#FishEagle: Weather disrupts festive fishing

Variable weather again resulted in a poor start to the week, with heavy rains bringing in cool and wet conditions in some areas and dirty water flooding into the sea.

While fishing was slow out at sea, some of the guys did manage to find some big yellowfin tuna weighing in around 30kg.

A couple of big dorado were also caught but couta appear to be scarce.

Closer inshore, Durban anglers found the odd dorado on the bite among the ships and surf-ski anglers managed some big snoek while fishing near Tongaat and La Mercy.

Unfortunately, sharks were prevalent owing to the discoloured waters and with the cooler than usual waters fish were kept off the bite in some parts. One of the readings taken was as low as 21 degrees Celsius.

Deep sea anglers found fishing the bottom reefs rewarding, with some big rock cod, geelbek and daga salmon on the bite.

While fishing was hard work, some guys did manage to get into some really nice trawl soldiers and a few big Englishmen were boated, too.

Rock and surf anglers also reported slow action, with very few edible species caught. The odd big shad was landed but they have become few and far between.

The most productive areas at present appear to be near river mouths where some snapper salmon have been caught in the discoloured waters. There is no catch limit for snapper and they are a great table fish.

Surprisingly, there were a couple of daga salmon caught last week well up north, which show water temperatures were low.

A number of big sand sharks and diamond rays were caught last week from the sandy stretches, and because the water was discoloured the number of small sharks had increased as well.

Last week’s windy conditions made for difficult surf angling conditions, with the best periods proving to be the early mornings at first light.

Durban and its northern parts were also quiet last week, with just a few small fish being caught in the surf.

Fishing should improve from this week when seas moderate a bit and the water clears, but don’t write off fishing in the rough surf because stumpies enjoy these conditions.

Fishing in the bay continues to be productive with a number of big grunter being caught from the banks. A number of salmon had also been caught in the bay and big mullet are making an appearance as well.

As always, the occasional big shark is hooked on the banks and at present, a few big sand sharks have been caught, so there seems to be plenty to keep bay anglers happy.

Unfortunately, this year’s festive season is one best forgotten by anglers owing to the adverse weather and sea conditions.

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