PREDATORS ON THE PROWL AS KZN COAST HEATS UP
KwaZulu-Natal anglers have plenty to be excited about this weekend, with reports from the coastline pointing to a significant increase in activity from Durban through to the lower South Coast.
A combination of baitfish movement, improving water conditions and the arrival of several sought-after species has created a promising mix of edible and non-edible fishing opportunities.
For those prepared to put in the hours, the current conditions could produce anything from quality kob and shad to hard-charging kingfish, garrick and rays.
Rock & Surf:
Kob continue to dominate
Kob remain one of the standout targets along the KZN shoreline, with quality fish being reported from a number of productive areas.
The better specimens have been giving anglers exactly what they want from a kob session: powerful runs, heavy head shakes and the sort of battles that test both tackle and patience.
The kob bite has not been consistent throughout every tide, however. It has been a case of finding the right combination of water, tide and bait, with some periods relatively quiet before the fish suddenly switch on.
When that happens, anglers need to be ready.
Bream, rockcod and blacktail are also contributing to the edible catch, while shad are providing plenty of fast-paced action for those fishing the rocky points and surf zones.
Shad and Brute Shad add another dimension
Shad activity is becoming increasingly interesting, with good numbers of fish moving along sections of the coast especially as we approach the closed season at the end of this month.
Around the Amanzimtoti area, anglers are also keeping a close eye on the appearance of Brute Shad, which can provide some spectacular fishing when they move into the area.
Their arrival adds another exciting option for anglers targeting aggressive predators, particularly those throwing artificials or working bait in the areas where the shad are concentrating.
With baitfish movement increasing, the shad action could become an important feature of the weekend’s fishing.
Kingfish and garrick raise the stakes
The predator picture is becoming even more exciting. Kingfish are featuring in the reports, with anglers targeting them on both live bait and artificial lures. Spinning enthusiasts have been rewarded with fish taking spoons and plugs, while live-bait anglers continue to rely on fresh, lively offerings when targeting larger predators.
Further down the coast, garrick are becoming a particularly interesting prospect.
A massive garrick reported from the South Coast has added plenty of fuel to the growing excitement, and its presence is a reminder that anglers fishing live bait in the right water could be connected to something considerably bigger than the average surf catch.
For many anglers, this is the time of year when a routine bait session can suddenly become a full-scale tackle test.
Early signs of the non-edible season
Perhaps the most encouraging development is the fact that the non-edible action appears to be getting underway early on the South Coast.
Rays, sharks and other predators are beginning to feature more prominently, signalling an increase in activity among some of the coastline’s larger hunters.
Blue rays have been making a strong appearance, while grays and skates are also being encountered around the lower South Coast systems.
Their presence is significant because these predators generally don’t arrive in isolation. Increased predator activity often points towards bait and forage fish moving through the area, creating opportunities further up the food chain.
For anglers targeting non-edibles, that makes the current period particularly worth watching.
A weekend with plenty of options
Few things are more frustrating for a shore angler than having only one species to target. That certainly doesn’t appear to be the problem along KZN’s coastline at present.
From the edible side, anglers can target kob, shad, bream, rockcod and blacktail. Those looking for heavier tackle and bigger fish can turn their attention towards kingfish, garrick, rays and sharks.
The lower South Coast, in particular, could be worth serious attention as the early non-edible season begins to develop.
Conditions can change quickly, as they always do on the KZN coast, but the current combination of bait movement and predator activity makes for an encouraging weekend forecast.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The message from the coastline is clear: there is plenty happening.
Kob remain a major attraction, shad are providing action, Brute Shad are adding excitement around Toti, kingfish are testing lure anglers and a monster garrick down south has highlighted the potential for something special.
Offshore:
TUNA TEARING UP REELS, SNOEK ON THE CHARGE & OFFSHORE ACTION EVERYWHERE!
If there was ever a time to fuel the boat, load the cooler, and get on the water, this is it!
The North Coast is absolutely firing, delivering the kind of fishing that keeps anglers awake at night. Just when it seemed like the action couldn’t get any better, the tuna have arrived in force, bringing blistering runs and adrenaline-pumping battles to an already red-hot fishery. Snoek continue to terrorise bait balls and smash offerings with aggression, while the couta action remains a major drawcard for offshore anglers.
But don’t overlook what’s happening below. The reefs have been producing some outstanding bottom fishing, with quality fish coming over the gunnels week after week. Live bait continues to reign supreme, and wherever healthy concentrations of baitfish are found, hungry predators aren’t far behind. The further north anglers have pushed, the more explosive and consistent the action has become, and right now there are plenty of fish waiting for those willing to put in the miles.
The Central Coast hasn’t exactly made things easy. Wind, swell, and constantly changing conditions have tested patience and determination, but anglers who have stuck it out are being rewarded. Snoek have been keeping crews busy, hammering both trolled lures and live baits when conditions allow. The deeper reefs are also producing quality catches, with rockcod and geelbek continuing to feature strongly. Pota and sardine remain top producers, and every weather gap has offered the chance of something special.
