Improved sea conditions gave local anglers the upper hand last week, with cleaner water, calmer surf and longer fishing windows producing good action for both rock and surf enthusiasts.

After weeks of heavy surf, the ocean finally settled, allowing anglers to return to their favourite marks. Rock and surf anglers were rewarded with steady catches of brusher and copper bream, with a particularly fine brusher landed off Umhlanga. Several were also surprised by stumpies hammering baits meant for bream, while a few small bronze whalers added extra excitement.

The usual blacktail, karranteen and stone bream made up the balance of catches, though anglers say the bites remain patchy. Cooler water saw blue rays come on the feed along the upper South Coast and local beaches, providing some light-tackle entertainment.

As temperatures climb, inedible species are becoming more active, but the majority of sand sharks and rays landed have been small, with the bigger fish still holding further north. The discoloured water drew grey sharks inshore, keeping beach anglers busy – or frustrated, depending on who you ask.

There was also solid news on the salmon (kob) front, with one or two larger fish reported. The murky water proved perfect for salmon species, including daga and snapper salmon, which have both featured in recent catches. River mouths remain top kob venues, though Durban View, Umdloti and Westbrook have also produced big fish at night in the past.

Offshore anglers made full use of the calmer seas, with the reefs turning up a healthy mix of red fish, rockcod, daga and geelbek. South Coast crews fishing at night reported excellent geelbek hauls. A few musselcracker have also been boated, while the once-endangered seventy-four seems to be making a slow comeback, though all are still released unharmed.

With sea temperatures nudging above 21°C, early signs of the game fish season are already appearing. Blue bottles drifting in the surf hint that the Mozambique Current is moving closer and reports of dorado up north are fuelling offshore optimism.

At Sodwana Bay, the 2025 billfish season has kicked off with the SADSAA Light Tackle Interprovincial Tournament, marking the start of several weeks of high-stakes competition and plenty of excitement on the water.

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