Fish

Carpenter (silverfish)

Carpintero sudafricano (pargo plateado)

Argyrozona argyrozona

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–3 lb.

Depth

65–650 ft (20–200 m).

Best time

Daytime.

Found in

1 area

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A pink-silver seabream with rows of small yellow and silver-blue spots along the sides, a big eye, a large mouth with small canine teeth and a forked tail.
Typical size: 1–3 lb.
Maximum size: About 3 ft (90 cm) and about 8 lb (3.5 kg) published.
Diet: Small fish, squid and crustaceans.
Behavior: Schools over offshore reefs and banks, often mixed with other reef breams; a staple of the South African boat linefishery.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southern Africa. Endemic to South Africa, from Table Bay to KwaZulu-Natal, on rocky reefs and banks such as the Agulhas Bank.
Habitat: Endemic to South Africa, from Table Bay to KwaZulu-Natal, on rocky reefs and banks such as the Agulhas Bank.
Depth: 65–650 ft (20–200 m).
Fishing depth: 100–400 ft over reefs and banks.
Best season: Year-round; summer is often best.
Best time: Daytime.
Best tides: Moderate drift over the reef.
Best weather / conditions: Calm days for offshore boat fishing.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Leader Hooks Weight Tool

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Endemic to South Africa, from Table Bay to KwaZulu-Natal, on rocky reefs and banks such as the Agulhas Bank.
Rig up: Medium bottom rod with a conventional or spinning reel. 30–40 lb mono.
Pick your bait: Squid (chokka), sardine and fish strips on multi-hook rigs. Lures: Small jigs and slow-pitch jigs.
Fish it: Drift over reefs with a two- or three-hook bottom rig baited with squid, lifting the sinker off the bottom.
Time it: Daytime. Moderate drift over the reef.

Fishing techniques: Drift over reefs with a two- or three-hook bottom rig baited with squid, lifting the sinker off the bottom.
BigJoe's tip: Carpenter often come up from deep reefs with swollen swim bladders — keep only legal fish you'll eat rather than catching and releasing many.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Excellent, sweet white meat — fried, grilled or braaied.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp spines; use a descending device for released fish from deep water.
Regulations: South Africa: 4 per person per day with a 35 cm (14 in) minimum; recreational catches can't be sold. South Africa requires a recreational fishing permit (sold at post offices and online), with daily bag limits, minimum sizes and closed seasons for many species; Namibia and Mozambique sell their own licenses. Recreational catches may not be sold, and marine protected areas have their own rules.
Conservation: Heavily fished in the past; stick to the limits.

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Sources & photo credits