South African Spotted (Catface) Rockcod (Epinephelus andersoni)

Spotted Rock Cod Pictures And Information

The Spotted Rockcod, also called the Catface Rock Cod, is not very highly caught or encountered fish species in South Africa. This Rockcod species is different shades of brown with darker coloured spots. It is a fairly slender fish. The Spotted Rockcod is a protected fish species in South Africa and you are not allowed to keep fish less than 30 centimeters in length. The maximum size of this species is about 85 centimeters and the South African fishing record is just over 7 kilograms.

The Spotted or Catface Rockcod is endemic to the Southern African coast line and it is a very good eating fish, despite it's slightly weird appearance. Ski boat anglers and shore fisherman catch this fish on various baits and it is a very aggressive striker. This fish is vulnerable and it is a protected species with a limited distribution range. The Spotted Rock Cod is normally found in shallow surf and into depths of 50 meters, and it occasionally ventures into estuarine waters. I caught my first Catface Rockcod in an estuary, under a floating restaurant! They often lie motionless at the bottom of rocky slopes... This is done to ambush food like crabs and crayfish. This species is regarded as an important predatory fish along the inshore coastline of the Eastern Cape ocean.

To see my Spotted Rockcod records please just click the link... Pictures of this amazing fish, the Spotted (Catface) Rockcod, are just below this text...

How To Catch The South African Catface Rockcod

The Spotted or Catface Rockcod is a very aggressive and opportunistic saltwater fish species. This Rockcod species will take almost any bait or lure when fished correctly. Rock and Surf, Bait, Vertical Jigging, Slow Trolling and Dropshot fishing methods can be used to catch the Catface Rockcod. Fishing with spoons and poppers also land the occassional Spotted Rockcod.

The juvenile and small adult Catface Rockcod can be caught in estuaries and around rocky areas whereas the larger fully mature Rockcod can be caught on offshore reefs. There is no particular bait I would recommend to catch the Catface Rockcod but Prawn and Chokka seem to work the best! The Spotted Rockcod is a strong aggressive fighter and has sharp dorsal fins, so be prepared!

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