The fishing has been good despite the windier conditions. Make the most of the gaps in the weather and go get some fish.
Top tip: Bigger is better. When it comes to scratching for bronze bream, sometimes it pays to have a bigger bait. If you find that the fish are just pecking at the bait and not committing to the bite, changing to a bigger/bulkier bait will often result in a solid bite. This means putting on two prawns instead of just one. Try it and see the results.
Offshore:
The offshore fishing has been focussed around garrick, snoek and bottom fishing. Choose your preferred species and get out there!
North – The north coast has been throwing some spicy launches at the more shore break dominant launch sites. Guys always be careful and don’t launch if you have hesitations.
The north coast has been seeing a lot of snoek in the mornings. The fish have been on the deeper side with some proper size specimens being boasted. The fillets have out fished most lures with spoons performing when the bait balls show up. With regards to the spoons, make sure to use a spoon as small as possible while still having enough weight to cast. The Kingfisher Anchovy spoon is ideal for this application.
The deeper reefs have seen some good couta and tuna on live baits. Down rigged baits have been the most successful.
Central – The central coast has seen some good fishing in patches. The bottom fishing has been consistently good with a number of species making up the reports.
The gamefish on the other hand have been a bit more tricky to get consistently. The tuna have been the only ones that you can confidently target in the deep and the snoek in the shallows. Try trolling some strip baits at first light and changing to lipped lures or live baits as the sun comes up.
South – The south coast has seen a lot of bottom fish action over the last few weeks. The rockcods have been very greedy and they have jumped on most baits dropped down to the bottom. The tuna have been the only reliable gamefish to target down south with the rest of the bunch being hit or miss. The tuna have been taken on everything from small live baits to large, skirted Konas.
Much further south the guys have done very well in the Transkei with giant red steenbras and poenskop. These brutes need proper tackle and skill to land.
Rock and surf:
The rock and surf fishing is starting to head towards a summer pattern. There are still plenty of winter edibles on offer but the wind makes planning a bit tricky.
North – The north coast has seen some decent kob action along most of the north coast. Chokka baits, live baits and paddletails have all been effective. Remember to retrieve very slowly with the paddletails and keep the lure close to the bottom. Use longer, slender baits for these fish as they will provide a bit more movement to entice the kob.
There have been some snoek, garrick and the odd inedible as well for those who put in the effort.
Central – Stumpies, shad and snoek have been on the menu for the past week. The fishing along the beachfront and off the piers has been good. Cracker shrimp and prawn have been the best baits with chokka falling slightly behind. Remember you can fish these baits directly onto your circle hook as they are soft and will not hinder the function of the circle.
The shad have been active in the early mornings with some good specimens being taken on live bait intended for the soon to arrive garrick.
South – The south coast has seen some decent fish for the edible fishermen as well as those looking for a longer fight. The reefs and ledges have been fishing well for the scratching fishermen. Pink and red prawn have been the top baits for the bream and stumpies. The dark has seen some good catches of cave bass and barbel. Mainly chokka for these fish.
The inedibles landed have mainly been taken on fleshy baits with mackerel and bonito being the better baits. The areas around Stiebel have been fishing extremely well with reports of summer smashes happening regularly.
Freshwater:
Fast rivers, cold dams and plenty of fish. Good time to be a freshwater angler.
Bass – Slow down. This is the best tip for those fishing in the colder winter months. The bass are still there and they still need to eat, they are just not interested in racing after lures for the chance of a meal. The fish in winter need to be tempted a bit more and need to be convinced that spending that energy will be worth it. Fishing the deeper water will generally produce some good fish as well as the shallows in the early morning.
Midmar continues to be the pick of the KZN venues if you are after a big fish. Alberts is fishing well but it has been difficult fishing.
Carp – The carp fishing has been good in most of the KZN dams. There have been good numbers of fish reported from most of the local anglers and floaties in banana flavour have been the resounding favourite.
The specimen anglers have not reported much this past week so one can assume either the fishing is very good or very bad.
Trout – The trout are still on a good run with plenty of decent fish being landed across KZN. The bigger Stillwaters have fished well with a slower retrieve and a smaller nymph. Use a floating line and a long leader for best results.
