Our huge annual clearance sale is here! Massive discounts on samples, soiled trade show stock, seconds, repairs and end of ranges! Only at our 53 Hunter Street branch. Sale runs from Thursday 5th 8-5pm, Friday the 6th 8-5pm, Saturday the 7th8-1pm and Sunday the 8th 8-1pm of December 2023. Masses of rods, reels and terminal tackle.
Offshore:
To some, it’s known as the “chicken of the sea,” while others refer to it as the “green and gold.” Internationally, it’s called Mahi Mahi, but this past week, we’ve been shouting out its name as Dorado-o-o-o-o-o! The dorado has been the hot topic among offshore anglers from north to south, with catches ranging from juveniles to massive bulls.
North:
The north coast has seen plenty of action from both boats and skis, with some impressive tuna catches—these fish have been huge! Most of them have been hooked on live bait, with mackerel being the preferred choice. Live bait is the weapon of choice, especially with the “Pelagic Series Live Bait Clip,” which helps keep the bait alive longer. However, if live baits are hard to find, consider using a “Pelagic Bait Swimmer” instead.
As for the couta, they’ve been making their presence known, not hesitating to take almost any bait. Chartreuse and pink flashers have worked best on dead baits, while the humble green glow bead has been the key to success on live bait traces.
Central:
The Durban coast has been buzzing with activity this past week. The sheltered launch areas have made it possible to head out even in the roughest seas.
Dorado has been the catch of the week, with tuna and couta following closely behind. Trolling skirted lures has proven highly effective for tuna, billfish, and larger dorado. Colour preferences vary, so go with what you think will attract the fish. Natal snoek are still active, and bottom fishing has been productive, with solid-sized rockcod being hauled in. Please consider releasing the smaller fish to help preserve the future of the reef.
South:
The Durban coast has been buzzing with activity this past week. The sheltered launch areas have made it possible to head out even in the roughest seas.
Dorado has been the catch of the week, with tuna and couta following closely behind. Trolling skirted lures has proven highly effective for tuna, billfish, and larger dorado. Colour preferences vary, so go with what you think will attract the fish. Natal snoek are still active, and bottom fishing has been productive, with solid-sized rockcod being hauled in. Please consider releasing the smaller fish to help preserve the future of the reef.
Rock and Surf:
Fishing has been magic with plenty of good sized catches in all facets. The rock and surf fishing has been more up than down over the last week.
The north coast has still seen some good inedible fishing with a couple sandies and honeycombs testing knots and backs in the north. Blythedale and zinkwazi have been the two most productive spots along the north coast. These spots have seen inedibles in most conditions apart from Shad. On the edible side, chokka and prawn have been the best baits mentioned while the bigger shad have preferred sardines. Fishing has been best around rocks and particularly in bays that form some protection from the seas. The inedibles have favoured mackerel and redeye as a bait. There have been some good sandies landed as well as some big flatfish. The sea has been a bit warm but the northeast winds should help drop the temperature.
Fishing along the Durban coast has been consistent, with both edibles and inedibles being landed most days. The inedible catches have primarily been dusky and grey sharks. The grey sharks have been more successful with a bite trace and smaller circle hooks, while the dusky sharks have preferred larger hooks and baits. The edible fishing has been similar to the north coast, with a good number of stumpies and shad being caught at the Blue Lagoon pier. Sealice and prawns have been the top baits.
The south coast’s hot streak continues, maintaining its position as the most productive stretch along the coastline. Whether targeting edibles or non-edibles, Margate Pier has been delivering impressive catches across the board. From Kob and Sandsharks to Bream and Greys, both grounded and floating baits are attracting bites. If you’re heading to the south coast this weekend, be sure to bring a well-stocked tackle box—there’s something there for every angler!
Freshwater:
The bass fishing has been rather challenging on most dams. Spinnerbaits have been the best reported searching bait. In clean water, use the standard willow blades in silver with a white or chartreuse/white skirt. In the dirtier water, change the blades for Colorado blades in gold or orange with a chartreuse skirt. These little changes can make all the difference. The guys fishing slower have done very well with frogs in the shallow back pockets. These are cast into the thickest structure using heavy braid. Otherwise, pitching jigs through the heavy cover has seen some big bites this past week.
Carp fishing, both specimen and conventional, touch and go! The size and condition of the fish coming from our KZN venues are truly impressive when eventually coming to net. With summer in full swing, the carp are active. The smaller fish, are out to play and are eagerly taking anything sweet. For conventional anglers, honey and fruity-flavored floaties have been the most successful baits by far.
The heat has made trout fishing more challenging, as these cold-water species struggle in warm temperatures. Given this, it’s a good idea to focus on other species while the high temperatures persist. Tight lines and screaming reels!
The warm weather has Sterkfontein bending rods all along the waters edge, with some excellent small and largemouth yellowfish being caught on surface hopper patterns.
News from Jan:
Weather is up and down, and the anglers are puzzling! Been digging high and low … but pickings are slim! ☹
The Weather Man just can’t seem to sit still and find a happy medium, and while the fish are (always) still in the water, anglers are having a right royal puzzle all round to find them. The massive storm that rolled through The Midlands last week almost certainly had something to do with it – affecting the eastern half of The Midlands mostly. Although the weather has settled somewhat, there was a surprising autumnal chill in the air from snow that was reported in Lesotho … and apart from a few “dinks”, the fish are nowhere to be seen for the most part.
If anyone asked, and a few did, by all indications the rivers were high and blown out from the storm that dropped anywhere up to 65mm in the space of just a few hours. Reports, however, indicate the major rainfall was on the eastern side, the west coming away unscathed from the deluge … but not the wider effects of the frontal system. There were only a couple (two!) returns from the Natal Fly Fishers Club river anglers in the last week … both coming from the NFFC central beats on The Mooi River, which would have been subject to the wrath of the storm. After having a good few days to settle, The Mooi yielded a wee jewel of a brown trout in the 7-9 inch / 18-23cm bracket. Further west, The Bushman’s River was reported as “surprisingly low”, but yielded some fish in the early part of the weekend, but then went dead.
Local fly fishing angler and author, Andrew Fowler, reported finding cool, clear water on the upper stretches of the Umngeni River this weekend. TOP TIP : in case of high(er) water in the lower reaches, head upstream where the impact is less.
The stillwaters are also quiet – with only a single return from the NFFC anglers … and a blank session to boot … the post effects of the storm making an outing into The Mudlands only for the adventurous it seems.
The bass anglers are sadly faring just as poorly … no word of any big fish in the last week, only some solitary dinks coming to hand here and there. Ditto for the carp, barbel and bream anglers … all quiet on the Western Front.
Last week’s “Fishing Hole of The Week” award carries over to Sterkfontein again – some great fish coming to hand at The Complete Fly Fisherman’s “Sterkfontein Experience” event held on the weekend. The warm weather forecast up north looks to be holding out, so Sterkies should be on your fishing list…
The Kingfisher-PMB would like to take the opportunity to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all our customers for the massive support over the Black Friday sale – we trust y’all are enjoying the new gear, and will be putting it to good use shortly!
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