The weather may be throwing some challenges our way with blazing hot days, rainy nights, and big seas causing a few events to be called off, but don’t let that stop you—fishing is still absolutely on fire! This past week has seen a diverse range of catches, including sandsharks, dorado, carp, yellowfish, shad, flatfish, grunter, and many more species across all fishing techniques. The fish are biting hard, and anglers are making the most of it. So gear up, keep pushing through the weather, and get out there—there’s no shortage of action waiting for you!
The KingFisher trading times for the festive season is as follows:
Monday to Friday 8 to 5pm.
Saturdays and Sundays 8 to 1pm.
All public holidays 8 to 1pm.
16th December 24 all branches will be open from 8 to 1pm
25th December 24 all of the branches will be closed.
26th December 24 all branches will be open from 8 to 1pm except Tackle Centre
Top tip: Sinker snoods.
Getting your sinker stuck is part of fishing in the rocks. The last thing you want is to lose your entire trace (and possibly your catch) if your sinker gets stuck. There are a few things you can do to combat this. The two main ways to prevent total loss is to either use a lighter sinker line and/or to shorten your sinker snood. Shortening your sinker snood (shorter than your hook snood) will prevent your sinker getting stuck while fighting the fish. Making your sinker snood out of a lighter nylon than your hook snood will allow you to part off your sinker and retrieve some of your tackle. Make sure that the sinker snood is strong enough to handle your cast but light enough to part off if need be.
Offshore:
It has been a feeding frenzy offshore, except for the long weekend, when gusting winds kept anglers from venturing out. This disruption led to the much-anticipated Durban Dorado Bonanza being postponed. Despite this setback, the past week’s dorado action still delivered some excitement, with anglers also landing Wahoo, Tuna, and even some beautiful billfish.
North Coast:
The north coast has seen plenty of fish from both boats and skis, with dorado once again stealing the spotlight. These fish have mostly been caught on live bait, with mackerel being the preferred choice. For the best results, use heavier fluorocarbon hook snoods and quality circle hooks when targeting these big fish.
While there have been some couta around, they haven’t been abundant, and have proven to be hesitant when taking baits. Chartreuse and pink flashers have worked best for dead baits, while the humble green glow bead has been the key to success when fishing with live bait.
Durban Coast:
Durban’s coast has also seen some great action, with dorado making their way into local hatches. The most effective method for these fish has been live bait, with almost anything that swims proving to be irresistible to the dorado. My personal preference is to use a 6/0 circle hook, similar to what I use for tuna, but hook choice ultimately depends on the angler. There has been a noticeable increase in baitfish activity along the Durban coast over the past week. As the lean months approach, it’s wise to stock up on good-quality bait. Remember, if you take care of your bait, it will take care of you.
South Coast:
The deep reefs have been producing some solid bottom fishing, with live bait bringing in the bigger catches. A 9/0 circle hook works great for rigging these livies, ensuring even novice anglers can get a good hook set. For those chasing pelagics, it’s been an exciting week, with dorado and tuna keeping reels screaming throughout the days.
Rock and Surf:
With the holidays in full swing, rock and surf anglers have been battling the crowds at popular beaches, but the fishing has been well worth the effort. The rain has created some perfect colour lines around river mouths, setting up ideal conditions for catching snapper salmon and kob. Paddletails and chokka baits are your best bet for these species, with some good-sized summer fish around to really test your gear. Expect drag-screaming runs, as these fish are putting up a fight. Bloody baits are also proving effective, releasing a scent trail that draws fish in. In addition, Sandsharks, Grey’s, and flatfish are being caught regularly.
Beaches around Durban have been seeing solid action this week. The basin area continues to produce good numbers of inedible species, while the cape stumpies (silvers) have been keeping light tackle anglers entertained for hours. These species are great for newcomers and younger anglers, as they fight hard for their size and aren’t fussy with baits. A Christmas tree trace with a size 2 Mustad Ringer Chinu hook is the ticket to success here.
Shad fishing has been consistent, with some good-sized fish around, although they aren’t schooling in large numbers. The Pier at Blue Lagoon remains the hotspot, with early mornings and evenings offering the best action. If you spot plenty of cars in the parking lot, it’s usually a sign that the fish are biting.
The South Coast continues to shine as the top hotspot, with anglers landing an impressive range of species from bronze bream to sandies. Dorado are even being caught off ski boats, kayaks, and the rocks. When heading south, make sure to pack everything—there’s action across all fishing techniques, so you’re in for a great time no matter what you throw in the water!
