Sardines bring in the fish along KZN coast
The KwaZulu-Natal school holidays have lined up perfectly with the sardine run, bringing exciting fishing action right along the coastline. From the North Coast to the South Coast, baitfish are attracting predators, and anglers are enjoying excellent catches.
In the latest Angler News South Africa podcast episode, Vinesh Soogreem and the crew report on the sardine run action and what's biting across all regions.
Rock and surf fishing
The North Coast is producing kob, garrick, stumpnose, and pompano as sardine activity triggers feeding frenzies. The central coast continues to deliver garrick, kob, shad, and grey sharks, and the South Coast is seeing good catches of garrick, kingfish, shad, and the occasional shark.
Staying mobile is key as conditions can change quickly.
Offshore fishing
Although recent rough seas slowed activity, anglers are still finding couta and snoek on the North Coast, with live bait proving most effective. Central coast boats are reporting steady snoek catches, while bottom anglers are finding kob and geelbek on the reefs. Further south, tuna have been the standout species, and wahoo are making occasional appearances around the deeper reefs and Aliwal Shoal.
Freshwater fishing
Cold conditions in the Midlands have pushed trout into spawning mode, making fishing more challenging but rewarding for patient anglers. Stillwaters continue to produce quality rainbow trout, while bloodworm patterns have been particularly effective. Bass fishing remains slow across Midmar and Albert Falls, although Inanda Dam produced impressive catches during the latest KZN Team Tournament Trail event, with the winning bag weighing 16.846kg.
For all the hotspots and detailed reports, listen to the latest Angler News South Africa podcast at the top of the page, or directly 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.
