No excuses. No delays. Cancel your plans, ghost your group chats, and hit the coast — because this weekend is the kind of fishing madness you dream about and tell legendary lies about later.
Rock & Surf:
SOUTH COAST FISHING FRENZY — CONDITIONS ARE MINT, AND THIS WEEKEND IS GOING OFF!
From Margate to Port Edward, it’s absolute mayhem. Shad are everywhere — not nibbling, not curious, but full-throttle berserker mode. They’re crushing bait balls, smashing spoons, and detonating the surf line like torpedoes with attitude. You’re not “fishing” — you’re surviving an aquatic riot. If your reel isn’t singing, you’re already late. If your rod isn’t bending, your lure’s probably been bullied off the hook.
Grunter? More like gym bro brutes – They’re tight in the foam, they’re mean, and they’re breaking tackle. These aren’t average grunter — they’re concrete-fin psychopaths.
Get lazy on the hookset? You’ll eat sand. Hook up? You better hold on like your reputation depends on it — because these fish fight dirty and deep.
The garrick are in beast mode and hunting in packs — crashing live baits like cruise missiles. Your spinning reel? Better be ready for combat. They’re fast, they’re clever, and they’re out for blood. They aren’t feeding — they’re taking revenge.
SHARKS IN THE TRENCHES – With all the chaos on the surface, it was only a matter of time — and the apex predators have clocked in. Expect long runs, shredded gear, and the kind of screaming drag that turns heads up and down the beach. Hook a fish, and they’ll be right behind it — it’s predator vs predator, and you’re just along for the ride. This isn’t a drill — it’s shark-throttle Saturday.
Prime time is pre-dawn. Be on the sand before the sun even thinks about rising. Bring backup rods. Bring extra leaders. Bring the tough stuff — and leave the finesse tackle for another lifetime.
This isn’t a bite window — this is an adrenaline-soaked coastal brawl, and it’s happening RIGHT NOW. So gear up, lock in, and go make fishing history this weekend. Now go break something — preferably your PB.
Offshore:
The Bite Window That Won’t Quit
This is not your average weekend on the water.
The ocean’s been building up to this — and it’s no fluke. For the last three weeks, we’ve seen nearly identical conditions, and the action has been consistently hot. If you’re thinking about hitting the coast, now’s the time to get your gear sorted and your spot staked out before sunrise.
Snoek are still charging hard, just like they have been for weeks — slashing through baitballs and keeping anglers on their toes. One minute it’s calm — the next, pure chaos. They’re not tapping at baits; they’re smashing them. Get your spoons, plugs, or drift baits in the mix, and make sure you’ve got wire traces ready. When they hit, it’s fast, violent, and unforgiving.
Garrick are right on cue — bold, aggressive, and cruising the gutters with real intent. Just like the last few weekends, they’re smashing live bait and lighting up surface lures. Whether you’re casting mullet, working surface plugs, or slow-trolling baits, be ready for those heavy topwater strikes and serious runs.
From Scottburgh to Port Edward, the pattern is holding steady: baitfish getting hammered, birds diving, and anglers landing serious fish. The conditions have been prime, and this weekend looks to continue the streak. It’s surf fishing at its rawest — loud, wild, and unforgettable.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign — this is it. The bite window has been open for weeks, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. Get to the beach. Get your cast in. The fish are on. Your story starts with that first screaming run.
Freshwater:
News From Jan: No fireworks, but there are some fish about…
The country was once again beset by an extensive frontal system … now we don’t see much of the weather effects in KZN, as most happens down south (in the western Cape, water wings sales were up last week), and up on high (blankets and snowshoes are costly in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho), it is the “unseen weather” that is (apparently) dictating the fishing. Forgive me while I take my hobby horse for another lap around The Midlands while the barometric pressure jumps around like scalded cat … enough said, pretty sure you get my drift here (i.e. go and buy a barometer and see for yourself). Daily temperatures took a dive as a result of the new snow up top, making getting outside early and staying late to catch the morning and evening rise(s) a little less enticing.
Judging by the number of returns received, the stillwater anglers of the Natal Fly Fishers Club are heeding the maxim of “The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope” … and happy to report that the catch vs effort ratio has improved somewhat over that last week. Also the average size of the catches have gone up another notch, with a number of fish in the 17-21 inch / 45-53cm bracket making it onto the returns. The returns also included fish in the 15-17 inch / 38-43cm class, as well as one lunker in the 21-23 inch / 53-58cm class.
With the paucity of fish coming to hand, there hasn’t been much info on “what’s working” – everybody keeping their performing flies close to their chest. Water temperatures are now well down into mid-single figures – usually an indicator for bright colours and small flies – corresponding to some positive mentions from anglers that were fishing the egg-nymph rig, and another that mentioned “orange flies are happening”.
Of interest also is that a couple of the successful anglers mentioned “low and slow” as their successful technique; i.e. sink-tip and full-sink lines fished deep (on the bottom) with a slow retrieve.
3 weeks to go to the final event in The Midlands winer fly fishing calendar – the Finals of the TOPS Corporate Challenge that takes place on the weekend of 31 July – 3 August.
Round 5 of the Foot and Mouth warning, of concern across The Midlands with its large bovine population. To protect stocks, the NFFC has closed some of its waters at the request of the landowner, as they monitor the outbreak. NFFC further requests that all anglers to please follow any landowner, or staff, requests to respect their vehicle / footwear sterilization protocols if required.
The Midlands bass are still conspicuous by the absence of any reports of fish caught, parts from the water nearer the coast … perhaps the bass have taken a winter vacation break and moved on down the hill.
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