The rain, the rain – it’s been relentless! But fear not, anglers – while the weather has certainly presented some challenges, there’s always a silver lining, and we’ve got some great tactics to help you make the most of it!

Rock and Surf:

North Coast: It’s been a tough week up on the North Coast, with the weather keeping the expected species away. We’ve seen a lot of rockfish reports, with anglers scratching for any action they could find. Offshore fishing has been particularly difficult due to rough seas, rain, and a fair amount of debris in the water. The conditions were bumpy, to say the least, but don’t get discouraged – persistence pays off! Keep at it, and you’ll catch those elusive species that are just waiting for the right moment.
 
Central Coast: Despite the chilly water, the Central Coast has provided some bright spots. Those who stuck it out were rewarded with a handful of catches – shad, the odd grey shark, and a few smaller diamonds. The beach fishing may have been quiet, but those who went the extra mile had success with species like cob and bronze bream. In the harbour, it’s been a game-fishing paradise! A lot of GTs were caught on artificial lures, with some weighing in at 4-5 kg. Springers have been a bit tricky, but several were landed. The guys fishing off the banks also reported a few nice-sized grunters. Patience and perseverance definitely paid off here!
 
South Coast: On the South Coast, it’s been a mixed bag as most of the rivers have opened up, sending brown water into the seas. The heavy rains haven’t helped matters, but if conditions improve and the water starts to clear, you can expect the cod to bite once again. Ski boat anglers are hopeful for a good return, and with some luck, the fishing will bounce back. On the rock and surf front, anglers targeting shad and bream haven’t been as lucky, but the shark scene has been much more promising! A few hound sharks, duskies, and even some hammerheads have been reported, along with a handful of flatfish.

Pro Tips for Fishing in Challenging Conditions: When dealing with dirty, debris-filled water, it’s all about vibrations and scents. Whether you’re using lures or bait, here are a few tricks to up your chances:

For Lures: Use lures with a built-in rattle, or add glass rattles into your paddle tails. The vibration will help fish locate your lure even when visibility is low.

For Bait: Fish rely on vibrations and scents when they can’t see. Use bigger, smelly baits and consider adding anchovy oil or blood and guts to attract more attention. You can also add bait rattles to your foam bait for that extra vibration!

So, while the weather may have made fishing a bit tougher, with the right tactics, you can still land some great catches. Keep pushing through and remember: every tough week on the water is another step towards better fishing days ahead!

Offshore:

Challenging Offshore Fishing Conditions Along the KZN Coastline Due to Heavy Rain and Rough Seas, But the Weekend Looks Promising
 
Offshore fishing along the KZN coastline has been anything but easy this week, with a combination of heavy rainfall and rough seas making it tough for anglers. These challenging conditions have tested the patience of even the most seasoned fishermen, as unpredictable weather and choppy waters have made it difficult to find ideal spots for a successful catch.
 
For anglers hoping for a productive week of offshore fishing, it has been a struggle. Persistent rain and strong winds have created choppy seas, making it hard to maintain consistency on the water. Boats have had to navigate through large swells and gusty winds, complicating efforts to fish effectively.
 
Moreover, the rain has caused the waters to become turbid, significantly reducing visibility. This has made it harder for anglers to locate fish, especially those lurking in deeper waters. With rough seas and increased water turbulence, fish have been driven deeper, making it more difficult for anglers to access them. Many fishermen have returned from their trips with empty lines, rather than the expected catches.
As seasoned offshore anglers know, the ocean can be unpredictable, and conditions can change dramatically in a short amount of time. Even the most prepared anglers can find themselves caught off-guard by sudden shifts in
 
However, there is good news for those planning to head out this weekend. Weather reports indicate that the conditions are about to improve, with calmer seas and clearer skies expected. The heavy rainfall seems to be easing, and the seas should settle, bringing much-needed relief to offshore anglers.
After a challenging week, the weekend is shaping up to be an excellent opportunity for anglers to make up for lost time. With calmer seas and better weather, fish should be more accessible, and anglers will have a much higher chance of landing a catch.
For those who have been waiting patiently for better fishing conditions, this weekend offers a perfect chance to get back on the water. The improving conditions should make for a much more enjoyable and productive experience.
 
Offshore fishing is always a game of patience and persistence. Conditions can be unpredictable, and sometimes nature just doesn’t cooperate. However, many experienced anglers know that it’s often in the most challenging conditions that the biggest catches can be found. The key is to stay positive, prepare for the conditions, and trust that better days are ahead.
 
