There seems to be no end in sight for the historic game fish season.

Dorado continue to make up the majority of game fish species and some trophy sized bulls were hauled ashore last week. Barracouta were reported at Umdloti, while snoek and big wahoo have surprised anglers targeting other species. Tuna are becoming more plentiful and there are plenty of bonito in the offshore grounds too. Water temperature continues to hover around 25 and 26 degrees, so the season should continue to produce big fish.

The billfish season has also been plentiful, with marlin caught and released at Sodwana Bay and sailfish providing excellent sport off Durban. Live bait availability has been a plus, but lures have worked too.

After some months of being closed to sea, the St Lucia estuary is now open and fresh water is pouring into the ocean. Big sharks have been patrolling close to the channel and there should be some great fishing in the near future.

The recent Indian Ocean cyclone caused large swells last week and beaches in KwaDukuza and eThekwini closed for bathing, but it had moderated by the weekend.

Rock and surf angling was a little quiet, mostly yielding inedible fish and plenty of grey sharks. A few sand sharks and diamond rays were caught, but little else. Rough surf and discoloured water were cited as the reason by anglers.

A few decent copper bream were caught in Tinley Manor and further north at Mtunzini and reportedly some big shad and salmon (kob) were caught. A lot of salmon has been found at Tugela Mouth, while kayak anglers fishing for kingfish off Westbook also reported daga salmon on the bite.

Offshore anglers were otherwise limited by winds, swells and tricky launch conditions until the weekend.

The Durban beachfront piers used to be a hive of angling activity before fishing was banned. Many of the anglers argued that they were fishing for subsistence and that it was their only way to provide for their families. They asked to be recognised by government and it seems to have worked, because they have been issued with permits to fish and sell their catches.

The piers have always been a conflict zone between, anglers, surfers and members of the public, who have reportedly been barred entry by some fishermen and their cronies in the past. I wonder whether shad will remain on the non-commercial list and if size limits will be respected.

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