Herald Fishing: Fisherman Craig battles with ‘a monster’
It was great sport, for the fishermen and the fans. Fortunately, the beautiful creature was released.
Crowds gathered on the rocks at Splash Rock in Port Edward where a number of fishermen were casting last Friday morning.
Philippa Makepeace reported that a lone figure could be seen hopping along the rocks from one side to the other, intent on reeling in his line.
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His rod was bending in a tight curve and some of the spectators had been watching local fisherman Craig Pretorius for more than two hours.
Eventually, with the assistance of brother Dean and a number of other burly men, a huge grey shark was hauled out of the water. Craig and the shark were both exhausted.
The shark was pulled into a tidal pool, measured and continually kept moving with water over its back until it was time for it to ‘go home’.
With ropes and the help of the incoming tide, the monster shark, which weighed more than 250kg, was dragged out to deep water.
As his tail fin started moving from side to side, the crowd erupted in applause. It was a truly exciting spectacle.
Finally, the shad have made an appearance and plenty are being caught all along the coast.
They’re biting at hot spots such as Pumula, Sea Park, The Block in Port Shepstone, Orange Rocks, Uvongo Pier, Margate Pier and Splash Rock in Port Edward.
Reports are in of a lot of bronze bream being caught.
Garrick are on the run. Spinning early morning with plugs or sliding a live bait might get you lucky.
The offshore action has been near the sardines, but this year’s run has been very shark heavy.
The Maistry Annual Rock and Surf’ Fishing Competition will be held on Thursday, August 9.
The competition is being held from Port Shepstone Sandspit (No 4) to Margate Pier. Starting time is 6am, finishing at 2pm and weigh-in will be at Action Sports Bar, Marburg at 2.30pm.
Entrance fee is R50 per person and tickets are available at Luckys Port Shepstone. Registration closes on Wednesday, August 8 at 4pm.
There are great prizes to be won, including R2 200 for the heaviest edible fish, second place R1 000 and third R800.
For further information contact Neville at 076 8485567.
Tight lines and screaming reels.
Tide Table
High tide
July
26 02.59 15.27
27 03.31 15.57
28 04.02 16.25
29 04.31 16.53
30 05.00 17.22
31 05.30 17.52
August
01 06.01 18.23
02 06.34 18.58
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