Important Notice – Shad Season Update
Contrary to recent rumours, the Shad season is not closed from 1 September to 30 November. The confusion arose due to a typographical error in a circulated document.
We can confirm that the official closed season remains unchanged:
1 October – 30 November
Until then, the Shad season is open as normal.
Rock And Surf:
Spring’s Rivalry with Winter Fuels a Coastal Fishing Frenzy
As the last cool fronts of winter drift away and the warmer breezes of spring sweep across the KwaZulu-Natal coast, anglers are preparing for one of the most exciting weekends of fishing this season. The transition between seasons always stirs up the sea, creating a unique blend of conditions that sparks a feeding frenzy among prized species. For many fishermen, this is the moment they’ve been waiting for—the chance to test their skills against Garrick, Brusher, Kob, and a host of other formidable opponents before the blazing summer heat fully arrives.
North Coast: Early Signs of Summer Action
On the north coast, the water temperature has nudged upward just enough to coax early summer species into the shallows. Kob have been keeping rods bent, particularly for those fishing paddle-tail soft plastics. The trick, seasoned anglers say, is to work them slowly and keep them close to the bottom—an irresistible imitation for these powerful predators. Rays have also started making surprise appearances, their sheer strength providing unforgettable battles. The buzz on the beaches is that this weekend could see even more variety, with the warmer water encouraging further movement from summer species.
Central Coast: A Mixed Bag of Opportunities
The central coast promises a true mixed bag for determined anglers. At the Umgeni River mouth, Garrick have been stealing the spotlight, smashing into live baits offered by both kayak and ski-boat fishermen. These iconic fighters are putting on a real show, reminding everyone why they’re among the most sought-after gamefish along our shores. Lure anglers are finding it a tougher challenge in these waters, with live-bait activity dominating the scene, but persistence could pay off. Brusher are still patrolling the rocky zones, demanding heavy-duty knots, stout tackle, and plenty of patience. Bait buckets are brimming with mackerel and redeye sardines, keeping the action steady for those targeting inedibles further offshore.
South Coast: Explosive Topwater Action
The south coast is delivering heart-stopping action for those who love the thrill of topwater fishing. Garrick and kingfish are tearing into lures, with bucktails worked in long jigging strokes and stickbaits twitched across the surface drawing ferocious strikes. Surface plugs are erupting on contact, sending spray and adrenaline into the air. Bronze bream are schooling hard and providing consistent action, while shad are boiling in pockets, creating scenes of chaos and excitement. Smooth hounds are also making their presence felt, testing the limits of tackle with powerful runs when tempted by chokka or mullet.
Sharpening Up: The Forgotten Art of the Hook Point
In the midst of all this action, it’s worth remembering that the smallest details can make the biggest difference. Many anglers rely on chemically sharpened modern hooks, but veterans know that taking the time to hone a traditional Kendal round to a razor’s edge is still one of the most reliable upgrades any fisherman can make. From carp to marlin, a finely sharpened hook point can be the deciding factor between a lost fish and a memorable catch.
The Season’s Invitation
This weekend is more than just another couple of days on the water—it’s an invitation to witness spring and winter locked in a final coastal battle. The sea is alive with possibility, the fish are on the move, and every cast carries the promise of something special.
For KwaZulu-Natal anglers, the message is clear: prepare your gear, sharpen your hooks, and head for the water. The coast is calling, and it’s offering some of the finest angling opportunities of the year.
Offshore:
If you’ve been waiting for that one weekend to dust off the rods, fuel up the ski-boat, and go full throttle — THIS IS IT! Spring has switched the ocean to BEAST MODE, and east coast waters are buzzing with fish just begging to bend your rods. Get ready for pure fishing carnage off Durban!
Deep-Water Smashfest
Geelbeck and Daga Salmon are crushing baits and testing gear to the max. These heavyweight brutes are bending rods like twigs and giving crews the kind of harbour-side bragging rights that last for years. Deep drops and payoffs you’ll feel in your arms for days.
