#FishEagle: The early bird catches the shad

Early morning anglers are still catching shad at first light, and some big fish were caught all along the coastline.

First light is just after 4am at present, and it is advisable to be on the beach and have one’s tackle ready by at least 3.30am just in case the shad decide to feed early, then disappear as the grey of dawn arrives.

Some anglers said the shad still preferred Japanese mackerel above all other fillets, or whole sardines, but a couple of anglers fished with bonito fillets.

They said they were catching shad ‘shot-for-shot’ as they put it.

Some nice stumpies are being caught in the dark at several of the popular angling spots, and a variety of baits can be used to target these fish.

Anglers trying for shad have hooked and landed nice stumpies, while others using crab and chokka baits have also caught a couple.

With discoloured water around in several areas, sharks were expected to feed inshore and several grey sharks are now being caught regularly during the early evenings.

When the sharks go on the bite, there is little chance of anglers catching edible species, but friends of mine managed a couple of nice grunter despite this.

It is time now to change tactics and target the summer flatfish, but one should ensure that tackle is adequate before targeting big rays and sand sharks.

Anglers should remember to return these fish alive and unharmed to the water so they can live to fight another day.

The summer flatfish are more numerous further north but a few rays have been landed from local sandy beaches.

With the water temperatures around 24 degrees, there is every change that pompano can put in an appearance earlier than usual.

The summer game fish season has begun and already there have been some really nice fish landed by boat and surf ski anglers.

Although fishing has been productive recently, further north the local game fishing angling spots have begun to produce results. I heard that a few nice sized couta have been boated off the Bluff and at Zinkwazi.

In between there have been plenty of big yellowfin tuna, lots of dorado both big and small, plus the odd wahoo. The water at sea has not always been on the angler’s side, but this is pretty normal for the season.

Charter skippers seem to be on a roll and there have been plenty of happy customers.

Most of the guys that book charters prefer to fish on the bottom, but there are those who want to target billfish which can be found off Durban at present.

Already a number of billfish have been caught, and although it has been mostly sailfish, there have been a couple of marlin as well.

Normally, at this time of year, anglers can expect to catch striped or black marlin, and the tendency is to release the fish unharmed.

When fishing from the rocks or from the beach, holidaymakers should watch the locals and take advice from those that visit the beach on a regular basis. The local tackle shops give good advice as to what tackle or bait to use.

During Christmas time, holidaymakers should ensure that their property is well looked after while they enjoy themselves.

There are always those that look for any sign of weakness, then strike, ruining someone’s holiday.

Vehicles parked at the beach are always an easy target for criminals, so one should not park at quiet areas, also avoiding going to the beach alone when fishing during early mornings or late evenings.

Have a happy and safe Christmas and may 2022 be a better, and more prosperous year.