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Mossel Bay | Garden Route

The Atlantic Bonito

Speed Demon of the South African Seas

4 year old Beth with her first fish catch - a big bonnie (Atlantic bonito)
A delicious bonito being shown off by our youngest family crew member, Beth.

The Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea all share a special resident. This fish, a member of the mackerel family (Scombridae), is more than just a pretty face (though it is that too!). It’s a popular catch for both commercial fishermen and sport anglers, and in South Africa, it’s a prized target for an unforgettable deep sea fishing experience.

Meet the Atlantic Bonito (Sarda sarda), a fish with more stripes than a zebra and a fighting spirit that will reel you in (pun intended).

Keep reading for our tried and tested delicious grilled bonnie recipe.

A Look at the Atlantic Bonito

Imagine a sleek, streamlined fish with a powerful body. That’s the Atlantic Bonito. They can grow up to 102 cm long and weigh up to 8.3 kg, making them a respectable catch. Their blue-grey back with dark stripes and a silvery belly is a distinctive feature.

Atlantic Bonito prefer to cruise the ocean’s surface waters, making them prime targets for recreational fishers venturing out on a deep sea fishing experience. They travel in schools, so you might just snag a whole bunch of these feisty fighters on your next deep sea fishing experience.

Bonito means pretty in Spanish and in Portuguese, and we really think they are bonnie-looking fish.

A big Atlantic bonito caught by a young Alba, one of our family crew.
A big bonito caught by a young Alba, one of our family crew.

Fast Facts about the Atlantic Bonito

Size Does Matter (Sometimes)

The Atlantic Bonito can reach a whopping 102 cm, which is pretty impressive. But don’t worry, most of the ones you’ll catch (and devour) will be a more manageable size.

  • Weight: Up to 8.3 kg weight
  • Habitat: Surface waters of the Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Black Sea – their range extends from Norway to South Africa.
  • Diet: Sardines, anchovies, mackerel, other small fish
  • Commercial Importance: Prized catch for fisheries
  • Sport Fishing: A popular game fish due to its fighting spirit

A Fish on the Move: Atlantic Bonito Migration

While the exact migration patterns of the Atlantic Bonito are still being studied, we do know they are travellers. They tend to move with the currents, following schools of fish that make up their diet. This can take them on long journeys, and off the coast of South Africa, they’re a seasonal visitor, making them even more exciting to catch during deep sea fishing experiences.

Bonus Bonito Fact

Did you know the heaviest Atlantic bonito fish caught in a competition was a whopping 8.3 kg? The title was achieved back in 1953. Talk about a legendary catch!

Bonito observation on iNaturalist
Photo © Charlotte Kirchner - iNaturalist

Fishing for bonito in Mossel Bay

The great thing about bonito fishing is it’s a quick and easy fish, that usually only takes you to sites a few minutes from the harbour. For families, this is ideal, as young anglers tend to have limited patience.

Just like the fish, we are early risers and usually set sail at the crack of dawn. Our guests meet us at Mossel Bay’s harbour and have to come through one of two security gates. Be aware that the security guards will often breathalyse the driver, so make sure you take it easy the night before!

Some tips for fishing for bonito include:

  • To find the fish, you need to look for birds and white water. This is where they will most likely be.
  • Bonitos like flashy silvery lures, and in our experience, they love pink Rapalas!
  • To work the jig, you need to roll your wrist and reel in.
  • Always reel them in quickly and never let your line become loose – keep the tension.

Family trip around the bay
Bonito fishing is perfect for family adventures

Foodie Facts: From Ocean to Plate

Forget bland white fish. The Atlantic Bonito boasts a dark reddish flesh with a firm texture, similar to its tuna cousin. Think of it as a more exciting option for your next braai. Just a heads up, these fish are like fine wine – the older they get, the deeper the flavour. So, young bonito means a milder taste, while the older ones pack a punch.

One of our favourite things about Bonito is that they make delicious sashimi. We’ll have ours that same day just sliced up raw with some dark soy sauce and wasabi.

It is a versatile fish and other common preparations include grilling, baking, and smoking. In some areas, it’s even canned or cured. In Spain, it is often prepared as escabeche, which preserves it for about a week. Try this recipe if you enjoy a vinegary tang and herb loaded fish:
Spruce Eats Escabeche Recipe

Delicious fresh-caught that day bonito served as sashimi with soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger
Delicious fresh-caught that day bonito served as sashimi with soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger

A Species of Least Concern

Thankfully, the Atlantic Bonito is listed as a species of “Least Concern” by the IUCN. This means healthy populations exist and there are no immediate threats. However, responsible fishing practices are important to ensure this exciting fish remains a part of our oceans for generations to come.

So, if you’re looking for a delicious fish to catch and enjoy on your next deep sea fishing experience in South Africa, the Atlantic Bonito might just be your perfect catch!

Braai or Grill | Bonito Recipe

This very tasty and healthy recipe is quick and simple, and suitable for the braai or oven grill. 

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 whole Atlantic bonito, cleaned and gutted
  • 30ml (2 tbsp) olive oil
  • 1 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
  • 1 green chilli, washed and finely chopped
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Butterfly the fish.

Brush the flesh with the oil and grill on the barbecue or under the grill for 8-10 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Mix the garlic, chilli and lime and sprinkle on the fish.

Serve immediately with a fresh salad and new potatoes.

NUTRITION

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 203
  • Sugar: 1.1 g
  • Sodium: 598 mg
  • Fat: 17.8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 5.1 g
  • Fibre: 1.2 g
  • Protein: 8.6 g
More bonito sashimi served with soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger
Our favourite is always bonito sashimi, since we're lucky to always get it fresh caught

So, there you have it! The Atlantic Bonito – a speedy, delicious addition to your South African deep sea fishing experience.  There is, of course, always an element of luck to fishing. We will use our decades of knowledge to guide you to the schooling bonito and help you snag a few. 

Chat to us about our charter trips or to book your deep sea fishing experience online.

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