Big dorado congregating around ships at anchor and crocodile-sized barracouta have set the tone for an exciting early gamefish season along the North Coast.

Anglers who launched early last week were greeted by near-perfect sea and weather conditions, which held through midweek before a front brought rain, cooler temperatures and a building swell. Offshore fishing remained largely manageable, but weekend anglers faced limited opportunities as adverse weather closed the window.

Dorado have been the standout species, with some exceptional fish landed. They are spread along the entire coastline, from inshore waters to deep, but the outer anchorage off Durban has once again proven a hotspot. Fish up to 17kg have been reported, delivering top-class sport and confirming that the season is in full swing.

Early-arriving barracouta have also grabbed attention, with fish in the 30kg class taken on live mackerel. Water temperatures are sitting just above 25°C, most traditional couta areas are producing, and sharks have fortunately not been a major problem so far.

Wahoo have made an early appearance, as they did last season, with a few powerful fish already boated. Yellowfin tuna numbers appear to be building, shoals of bonito have been sighted, and Cape yellowtail have been caught in places. There have even been whispers of marlin and sailfish offshore.

Bottom fishing continues to deliver soldiers, slinger and large rockcod, although daga salmon are becoming scarce.

On the shore, the shad season has opened differently this year, with anglers surprised by the number of solid fish weighing 4kg and more. Early morning first light has been most productive, with some late-afternoon success as well. Tongaat, Umdloti, Ballito and Salt Rock have all produced fish.

Holiday anglers are advised to persevere at Boulder Bay, La Montagne in Ballito, north of the main beach at Salt Rock, near the Umdloti traffic circle, and further south at Durban View in Umhlanga.

Tight lines.

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