Hooked on Fishing: Stick to the limits, guys
Geelbek have made an appearance on the South Coast.
FISHING has definitely picked up with shad biting at almost every spot along the coast. From Mtwalume to Port Edward, reports received are of shad being caught basically every morning and afternoon, with a couple of garrick and kingfish also being accounted for on the live-baits and spoons.
Orange Rocks in Uvongo has been producing some early morning action on the spoons and poppers with numerous garrick and kingfish being landed.
Reports from the Transkei coast, in particular Hole in the Wall, are of plenty kob being taken basically every day, with plenty of good-sized shad feeding almost the entire day.
Geelbek have made an appearance in the Port Edward area, with reports of some good catches being made.
However, reports have also been received of anglers witnessing fellow anglers taking more than their quota of two fish per person.
Please guys, let’s abide by the rules and try and stick to our limits. These migratory fish move up the coast this time of the year, sometimes in huge shoals where literally hundreds may be caught, hence the restriction been placed on recreational anglers of two fish per angler.
Some good catches of tuna have been made over the past week with the larger fish starting to take the popper. This is an awesome way of catching these fish as the strike is very visual, basically like a bass on steroids hitting a surface lure.
Last Friday we were fortunate to find some ‘couta birds’ working in the deep and took the opportunity of throwing large poppers which were almost instantly grabbed by some good-sized tuna of just over 20kg.
With slack current over the last couple of days, bottom fishing has been producing some good results with a couple of good-sized cracker being caught.
Mark Bennett, Tackle Box
Port Edward
Shad fishing is still the main activity in this town and the rocks in front are crowded most of the time. Shad are biting just about all day most days.
A fair-sized hammerhead shark was seen in among the bigger fish.
Garrick are also putting in an appearance, with one good-sized fish being taken on a spoon.
Other fish caught were blue skates, rock cod, eeltail barbel and cave bass.
While fishing a postal round competition as reserve, junior angler Josh Pretorius (13), the son of celebrity Dean, landed a 14,7kg blue skate which is a junior SA record. Looks like it runs in the family.
Terry Nel, Tackle Net