Snoek
Snoek are playing the classic spring mind game — hot one day, ghosted the next. You’ll get a session where they’re going full mayhem, smashing baits left, right, and center, and the action feels unstoppable. Then, almost without warning, they vanish for a day or two, leaving the same waters eerily quiet. It’s that unpredictable rhythm that keeps anglers hooked — you never quite know if you’re about to hit absolute chaos or spend the morning scratching your head. But when the snoek do turn on, they make every quiet day worth it.
Bottom Fishing Bonanza
Prefer to lock into the rhythm of reef fishing? Don’t worry — spring has your back. The reefs are dripping with slinger, soldier, and rockcod. It’s bite after bite, a nonstop conveyor belt of action to keep the coolers stacked.
The Full Send
This is the weekend where everything lines up: the weather, the fish, the vibes. Deep-water beasts, salmon chaos, reef variety — KZN is delivering it all. The ocean is alive, and it belongs to the anglers.
Don’t just hear about it on Monday. Get out there. Go big. Make it EPIC.
Freshwater:
From Bushmans to Bass: Freshwater Fishing Heats Up in KZN
News from Jan – The wild wind of the weekend didn’t put a damper on the fishing, and with the trout streams receiving special attention after the recent Opening of the season. The Midlands even received a light sparkling of some rain this week (3-5mm on average, with one report noting some 14mm), so dare we mention that Summer is now on its way … fingers crossed behind my back that the Winter Witch of the North doesn’t waver her icy wand as has been (well) known to happen in this 9th month of the year. Fingers double crossed so that we also don’t get the deluge of last season, that pretty much wiped out the river season…
The river anglers of the Natal Fly Fishers Club were out in force this week, with some good numbers of fish being reported from the Bushmans River beats. The Mooi and Umngeni Rivers also received some attention, but with the beats being further downstream compared to those on The Bushmans River, water levels were reportedly much lower .. the NFFC continues to monitor the situation. The slower water on general also has the rivers pretty slippy underfoot (good footwear always highly recommended) … a good flush after some rain will sort that out promptly when it comes.
Catches from The Bushmans were reported to be primarily in the 9-11 inch / 23-28 cm bracket, with a few in the 11-13 inch / 28-33cm class. Fish were taken on a “tiny”, natural nymph, drifted below a dry fly. Water temperature reported at 14deg.C
One for the record books I am sure! … but not a single return from the stillwaters as the NFFC anglers welcome the river season with gusto after a rather lacklustre winter stillwater season.
In recent discission with some landowners across The Midlands, Foot and Mouth Disease continues to be a problem – with new cases continuing to emerge as the spread widens. KZN dairy farmers in particular have been severely impacted, and to assist landowners and protect their stocks, the NFFC has closed a number of its waters at their request, as they monitor the outbreak. The NFFC requests all anglers to please follow any landowner or staff requests to respect their vehicle / footwear sterilization protocols as required.
After the success of the recent Albert Falls Classic, where some nearly 400 bass were weighed in, Alberts has gone on the quiet again … or the anglers are keeping their catches to themselves! Midmar Dam, on the other hand, is firing on all cylinders, with some good numbers of bass in the 1-2kg range coming to hand. Soft plastics is the current name of the game, with Kingfishers REACTION range, and the new McArthy Baits ‘Tantrum Craw’ doing the business.
Of international interest, is that the XIX Bass Fishing World Championships 2025, took place recently 4-6 September on Arabie Dam in Limpopo. Team took the Gold, with Italy and Australia claiming Silver and Bronze respectively … and South Africa right behind with a creditable 4th place.
The Scaly fishing continues to fly the flag for anglers across The Midlands, with fish being reported from the Umkomaas and Tugela River systems. Fish are primarily being taken on weighted nymph patters, fished deep, with some reports of dry fly action inbetween when the water warms up. Water temperature reported at 16deg.C for the Umkomaas … caddis hatches generally get into gear at around 18deg. later in the day.
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 Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
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/
Go to The Kingfisher Daiwa – www.facebook.com/thekingfisherdaiwa and “Like” us on Facebook to catch reviews, videos, fishing reports, great promotions and lots more.
As always, remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay up to date with all our new video releases and to brush up on your species knowledge, tactics and tips/tricks.
The KingfisherFishing – https://www.youtube.com/c/TheKingfisherFishing
Please send any info about fishing or fish caught in your area to Vinesh Soogreem – vineshs@kingfisher.co.za
