#FishEagle: Murky water cause angler annoyance

A new year awaits, and here’s hoping everyone had enjoyable Christmas and New Year weekends.

Last year was pretty cool over the Christmas weekend with beaches quieter than usual.

The New Year weekend was warmer and New Year’s day was great with light winds and sunny skies.

Surf angling conditions were not always favourable over the holiday periods with dirty sea water the biggest problem.

There were also times when the winds had turned the surf mushy.

The early morning periods were still popular with anglers and most of the popular angling beaches were pretty crowded at first light.

In some areas the usual small shad produced interest but these fish do not remain on the bite for very long, so one had to make sure lines were in the water before dawn.

Normally, during this period of the year, surf angling can be frustrating with little happening, and when the rivers flood out to sea weeds become a problem and on some days anglers have to beware of blue bottles which arrived in their thousands.

The warm water brought bull mullet on the bite along sandy beaches with wave garrick and juvenile stumpies.

Fishing for these species can be difficult as the fish usually feed in the shore break and anglers must use small hooks with mullet that are shy feeders.

Anglers targeting larger inedible fish had some success in catching sharks, plus the odd summer flatfish. Now is the time to use the deep water rocky points and target the kingfish that cruise these areas.

A live bait is the best way to go, but casting lures such as poppers can produce a pull as well.

I believe that an angler fishing at Zinkwazi landed a nice queenfish when targeting the kingies.

Many anglers will now put their rods and tackle away until the next shad season, so the beaches are normally a lot quieter.

Offshore anglers have been pretty busy, targeting game fish and several couta, dorado and tuna were boated during the past 2 weeks.

I saw many Tweets just before Christmas by people boasting of fresh couta fillets as starters for Christmas lunch.

Some of the launching beaches are used by the public, of course, so there are days that boat anglers stay away because historically the crowds are a problem for anyone who wants to negotiate the surf when returning from a fishing trip.

Every year there is a problematic event during the Christmas and New Year period, sometimes involving a member of the public. This year I saw a video of a boat sitting on the rocks at Rocky Bay on the South Coast.

Unfortunately, dirty water has been a problem for those who wanted to fish the inshore game fish areas as it attracts an increase in shark activity.

The guys fishing the dirty water line where it meets clean water have landed some big yellowfin tuna and I believe there have been plenty of bonito about as well.

Most skippers have opted to fish deeper in the clean water where dorado can be found along with billfish, mainly sailfish.

Skippers have mentioned there are still plenty of live bait to be found, but small shad have destroyed U-Zuri bait rigs in record time at some areas.

Red eye sardines can be caught close inshore, especially just after first light, and these fish are a must for those who want to fish the bottom reefs for the big rockies and the cracker.

During the holidays I saw a couple of big yellowbelly and captain fine rock cod and I believe there have been some big soldiers found in some areas as well.

When the sea and weather conditions allow, those who travel out deep will find big trawlies on the bite as well.

Surf launch conditions are sometimes not ideal at this time of year and this is caused by the fresh north-easterly winds.

If skippers are not happy with the surf, it is best to leave fishing for another days and not try to force a launch which can cause injuries and damage to equipment.

For breaking news follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Join our Telegram Broadcast Service at: https://t.me/joinchat/yJULuN8NaCs5OGM0

Join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service: Simply add 082 792 9405 (North Coast Courier) as a contact to your phone, and WhatsApp your name and surname to the same number to be added.