Every year in June or July along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, once word gets out about sardines being spotted, crowds converge on the beaches to join the sharks, gamefish, and birds who feed on the little silver fish.
It is a time of plenty for everyone as large shoals of sardines move along the coastline. The progress of the Sardine Run is closely monitored by anglers who flock to the beaches and rocks to take part in excellent game-fishing.
One lucky angler, Shavin Smith (29) from Shallcross, Durban, landed a 397kg dusky grey shark in Margate recently. He decided to take along his fishing tackle after sardines had been netted at Lucien and Margate beaches about a week ago.
It took him just over two hours to land his catch, and with some help from a local fisherman, they managed to safely return the shark to the ocean.
Although tired, Shavin said it was one of his best catches ever. “The shark measured 305cm. I love fishing on the South Coast as I regularly visit my father, Vincent Victor Smith, in Manaba. I love game fishing, especially for the catch and release.”
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