Predators on the Move Along the KZN Coast
The hottest topic on every angler’s lips right now is simple: Who will be crowned this year’s Shad Champion? With massive numbers of shad flooding the coastline, the competition is heating up and the excitement within the angling fraternity is reaching fever pitch. But it’s not just about shad. Anglers chasing other prized species have plenty to celebrate, with garrick and kob smashing baits, stripping line with brute force, and showing up in impressive sizes across many of our local hotspots.
The final countdown is on! With less than a week to go in the 2026 Foton & KingFisher Shad Fishing Competition, the big question is: who will be crowned this year’s Shad Champion? With an incredible R85,000 prize pool up for grabs, including R60,000 for first place, R15,000 for second and R10,000 for third, the competition is heating up and every catch counts. The finish line is almost here, so get ready to see who takes home the title and the R60,000 first prize!
Don’t forget, the prizegiving takes place at the Kingfisher Durban Branch on Friday 4th September at 3pm!
Rock & Surf:
North Coast
The North Coast continues to offer some of the best prospects for saltwater anglers as spring approaches. Ongoing baitfish activity along the shoreline is drawing increasing numbers of predatory species into the area, setting the stage for exciting fishing once sea conditions improve. Anglers can expect kob, garrick, shad and rockcod to be among the main targets, although a number of other game fish could also make an appearance. Keeping an eye on water colour, swell and wind conditions will be key, as productive fishing windows are often short-lived but highly rewarding.
Central Coast
Fishing has remained encouraging along the Central Coast, particularly between Glen Ashley and uShaka, where anglers have enjoyed steady catches over recent weeks. Shad remain the standout species and continue to provide excellent sport, while kob and garrick are likely to become more prevalent whenever conditions favour them. Grey sharks have also featured regularly in catches, offering anglers the chance to tackle something a little more substantial. Should cleaner water move into the area during the coming week, participation along the coastline is expected to increase significantly.
South Coast
The South Coast is once again proving why it enjoys such a strong reputation among KwaZulu-Natal’s anglers. Garrick remain high on the list of sought-after species, while kingfish and shad continue to provide plenty of action along beaches, gullies and rocky points. Residual influences from this year’s Sardine Run are still contributing to fish activity along the coast, creating optimism that a broad range of species will remain available once ocean conditions stabilise. Larger predators, including sharks, are also making occasional appearances and continue to add an element of excitement for those targeting trophy fish.
The Week Ahead
Although recent conditions have tested the patience of many anglers, there is growing confidence that better opportunities lie ahead. The quieter periods are often the perfect time to prepare for the next productive session. Servicing reels, checking knots and traces, replacing damaged terminal tackle and ensuring bait supplies are topped up can all pay dividends when fish begin feeding aggressively.
At its heart, fishing is about far more than what’s brought to shore. It’s about early mornings beside the ocean, the anticipation that builds with every cast, and the camaraderie shared among fellow anglers. The chance of connecting with a memorable fish is always there, and often it’s that possibility that keeps us coming back.
With a bit of luck, calmer seas and cleaner water will soon return, allowing the KZN coastline to showcase the exceptional fishing opportunities that have earned it a place among South Africa’s premier angling destinations.
Offshore:
The North Coast continues to be a standout performer, producing quality catches week after week. As if the action wasn’t already red-hot, tuna have joined the party, adding another layer of excitement to an already productive fishery. Snoek have also been keeping rods bent and reels screaming. While the garrick have stolen much of the spotlight recently, excellent bottom fishing has quietly continued in the background. Once again, live bait has been the undisputed weapon of choice, with healthy baitfish triggering explosive strikes from hungry winter predators. The further north anglers have ventured, the more consistent the results have been, and there are still plenty of opportunities waiting for those willing to put in the effort.
The Central Coast has had its fair share of challenges, with strong winds and unpredictable conditions testing even the most dedicated anglers. Despite this, the catches have continued to roll in. Snoek have kept ski-boat crews on their toes, with both trolled lures and live baits producing solid results. While conditions haven’t always been ideal, persistence has paid off handsomely. The deeper reefs continue to produce quality kob and geelbek, with chokka and sardine remaining reliable offerings, provided anglers can first navigate the ever-present garfish gauntlet.
Further south, the South Coast has also been battling heavy winds and rough seas, but anglers have capitalised on every available weather window. Garrick remain one of the standout targets, delivering thrilling battles and memorable catches, while the bottom fishing scene has continued to dish up some seriously exciting offshore action.
While the forecast suggests a few challenges may still lie ahead, there is no shortage of fish along our coastline and plenty of reason for optimism. For those willing to stay patient, watch the weather and make the most of the opportunities that present themselves, the rewards are certainly there. Spring is edging closer, the fish are firing, and the best stories of the season may still be waiting to be written. Tight lines and good luck to all anglers heading out!
Freshwater:
With additional snowfall forecast and daytime temperatures expected to hover in the low single digits, dropping below freezing in some areas this weekend, anglers willing to brave the conditions could find their determination well rewarded. The recent weather system sent the barometer tumbling dramatically, but pressure is already rebounding rapidly. For those who enjoy the unique experience of fishing while snow blankets the landscape, the coming days offer an excellent opportunity to get out on the water.
As of 1 September, the river fishing season is officially underway. Recent rainfall, combined with the snowmelt still to come, should provide rivers with a welcome boost in flow. These fresh conditions will help cleanse and rejuvenate the systems, encouraging fish to move out of their winter holding areas and become more active throughout the catchment. All signs point to an exciting start to the new season, and anglers will be hoping for strong early returns.
Before the arrival of the cold front, yellowfish enthusiasts were making the most of favourable conditions. Reports from the lower sections of the Umkomaas River indicated that several quality fish were being landed. However, as colder water from the upper catchment works its way downstream, water temperatures are expected to drop noticeably. This will likely slow yellowfish activity until warmer conditions return later in the season.
The mild weather ahead of last week’s front also saw members of the Natal Fly Fishers Club enjoying productive time on the water, taking full advantage of the favourable fishing conditions before winter’s latest blast arrived.
KwaZulu-Natal remains an active Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) containment area, making strict adherence to biosecurity measures essential. Anglers and visitors travelling through the Greater Midlands are urged to follow all biosecurity protocols, observe posted notices and signage, and comply with movement regulations where applicable. Every effort to maintain hygiene standards and minimise risk plays an important role in protecting local livestock and supporting disease-control measures.
Travellers using the Kamberg Road route should note that the 24-hour biosecurity spray stations at the Connington Road junction and at the entrance to the amaHlubi Tribal Area en route to Giant’s Castle remain mandatory stops for all traffic entering and leaving the valley.
Bass fishing on the region’s public waters, including Midmar and Albert Falls, has remained relatively slow. However, anglers fishing private Midlands waters have reported some encouraging catches prior to the deterioration in weather conditions. With spawning season approaching, reports suggest that many fish are beginning to pair up, signalling the start of increased pre-spawn activity.
For the best in tackle and advice, pop into any of the eight Kingfisher stores, they are open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, 8am-1pm on public holidays, Saturdays and Sundays. The KZN Angler News audio fishing report is South Africa’s first fishing podcast series that focuses on the latest fishing reports of the East Coast. This report is free and available on all major Podcast platforms including Apple Pods, Google Pods, Spotify and Deezer as well as SA’s most popular Facebook Pages.
Angler News SA – https://www.ecr.co.za/podcasts/ansa/
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Please send any info about fishing or fish caught in your area to Vinesh Soogreem – vineshs@kingfisher.co.za
