Shad season closes soon as KZN coast serves up a mixed weekend
It’s a mixed weekend on the KZN coast, with warm temperatures, afternoon thunderstorms and clean three-to-four-foot swells. Fishing expert Vinesh Soogreem says this is also your last weekend to target shad before the season closes.
It’s payday weekend, and the KwaZulu-Natal coastline is calling, but there’s a bit of everything on the cards for those heading outdoors.
Warm temperatures are expected along the coast, but scattered afternoon thunderstorms could make an appearance. Vinesh Soogreem says those heading out should keep their raincoats close, especially as the afternoon develops.
For surfers, Saturday morning is looking promising, with clean, manageable swells of around three to four feet and light offshore winds before the afternoon sea breeze arrives.
Good conditions for anglers
Anglers can also look forward to favourable morning tides, with good low tides exposing sandbanks and rough holes along the coastline.
Vinesh says garrick and cob have been lurking around the surf zones, while grunter are also around in the estuaries and harbour.
But there’s one important deadline for anglers to remember: this weekend is the last chance to target shad before the season closes at the end of the month.
Once the season closes, anglers are reminded to respect the closed season and continue following the relevant bag and size regulations. As Vinesh puts it, it’s all about “fishing for the future.”
Missed Coast Watch on air this morning? Listen back here for Vinesh Soogreem’s full KZN coastal, surf and fishing forecast.
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 KwaZulu-Natal 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.
