Getting HOOKED

FISHING has been phenomenal on all fronts. The weather has been kind and the sea has obliged. The sardines are still around in full force and this is by far the best run we have experienced in many years.

What amazing fishing we have been experiencing over the last week. Most of the reports that have come in have featured the words, “I beat my PB”.

There have been edibles and inedibles of mammoth proportions coming out all along the coast. An outstanding pompano was recently landed and released by Paul Badenhorst. This fish measured 92cm and gave Paul a great fight after being released to make someone else’s day.

The North Coast may not have the sardines, but Daiwa ambassador Dean Reddy has been showing us that this doesn’t mean there are no fish around. Dean has been landing some great edible fish along the North Coast of KZN.

All the usual suspects have been coming out. Catface rockcods, lemonfish, speckled snappers, cavebass and eel-tail barble have been the major contributors to the fish being caught. Make sure that you have enough chokka and sardine/mackerel in your bait box to keep your session going. Also, pack light enough to keep yourself mobile and have lots of water as, although it is winter, the heat up north can still drain you.

The central zone has for a change been the quiet zone. Anglers have either been fishing with the sardine action or away from the sardines. The central zone has had a small share of action with edibles making up all the reported catches.

Pompano, shad and stumpnose have been the main fish coming out on the beaches and the piers. Baits producing the bits have been Jap macs and sardines for the shad while prawns, chokka and cracker shrimp have been producing the pompano and stumpnose bites.

Once again the south has had all the action. This is due to the sards staying in large numbers on the South Coast. There have been some gigantic sharks and edible fish caught. Some of the highlights include a giant 261kg grey shark landed by Daiwa Ambassador Rorke Hamilton.

This fantastic catch was landed in just over two hours and was hauled out on the Daiwa Saltist 8-12oz (35 litres) rod paired with the Daiwa Saltiga Dogfight LD60.

Other great catches include numerous sharks over 2.5m in length and 200kgs in weight. Another Daiwa Ambassador, Dean Pretorius broke the 240kg mark with an awesome grey shark, Dean was using his Daiwa Saliga Dogfight LD60 reel filled with 80lb (36kg) Daiwa J Braid and a Poseidon heavy rod, this fish was landed at Splash Rock, Port Edward in just 25 minutes.

Another angler on form is Daiwa Ambassador Tyrin Bayne who has been landing giant after giant with his Daiwa Saltist Elite rod paired with a Daiwa Saltiga Dogfight grinder.

There is a fish out there with your name on it – your favourite Kingfisher store has all the tackle and accessories that you need to keep the Winter Blues at bay, so pop in to tackle up and get the latest and best info straight from the fish’s mouth! Tight lines and screaming reels to all this weekend.

The Kingfisher YouTube Fishing channel features new content every Monday to Friday at 10am.

Please send any info about fishing, fish caught or competitions in your area to mike.pereira@kingfisher.co.za