FISHING REPORT 23rd JANUARY 2010

Angling
Inedible fish still seem to be taking center stage for the time being as there are some excellent reports of flatfish in local waters. Honeycombe and brown skates make up most of the bags but the annual sand shark run has been a little disappointing as these fish should have entrenched themselves in local waters by now and only sketchy reports are coming through.

Shad for what it’s worth are nearly a non entity as anglers who actively target this specie are finding it very difficult to even locate them let along catching a few. The only areas that seem to be doing relatively well is the Durban area and during the early morning at the Umkomaas pier. The fish that are coming out at these venues are mostly small and only a few really make the legal size limit.

The Transkei is also fishing well with favorable reports coming in from the Port St Johns and Hole in The Wall areas. Mostly hammerhead sharks are coming out but there have been some good size grey and spinner shark activity as well. Anglers fishing these venues at night are getting some small kob and grunter. Fishing in Durban Bay has also picked up with good reports of some fair size grunter and stumpie being caught. A few snoek and the odd kingfish has also come out recently.

On the freshwater scene, the Wartburg Angling Club is hosting their annual babel competition on the 20TH March 2010 at the Albert Falls Dam. There are lots of prizes up for grabs which include  Men’s, Ladies and Juniors with a first prize being R10,000 for the biggest fish (ladies are eligible for this prize over and above their first prize of R 1000). The junior section also has a first prize of R1200. For more information anglers can contact Gary 079 692 1478 or Edwin 082 971 2003.

The Kwazulu Natal fly Fishing Association
The Kwazulu Natal fly Fishing Association has its new website up and running. The calendar of events and league dates for Provincial trials is on there along with registration details and fees. Any anglers interested in participating in this fun league can find more information on  www.kznffa.org . Registration is now online for Senior Men, Ladies & Juniors. New interested anglers are welcome to try out at the first stillwater event of 2 sessions to be held on Sun 31st January. Watch the website for more details on times and venue or contact Linda Gorlei via the website or on 083 631 5301.

Ski Boats
Ski Boats at the moment are having the best of both worlds as there are plenty of game fish and some good bottom fish around. Boats off Durban are still getting a lot of dorado and the odd yellow fin tuna off the deeper reefs. Closer inshore the couta season seems to have started rather slowly but better figures are coming through on a weekly basis from both north and south coasts.

The Aliwal shoal and Protea banks have really lived up to their reputations recently as a large variety of fish have been caught at these venues for the past few weeks. Mostly average size yellow fin keep anglers busy but dorado, wahoo, couta and the odd sailfish are also being caught.

Fishing ski’s
Fishing ski’s are also in on the action and reports coming from the Toti and Scottburgh areas in the south and some good couta and snoek fishing has been reported from the Ballito and Westbrook areas In the north.