Weather conditions eased enough last week to allow a reprieve for anglers.

Northern and southern winds at the weekend did spoil angling to some extent, but on Sunday conditions turned perfect at first light, with excellent fishing the result.

Ocean temperatures remain just above 21 degrees Celsius, but feels warmer.

With most fish on the bite, it is disappointing that most of Durban’s popular angling beaches remain closed up to Westbrook owing to E. coli contamination.

Anglers are, however, excited over the early arrival of summer fish, with local anglers keeping a close watch on the South Coast where shad, garrick and the odd big ray were on the bite.

Despite fishing being more quiet up north, some decent edible fish were still caught.

Bait fish, mostly red eye sardines, were spotted moving north out of range of rock and surf anglers.

Rocky outcrops continue to yield good results for copper bream, but catches appear to be dwindling.

The South Coast shared similar news with increased catches, including brusher and lantern bream.

The Sandpit at Port Shepstone has seen good salmon catches by anglers using paddle tail lures.

Two-metre swells have brought to shore some big stumpies, some weighing over 6kg.

Margate has come alive again after two big diamond rays were hauled in.

At Blue Lagoon and Durban north beaches shad are still being poached, but nice sized brusher were active.

The Ballito, Salt Rock and Sheffield rocky areas continue to spoil anglers with the number of copper bream being caught.

Sheffield has produced the most number of bronzies.

Catches have included lantern and stone bream, and also the odd big stumpie.

Boulder Bay has also seen poaching of shad and anglers ignoring catch limits.

Offshore angling was good at the backline of Zimbali and Tongaat, with some garrick caught.

Reports also included catches of snoek, with a higher likelihood of catching them at Selection Beach in Umdloti.

Hopes are high for dorado to increase in numbers any day now.

Most anglers continue to focus on bottom reefs when currents allow.

Catches have included cracker, rock cod, reds and Scotsman.

The use of lures deep at sea has seen anglers rewarded with big yellowfin tuna.

Sealice