Sizeable shoals of sardines continued to be hauled in along the South Coast last week, reaching Durban’s Bluff by the weekend.

After a slow start due to a midweek cold front, netters enjoyed improved conditions over the weekend, with major catches reported at Scottburgh, Umkomaas and Amanzimtoti.

Sharks and dolphins were particularly active among the shoals off Amanzimtoti.

Surf anglers focused their efforts near the sardine activity and reported excellent catches.

While there were some tough battles with large ragged-tooth sharks (raggies), anglers enjoyed good early morning hauls of shad and prodigal son, with a few G.T. kingfish offering thrilling sport.

Garrick have also begun arriving at traditional South Coast spots and another strong run is anticipated this year.

Cooler water and calmer seas have boosted activity in rocky gullies, with increasing catches of copper bream, lantern bream and stone bream, along with blacktail and karranteen.

The arrival of cold water may also signal the return of the hard-fighting brusher, a target species for many winter anglers.

In local waters, a few shad have been caught, though the bulk remain on the South Coast.

Shoals of large mullet have kept surf anglers engaged, while salmon and stumpnose are starting to show in selected areas.

Offshore, the bottom reefs have produced excellent returns with a wide range of species landed.

Big rockcod remain abundant, alongside good numbers of soldiers, slinger and half-kob, with signs of an uptick in daga salmon.

Though most anglers are targeting the bottom, the occasional big couta and snoek are still being landed.

Pockets of sardines are beginning to move into deeper waters and are expected to remain in the area for a while yet.

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