Cape Vidal bonefish action

Kosi Bay has been fishing quite well over the last few days, with bigger sharks and honeycomb rays coming out on a regular basis. Edible fish species of all types were landed over the weekend and some very nice kingfish were also caught. Plugging seems to be the more exciting method of catching these kingfish. However the smaller fish seem to get to the lures first, making live baits and larger slide baits the better option for the bigger more aggressive kingies.

Cape Vidal has produced an impressive amount of bonefish and three-spot pompano, while the spinning enthusiasts were kept well busy catching smaller kingies, mainly bluefin and blacktip kingies. The odd blackfin reef shark has been landed at night on live baits such as blacktail or even bonefish.

Maphelane has had a much better showing of shad, which seem to be making pests of themselves by eating any bait that hits the water, irrespective of size. Even live shad have been eaten by other shad in some cases. In situations like this, unfortunately the only thing one can do is relocate to areas which have not seen shad activity. There will be more edible fish in these areas but not as many gamefish, which generally follow the shad. If it is your wish to catch these smaller shad all day long, then the right choice would be small spoons such as the Toby spoon, and remember to practice catch and release. Be sure to remove the original treble hooks from your spoons and fit them with the suited size of Mustad Tarpon C68 single hook, which will be the absolute best bet for any style of spoon, boasting the ability to be packed away without washing and still not rust, it is the perfect option for youngsters who struggle to look after their tackle.

Richards Bay has seen more than enough milkies, by any standards. There are few fish that get to the bait before these fish latch on and ruin a well-presented offering. The bay itself has impressed many anglers with its diversity, mainly during the day on spinning tackle for those who seek gamefish. Kingfish and springer have been more than active for many anglers using small top water lures and smaller spoons. Some big shad were also caught in the bay close to the Caesarians over the weekend, along with some other smaller gamefish.

Salt Rock and surrounding areas has been productive recently, but over the weekend more so than before, with a good amount of stumpies and blacktip kingies being landed on throw baits. The kingies have also been hooked on spoons and McArthy drop-shot early in the mornings.

Ballito anglers have been treated to one or two duckbill rays and the odd grey shark, including one of around 10kg landed by Richard Weaver, a visitor from Trinidad in the West Indies. Most anglers throwing small blob baits for stumpies and pompano have been picked up by smaller brown skates, as well which are always welcomed on light tackle.

Westbrook has been relatively quiet of late, but has seemed to turn on over the last week or so, with some good sized bonefish coming through at over 2kg, caught on soft and juicy chokka baits. A few stumpies and larger blacktail have been caught on the same baits. A few spinner sharks have been landed in the evening too.

(File Photo: Gallo Images)

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