From tournament triumph to local tuna runs, it was a week of highs for anglers along the coast.

Favourable sea conditions and good weather headlined a successful S.A.D.S.A.A. Heavy Tackle Billfish Inter-Provincial Tournament at Sodwana Bay from Monday to Friday. Winds typically picked up after lunch over the tournament window, but mornings produced good returns.

Blue and black marlin, striped marlin and sailfish were all caught and released, earning valuable points for their respective teams. Although fishing was slow at times and patience was required between strikes, Upper Gauteng Red emerged victorious in what was a well-organised event.

Closer to home, offshore anglers made the most of calm seas and hot, humid conditions during the week. The water was described as “clean green” with better, clearer patches found further afield. Those who searched were rewarded with big barracouta, dorado and wahoo, along with sizeable yellowfin tuna in the cleaner water. Notable catches included wahoo between 16-18kg, solid dorado on bait and lure and several good couta.

A weekend front brought four-metre swells and two-metre waves on Sunday morning, keeping boats ashore. Anglers are optimistic that fishing will improve once the sea settles, especially with the big competitions looming.

Shoal couta have been active in shallower areas, while snoek remain present. There is some concern that river water pushing into the sea could affect the inshore grounds.

Bottom fishing continues to produce quality fish. Soldiers, various rockcod species, captain fine and amberjack have featured regularly, while musselcracker have been landed in recent months. Kawa kawa (jobfish) numbers are expected to increase on the reefs soon.

Shore anglers have enjoyed excellent sport from sand sharks, diamond and honeycomb rays and brown skates. Grey sharks are still around but less prolific. Edibles have included shad, stumpies, pompano and the odd grunter, with early mornings best for shad. Umhlanga, Umdloti and Ballito remain productive.

The South Coast rivers are in flood, making travel south inadvisable. Locally, conditions should improve this week.

It was sad to learn of the thousands of fish being found dead or dying in the Umhlali River last week. The news has created quite a stir and hopefully the cause is identified and normality restored soon.

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