Plenty tuna and couta on the menu

THE rock and surf fishing up north has been a mix of results. There have been edibles around which have been the most consistent fish to target.

The pompano and kob have been the two main targets. The river mouths have been the best spots. Smaller chokka and prawn baits on a longer hook snood will be the best bet for the pompano.

The kob are not as fussy but use some floatation and movement into the bait to get their attention. The two main spots have been the Tongaat River mouth and the Tugela River mouth.

The Durban coast has seen good fishing mostly in the basin area, roughly from the beach in front of Addington Hospital to the North Pier. The greys have been around this area with some bigger specimens landed. The rest of the catches have been flatfish.

A Mustad 9/0 circle hook will be the best general-purpose hook for the job.

The south has seen inedible action around the Umkomaas ledges, Illovo beach and the Toti beach. Much the same applies from the north and central zones in terms of baits. Look for the deeper water and you should get a pull.

The offshore fishing has been amazing! Gigantic couta have been landed.

The North Coast and the far north have been heavily fished recently. Sodwana and Cape Vidal have been full up.

The couta have been the main attraction and there have been some frantic billfish bites as well.

Live bait has been the most successful method for the couta although some have claimed the shiny walla-walla to be the best of the best.

Either way you slice it, the down rigged baits have been the most productive.

Durban has seen a lot of bigger tuna caught on all types of methods.

Trolling a skirted lure between your spots is the fastest way to catch them although lipped lures trolled at the correct speed for the lure is extremely productive. Fishing a live bait on a slow drift or under a balloon is another fantastic method.

The best method however has to be throwing surface lures. The explosion of a big tuna on a popper will get your hands shaking. Look at an 20000/8000 size Daiwa reel, 50lb Daiwa J-Braid or higher and either a Saltist 8ft6 dedicated popping rod or a multi-purpose 7ft.

The South Coast has also had its share of tuna and dorado but a couple of decent couta are also starting to make an appearance.

These bigger couta are often a lot shallower than one thinks but often eat baits right on the backline. The season is still early so get your tackle ready for these brutes. Tight lines.

For the best in tackle a nd advice, pop into The Kingfisher 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, 8am-1pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Go to www.facebook.com/thekingfisherdaiwa and “Like” us on Facebook to catch reviews, fishing reports, and more.

Send info about fishing or fish caught to mike.pereira@kingfisher.co.za

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video releases and to brush up on your species knowledge and tips/tricks at https://www.youtube. com/c/TheKingfisherFishing