Mossel Bay Angler Makes Record Catch, Lands Giant Cod

A Mossel Bay fisherman, Andries Stander, made the record books on Sunday as he reeled in an enormous cod that tipped the scale at a colossal 57.8kg. The huge catch was made in the idyllic waters off Third Beach in Dana Bay.

Stander reported the catch to Algoa FM news, saying he was actually fishing for Spottail pinfish in hopes of enticing a Galjoen—a popular target for South African anglers. Instead, the avid fisherman was surprised when he felt a significant tug on his line around noon. He knew immediately that this was no ordinary catch.

The struggle to bring the giant fish ashore took almost three-quarters of an hour. Unfortunately, despite Stander’s conservation-minded commitment to put big catches back into the water, this particular cod didn't survive the ordeal.

Now, Stander's unexpected catch has found a temporary home in his freezer. “We will prepare the meat for fish nuggets and so on,” he shared, demonstrating the practical wisdom of making the best out of an unexpected situation.

The story of Stander’s monster catch is captivating Mossel Bay locals, shining a spotlight on the rich aquatic biodiversity that the area's waters continue to offer.