Big garrick, hefty stumpies and productive shad fishing have kept North Coast anglers busy despite unsettled early spring conditions.

The start of this week should offer ideal conditions, but a north-easterly wind forecast for later in the week is likely to spoil the party. Sea temperatures of around 20°C remain ideal for winter edibles.

River mouths have produced good garrick by day and large salmon at night, with live bait accounting for many of the better fish. Rough conditions have made fishing difficult, although persistent anglers have landed some excellent catches. Lures and spoons have also produced results in turbulent surf.

Rough water can favour stumpnose, brusher, shad and blacktail. Several stumpies weighing more than 5kg have been landed recently, while large blacktail approaching 1kg remain plentiful. Brusher, however, have been scarce.

Rock and surf anglers will soon be looking north for grunter ahead of the species’ annual spawning season, as well as the first large inedibles.

There has been little sign of big rays and sandies yet, but it is still early.

With the shad season closing at the end of September, anglers have only a few weeks left to target this popular species. Fishing remains productive at many venues, with Ballito continuing to perform well, particularly around first light.

Recent winds have created sandbanks at some spots, restricting fishing to high tide.

Offshore fishing has been disrupted by large swells, strong currents and cold bottom water. Geelbek are being caught in deeper water, mainly at night, while daga salmon, red fish and rockcod continue to feature. Sea barbel have become troublesome on inshore reefs.

Backline garrick and snoek fishing has been affected by discoloured water near river mouths. The stretch from Umhlanga Rocks to Blue Lagoon remains productive for garrick, including fish weighing more than 15kg, with encouraging numbers being released.