Angling Report: The sardines are still big news down South

Cold weather moved in at the weekend as a big-cold front moved up the coast but fortunately the front did not cause the sea to become too rough and the rock and surf anglers managed to find reasonably good fishing conditions. The fishing conditions were quite good for most of the week and although some local anglers spent time on the beach, most of the action took place down South again.

The sardines are still big news down South and some anglers said that this year was one of the better seasons of recent times. I saw a video last week that showed bronze whaler sharks chasing sardines right onto the sand of the beach and then using the backwash of the waves to return to the sea.

Anglers fishing in the vicinity of the sardines enjoyed some hectic action at times with big sharks being hooked plus there were a few big edibles landed as well. One angler fought a really big pompano that was eventually landed then returned alive to the water plus there were garrick, shad and even daga salmon caught in some areas. When the sardines move close inshore, one cannot be sure what to expect as species such as barracouta, snoek and even the tuna move in to feed.

Deep sea anglers also enjoyed some excellent fishing last week down South with a variety of game fish plus some really decent sized bottom fish being caught. The sea conditions were not always favorable because of the swell at sea and the wind that pushed on some days. Even the surf ski anglers managed to get into the action when a couple of them caught decent sized wahoo in the deeper water. It is not easy to paddle out in an unsettled sea but these guys were rewarded for their hard work.

Most of the local surf anglers have been targeting the garrick and although they have to be patient, a couple of nice sized fish have been caught. Areas such as Blythedale beach, Chaka’s high rock and the Tongaat river mouth have produced fish at times but as yet, the garrick are still not about in great numbers. The shad are still elusive in local waters but there have been a few salmon and stumpies caught by anglers that have persevered and those fishing the rocky areas have managed to catch stone bream and the odd copper bream. Fishing from the shore is still hard work at present especially when the surf conditions are against anglers. At the weekend, the surf looked unpredictable with a South to North current and at sea there was a big swell with very unsettled water.

The Umhlanga and Durban North beaches have still not come to life and the fishing remains patchy although a couple of garrick have been landed by anglers using live bait. Most anglers are trying for shad but very few have been caught during the early morning periods and when a couple of shad are caught, a big crowd arrives the next morning. Friends tell me that some of the popular angling beaches are still sanded up even though there has been a Southerly current that normally removes the sand. So far this year, the fishing has been disappointing in this area but when speaking to anglers, they are optimistic that catches will improve and they say that they are waiting for the arrival of the shad in numbers.

The recent cold weather has meant that anglers fishing at night have done so in difficult conditions. The cold plus a rough surf has meant that anglers are spending only short times at the water’s edge and the result has been few fish caught. The tides this week will be more favorable and hopefully the weather a little warmer that will allow more time for angling and improved catches. At present, fishing in the dark could be the best proposition and the low tide periods will be the time to try for the garrick but one will need live bait for the best results.

Sealice

Send a photo of your catch to sport@northcoastcourier.co.za and share your success with all the ardent fishermen on the North Coast. Include the angler’s name and surname, species, weight (estimated or actual), where and when it was caught and what bait was used.

Who knows, you could win a R200 voucher from our sponsor for “Catch of the week.