Anglers reel in dorado and tuna as waters warm up
Bottom fishing on the reefs remains fruitful, with red fish, rockcod, and the occasional geelbek salmon or cracker making up catches.
As December ushers in summer, anglers are gearing up for a change in tactics with rising humidity and warming waters.
Sea temperatures hovered around 24°C midweek, signaling the retreat of winter species and the arrival of prime summer fishing conditions. Last week’s weather was a mixed bag. A cold front brought rain and cool moments early on, followed by strong southerly winds that churned up rough seas midweek. However, by Saturday, calmer conditions returned as the winds shifted to the northeast. Clear skies and light breezes prevailed over the weekend, offering perfect fishing opportunities for both offshore and shore anglers.
Offshore action is heating up with dorado dominating catches. These widespread game fish are providing thrilling battles for anglers, alongside yellowfin tuna spotted in deeper waters. Notably, wahoo and even a few sailfish have been landed in the purple depths offshore.
Bottom fishing on the reefs remains fruitful, with red fish, rockcod, and the occasional geelbek salmon or cracker making up catches.
The shad season is now open, allowing legal catches of these prized fish. However, locating them remains challenging as the run nears its end. Early mornings and late afternoons are prime times, with hotspots including Tongaat River mouth, Boulder Bay in Ballito, and Tinley Manor. Dirty water in some areas has made the search more difficult, but anglers are keeping tabs on local reports to find the bite.
On the surf and rocks, rays and small sharks are plentiful, with honeycombs, diamonds, and greys keeping anglers on their toes. Sand sharks, though smaller, are also abundant. Mullet sightings in the shore break and wave garrick bites hint at exciting possibilities. However, swarms of tobies continue to frustrate anglers, stripping bait within seconds. These nuisances, while pesky, are part of the shad diet, potentially attracting larger fish.Rock anglers are seeing few
er copper bream as the season transitions, but decent-sized bronze bream, blacktail, and zebras offer consolation. Night anglers have landed the occasional big stumpnose, although salmon remain scarce. Some areas around La Mercy are struggling with dirty water from the Umdloti River, making conditions tougher for rock and surf anglers.
Looking ahead, weather forecasts predict light winds, favouring offshore anglers. With ideal conditions and water temperatures, the summer fishing season promises exciting opportunities for anglers along the coastline.
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