down to the Langebaan area at the end of November for a couple of days. I have heard a few stories about catching small Sandies on fly and would like to try my hand at it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

My research so far suggests fishing the southern end of Langebaan at a place called "Shark Bay". I have attached a screen shot of the area. I have been told that a boom has now been put up at the entrances to this spot (marked in yellow). Is this still the case. If so is there any other way of getting there? On the opposite side of Shark Bay there is a place called Church Haven. Any info on this area?

With regards to flies, I have been told to use a circle hook tied with natural colours (prawn/crab imitations) and heavily waited. The circle hook is to reduce foul hook-ups. Any other recommendations?

Thanks in advance for the help!!
 

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Hi there Big Red, I can try and assist you as I know the area and like to catch sandsharks for light tackle sport. I am not a fly-fisher though, and am ignorant of tackle / techniques for this.

Shark Bay is the right place. There is now established, parking, toilet facilities and access to the beach - no problem with that.

Churchhaven is in the West Coast National Park and you will need to pay for access / present a Wildcard to gain access to that side of the lagoon.

You can sometimes find the Sandies en-masse, but mostly it is not as easy as some will make it out to be. They can be a very rewarding challenge. The sandsharks are also not always that small! If nicely hooked in the mouth, they will give you some thrilling runs. They are really under-rated sport on light tackle (much better that catching stumpies imo!)

If the wind is blowing (usually the case at Langebaan), Shark Bay gets packed with kite surfers. Wind on water surface is not your friend in any event if you are spot-casting at fish.

My experience is that the fish move / feed on the high or pushing tide, which makes them easier to spot. On the low, they bury themselves, making them difficult to spot, especially if there is any wind chop on the water. You will only see them if you "spook" them, and they dart off, leaving puffs of sand in their wake.

If there is no wind, and spotting conditions are favourable, you can walk onto the flats adjacent to Shark Bay and cover a large area for walk-stalk-cast action.

As it is your first time in the area, try your best to hook-up (haha) with a local fly-fisher that you can join to give you insight on the right conditions / techniques and improve your chances of success.

Good luck!
 

Big Red

New member
Thanks for the info!! Much appreciated. If the wind is blowing are there any sections that are more protected?

Any fly fisherman in the Cape area willing to show me the ropes at Langebaan?
 

Occie

Sealiner
Howsit man.

Fly fished for them a few times there.

No there isnt any boom blocking the road so you should be fine.

Shark bay would be your best bet. I have never fished Churchhaven but apparently there are lots there to.

They are pretty easy to find at shark bay though. As you walk down the boarwalk turn left.I dont bother to the right and right in front as theres to many wind surfers. Walk till you get little bays about 400m down from the boardwalk. From here you can start looking for them all the way until you get to the reserve which will be marked off with poles going into the lagoon. The area just before the poles often have quite a few and i normally start there when the tide is still quite low and then move back towards the boardwalk when the little bays start filling up.

Yes use a circle hook and fish the fly static with a little movement as the shark swims over the fly. Use a sinking line. Dont waste time and only fish on a pushing tide as when the tide turns most of the sandies will bury themselves in the sand and wont take the fly even if you put it right on its nose.

 

 
 

Occie

Sealiner
Sorry think I was busy writing my reply at the same time as Lord Litho.

You are bound to get wind that time of the year which makes spotting them a little harder but they dont see you so easily either. What you dont want is a cloudy day.

The area im talking about basically starts where your yellow line stops and ends at the reserve. I always find sandies along that stretch when the tide has pushed for a couple of hours. And most of the kite surfers dont really go that far down.

Might join you if you let me know closer to the time.

Busy putting together some gopro footage fishing for them. Will send you the you tube link when im done.
 
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