The scaly season is upon us and these endemic speedsters are starting to make a real appearance on social media posts. Pop in store to find out where and with what?
Herewith this week’s report from Jan at the Kingfisher in PMB – “I think it’s safe to say now that with this week’s heatwave, we are now comfortably on the way to Spring and Summer. While the warm weather is great after the dry cold of winter, the dry is unfortunately working against us now as water levels are dropping fast. Previous reports indicated that there was good water still around after the late rains and good snows, but with the 1st of September a mere week away now, I managed to get a look first-hand at the Bushman’s River this last weekend … the river is low and crystal clear, I could count pebbles in the bottom of the river from the top of The ‘Berg. There is NO running water on top, with only remnant patches here and there of ice in the shadows of the south-facing slopes … so from hoping for the return of warmer weather, it’s now time to don gumboots and start rain-dancing…
On the stillwater side, only a few returns from the Natal Fly Fishers Club anglers that braved it out in the somewhat windy conditions of last weekend. Getting out there, no matter the conditions, ensures that you have a better chance of getting something on the end of your line that those that opted to stay at home. There was a good range of fish reported, starting with some from earlier stockings now making a show in the 9-11 inch / 23-28cm range … good to see these fish coming through strong already. Solid numbers of fish in the 11-15 inch / 28-38cm bracket, with the biggest fish reported coming in the 17-19 inch / 43-48cm and 19-21 inch / 48-53cm classes. Word from the anglers is that while some the larger patterns are still producing, most success was in fact with smaller patterns … a flashback PTN being high on the list.
Last weekend saw the Finals of the TOPS Corporate Challenge, with 15 teams of anglers flogging the waters around Nottingham Road. A frontal system passing over on day1 saw that 162 fish came to the net … and after the rod pressure of day1 making the fish a little shy, a further 60 fish coming to hand on day2. Of these 220+ fish, there were 10 fish recorded at or over the 60cm / 23 inches trophy yardstick. Local team “Notties Football Club” (nothing to do with football I might add), took 1st place with members Grevin Price taking the honours for Top Angler with 16 fish over the 2 days, and Bryce Jooste bringing in the largest fish of the Finals at 61cm, tied by Amy Visser from ladies team “Stranger Dangers” who romped in at 3rd place … no doubt there were a few male egos put to shame that weekend. Congrats to all … see you next year!
This weekend sees the annual Bass Classic taking place on Albert Falls Dam. With anglers out in practise, reports have been scarce as they try and get a handle on what the fish are doing and eating. There is a bit of weather forecast for the weekend – falling barometric pressure and high winds – which is going to make fishing “interesting”. Word is that there some 150 boats registered for the event – we wish all anglers Tight Lines and look forward to reporting next week.
For the Alberts bank anglers – there have been reports of anglers being accosted, and relieved of their tackle – keep an eye out on your surrounds and stay safe.
The scaly (Natal Yellowfish) fishing is picking up, with some good numbers of fish being reported from the Umkomaas River beat of the Natal Fly Fishers Club. Mainly smaller fish in the 7-11 inch / 18-28cm bracket, with a few fish showing up in the 11-13 inch / 28-33cm bracket. Water temperatures are on the rise in these lower reaches, and the fish are starting to move in the shallows. Tadpole and small nymph patterns seem to be the name of the game so far … Jig Buggers, Hot Spots PTN’s, Neon Tag Nymphs, Perdigon’s to name but a few. As we move closer to September things should only get better!
If you are keen to tackle the elusive Natal Scaly and get that bend in your stick form the aptly named “Freshwater Bonefish”, check out the Scaly Clinic offered by the Natal Fishers Club. Dates are the weekend of 8-10 September, and while bookings have just opened, places are filling fast for the very popular event. Details can be found on the NFFC Facebook page, or pop into the shop and chat to me”. Cheers thanks Jan
Please remember to leave the areas that you fish in a better condition than when you got there. Take a few moments to pick up some litter and take it to the nearest bin. Tight lines and screaming reels.
Please send any info about fishing or fish caught in your area to mike.pereira@kingfisher.co.za
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.
For all your angling needs, (freshwater or saltwater) pop in and see The Kingfisher’s new store at the Tiffany’s Shopping Centre in Salt Rock or give them a shout on 032 307 0041.
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