St Lucia shad and snoek action

Kosi Bay has had some good catches of edibles throughout the week, and apart from slightly rougher conditions on the weekend stopping a few anglers from fishing, the fish still fed well. Kingfish, garfish, wave garrick, stumpnose and a few rock salmon were caught on bait as well as artificials with the garfish being plentiful off the sandbanks. The other fish such as the kingfish have been caught on drop-shot and spoons. Many anglers have opted for the 10ft rod and reel combos in this area as the fish have been a more manageable size. A 10ft rod will often load up easier, thus flicking a smaller spoon or lure better than an 11ft option. The same size reel that is used on the 11ft rod can be used on the 10ft rod, but would perform better with a lighter braid fitted to the spare spool. For a 10ft outfit being used for species such as Natal snoek and shad, a lighter braid as low as 10lb can be used. A casting leader of around 30lbs can be used to avoid fraying or braid cuts. This diameter will allow for the angler to cast much greater distances. For those who like to play it safe, anything between 20lb and 30lb will do well. A good all-rounder will be between 20lbs and 25lbs. For heavier species such as kob, garrick and kingies which are usually targeted around rocks, 30lbs and above will do the trick. An 11ft rod will do a better job than a 10ft when it comes to casting a larger lure with heavier braid. On the bait side at Kosi Bay, small white baits have worked well for smaller edibles such as kingfish and pompano.

Down towards Cape Vidal and St Lucia, the spinning continues to produce good catches. This time with excellent catches of snoek and shad. Larger shad have been caught and although not as plentiful, are still making a good account of themselves. The snoek are seemingly endless and have been rather large compared to the previous weeks at 4-7kg. The main reason why the anglers have made such good catches is that the snoek have been much closer to shore and have been well within casting distance. Once again a faster retrieve has been preferred.   

Maphelane has seen good shad fishing in the bay and in certain spots towards Crayfish Point. Between the shad anglers have been able to pick off the odd snoek too, as well as grey sharks for those who have been fishing with bait. On the edible fish front, not much more than the odd stumpie and cave bass has been landed.

Richards Bay had a fair week of fishing, seeing the harbour fishing as well as the surf has been. The harbour had a decent run of garrick and other edibles such as grunter. The surf side also saw good fish ranging from grey sharks, garrick, kob, shad and grunter.

Amatikulu saw plenty of shad being caught on bait throughout the week, with spoons producing a fraction of the bites. Japanese mackerel and Natal sardines have caught many of the larger fish.  

Tugela is still fishing well, dishing out kob and a few garrick on live bait. Shad seem to have moved in and are feeding well. Spinner sharks are also more likely to pick up the shad traces or other baits cast into the wrong spots.

Ballito has been one of the snoek angler’s favourite spots over the last week, producing some good fish early in the mornings.

On 1 August The Kingfisher started their annual Biggest Shad Competition. This year it will be run over a two-month period, August and September, with three prizes each month. The heaviest shad for each month will receive a Daiwa SL 50SHK Reel, valued at R1625, the second heaviest shad will receive a 13’6” Kingfisher Coastline Medium, three-piece, 4-6oz Graphite Rod, valued at R1145 and third heaviest shad will receive a Daiwa AG 6000 Reel valued at R598. Please note that all shad (fresh) must be weighed at either, The Kingfisher, 53 Hunter Street or Tackle Centre, Old Fort Road or The Fishing Tackle Shop, Warner Beach during trading hours.

Please remember there is a bag limit of four and the minimum size is 30cm and that the season closes 30 September and re-opens 1 December 2015.

(File Photo: Gallo Images)

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