Geelbek action off the Bluff
Sodwana has produced excellent catches of Sailfish, most of these fish have been caught on lures such as jet heads and feathers. Boats fishing at the 100m mark seem to be most successful.
Maphelane is still providing anglers with lots of fun with Snoek, Couta and a Wahoo here and there.
Zinkwazi has been a Couta hot-spot over the last week with decent reports of fish up to 32kgs.
Westbrook, Seabell and Umdloti all produced excellent catches of Couta, very few of which weighed less than 15kg. Paddle-skis have enjoyed most of the success in these areas. Most local anglers have got in on the Tuna action on the Barge, using live bait. The technique is simple for this style of angling. The live bait is rigged with a single 5/0 to 8/0 Mustad Hoodlum size 4 VMC treble or even a Mustad size 6/0 circle hook. The bait is then fed down to the desired depth and only the ratchet with a light drag is set. Once the bait is taken, the Tuna should be allowed to run off the mark to eliminate any chances of a tangle with other anglers' lines. This style of angling can be done on all bait marks and wrecks. Along with the Tuna, catches of big Bonito, Couta and Queenfish can be expected.
Durban has really been on top of its game when it comes to bottom fish. Excellent catches of Rock Cod and general Reds have been seen on charters and private boats. Good catches of Geelbek and Daga have been made at wrecks off the Bluff and even on the Barge. Live Maasbunker and Mackerel have been the bait of choice. If the bait is not live, try use the flapper bait presentation. The bait is filleted from tail up on both sides, but the fillets are left attached to the head of the bait, the spine is then removed, leaving the head with two flapping fillets. The hook is fed through the mouth as normal.
Sportswave teammates, Andre Bloem and Alain Tardin, are hoping for good fishing at Quattro King of the Sea on 24 and 25 May.
Andre and Alain will be rivals at Pumula.
The target species for the competition are wahoo, couta, Natal snoek and yellowfin tuna.
(File Photo:Gallo Images)
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre @ECRSportswave