THE LONG WEEKEND IS HERE – FISH HARD, FISH SMART, AND LEAVE IT BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT! 

Can you feel it? That electric buzz in the air? That itch in your casting arm? The long weekend is upon us—and the fish are calling your name! Whether you’re chasing surf-bound edibles or hunting for a PB from the rocks, there’s no better time to get out there and make it happen. 

We’re nearly through the fourth month of 2024 (how crazy is that?!), and while the early mornings are starting to bite with winter chill, the fish haven’t slowed down one bit. In fact, the summer species are still showing up in numbers, rewarding the brave who shake off the blankets and beat the sunrise to their spot. 

TOP TIP: WINTER BAIT, BIG RESULTS 

This is the season where precision pays off. Winter is prime time to dial it down, finesse your game, and target the tastier, more technical edibles that bless our KZN coastline. 
That means switching out the heavy artillery for subtle presentation and taking your bait-making to the next level. Every little detail counts: 

Use finer cotton to tie your baits—make it look natural and irresistible. 
Add foam for that little bounce and lifelike movement in the water. 
Study your species: Know where they feed. Know what they love. That knowledge is pure gold. 
When you put in the effort, that bite hits different. It’s not just a fish—it’s your reward for doing it right. 

RESPECT THE WATER, RESPECT THE WILD 

You love the coast? Then protect it. 
Leave your fishing spot better than you found it. Pick up a handful of litter—even if it’s not yours—and toss it in the nearest bin. It takes minutes, but it means everything. 
So here’s to tight lines, screaming reels, and stories worth retelling. Fish with heart. Fish with purpose. 
And above all—fish like this is the last long weekend you’ll ever get. 

Offshore:

If you’ve been dreaming of bending rods, screaming reels, and ocean spray in your face… this is your moment! Offshore fishing is absolutely buzzing right now – it’s been an electrifying mix of bottom fish and gamefish, and the bite has kept everyone grinning from ear to ear. 
Yes, the early mornings are getting chilly, and winter’s creeping in – but don’t let that duvet trap you! Summer fish are still out there, and they’ve been showing up in big numbers this past week. The fish don’t care that it’s cold – and neither should you! 
 
North Coast – has exploded with couta fever, and Umdloti has been the epicenter of the madness. Fishing ski anglers have been slaying it in the early hours, with trolling small lipped lures proving deadly. Want fast action? Spin spoons on the backline just after launch – it’s like flipping a switch! 
 
Durban charters have been fully booked – and it’s no surprise. The kob and geelbek run has brought insane action. Bigger geelbek are smashing live baits, and some beasts have hit the decks. Closer in, smaller kob have been a blast on light tackle – a perfect recipe for non-stop fun. 
 
The Umgeni mouth has been quietly cooking in the mornings with some cracking snoek showing up. Fillet baits have been the secret weapon – deadly effective on these clever predators. Cast, strip, smash! 
 
South Coast – Don’t sleep on the bottom fishing! Reds, slingers, and soldiers have been feeding hard, making for heavy coolers and big smiles. Gamefish have been a bit quiet – but don’t blink. Any moment now, things are going to ignite. Be ready. 
 
While the ocean’s been generous, she demands respect. Just this past week, a boat capsized on the North Coast – thankfully, the two anglers survived with only minor injuries. Let this be a wake-up call: 
Check the weather. Wear your life jackets. Triple-check your gear. 
A fish is never worth your life – make safety your number one priority every single trip. 

Rock & Surf:

Last weekend may not have gone to plan thanks to the wild weather, but this one? It’s game time. The long weekend is here, and with it comes another shot at coastal chaos—the good kind. Clear skies, baited hooks, and beaches buzzing with fish activity from north to south… it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable few days on the water. 
 
North Coast – If you’ve got kob on your mind, the North Coast is the place to be. Reports have been coming in hot from the usual kob haunts, and they’re smashing everything from chokka to live bait to paddle tails. If you’re working a paddle tail, slow and steady near the bottom is the move—kob can’t resist that lazy, wobbling action. 

Looking to up your hookup rate? Switch to longer, slender baits for more movement in the water. It’s all about triggering those sneaky strikes from fish that are watching but not fully committed… until they are. 
 
Central Coast – The central stretch is serving up variety like it’s a seafood buffet. Stumpies, shad, snoek—you name it, they’re in the mix. Whether you’re flicking from the beach or working the piers, there’s something with fins ready to eat. 

Cracker shrimp and prawn are killing it right now, with chokka keeping pace as a top performer. And here’s a solid tip: rig soft baits like prawn straight onto circle hooks for a clean, natural presentation that still gives you solid hookups. 

