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FISHING REPORT 10TH JULY 2010
Angling
Although the sardine run did not materialize for the tourists and holiday
makers, the shad run has certainly made up for it. These fish are now being caught freely on almost the entire coastline and in good numbers. The general size of the shad that are coming out now seem to be a bit bigger than a few weeks ago.
Already some fish in the 3 kg mark have been landed. Along with the shad have come the garrick and quite a few kingies. These fish have been caught in good numbers at traditional places like Illovo, Winkle and Toti rocks. Anglers fishing along the Twini ledge and at Isipingo have experienced an excellent run of garrick and shad as well. Anglers who brave the cold weather and fish at night have recently started getting some nice size kob particularly along the Umgababa and Umkomaas stretches. These fish have also been caught in fair numbers along the Port Shepstone stretch.
Terry from Port Edward informs us that bonanza fishing has been on the go this whole week and they have had a real shad run there with plenty garrick falling prey to the live bait fishermen off Splash Rock and nearby points. While the sea conditions have been fair most of the time reports of shad are coming in from other areas and Splash Rock has been packed like a bamboo forest with live bait rigs and close rocks are delivering the required shad for this. One morning Terry counted 11 lines out from Splash targeting garrick. A troubling fact is that many of these rods belong to local fishermen who inhabit this rock most days of the year and watching from the congested car park, Terry saw a small shad get taken from another fisherman (who probably wanted to throw it back) and slid out on one of the lines and the rod replaced in the rod spike now loaded for a garrick. Soon after another rod 'went down' and the same young fisherman ran, grabbed this rod and proceeded to fight and land a garrick.
He then immediately cast that sinker out again claiming the spot once more and went in search of another shad to launch. Later Terry was told by a visitor fisherman that this same young man had 4 rods out and he was loading these with freshly caught fish all the time. The visiting fisherman complained that they get "bullied" off the rock and they don't want to come back because of this. Our little coastal towns survive on these people coming here to fish and as much as the local fishermen shun this fact we need them! Allow them the space and prove a big thing to yourself and this is that you really are a good fisherman!!
Transkei
Anglers venturing to the Transkei now can expect some excellent fish; reports coming from this area suggest that there are lots of shad, garrick and kob around. Most of the bigger rivers down there are also producing some good fish. Mainly big grunter are being caught but smaller garrick and kob have also been landed.
Ski Boats
Ski Boats are also in on the action with some good bottom fishing being
reported. Kob and geelbek have started feeding but general bottom fishing has also been good with some fair size red fish and rock cod being caught. The game fish season has stared tapering off but those anglers who pursue these fish are still getting the odd couta in the Zinkwazi area. Further south the Aliwal Shoal and Protea banks are producing some good catches of yellow fin tunny and wahoo.
Mike Laubscher sent in this report.
“Shark wrestling and Albatross’s that Water-ski". It is July already and this year is going fast, the last frontal system that came through dropped our water temperature by almost 3deg.C and so we are definitely heading into winter fishing and should start getting our Geelbek and Kob soon. After a good run with Yellow fin Tuna, my expectations where set high, but I could not find them and on my last 3 outings we only got baitfish and sharks.
On the one outing I had some guys from England with me on the boat, and the SW was pumping, but they wanted a Shark and so we went out in really bad conditions. The fun and games started when an Albatross dropped his load and I heard a slapping sound behind me, only to turn around and find my guest with the business of the Albatross on his forehead and dripping down his face, I could only laugh and the guest took this as a sign of good luck after he washed the goo from his face. Sure enough we eventually managed to hook a large Shark, which ended up being a Black Tip of around (140Kg) 300lbs and gave a huge fight made even harder by the adverse conditions, when we eventually got it to the boat a series of events took place ending up with the leader wrapped around my hand and this big shark going wild on the other end causing my hand a very painful injury and a snapped Tiagra rod.
On another trip we also could not find any Game fish other than one small Eastern Little Tuna, but there where so many smaller Hammerhead Sharks around we ended up sight fishing for them on light tackle without steel leaders which proved to be good sport. We hooked one which weighed in at 12.8 Kg (28lbs) and when I grabbed his tail to pull him on the side of the boat to remove the hook he decided to flick himself over and came on board where he trashed like mad and I ended up have a wrestling match with an very angry Hammerhead Shark, eventually I won and subdued him, but not before he gave a nip on my forearm, which fortunately was not very deep.
Besides wrestling Sharks, we also had some fun and games with an Albatross who kept on picking up the bait, and he would not let go, I thought once he was hooked, but he was just greedy and holding on playing tug of war. When I reeled the bait in he held on, opened his wings and skied across the water on his feet making for some comical moments. We also saw a Whale tailing.” Thanks Mike for this report.
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Bait Encyclopaedia
Volume 2 of the Ray de Bruyn bait encyclopaedia is now available; this volume covers all the baits you could wish to make using the Mackerel as bait. It is very informative with easy to follow full colour step by step photos. Plus hordes of other information from catching to cooking your mackerel. Most of the tackle stores country wide stock it, if you can’t find it at your nearest tackle store please ask them to order it from The Kingfisher in Durban, 031 368 3903.
Action packed ESA fishing shows on TV
Don’t forget to watch the action packed ESA fishing shows on TV. These shows feature both saltwater and freshwater fishing and are aired on Super sport 1. The ESA Saltwater show will be broadcasted weekly on Thursdays between 19h30 and 20h 30 and the ESA Freshwater show will air weekly on Tuesdays between 19h00 and 19h30.
ESA Announces New Freshwater TV Show:
Extreme Sports Angling (ESA) is proud to announce the launch of its new Freshwater show which will premier on Supersport on 6th July 2010 at 7.00pm. The latest addition to the ESA family, ESA Freshwater, will encompass a variety of freshwater angling disciplines ranging from freshwater bream angling, tiger fishing, bass angling and a variety of other species.
“The new show promises to thrill the regular viewers and attract new ESA fans through its originality and entertaining content. It will showcase a wide variety of species and will embody our mission statement: innovation, education and conservation,” said Armando Costa, CEO of ESA Holdings.
The show will teach viewers about a variety of fishing methods including the use of bait and artificial lures to more traditional angling tactics and methods. Most importantly it will address the current debate surrounding exotic species and indigenous species that exist and co-habit our river and freshwater systems.
The show will promote responsible management of exotic species and the conservation of indigenous species whilst maintaining the very fragile balance within these eco-systems. The shows will also look at methods to minimize the impacts that pollution and bad management have on our waterways. The upcoming episodes will also showcase top anglers within these freshwater angling facets and expose them to the public, again fulfilling ESA’s original goal which was to develop and grow the sport of angling in South Africa.
ESA Saltwater: 8.07.2010
Hook up with shad action in Mazeppa Bay, while in DSSA they get stuck into some light tackle angling. In OSSA Craig targets edibles in Richards Bay and learns that beneath the surface there is more than meets the eye.
ESA Saltwater: 15.07.2010
On LBSA Ray is on the hunt for a giant, while the DSSA team looks at the fun in light tackle angling. In OSSA Craig and his guests are hot on the trail of snoek and yellow fin tuna.
The Kingfisher Free Fishing Clinic’s
The Kingfisher at 53, Hunter Street, Durban hosts a free Fishing Ski Clinic on their premises once a month by Markham Pollard. 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 Rock and Surf clinics run by Ivan Stopforth. 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.
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.
KZN fishing news
For the latest KZN fishing news presented by O.J., tune into East Coast Radio at 5.40am Monday - Friday.
Any info about fishing, fish caught or competitions in your area please send to kingfish@iafrica.com or fax 031- 368 4137, attention, Mike.
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