Getting HOOKED
THE shad season is now closed – and for good reason. This is the period when these fish spawn and anglers must refrain from catching this species as future stocks depend on them reproducing.
The closed season does not spell doom and gloom for anglers as there are plenty of summer species that have moved in along our coastline.
Here’s what went down over the past week:
ST LUCIA: Popular angling spot Black Rock produced some decent kingfish and wave garrick, landed on both spinning tackle and bait. Sharks and flatfish have been taking ground baits. Chokka, and red eye sardine baits are doing well here too.
CAPE VIDAL: A few black tip kingies were landed here. Baits, drop shot and plugs did the trick.
RICHARDS BAY: This had a good run of non-edibles over the weekend, with diamonds, honeycombs and sandies making an appearance. It provided hours of fun for anglers on heavy and light tackle. There were also a few raggies in the mix, which were of decent size. Throw baits as well as larger slide baits worked well here.
BALLITO: Most anglers who fished these waters went home with fish. A few snoek were landed on spoon, and grey sharks have been taking baits.
DURBAN BEACHFRONT: After a slow start to the week, anglers got into gear and managed a few decent-sized fish. Grunter was the main edible species caught, with cracker shrimps and sea lice the baits of choice. The odd spinner sharks, some greys and blue rays were caught off the pier.
DURBAN BAY: There’s an abundance of white shrimp and ginger shrimp huddled against the banks, bringing in sea pike, grunter and sand gurnards. A few shoal-sized grunter were caught near the Wilson’s Wharf bank on cracker shrimp.
BLUFF: Small kingies were caught here on dropshot as well as bait. Good catches of various rock cod species were reported towards Cave Rock and off the tidal pool, landed on sardine bait, mackerel head and also live bait.
AMANZIMTOTI: Apart from the odd flatfish, there was not much to report from here.
SCOTTBURGH: Quite a few grey sharks and the odd diamond ray were caught. Watch this spot as summer fish move in.
PORT SHEPSTONE: Apart from the odd bronze bream and small kob (in the 2kg-3kg region), not much was caught here.
PORT EDWARD: Garrick and yellowtail were the main species caught. Bronze bream are also on the bite and some good specimens (around 3kg) were landed. With shad season now closed, karanteen is the best choice live bait to use
Send any info about fishing, fish caught or competitions in your area to: ike.pereira@kingfisher.co.za.
Until next week… TIGHTLINES!