KZN FISHING REPORT - 05 July 2008

ROCK & SURF
Just as quick as the sardines came in along the KZN coast they seemed to have done their famous disappearing act again. Last week anglers saw no sardine activity along the coast but winter fish seem to have moved in. All is not lost though as reports from the Transkei suggest that we could be in for some action soon. A lot of big shoals were spotted in the Goss point area during the week and if weather and sea conditions remain favorable anglers could be in for some more action soon. A fair amount of garrick are now being caught along the south coast with the Umkomaas and Illovo stretches featuring prominent. Shad have also settled in well and are being caught freely during the early morning sessions particularly at Toti and Winkle high rocks. Anglers fishing at night for kob are now getting the odd big fish in the 15 kg to 20 kg mark. Some good specimens have been reported from the Twini ledge and Karradeene stretches. Shoal kob and some nice size grunter are being caught along the Umkomaas north bank area. Anglers fishing with kites along the Widenham area are also getting amongst the action. Recently some fair size sharks and a few good size kingfish have come out at this venue. Whilst at Warner Beach a couple of spear fisherman managed to spear a number of excellent fish. Garrick was the main order of the day with some specimens in the region of 17kg’s. A little further down the coast the Sandspit area at Port Shepstone is also yielding some very good catches of garrick and kob during the early morning and late afternoon sessions. When tides and sea conditions are right anglers fishing with Strike Pro lures at night have had some good returns of mainly kob. Down in lower South Coast Terry Nel from Port Edward informs us that the fishing there has certainly improved. The sea has been alive with passing pockets of sardines with whale activity seen during the day and midweek one evening a large number of large grey sharks showed up at Splash Rock and a good few over 30kg were landed. Shad are eating spoon and bait and are plentiful especially in the early mornings. The arrival of our seasonal garrick has also thrilled anglers mainly using live baits. However, a nice specimen of 12kg was taken by an angler on plug at Splash. Again we are faced with the ongoing problem of not being able to obtain permits during the week-end, so guys please remember to get your fishing permits before your fishing trip. Nick Naicker from Woodlands sent in this report about his 4kg brusher that he caught recently.” Caught on 15b Kingfisher Line and No8 hook (Mustad), trying for kareenteen on Sunday 29 June 2008 in front of the steps at Brighton Beach. Thanks to the strength of the line, the dependability of Mustad and the cooperation of all the anglers who removed their lines, I was able to land him safely in about 15 minutes. All other parts of the trace(2 other hooks and sinker had disappeared in the rocks somewhere) I have caught bigger fish on heavier tackle previously but what I feel chuffed about is the size of the hook in this incident”. Well done Nick on a great catch.

SKI BOATS & FISHING SKI'S
Ski Boats and Fishing Ski’s have now turned their concentrations to snoek as couta along the coast seemed to have gone off the bite. Snoek are being caught freely along both North and south coasts. The average size of these fish is still rather small, most are in the 2 kg to 3 kg mark but a few really big ones seem to be among them. Karel Wilmot managed to bag a very good fish of 9 kg at Warner Beach off his fishing ski last week-end. Bottom fishing also seems to have gone up a notch or two after the sardines came through during the past two weeks. Some very good size rock cod and red fish are now being caught and the first of the geelbek and daga salmon have also being reported.

FRESH WATER
This fresh water report kindly supplied by Bill Simson from UHTFC. They have had a comparatively mild winter so far this year and as a result water conditions must suit the trout because the fishing has been very good indeed. Anglers are catching large numbers, far over the bag limit, and many of the trout are in the 1, 5 kg to 2, 5 kg range. Bill is glad to say that most are being returned to the water. The fish are fighting fit and even the smallest are very strong indeed which makes for very good sport for all.

KINGFISHER "BIGGEST SHAD COMPETITION"
This month The Kingfisher starts their “Biggest Shad Competition”. This year it will be run over a three month period, July, August and September, with three prizes each month. The heaviest shad for each month will receive a 14’ Kingfisher Poseidon 5pc Graphite Rod, valued at R1,585.00, the second heaviest shad will receive a Daiwa SL 50SHK Reel, valued at R998.00 and third heaviest shad will receive a Daiwa Opus Plus 6000 Reel valued a t R448.00. Please note that all shad (fresh) must be weighed at The Kingfisher, 53 Hunter Street, Durban during trading hours and please remember there is a bag limit of four and the minimum size is 30cm.

ESA
Also don’t forget to tune into SS1 on Tuesday at 19.00 for bass and Thursday at 19.30 for the salt water section, great viewing. In this weeks show we join Xavier and Tineka de Jager, the new Sales Manager at ESA, for a fun days fishing on Inanda dam. Xavier explores the mild winter conditions in KZN and catches a few good fish. We then cross over to the ESBA Pro Series held at Rust de Winter in Gauteng, for an exciting competition. Many fish were caught throughout the tournament with some anglers producing impressive bags. In LBSA we join Ray and Abel at Shelly Beach in Mazeppa Bay where they target edibles and catch bronze bream. Later we join our ESA anglers at the Pro Series held at Umkomaas, unfortunately not a lot of fish are caught but a good day is had by all. In DSSA we go to Kilwa Ruins in Tanzania where the team targets game fish. To finish off the show we join Mark and Garth in Sodwana on a Tom Cat with Pieter de Jager, Frik Van Heerden and John Matambo where they do vertical jigging and among many different species catch moustache rock cod, soldier, sada sada and rosy job fish.

THE KINGFISHER CLINICS
The Kingfisher hosts a free Fishing Ski Clinic on their premises once a month by Markham Pollard and a Rock and Surf clinic run by Ivan Stopforth. These Clinics are very informative and covers all the basics, including equipment, knots, bait presentation, and tactics. Lloyd Pereira (as see on ESA) will be hosting a drop shot clinic on the 26th July at The Kingfisher, 53 Hunter Street, Durban. 9:00 to 12:00. These clinics are there to help beginners and experienced anglers to see what the sport is all about and how to target certain species of fish. It also shows anglers what equipment to use and also elaborates on safety. This should be a very popular clinic so book early to avoid disappointment. To book for one of these free clinics phone the Kingfisher on 031-3683903.