Also in the mix: grey sharks and smaller rays. They’re not monsters, but they’ll give your tackle a proper test and keep your adrenaline levels high. Who doesn’t love a bit of pull? 
 
South Coast – is turning heads right now with its mix of delicious edibles and scrappy non-eds. The heavy hitters? Rockcod, bronze bream, karenteen, and blacktail. They’re all showing up, and they’re hungry. 
Yes, rain earlier in the week may have muddied up the water in spots, but don’t let that stop you. In fact, it’s an opportunity. Murky water = bold bait. Think double prawn, chunky combos, the works. Bigger baits put out stronger scent trails and get noticed faster. Just be aware: bigger bait means less casting distance, so adjust your setup based on where the fish are feeding. 
 
This long weekend is lining up to be everything the last one wasn’t—clear conditions, aggressive fish, and a serious shot at landing something special. Whether you’re a dedicated rock-and-surfer or just chasing that perfect pull on your line, this is the weekend to send it. 
Because the fish are on, and your next big story starts with a cast. 

Freshwater:

News in from Jan Korrubel, The Kingfisher in PMB. This time of the year is usually prime time. The rivers clear towards the impending season’s end, and the stillwaters cool down enough to trigger a feeding frenzy where fish fatten up for winter.  With the added bonus that the Easter break falls smack bang in the middle of this.  This year however, it seems that most of The Midlands has already exceeded its average annual rainfall, and it’s only 4 and a bit months into the year, with the result that most of the rivers are still high, and stillwaters are overflowing.   
 
On the upside of that ‘doom and gloom’ however, is that it does seem that the Easter Bunny did the rounds this year, and those anglers that took part in the (egg) hunt were well rewarded … only their “eggs” came in the shape and form of fish!  AT LAST is all we can say … it finally seems to be happening!  With just a spot of the drippy stuff over a cooler last week, water levels and water temperatures have started dropping.  Not precipitously so, but clearly enough to warn fish that winter is now on its way, and they better start doing something about it. 
 
With the improving conditions, the river anglers headed out, but unfortunately found the Natal Fly Fishing Club beats on the central Mooi River still high and coloured.  Other reports from The Bushman’s River indicated that the flow was high, but dropping over the course of the weekend, and there were fish around.  Weighted nymphs doing the business for the faster water, but with mayflies making an appearance, the dry fly also accounted for some fish.  Happy Days are here again… 
 
News from the Underberg region :  
Tod Collins, local vet and author of “The Art of Being … an Awful Angler”, reports living “in the moment” while taking a tumble and a swim in a feisty river … and yet on the other hand, not being such an awful angler, as he netted “three brace of feisty Rainbow trout” (six fish for those not of Olde English), who were released to live happily ever after. 
Duane Howell from Underberg Flyfishing reports “some good fish from the rivers”. 
 
A mixed bag of returns from the NFFC stillwater anglers – some finding the waters still off colour and fish not interested, to others finding the “Honey Hole” and reporting some solid fish in the 17-19 inch / 43-48cm and 19-21 inch / 48-53cm classes.  The private stillwaters also appear to be gearing up, with visiting angler Rob Kyle reporting a rainbow of 61cm / 24 inches.  Water temperatures are down to 16deg.C.  
 
The bass have also made a reappearance!  Results from the recent Joey’s Tournament Trail event held at Midmar Dam noted that while fishing “was extremely tough … bites were not in short supply, but fish long enough to weigh were”, and reported the event to be “a test of anglers’ patience” (but what fishing isn’t?).  Biggest catch of the day weighed in at 1.816 kg, caught by Gareth Potgieter, fishing for team Sea Beam who also took the win.  Congrats to all anglers weighing in fish under challenging conditions. 
The next Joey’s event is scheduled for 3 May, on Albert Falls Dam.  Alberts hasn’t been fishing at all well for some time now,  but anglers are currently pre-fishing / testing the water, and reports are filtering through that there are plenty baitfish, and some good fish around.  
Mearns Dam has apparently been fishing well of late, with local angler Xander McCarthy getting some good fish. 
 
The carp have also showed up for Easter, with some good fish coming out of Midmar.  Local angler Conner Dickason reports picking some excellent fish, with one over the 4kg mark. 
 
The fishing at Sterkfontein Dam has slowed for the yellowfish after a great season, but there are still fish to be had, reports guide David Weaver.  The fishing being totally dependent on the weather … have a good hot day with clear skies and you catch fish, so weather-watching and timing is all important as the season closes out.  Hoppers were the pattern of the of the season, the Good Drs’ Purple Beetle still performed well, along with ant and caddis patterns. 
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.   
 
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Please send any info about fishing or fish caught in your area to Vinesh Soogreem – vineshs@kingfisher.co.za