FISHING REPORT 08TH AUGUST 2009.

Sardine
Well the brief bit of sardine activity from last week seems to have come to an end, but who knows… we did think it was over before last week!.

Angling
The last weekend’s spell of bad weather did keep most fair weather fisherman in doors but a few reports have come in.
This is the time of the year for the bronze bream along the natal coastline and many reports have come in on this tasty table fish. This fish enjoys reef with rough turbulent white water and can be targeted when conditions don’t permit any other form of fishing.   Spring is also a known time to target brusher but those brusher fisherman tend to keep there lips locked on their catches so no confirmed reports recently.

Garrick have been caught all along the natal coast and of coarse the transkei coast as well. The change in bag limit from 5 fish per angler per day to 2 fish per angler per day is definitely paying off as last years garrick run was outstanding and this years seems to be following the same footsteps. These fish can be compared to homing pigeons in there predictive travel pattern. They don’t leave the South African coast line and it’s easy to see results in the restriction. South Coast has been producing extremely well for the last 2 months but the Tugela Blyhdale area has been fishing well. Those anglers prepared to go to the effort of catching live bait are generally rewarded as garrick will always favour live bait.

There have surprisingly been a few reports of sandy’s, now this is completely the wrong time of year but a couple have been landed down the south coast. Quiet a few of the “winter diamonds” have been coming out as these diamond shaped skates generally follow the Sardines.

Ski boats
The boats have been catching Kob on a regular bases off some of the deeper wrecks but mostly at night. One or two have been reported from rock and surf anglers.
The Geelbeck showed there faces several weeks back but haven’t returned yet but this coming long weekend shows promise for good weather so hopefully they come back on the bite. Bottom fishing in general has been pretty good with lots of rockcod, several black muscle cracker and even a couple Copper Steenbras have been boated off the illovo coast.

Light tackle
On a light tackle side of things, John Connellan caught a new South African light tackle record in the Durban Harbour on Tuesday. John boated a black saddle goat fish of 1.86kgs using 4kg Kingfisher IGFA nylon.

Competition
On the 1St August, The Kingfisher starts their “Biggest Shad Competition”. This year it will be run over a two month period, 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, 925.00, the second heaviest shad will receive a Daiwa SL 50SHK Reel, valued at R1,189.00 and third heaviest shad will receive a Daiwa Opus Plus 6000 Reel valued at R567.00. 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
Catch the ESA team doing battle on ESA Saltwater at 7:30pm on Thursday and don’t miss the bass show at 7:00pm every Tuesday on Super sport 1 (unless mentioned otherwise – check your DSTV guide for details) the latest ESA magazine is out and on sale at The Kingfisher for R19.95. This issue it is jammed packed with great features.

The Kingfisher’s trading hours
The Kingfisher’s trading hours are Monday, Wednesday to Friday 8:00 to 17:00, Tuesday 8:30 to 17:00 and Saturday 8:00 to 13:00.

Free Rock and Surf clinic
The Kingfisher at 53, Hunter Street, Durban hosts a free Rock and Surf clinic run by Ivan Stopforth on their premises once a month. These monthly 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. Over and above this they also hold Fishing Ski Clinic by Markham Pollard and a Drop Shot clinic by Lloyd Pereira. These Clinics are very informative and covers all the basics, including equipment, knots, bait presentation, and tactics. To book for one of these free clinics phone the Kingfisher on 031- 368 3903.