Shad and bonnies at Blue Lagoon

Kosi Bay - Some big seas stopped most fair weather fishermen from taking part in their weekend rituals, with only smaller edibles being landed by the die hards braving the big seas. Some bigger bonefish have been landed in the area on small chokka baits.

Sodwana - Lots of edible fish have been landed in the Sodwana area, mostly stumpies and also plenty kingfish, bonefish and shad. Most of these edible fish have been caught on small red eye belly and chokka mix baits. Sand sharks up to 6kg that have also been landed were caught on chokka baits and also whole red eye. Excellent reports have been coming in from anglers using Mustads new Tarpon Signature Series, which have been used on small to medium sized throw baits. With an unbeatably sharp point and strength to match, these hooks are quickly becoming a favourite amongst rock and surf anglers as well as ski-boat anglers.

St Lucia - Anglers around St Lucia have been bombarded with shad of all sizes. Three-spot pompano have also been plentiful and being caught on prawn baits.

Richards Bay - This area experienced big seas most of the days last week and has had poor fishing. The bay itself, however, has been more rewarding and reports of good catches of kingfish and grunter have been coming through.

Tugela - This spot was kind to anglers in the beginning of last week, before the big seas rolled in. Garrick as well as kob came out on live shad slide baits and also McArthy Paddletails.

Zinkwazi - Lots of bait was present at Zinkwazi during the week, which comprised mainly of red eye sardine and mackerel. Fishing was good and many edibles and a few sharks were landed, but mostly in the late evening.

Ballito - A few lucky anglers have been able to land some garrick during the week in the Ballito area. There was also good fun to be had with the grey sharks which have been around 8kg.

Blue Lagoon - The shad are in full force again and have brought the bonito and wolf herring with them. A far cast will also get a snoek or two as they seem to be in the area again.  

Durban - Our piers have produced small skates and sand sharks and hundreds of shad. Most fish have been caught on sardine and many shad on Falcon spoons as well. Toby spoons have also worked extremely well, as they cast much better and have plenty of action. The talk of the town has been Durban beachfront. Addington produced plenty of grey sharks over the last week and mostly on light tackle as well. Vetch's Reef saw many anglers towards the end of the week and a variety of bigger edibles such as grunter and stumpnose were landed on red eye baits. Grunter have been seen shoaling around the North Pier in large numbers. A long cast with a neatly presented red eye belly should get a pull. In these situations it is sometimes better to use an 11'6 spinning rod such as the Exceler Elite 11'6 which has the ability to cast a 3oz sinker along with a decent bait with ease. The lighter rod will allow for better bite detection and also will be more forgiving on hook pulls whilst fishing with braid.

Bluff - This area seems to have gone a bit quiet over the last week with fewer shad being caught and only on the high tide. The kingfish seem to have gone off the bite for the time being, but reports of sightings in the shallows have come through.

Toti - With lots of up country visitors, the Inyoni Rocks area has been very busy. Not many fish have been caught despite the crowds. shad and grey sharks have been on the menu.

Umkomaas - Shad, grunter and kob have been feeding sporadically. Very nice to hear reports of kingfish in the area as well. The settling sea should see more big shad landed.

Scottburgh - Point has been producing some good fish, but unfortunately lost pace into the bigger seas. Shad have still been landed on spoon and grey sharks on mackerel or whole red eye.

Port Edward - Shad are being caught on a daily basis and in good numbers. A few kob up to 20kg, a musselcracker and a number of garrick  have been caught. During the week, sardines in small pockets have been seen passing the waterfront and the sea is alive with gamefish providing a spectacle for onlookers. Some feel that the small shoals of sards are better for rock and surf angling as the shad and gamefish are not drawn away by the large shoals passing by. Thanks to Terry Nel from Tacklenet for this news from the lower south coast.

(File Photo:Gallo Images)

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