Blacktail
Blacktail are a staple of South Africa's rocky inshore fishery, found along the full coastline from the Western Cape through the Eastern Cape and beyond. Locals fish them from the bricks, off rocky points, and in gullies and tidal pools on light tackle.
They punch well above their weight on appropriate gear and are genuinely underrated as a sport fish.
Scientific Name: Diplodus capensis
Also known as Dassie, Kolstert, Cape white seabream
- Oval, silver-bodied fish with a distinctive large black spot on each side of the caudal peduncle — that's the narrow wrist of the tail, not the tail fin itself.
- Juveniles carry 8–10 pale vertical bars along their flanks; these fade as the fish matures into its plain silver adult coloring.
- Typical fish run 35–40 cm and average 1.5–2 kg; specimens over 3 kg are possible but take many years to reach that size.
- Strong molars at the back of the jaw and sharp incisors at the front — built to crush hard-shelled prey, which shows in how firmly they mouth bait.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to South Africa; found along the full coastline, from the Western Cape through the Eastern Cape and up into KwaZulu-Natal, with a separate population along the Namibian coast.
- A shallow-water, inshore species — rocky reefs, gullies, tidal pools, and white-water surge zones are its core habitat.
- Highly resident: adults tend to stay close to a preferred stretch of coast rather than making long seasonal migrations.
- Juveniles use rock pools and very shallow reef edges; larger fish move into deeper gullies of 1.5 m or more.
Key Locations
- Eastern Cape coastline — rocky gullies and white-water zones along this stretch are among the most productive blacktail grounds in the country.
- Western Cape coast — a growing fly-fishing scene targets blacktail from rocky shorelines, particularly around the Cape Peninsula and Garden Route.
- KwaZulu-Natal rocky shores — blacktail are present along the warmer northern coastline, though the Eastern Cape remains the heartland.
Specific Spots
- Rocky gullies with direct access to open ocean hold the best fish — the surge and white water push food into these channels and give blacktail cover.
- Gullies deeper than about 1.5 m consistently produce larger fish than shallow, exposed ones.
- White water and broken surf along rocky shorelines are key feeding zones — blacktail work these areas actively, especially on a pushing tide.
- Open tidal pools and close-in reef edges are worth working on light tackle; mobility matters more than picking one spot and waiting.
Blacktail FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Blacktail?
Natural baits outperform artificials: sardine, squid, mussels, worms, and crab are all proven; chicken guts are a local favourite that stays on the hook well and selectively targets blacktail over smaller bait-stealers.
What flies work for Blacktail?
Small crab and shrimp patterns, sparse, lightly weighted flies in natural tan, olive, or brown, match the crustaceans and molluscs blacktail pick off the reef. Soft worm or polychaete imitations fished close to the bottom along rocky edges cover the worm component of their diet.
When is the best time to fish for Blacktail?
Blacktail feed and can be caught year-round along the South African coast. Late winter (July–August) sees spawning activity peak, which can concentrate fish in inshore areas. Early morning sessions on a rising tide are productive in any season; summer evenings along the Eastern Cape can also be good.
How do you catch Blacktail?
Most anglers fish blacktail from rocky shorelines and off harbour walls ("the bricks") using light spinning or bait gear, working gullies and white-water edges on a pushing tide around first light. Mobile fishing, moving between gullies rather than anchoring to one spot, consistently produces more fish.
What do Blacktail eat?
Omnivores with a wide menu: algae, mussels, sea urchins, snails, starfish, polychaete worms, and sea squirts, their dual dentition lets them handle both hard-shelled and soft prey.
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