Down on the South Coast, conditions have been equally challenging at times, but when the sea settles, even briefly, the fishing has been nothing short of spectacular. Tuna remain one of the headline attractions, delivering arm-stretching fights and unforgettable sessions offshore. The bottom fishing has also been remarkably productive, rewarding anglers who have managed to time their launches and make the most of the available opportunities.
Yes, there is rain and unsettled weather moving through, but don’t let that keep you at home. The key this weekend will be identifying and capitalising on the windows of opportunity between the weather systems. There will be fishable periods, and those anglers who stay mobile, watch the forecasts closely, and are ready to launch when conditions open up could find themselves enjoying some of the best fishing of the season. Sometimes all it takes is a few hours of clean water and manageable conditions for the ocean to absolutely come alive.
So keep an eye on the weather, be ready to move when the opportunity presents itself, and don’t miss your chance to get in on the action. From screaming tuna runs and blistering snoek strikes to hard-fighting couta and quality bottom fish, KZN’s coastline is stacked with opportunity right now.
Freshwater:
News from Jan: For the weather watchers, we are pleased to note that there is some (apparently) serious weather incoming with a pair of cold fronts making their way up the country … Happy Days, as we are in desperate need of a good couple of buckets of the wet stuff … we’ll take it in whatever form it comes; the current forecast shows both snow and rain <fingers crossed>. If the Norwegian Weather Gods have their ducks in a row, The Midlands is in for some 100mm+ over the next week or so. Following on, the extended forecast also shows some drippy stuff … so let’s hope that these events come to pass before the predicted El Nino makes its presence felt.
With the current dearth of water in the trout streams, there has been only a single return from the Natal Fly Fishers Club anglers over the last week. And this from the uMngeni River in the Dargle Valley. Excellent choice of water, as it transpires, as the uMngeni is deeper and slower, with some better holding water in the form of deep pools with overhanging vegetation, than other higher sections of the local trout streams. While the water temperature was reported was already on the warm side at 18deg.C, the return reported decent flow and clarity (for this time of year), and listed some good fish, the best being in the 17-19 inch / 43-48cm bracket. An excellent start to the season, and opening deposit into the Brown Trout Account, for this angler.
While also low, the Mooi River also has some holding water, and gave up some of its brown trout residents in the last week.
The yellowfish / scaly anglers are still revelling in the low, clear water conditions of the lower sections of rivers like the Umkomaas, uMzimkhulu and Tugela. Water clarity is still up, and anglers are reporting perfect sight fishing conditions.
With the lack of water in the rivers, the NFFC anglers were back onto the stillwaters. There have been some good numbers of fish reported, predominantly in the 11-13 inch / 28-33 cm class, but also in the 15-17 inch / 38-43 cm and 17-19 inch / 43-48 cm classes. Water temperatures ranged between 16-18deg.C. Fish were taken on larger style patterns (e.g. Zonker and Minky) in natural colours with little or no flash. Reports received from some of the private waters indicate that they are also currently fishing well.
KZN remains an active containment zone for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), and biosecurity protocol remains a CRITICAL component for the control of the disease. A recent notice by ‘FMD Response South Africa’ states that “South Africa is not controlling FMD”, and that in order to control the spread of the disease, the national herd (estimated at some 14 million head) needs to be vaccinated twice a year – FMD is not controlled by vaccinating some animals some of the time, it is controlled by vaccinating enough animals, fast enough and at the same time, within tight 8-week windows, that build collective immunity before the virus has room to move.
All anglers (and visitors) traversing The Greater Midlands are advised to take heed of biosecurity measures, and to heed all biosecurity notices / signage around The Midlands, and to please comply with any movement regulations, and assist where possible with hygiene and risk-reduction measures to safeguard local livestock.
The bass fishing has picked up locally, at Midmar and Albert Falls, as well as further afield at Hazelmere and Inanda. Midmar reports good size carp in the 3kg class, and bass in the 1-3kg bracket. Water quality at the beleaguered Albert Falls is reported improving, and word from the water is that there are fish around.
The recent Event 6 of the KZN Small Craft Bass League at Hazelmere reported that fish were plentiful, with 28 out of the 30 anglers weighed in full bags … the biggest fish pulling the tape to 59.5cm.
With fish moving through the pre-spawn, spawn & post-spawn stages, Inanda is currently producing some excellent fish.
African tigerfish share the powerful jaws, fierce predatory behaviors, and prominent, razor-sharp teeth with the South American piranha, and for anyone interested in tackling this toothy critter, the bite is heating up at Lake Jozini and on the Pongola River.
Do stop in at The Kingfisher for the best in tackle and advice … opening hours are 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, and 8am-1pm on weekends and Public Holidays.
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