Slinger
The slinger is the backbone of KwaZulu-Natal's commercial and recreational linefishery — the most important species caught by boat-based line fishermen along South Africa's east coast.
Endemic to southern Africa, it's a reef fish that rewards anglers who put in the work to find the right depth and present a small, neat bait.
Good eating, reliably present, and the species most beginners encounter on their first deep-sea trip out of Durban or Richards Bay.
Scientific Name: Chrysoblephus puniceus
Also known as Slinger seabream, rooistompneus
- Deep, compressed body with a distinctly steep head profile — the forehead rises sharply from lip to nape, giving the fish a blunt, almost snub-nosed look.
- Overall colour is pinkish-red to reddish, which is where the species name puniceus (reddish) comes from; flanks often show a silvery-pink sheen.
- Common catches run to around 55 cm; the species can reach 85 cm, though fish that size are rare inshore today.
- Small mouth relative to body size — a key ID feature that also dictates hook and bait choice.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Endemic to the southwestern Indian Ocean; in South Africa found from Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape north through KwaZulu-Natal, with the core population centred on the KZN coast.
- A demersal reef species — lives and feeds close to the bottom over rocky substrate, typically between 10 and 100 m depth.
- Most recreational fishing pressure falls in the 30–50 m zone, where slingers concentrate around reef structure within reach of ski-boats.
- Not found on the Cape south or west coasts; this is an east-coast, warm-water fish.
Key Locations
- KwaZulu-Natal coast — the core of the species' range and the centre of both commercial and recreational slinger fishing in South Africa.
- Reefs off Durban and Richards Bay are among the most fished grounds, with ski-boat clubs running regular trips to known reef marks in 30–50 m.
- Algoa Bay (Eastern Cape) marks the southern limit of the species' range; fish are present but less abundant than further north.
Specific Spots
- Rocky reef edges and pinnacles in 30–50 m are the bread-and-butter zone — slingers hold tight to hard bottom where they can work over invertebrates.
- Deeper structure down to around 100 m holds fish too, though these tend to be larger individuals and require heavier terminal tackle to get a bait to the bottom cleanly.
- Current breaks along reef ledges concentrate bait and keep slingers feeding; anchoring uptide of a known reef and letting your rig drift back to the structure is a proven approach.
Slinger FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Slinger?
Cut squid is the most consistent bait, tough enough to stay on a small hook, and slingers take it readily; cut it into small, neat strips rather than large chunks.
When is the best time to fish for Slinger?
Slingers are available year-round along the KZN coast, with no strongly defined closed season in the fishery. Calmer sea conditions in late summer and autumn (February–May) make accessing offshore reef marks easier and are popular periods for targeting them.
How do you catch Slinger?
Slinger fishing in South Africa is almost entirely a boat-based, bottom-fishing discipline. Anglers run ski-boats or charter vessels to known reef marks in 30–50 m of water, anchor uptide, and fish paternoster rigs with small baits hard on the bottom.
What do Slinger eat?
Feeds primarily on molluscs, crustaceans, worms, and small fish, the hard-shelled prey means it has strong crushing teeth, but the mouth is small, so bait size matters more than hook size.
Where do Slinger live?
Endemic to the southwestern Indian Ocean; in South Africa found from Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape north through KwaZulu-Natal, with the core population centred on the KZN coast. A demersal reef species, lives and feeds close to the bottom over rocky substrate, typically between 10 and 100 m depth.
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