Freshwater:
The mystery of the “missing summer bass” continues, with both Albert Falls and Midmar remaining quiet. Some anglers are catching fish using finesse techniques, while others are finding success with topwater lures. The general consensus from the water is that conditions are “very strange.” However, bass at Inanda and Hazelmere dams are catchable. Spinnerbaits have been the most successful search bait, with silver willow blades paired with a white or chartreuse/white skirt working well in clean water. In dirtier water, swapping the willow blades for gold or orange Colorado blades with a chartreuse skirt seems to do the trick. Small adjustments like these can make all the difference. Anglers fishing slower have also had good success with frogs in the shallow back pockets, casting them into the thickest cover using heavy braid. Pitching jigs through the heavy cover has resulted in some big bites this week as well.
Carp fishing has been solid across most KZN dams, with good catches reported by local anglers. Banana-flavored floaties have been the clear favorite. Specimen anglers have been the most successful, indicating that the carp are becoming more selective in their feeding habits. While this isn’t great news for conventional anglers, at least it confirms the fish are feeding.
Trout fishing has been slow, which is expected at this time of year. The heat can be tough on these larger fish, so it’s important to handle them with care and keep them cool and in the water if possible. Bigger streamers have worked well in the deeper areas of the dams when fished on a short leader and sinking line. The shallows have been productive with damsel and dragonfly nymph imitations fished on long leaders and floating lines. Rivers have slowed down a bit, making for enjoyable fishing in most sections—perfect for a light tackle adventure and a scenic hike.
At Sterkfontein Dam, reports confirm that spawning is in full swing, and as usual, the males outnumber the females, with many small males and comparatively few larger females. If you’re after gold, Sterkies is the place to be!
On the bream front, Read Breast and Mozambican Tilapia have been reported from
Albert Falls, while Midmar has been producing Bluegill.
News in from Jan Korrubel, The Kingfisher in PMB
“Fish Behaving badly” is the working tile of this rather limited report… ☹
It’s a funny old season as the saying goes … the fish seem to have forgotten the memo, and are simply not in game mode. With temperatures ranging from 40deg and over one day, to less than half that the next day, and the barometer playing rollercoaster by some 10bar on a daily basis, it’s no wonder really. The summer rains have been more threatening than actually happening, but there was a good fall on the easterly side of The Midlands early in the week … one report showed some 50mm in the Boston area … while the other reports indicated around 15-20mm on average, and decreasing towards the west. The Gods of YR are promising that there is some more on the way, and if all comes to fruition, it appears that the western side in for a dampening down.
While there haven’t been any reports from the river anglers from the central Midlands (Umngeni and Mooi Rivers), the rains will no doubt have affected the rivers – reports from passers through mention that all little streams and rivulets are running, and ”there is plenty water around”. As mentioned however, the west Midlands appears to have lucked out on the current rainfall, and returns from a couple of Natal Fly Fishers Club anglers venturing that side report that The Bushman’s River is in great condition, and slightly on the low side. Some excellent fish have been reported, primarily in the 9-11 inch / 23-28cm bracket, and inbetween, all the way through to the 15-17 inch / 38-43cm class. Fish were taking a mix of dry and nymph. Water temperature reported at 18-19 deg.C. Looking forward to heading up there as soon as there is a gap!
With a few null returns in the mix, the NFFC stillwater fish fraternity has also been toiling in the heat over the last week. Water temperatures were reported at around 20deg.C from the central Midlands waters, while a report received from a private water across the N3 on the Curry’s Post side noted 24deg.C … these temperatures being on the upper limit for trout here, and will certainly cause fish to “zip lip” and refuse any offerings. Such conditions require “deep and slow”, and fishing with smaller patterns like nymphs (e.g. PTN and GRHE), as the fish will eschew larger flies.
The rainfall, and associated temperature drop over the weekend, brought water temperatures back down to 20deg.C and below, and a couple of NFFC anglers struck it lucky on olive and black flies, that included dragonfly and bugger type patterns. The cloudy forecast over the next week or so will help with keeping the rise in water temperature at bay. TOP TIP for trout fishing in the su8mmer heat : get out early (e.g. be on the water at sunrise) and plan to get off mid-late morning as the heat increases, and drives the fish into the deep and off the bite.
The conundrum of the “missing summer bass” continues, with both Albert Falls and Midmar on the quiet. Some anglers are picking up fish on finesse, and others on topwater … but “very strange” is the word from the water(s).
On the carp front – there are some good fish coming out from both Midmar and Albert Falls … these with the specimen anglers, the “pap gooi” anglers are struggling … seems like the carp are refining their tastes!
On the “bream” side – Read Breast and Mozam Tilapia from Alberta Falls, while Midmar is producing Blue Gill.
Sterkfontein Dam continues to produce, with Midlands outfitter Jeremy Rochester from Escape Fly Fishing reporting “Good times on Sterkfontein Dam stalking yellows … some beautiful specimens caught over the past week … blue skies, ideal sight fishing conditions and an absolute treat”. If it’s gold you are after, Sterkies is your water!
Do stop in at The Kingfisher-PMB 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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