The offshore game fish run has already turned into a standout season.

Dorado are abundant along the coastline, and most offshore anglers have caught at least one. These fish are attacking both baits and lures, offering spectacular leaps when hooked. This could be the best summer dorado run in decades, and it shows no sign of slowing down. Even a trap stick set while fishing for other species will likely catch one.

Although early in the season, a couple of crocodile sized barracouta have been caught, with some over ten kilos. There is no shortage of baitfish, a big plus. Popular couta reefs off Ballito, Stud Rock, La Mercy, and Umdloti have produced fish, as well as spots down the South Coast. Signs point to an excellent couta run this year, with hopes that sharks will be less of a problem.

Billfish anglers are also having a productive season. A few sailfish have been caught and released, and one surf ski angler even caught and released a sailie while targeting barracouta.

Out in the deeper water off Durban, marlin have also provided some excellent sport with striped, black and blue marlin all recorded caught and released. Sodwana Bay anglers have seen a number of large billfish caught and released.

Yellowfin tuna are now becoming more numerous and reports mention that there are plenty of bonito in the water so it seems as though the fishing grounds are alive with fish. The bottom anglers are catching the usual red fish species plus decent sized rockcod too.

Unfortunately the weather reports are not looking good for the week ahead, so there many be limited fishing opportunities.

Likewise this past week rock and surf anglers struggled to find edible fish last week, with rain and dirty water adding to the frustrations. Southerly winds spread the murky water over a wide area. These winds also caused the swell to build up to two meters at sea.

On a positive note, the water temperature rose to a warm 26.5 degrees, perfect for the summer offshore fishing season.

While fishing has been tough, a few shad were caught, with some decent-sized specimens. However, finding fish is always difficult at this time of year. Some anglers also reported catching stumpnose, though the bites have been few and far between.

There have been blacktail plus the odd small rockcod among the rocks but it seems as if the copper bream have now gone, with only a few caught down the lower South Coast.

Grey sharks revel in the discoloured water and are still plentiful along the coastline. A fillet bait is almost guaranteed to attract one. Big sand sharks have also been caught, with the smaller sandies giving way to their larger counterparts.

Large rays, particularly diamonds and honeycombs, have been providing great sport, especially closer to Durban.

Anglers should also watch out for bluebottles in the water, as they can easily get entangled in fishing lines. Being stung by a bluebottle can ruin one’s day.

Lastly, eThekwini council has closed the Blue Lagoon and estuary to anglers due to E. coli concerns. Anglers are urged to respect the temporary closure of this popular fishing area.

Tight lines.

Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.

Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.