As the weekend approaches, anglers are encouraged to get back out on the water and take advantage of the improving weather. Whether it’s a big game fish you’re after or a relaxing day with friends, the forecast is promising, and it’s the perfect opportunity to make the most of the offshore fishing season.
 
While the past few days have been difficult for offshore anglers along the KZN coastline, the weekend brings a much-needed break from the rough conditions. With calmer seas and the rain subsiding, there’s hope on the horizon for some excellent fishing. So, pack your gear, stay safe, and get ready for a productive weekend. The improving weather is sure to make this weekend a fantastic time to reel in some great catches!

Freshwater:

News from Jan: Rain, Rain … and yet MORE RAIN!  It really seemed like the autumnal tapping off into single-figure precipitation had (finally) started, but last night’s deluge of up to 85mm showed otherwise! <sigh> The highest rainfall was once again closest to The ‘Berg, so it’s on its way down.  The upper lands are already so soaked, and leaking heavily, so that any rainfall now is simply going to be on the move … and if you thought the rivers were unplayable before, that’s certainly going to be the case now.  If you are headed upland, best to pack in that set of water wings as mentioned last week … if you can still find any for sale that is…
 
With the rivers all pretty much in spate, there have been no returns logged … not even one! … from the otherwise brave Natal Fly Fishing Club anglers over the past week!  But if you have to go, you have to go … and with a client-driven booking, off to the river we were.  With water levels pushing bank-2-bank, coupled with the onset of soaked-to-the-skin rain. It was a showcase of primal perseverance that saw UK visitor Edward Davies land his first wild-spawn brown trout in South Africa, on the Bushman’s River. The following day dawned clear, and we headed to The Mooi River, where he managed a further two … including one on dry! … completing a Hatrick of SA browns.  Water temperature was reported at 16-17deg.C.
 
The long-term forecast shows that there is some light rain, with a bigger blip early next week, still on the way, so it’s going to be an impatient wait yet while we bide our time for some prime river time.
 
With Midlands conditions more akin to a sticky bog, there were only a couple of outings by NFFC stillwater anglers … but I am pleased to note that there were some fish reported!  Not least, was above-mentioned UK visitor Ed, who fooled a very healthy rainbow hen of 46cm / 18 inches on a quick stop on a NFFC water to catch the evening rise on our way back from the river … no better way to end a flying visit to the area! 3 other NFFC waters produced fish that came in at between 13-17 inches / 33-43cm.  Water temperature was reported at 20deg.C.
 
Bass fishing remains on the slow with other reports of “no luck” and “not even a tug” emanating from Albert Falls.  Midmar is reportedly fishing better, with plenty smaller fish about, and a few in the 2-3kg range showing up. 
The private dams across the Midlands, and up to Winterton, are also fishing better … with a Midlands water recently sporting fish in the 15-17 inch / 38-43cm taken on fly.
 
PMB Bassmasters held their first Triple Skins event on Albert Falls Dam for the year this past weekend – hope to report on this as soon as results are made known.  This weekend see’s the annual New Hanover Bass Fishing competition taking place … Tight Lines to all and fingers crossed that the fish are on the game! … look forward to reporting next week.
 
Sterkfontein, THE place to be this summer if you were after a ‘Bar of Gold’, appears to have quietened down as a result of some inclement weather up north.  If you still looking head in the month before the season really winds now next month, watch the weather for a spell of 2-3 days clear, HOT weather, and the fish will be back on.
 
With the apparent lessening in rainfall last week, the scaly anglers are starting to foray out again.  While it was on the “tiddlers” that were about, one report mentioned “Getting out is still better than sitting at home”.  Further north, the Buffalo River produced some fish.
 
 
For the best in tackle and advice, pop into any of the seven Kingfisher stores, they are open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, 8am-1pm on public holidays, Saturdays and Sundays.
 
Series 23 (can you believe it; this is Petri’s 23 series) of Hier Gaan Ons Alweer on kykNET, premieres are on from the 6^th of January 2025 on Monday evenings at 17:30 on kykNet, channel 144 and there are a number of repeats during the week. The repeats are on Tuesday’s at 11:00, Wednesday’s at 10:00, Thursday’s at 11:30 & Friday’s at 14:30. Series 23 ends on the 31^st of March 2025.
As most of you know, Petri and his guests cover various angling styles (fresh and salt water) in and around Southern Africa.

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