Yellowfish are one of the finest indigenous freshwater fish that we can target with artificial lures. There are six true yellowfish species in South Africa, the largest of which is the largemouth yellowfish, found in the Orange/Vaal river system.

Each species has slightly different features, but most are remarkably similar when it comes to feeding habits. The largemouth yellowfish is by far the most aggressive of the family, as it is primarily a fish eater. The others eat mainly aquatic insects, crabs, and a few fish.

 

Yellowfish are considered as threatened, mainly due to habitat destruction, so the utmost care should be taken to look after each and every fish caught, and they should be carefully handled and released to fight another day.

 

In general I would recommend using light tackle to target these finicky fish. Firstly, light tackle is better suited to casting the smallest and lightest lures, which generally work best for this type of fish, but also because it is not necessary to use very strong tackle to subdue a yellowfish. They are not dirty fighters, and can be landed on light gear with no trouble.

 

I would recommend a nice light spinning rod, with a relatively fast action, such as the Shimano Crucial rods for casting lures to Yellowfish. I would match that with a small and light spinning reel, such as a Shimano Stradic 3000, which I would load with a good quality, but thin braid, such as Sufix Pro 8 14lb, and topped off with a 12lb fluorocarbon leader, my best for the job is the Double X fluorocarbon, as it is very strong.

 

 

 

I would carry a selection of lures to do various jobs, the following would be in my tackle box:

 

Rapala Skitter Pop 5cm

Rapala Original Floating 5cm Perch colour

Rapala Mini Fat Rap, in Perch, Silver or Hot Mustard colours

Rapala Shad Rap Shallow 5cm, Perch or Bluegill colours

Rapala Shad Rap Deep Run 4cm/5cm in Perch or Bluegill colours

Storm Gomoku Pencil

Storm Gomoku Vibe

Storm Gomoku Popper

Mepps Black Fury, from size 0 to size 3 in a selection of colours

Blue Fox Vibrax classic glow, #2 with the yellow body

 

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