‘Shark-bait’ kobs, agate eyes and a golden period
IT’S been a good week for anglers in and around Nelson Mandela Bay, as seen in today’s photograph.
It shows Andy Keun with a 1.33m kob caught and released recently off the surf at Bluewater Bay, and it is a typical example of the kob that have been caught of late from our sandy shores.
Strangely, Keun was targeting toothy critters that require a steel trace to prevent trace failure, and this is not the only report of such an incident where kob have taken bait originally aimed at sharks.
Another angler from the Southern Cape reported he also landed a large kob on a shark trace.
Whether this is a good example of bait selection or presentation remains speculation, as I believe kob don’t like too much steel (only one hook) in the bait.
Good catches have been reported over a wide spectrum of species all over the shores and estuaries of the Eastern Cape this past period.
It is pretty much how you call it however – as the wind and tide are still the factors to consider.
The art-lure anglers have also been in the mix with good garrick and gurnard providing plenty of sports in the estuaries.
The surface lures seem to be the choice and this may have a lot to do bright sunny conditions which prevail.
The bait fish are often in the shallows and on the surface, allowing the predatory species to lie and wait in holes on the bottom and observe the fish silhouetted above them. Then they simply wait for that anticipated meal!
For some time now, anglers have been enjoying the social angling get-togethers organised by Brett Harris. The last social for 2017 was held in Bluewater Bay and really delivered the goods.
A number of fish were caught with kob and grunter being the most popular species. However, a good-sized bellman (also known as baardtman) was added to the list along with the non-edibles that many target for the thrill of action on the line.
Looking back, I sit here in the new year and reminisce about when I was a boy and a mentor of mine, Fred Norman, taught me the art of building a fishing rod.
I remember the word “agate eyes” as these were very scarce back then.
Agate rod eyes are runners where the bearing surfaces are made of polished stone (agate is a gemstone) and they were state of the art.
They were invented long before braid came on the market and are exactly what you need when you fish with braid that is hard wearing on your rods runners.
Special care had to be taken with these rods fitted with agate eyes as they were very brittle and would break easily if mishandled.
Looking at this weekend’s weather, we are blessed with light winds, fair air temperatures and just-below-standard air pressure.
The prospects are good with the high tide at 6.38am just after sunrise tomorrow at 5.14am. Fishing the pushing tide around sunrise is always a prospect.
Wednesday, just past, was full moon which means we enter that golden period of three days after the spring tide with sea temperatures just below 20°C.
What a way to end the holidays!
I wish the readers a prosperous fishing year ahead.