Large shoals of sardines at Port Edward and Margate proved that reports of this year’s run ending were premature.

Alongside other baitfish, the sardines were spotted close inshore on Friday, accompanied by flocks of diving birds, a promising sign for anglers. Their return capped off a successful week for rock and surf anglers across the KZN coastline, before a brisk north-easterly wind moved in over the weekend.

Shad were caught in good numbers at first light and are expected to remain plentiful until the season closes in September. Anglers report that the shad are feeding in the dark and disappearing with the first hint of daylight. North-easterly winds are forecast to continue this week, a favourable condition for shad chasers.

Brusher were also on the bite along both the South Coast and lower North Coast, with local anglers finding fruitful sessions at Tongaat, Ballito and Salt Rock. Targeting this hard-fighting species requires patience, but can be highly rewarding. Many anglers also hooked some large stumpie while targeting brusher.

It’s been a strong winter for salmon species, with Tugela Mouth proving particularly productive. Daga salmon, shoal kob and snapper salmon were all reported in numbers, drawn to the area’s offshore prawn banks. Garrick and shad were also caught regularly at Tugela last week, with the spot currently firing on all cylinders.

Garrick were similarly popular on the lower South Coast, and at Zimbali and Chaka’s High Rock on the North Coast. A variety of live baits – including karranteen, blacktail, pinkies and small shad – have all proven effective.

Offshore anglers have had mixed conditions over recent weeks, with strong currents and rough seas alternating with calmer spells. However, the reefs have delivered consistently and several catches will live long in the memory. A few big musselcracker were landed off Durban, along with two trophy-sized copper steenbras weighing in at 45kg and 24kg.

Bottom fishing continues to deliver a variety of red species, including soldier bream, Englishman and rockcod, as well as an increasing frequency of daga salmon. Half-kob are still being caught in certain areas, while anglers able to venture into deeper water have been rewarded with geelbek salmon.

North-easterly winds this week will likely bring choppy seas, and surf launches may be tricky.

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