FISHING REPORT 17TH JULY 2010

Angling
Although there have been sporadic sightings and near beaching at the time of writing this report, the sardines still remain elusive. Strong westerly winds during the mid week period should hopefully get things moving for the week end. Water temperatures have dropped a little and with a little luck anglers could see some action this week end.

A few nets were taken in the Hibberdene area but unfortunately packs of sharks shredded a net whilst being pulled in. With all the shark activity, this could be a very good indication that things could very well materialize. They did also make a showing last week end were in the St Winifreds area and anglers who were fortunate enough to be in the vicinity had some good fun as garrick were caught freely during the afternoon period.

During this period most angler’s attention turn to garrick and shad and
obviously big sharks which are associated with the sardine run. Shad in
particular have been prolific and the general size of the shad that are
coming out now seem to be a bit bigger and in some cases some monster fish up to the 4 kg mark have been landed.

Along with the shad have come the garrick and 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 itself 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. This particular area also came alive with yellowtail kingfish during the course of last week and some in the 5kg range were landed. Garrick, kob and shad have also been caught in fair numbers along the Port Shepstone stretch.

Transkei
Terry from Tacklenet reports that another good fishing week has passed by and plenty of shad have been on the bite mainly at Splash Rock there. With some rough seas, only a few garrick have been caught with some small shoal kob in the evenings. Leading the cold front last Sunday, a number of small shoals of sardines were sighted most of which passed by deep. Seine netters were on the alert but by dark, no action took place.

Anglers venturing to the Transkei now can expect some excellent fishing as 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.

Finally the World Soccer Cup is over and Dave Nisbet can now confirm that the results of Common Venue Round 5 fished on 3 July 2010 have been posted on the Union’s Website.www.kzncau.co.za

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. Nathan Defillipy boated a 38.6kg couta caught off his Dad's boat "Deep Burn" using a live shad, fishing off Hibberdene. What is amazing is Nathan is only 10 years old.