Credit
That’s a solid catch! An 11 kg Garrick (also known as Leervis or Lichia amia) this morning at Margate is something to be proud of—especially in winter conditions on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
Why This Matters
Garrick are powerful, fast-swimming predatory game fish in the jack family (Carangidae). They’re prized for their fighting ability on light tackle—described as a “gentleman” fighter: strong runs and acrobatics without the dirty, reef-cutting tactics of some other species. An 11 kg fish is a very good specimen for recreational shore or pier angling.
Context on size:
- They can grow much larger—records go up to around 30+ kg (with historical spearfishing marks near 31–32 kg), and 20 kg fish are legendary but not unheard of in KZN waters.
- 11 kg puts you well into the “quality” category. Many winter fish in the Winkelspruit/Margate area run 3–8 kg, so yours is above average.
Margate in Winter (July)
July is prime time for Garrick along the KZN South Coast. They move northward during the cooler months, often following the sardine run remnants or chasing shoals of baitfish like shad (Pomatomus saltatrix). Margate Pier and nearby rocks have been “pumping” recently, with reports of multiple good fish on live shad.
Typical tactics that work well here:
- Live bait (shad or blacktail) drifted or slow-trolled from the pier or rocks.
- Artificials like spoons, bucktail jigs, or surface lures when they’re aggressive.
- Light spinning or conventional gear—Garrick test your drag and knots.
Early mornings seem to be productive, matching your timing.
