Big shad action at Zinkwazi
Kosi Bay - This area has been relatively quiet and has produced a few edibles and smaller sharks. Edibles to be expected include stumpies, grunter and 3-spot pompano. The odd speckled snapper has been landed off the rocks on chokka throw baits and there have been some good catches of blacktip sharks around Bangla Neck on big dead baits and slide baits.
Cape Vidal - Reports suggest that this area and surroundings have been producing loads of flatfish. Most of these fish have been caught on medium sized throw baits such as mackerel head or chokka baits. Remember your length of 80lb Fishmate Carbon coated bite trace and strong hooks such as Mustad's O'Shaunessy Bait 6/0 or 8/0 as there is always a possibility of a toothy critter picking up your offering. There have been a few raggies and diamonds in the area as well, so be prepared with an outfit to handle a substantial fish.
Richards Bay - The Hlobane area has been on par with Cape Vidal in terms of the non-edibles. These fish have been a lot bigger than previously and seem to be more abundant. Anglers who have been sliding baits have managed a few pulls, as well as the anglers using grinder set-ups. The spinning set-ups are allowing for an easier cast, more direct hook set and less drag in the current. Thanks to the braid, this allows the angler to cast a small to medium sized bait the same distance if not further than anglers sliding baits.
Zinkwazi - This spot has had a fair amount of action with the likes of grey sharks and blue rays around. Edibles have been slow to bite, but have kept ticking and the shad have beaten most fish to the bigger fleshy baits and a decent number of larger specimens have been landed.
Ballito - The odd diamond skate has been landed on shad head off the beach section at Ballito and shad have been plentiful and the size has definitely increased.
Umhlanga - Lighthouse has been fishing extremely well over the last week, and despite the strong winds, has produced plenty of good sized shad. The edibles have been feeding well and have been taken on prawn and chokka baits.
Blue Lagoon - Locals have been stocking up on shad as the bite steadily increases throughout the month. Garrick have been sighted chasing shad and a few have also been hooked. Time for those live shad slide baits again. There have been good catches of blue rays and grey sharks off the rocks and the beach to the right of the point.
Durban - Grey sharks have been landed throughout the Durban stretch, off the piers and beaches. These have been targeted with grinder outfits and 50lb braid. When targeting these fish, there is always the possibility of hooking into a much larger fish where the problem is stopping the fish before it swims into the shark nets and cuts the line. This is why a reel with a strong drag such as the Daiwa Saltist 6500H is used along with 48lb Triple Fish Gatorbraid. This combo has more than enough stopping power and can be used for anything from shad to honeycombs. Along with the grey sharks off Durban, there have been good catches of blue rays, grunter, stumpies and also the odd kob.
Bluff - The odd shad has been coming out on the high tide on the Bluff, with more success being had on bait than spoon. There have been sightings of smaller kingfish in the shallows, committing only to smaller live baits.
(File Photo:Gallo Images)
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