Bites, boats & big wins on KZN's coastline
A wild Freedom Day weekend saw anglers across the province reeling in quality catches, with perfect conditions and some headline-making moments on and off the water.
KZN's coastline came alive over the Freedom Day long weekend, delivering outstanding fishing conditions and an impressive variety of catches across the province.
In the latest episode of the 'Angler News South Africa' podcast, host Vinesh Soogreem breaks down all the top action, including one of the most exciting tournament wins Durban’s seen in a while.
The South Coast produced standout results, with anglers hauling in cuda, snoek, dorado, kob, bronze bream, grunter, and even a few early garrick—despite dirty water in some areas. Mid and North Coast anglers found opportunities too, although windy weather up north made things slightly tougher for offshore boats.
All eyes were on Durban for the annual Ski Boat Festival, where Gareth Brockett made waves—literally—after registering just ten minutes before entries closed. He went on to land a massive 29.8kg cuda from a tiny boat, taking home a fully rigged prize package worth R920,000.
It's been a weekend to remember for anglers across the province.
Listen to the latest Angler News South Africa podcast episode at the top of the page or below.
Meanwhile, anglers looking for deeper stories and expert Q&As can check out the debut episode of The Deep Dive—a new podcast hosted by Vinesh, now streaming on all major platforms.
Listen below.
About Vinesh Soogreem
Vinesh Soogreem is a legend in the South African fishing media scene. With over two decades under his belt, he's not just an angler who's explored the KZN waters extensively, but also a passionate communicator who's shared his knowledge through books, magazines, and now podcasts and social media. Vinesh lives by the motto "Fish for the future", reflecting his dedication to both the sport and conservation.
Vinesh's authority on KZN fishing is unmatched. Actively involved in the community since the '90s, he's competed at club and social levels, covered major angling competitions, and earned the trust of the media during the Sardine Run. He currently serves as the National Media Liaison for the South African Surf Casting Association, solidifying his reputation as a key figure in the South African fishing scene.
