Get Ready – This Long Weekend Is Built for BITE!
 
Anglers, the stars have aligned. A long weekend is on the horizon, the weather’s playing ball, and the fish are finally firing. Whether you’re chasing river-run gold, stillwater slabs, or coastal bruisers, this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for.
Pack the rods, load the bait, and clear your schedule — because the fish won’t wait, and this weekend is shaping up to be epic. The only question is… are you ready to make it count?

Rock & Surf:

With a long weekend ahead and calmer skies settling in, coastal anglers have another chance to hit the surf—and this one’s shaping up to be packed with opportunity. From the North to the South Coast, there’s plenty happening along the shoreline.

North Coast – Kob on the Hunt
The North Coast continues to deliver for kob enthusiasts. Several key spots have been producing well, with these prized fish responding to a variety of offerings—from chokka and live bait to paddle tails. If you’re working artificials, a slow retrieve near the bottom has been especially effective. That subtle, wobbling motion seems to be just the thing to draw a strike.
For those looking to fine-tune their approach, try longer-profile lures with more tail action. They can help convert cautious followers into committed takers.

Central Coast – Mixed Bag Bonanza
If variety’s your thing, the central coastline is the place to be. A range of species is on the feed, including stumpies, shad, snoek, and more. Beach anglers and pier regulars alike are seeing solid action.
Top baits at the moment include cracker shrimp, prawn, and the ever-reliable chokka. For a cleaner setup with good hook-up rates, consider threading prawn directly onto a circle hook—it gives a natural presentation that fish find hard to resist.
Also showing up in decent numbers are small greys and rays. While not giants, they’re more than capable of giving you a decent scrap and making things interesting on lighter gear.

South Coast – has been offering up a good mix of both edibles and smaller non-eds. Look out for rockcod, bronze bream, blacktail, and karenteen. Even with some murky water following midweek rain, the bite hasn’t let up much—in fact, it may be helping.
In less clear water, try baits with extra bulk and scent. Double prawn rigs or mixed baits can work well to cut through the turbidity. Just keep in mind that heavier baits may limit casting range, so adjust your gear and placement accordingly.

Offshore:

If you’ve been dreaming of bending rods, screaming reels, and salt spray stinging your cheeks… this is it. Offshore action is absolutely electric right now – a wild blend of bottom fish and gamefish that’s had every angler grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.
Sure, the mornings are getting crisp, and winter’s knocking. But don’t let that warm duvet win. The summer fish haven’t left the party – in fact, they’ve been on fire this past week. The cold means nothing to them – and it shouldn’t stop you either.

North Coast – has erupted with couta fever, and Umdloti is the beating heart of the chaos. Fishing ski warriors are crushing it at first light, and small lipped lures are absolutely deadly. Want a quick fix of adrenaline? Spin spoons on the backline right after launch – it’s like flipping a switch!
 Durban Delivering the Goods
Durban charters? Booked out – and for good reason. The kob and geelbek run is next-level. Big geelbek are slamming live baits and pushing limits, while smaller kob have been a light-tackle dream. Non-stop action. All smiles.

Don’t sleep on the Umgeni mouth – it’s been cooking at sunrise with fat snoek crashing through. Fillet baits are the secret sauce – cast, strip, smash. They’re clever, but they’re not safe.
South Coast Bottom Blitz
Heading south? The bottom fish bite is red hot – reds, slingers, and soldiers are feeding hard. Heavy coolers, tired arms, happy hearts. Gamefish? A bit shy right now – but don’t blink. It’s going to go off, and when it does, you’ll want to be there.

Freshwater:

Long Weekend Incoming – And the Midlands are Finally ALIVE!
Let’s not sugarcoat it – this year’s weather has been WILD. We’re only a few months in, and much of the Midlands has already smashed through its annual rainfall quota. Rivers have been swollen, stillwaters bursting their banks, and anglers left pacing the banks like caged lions, waiting for a break.
Well guess what? The wait is OVER.

This is usually the golden window – crisp mornings, cooling water, hungry fish packing on winter weight. And while the rains tried to steal the show, this Easter season has flipped the script. At last, the levels are dropping, the temps are falling, and the fish… are ON.

The Mooi River might still be running high and coloured – but don’t lose hope. Over on the Bushman’s, it’s a different story. Flows are still strong but dropping fast, and reports of fish are rolling in. Weighted nymphs are doing the hard work in the fast runs, while dry flies are turning heads where the mayflies are dancing. Yes, you read that right – the dry fly is back in play!

And now, a quick tale of triumph (and a wet tumble):
Underberg legend and self-proclaimed “Awful Angler” Tod Collins managed to take an unexpected swim while ‘living in the moment’ – but still came out on top with three brace of feisty Rainbows. Not so awful after all! Meanwhile, Duane Howell reports “some good fish” – and when Duane says that, you know there’s reason to smile.

Stillwater returns are picking up speed. Yes, some waters are still murky and moody, but the fish are starting to stir – and in a big way. NFFC anglers have found slabs in the 43–53cm range, and visiting angler Rob Kyle hauled in a spectacular 61cm rainbow. That’s 24 inches of pure muscle, folks. Water temps are down to 16°C – just where we want them.

Midmar Dam hosted the recent Joey’s Tournament Trail event – and it was a grind. The bites were there, but the weigh-worthy fish played hard to get. It was a battle of nerves and patience. Hats off to Gareth Potgieter and team Sea Beam for snagging the win with a 1.816kg catch in seriously testing conditions.

Looking ahead, the next Joey’s event hits Albert Falls Dam on 3 May. Alberts has been quiet lately, but whispers are growing louder… baitfish are in, and a few early testers are pulling decent fish. Could be the comeback story of the season.

Oh, and don’t sleep on Mearns Dam – local stick Xander McCarthy’s been into some cracking bass lately. Eyes peeled.
Carp Crushing Easter Too
It wasn’t just the kids hunting eggs – carp anglers got their treats too. Midmar’s been delivering again, with Conner Dickason hauling in fish over the 4kg mark. If that doesn’t get your reels spinning, check your pulse.
Sterkfontein Still Giving (if the Weather Plays Nice)
The yellowfish season at Sterkfontein is winding down, but it’s not over yet. It’s become a game of timing – get a warm, clear day and you’re in the money. Dries like hoppers, ants, and beetles are still turning heads. No surprise: the Good Doctors’ Purple Beetle refuses to go out of style.

Wherever you cast off this weekend, take a moment to give back. Pick up trash, respect the water, and leave your spot better than you found it. This ocean gives us magic – let’s protect it.
 This long weekend, chase the bite, chase the thrill, chase the memories.
Tight lines. Screaming reels. Stories you’ll be telling for years.
 
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