🧾 Basic Info:
Common Name: Leervis/Garrick
Scientific Name: Lichia amia
Also Known As: Garrick
Family: Carangidae (jacks/trevallies)
📍 Where to Find It:
Found along South Africa’s entire coastline — especially in estuaries, surf zones, and tidal rivers
Most active in Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal
Often seen patrolling inshore gutters, estuary mouths, and drop-offs
🎯 Best Fishing Methods:
Spinning with surface lures, stickbaits, or paddle-tails
Fly fishing with deceiver patterns or baitfish imitations
Drifting live bait (mullet/shad) from boat or estuary bank
🕓 Best Time of Year:
Active spring through summer (Oct–Mar)
Particularly aggressive during sardine run and baitfish movements
🎣 Recommended Tackle:
Medium-heavy spinning rod (9–10 ft)
20–30 lb braid with 0.50+ fluorocarbon leader
Strong single hooks recommended for safe catch-and-release
⚠️ Regulations:
Bag limit: 1 per person/day
Minimum size: 70 cm
Strictly enforced in some estuarine reserves
Often released to protect breeding populations
📚 Fun Fact:
Leervis are ambush predators, often hunting in shallow water near structure — explosive topwater strikes are common!