Kob biting well in Richards Bay

Kosi/Vidal/Maphelane - Kosi seems to have gone a bit quiet with the bigger fish, and has had an explosion of smaller species, this can still be fun on lighter tackle. No sign of the Wave Garrick slowing down as yet. On the inedible side of things, swim baiters are having luck, mainly with Black Fin and Zambezi Sharks. Cape Vidal has been seeing many Shad, mostly undersized, caught at first light and late in the evenings. For this type of fishing, bait will almost guarantee a bite faster than a spoon due to the smell it releases into the water which helps the fish locate the bait quickly. A spoon however, can work through more water, covering a wider area, it also is easier to use as there is no bait to be handled and prepared, and on some days a spoon will be on the Shads wish-list. So take bait and spoon, because we never know what the Shad will be feeding on until we are there. Vidal has also been producing some Speckled Snapper off the reefs. These fish great fighters especially on light tackle, and good table fair. Remember, if they are on the bite, stick to your limit.

Richards Bay - The harbour has produced lots of small Kob, mainly on fishy baits such as Red eye and Sardine baits, but the odd Kob will also take its chances with Prawn or Cracker. Good reports of Kingfish in the harbor too. These reports comprise mainly of Black Tip Kingies and Big Eye Kingies, but the odd Yellow-Spot Kingie has also been seen. From the surf, there have been many Grunter catches varying in size. The majority of catches have been ranging between 1kg and 3kgs. Remember the size limit is 40cm.  When weather conditions permitted, the Brown Skates were on the bite and took mainly bloody Red Eye baits and Prawn baits.

Zinkwazi - This area has been fished a lot over the last week and has produced fish, mainly Brown Skates, Grey Sharks and three spot Pompano. As the water conditions improved, more fish were caught.

Salt Rock/Ballito - Salt Rock fished well over the last week and the weekend, with many Kingfish and Snoek being landed on small Kingfisher Pro Jet spoons, mainly in the Glow pink colour. The bigger, brighter spoons seemed to have been ignored. This is common in clean water and an angler should always downsize the spoon or use a more natural colour. Boulder Bay saw a few Grey Sharks and many smaller Shad. Grey Sharks love a Shad cutlet, so if the Shad are on the bite and they are of size, make use of this awesome bait.

La Mercy/Virginia/ Umhlanga - Anglers using Aqua Cats have landed some nice Zambezi Sharks and the odd Black fin Shark on bigger baits such as a Snoek head, Tuna head and whole Chokka. Virginia treated a handful of anglers to some big Shad, caught on Salt Water Shad traces with Japanese Mackerel or Sardine. Umhlanga Lighthouse has been on the quiet side, only producing fish for a few patient anglers. These anglers caught a few Shad on top bung, Grey sharks on Shad traces and Brown Skates on Sea Lice, Chokka and Red eye baits.

Durban - Most anglers fishing off the Piers have been troubled by Shad when fishing for other species, resulting in a hookless trace. Most of these Shad have been undersized. There are other fish such as Pompano and Stump nose in the area but the Shad have been getting to the baits first.
Off the beaches, Shad have been more elusive than on the piers, but there have been a good few catches of Pompano, Stumpnose and Grunter, mostly caught on Sea lice or Prawn baits. The Brown Skates have been scarce due to the lack of North Easterly winds.

Umkomaas – This area has been relatively quiet, with the exception of Snapper Salmon and Brown skates at the ledges.

Scottborough Point - Produced some nice Kingfish on spoon and McArthy 4"Paddle tails, but other than that, quiet with only Grey Sharks up to 8kgs being landed.

Hibberdene - Has seen some better sized Shad coming out more frequently over the last week, and a good few Stumpies too.

Munster - Some excellent scratching recently, with the abundance of Stone Bream, Black tail and Shad, we have also had some excellent reports of Bronze Bream caught on Prawn baits.   

(File Photo:Gallo Images)

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