Early winter fishing along KZN coast yields remarkable catches

Winter angling in Zululand has been exceptionally rewarding, with some impressive catches reported.

Pompano are being landed regularly, and anglers targeting cob at night have experienced great success. Among the most noteworthy catches were a pair of Indian mirror fish, landed by Chris Visagie and Keegan Heathcote in June.

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These rare fish are seldom caught from the beach, and to land two in one day is truly extraordinary. June saw the sardine run in full swing, with the main shoals moving along KZN’s upper south coast.

Areas like Umgababa and Amanzimtoti have been producing quality edible species in between the sardine activity. Anglers have reported excellent catches of garrick, blacktip kingfish, and even some sizable spotted grunter.

These have been caught using whole sardines as bait, or by casting plugs and spoons.

If you’re eager to join in the action, targeting cob off the beaches north of Richards Bay is a solid choice. Night fishing with chokka as bait tends to yield the best results.

Now that the winter solstice has passed, casting live mullet near river mouths is a promising strategy for those targeting garrick. Productive spots include New Mouth, Mtunzini and Amatikulu.

St Lucia has also been delivering, with beautiful couta (king mackerel) having been caught off the beach using live shad. It’s also a great location to target pompano, with sea lice or pink prawn proving to be effective bait options.

For those keen to sharpen their skills and connect with fellow enthusiasts, consider joining one of the angling clubs affiliated with the Zululand Shore Angling Association.

More information can be found on their Facebook page

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