Buckle up, folks – the long weekend’s here and the buzz is electric! The excitement’s through the roof, and the fishing gods are smiling! Sure, the weather’s been playing hardball with those gnarly northeasterly winds, crazy swells, and currents all week, but guess what? The forecast is looking solid – so grab your gear, it’s about to get wild!

Now, we’ve all heard it before: “What color lure did you catch that on?” But let’s clear something up – color is cool, but the secret sauce isn’t in the hue. It’s all about that perfect combo: speed, depth, and size. Get that lure in the right zone, moving at the right pace, matching the right size for the fish you’re after, and you’re gonna get bit – it’s that simple!

Offshore:

North Coast – Oh, it’s buzzing with life right now. The snoek are still rocking the scene in huge numbers, and those deep spots? They’re biting better than ever! Don’t be shy – send those fillet baits or lures further out. Who knows – you might just hook a surprise contender like a couta or tuna while you’re out there chasing snoek. Talk about a heart-pounding moment! As for the rest of the north coast, the tuna and big couta are keeping the vibe alive and kicking – it’s the kind of action that’ll have you on the edge of your seat! In Durban Central, snooks came to the party on Thursday, all hyped up from the shifting weather. And even though that rain tried to sneak back in, the deep waters (400-500 meters) have been on FIRE with some epic catches – Dorado and Wahoo are showing up like rockstars, and the adrenaline is REAL!

Bottom fishing? Yeah, it’s been a bit tricky with those powerful currents, but don’t let that get you down – the big rockcod and other bruisers have been worth the grind. The weekend’s looking spectacular – blue skies are making their appearance, and we’re all hoping the rain stays away, the swells chill out, and those currents take a break. The perfect fishing weather is just on the horizon!

South Coast – especially the lower south – if you’re after those bottom-dwelling beasts, you’re in the right spot! Anglers are going all in with 10-11 inch KP reels, heavy rods, and serious 100lb+ braid, ready to take on the challenge. Poenskop, copper steenbras, yellowtail, and amberjack are waiting, and let me tell you – if there’s even a sliver of weakness in your tackle, they’ll find it. It’s gonna be one heck of a battle, so gear up!

Rock & Surf:

The sand sharks are out there, and they are HUNGRY! Along with those massive flatfish like the honeycomb and backbreaking thorn tail, these bad boys are just WAITING to get hooked!  On the north coast, it’s been a bit of a weather rollercoaster, but don’t worry – with a couple more NE winds, it’s GAME ON. Mackerel and redeye are top bait for inedibles. If you’re dealing with pesky little fish nibbling away, wrap that bait in some chokka and make it LAST!

North Coast – The Gully Goldmine! You won’t believe the action happening in the gullies on the north coast! So many species, it’s like a buffet down there! Prawns and chokka blob baits are the absolute winners, so get ready to reel in the big ones!

Central Coast – Shad & Stumpies Galore! The Shad and stumpies are lighting up the central coast like fireworks! These fish are FUSSY about their food, so you’ll need to make sure that bait presentation is ON POINT. Chokka, prawn, crabs, and sea lice – it’s a smorgasbord of awesomeness. Go with a 4/0 hook and a longer snood to keep it looking natural. But wait, that’s not all! The inedible fishing is OFF THE CHARTS with giant rays and sharks being pulled in. Get out to those deep points and drop that mackerel bait deep – BIG bites are coming!

South Coast – Edible Heaven! If you’re heading south, get ready to feast on some seriously GOOD fishing! The south coast has been buzzing with edible catches all week long. When the bigger seas roll in, you’ve got protected bays and gullies to duck into, and you’ll be surrounded by some of the BEST spots. Bream, kob, and those juicy stumpies are out there waiting for you! Chokka, sardine, and prawns – that’s your winning combo. No big inedibles have been spotted, but hit those beaches and points that give you access to deep water, and you just might land something EPIC. Get Ready for the Fishing MADNESS!

The long weekend is your time to catch BIG and make memories with friends and family. Pack those baits, check your gear, and let the fish frenzy begin!
Get out there and FISH LIKE YOU’VE NEVER FISHED BEFORE!

Freshwater:

With the long weekend ahead, the fishing in KZN is looking red-hot across the board! Whether you’re a bass enthusiast, a carp angler, or someone chasing trout, there’s plenty to get excited about. Here’s a breakdown of the best fishing opportunities to make the most of the sunny weather:

Bass Fishing – Get Ready for Action! Bass are still the kings of the freshwater scene this weekend, and if you’re looking to rack up numbers, faster-moving baits are the way to go. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and walking surface baits are your go-to techniques, allowing you to cover more water and hook fish faster. Once you’ve got a good number on the board, switch things up with soft plastics to target the bigger bass lurking in the deeper waters.

Midmar Dam – Both boat and bank anglers are seeing success here. The upper reaches, especially near the river mouth, have been producing some big bass. Go for chartreuse and white spinnerbaits for maximum success!

Albert Falls & Inanda – These locations have been consistently delivering solid catches. Great for anglers looking for a mix of numbers and size.

Carp Fishing – Consistent Action! Carp fishing has been steady recently, though smaller fish seem to be making up the majority of the catch reports. Banana-flavored mielies are the top bait choice across KZN. Rigging these on small hooks with a Rietvlei trace gives you the best chance of success. If you’re targeting carp at a distance, add some color with a spray or dip to draw them in.
For specimen anglers, it’s been a bit slower, with fewer catches reported. Using boilies to target the bigger fish while keeping the smaller ones at bay is proving to be the most effective tactic.

Trout Fishing – Slower but Steady! The warmer temperatures are keeping trout fishing a bit on the slower side, but there’s still plenty of action in the highland rivers. If you’re targeting trout, be sure to reduce the fishing pressure on extremely hot days to help minimize stress on the fish. Quickly landing and releasing them back into the water is crucial for their survival.

The rivers are still producing good numbers of trout, particularly in the high-altitude regions. And don’t forget, there are also plenty of scalies mixed in for those looking for a little variety in their freshwater fishing.

Key Tips for the Long Weekend:

Dress for the Heat: It’s going to be warm, so make sure you’re wearing plenty of sunscreen, a hat, and staying hydrated.

Switch Up Your Techniques: If you’re not getting bites with your first choice, don’t be afraid to switch tactics – faster baits for bass, softer approaches for bigger fish, and always consider the best bait for carp.

Respect the Fish: Especially during the warmer weather, be mindful of the fish you’re catching, and avoid putting too much pressure on them during those hot hours of the day.

Final Thoughts: Whether you’re targeting bass, carp, or trout, the long weekend is shaping up to be an absolute fishing fiesta. With a mix of sunny weather and good fishing conditions, it’s the perfect opportunity to get out on the water and make the most of the season. Tight lines and happy fishing!

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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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.
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Please send any info about fishing or fish caught in your area to Vinesh Soogreem – vineshs@kingfisher.co.za