Coast KZN

Although sardines are slowly making their way toward the KZN coastline, they are doing so in numbers with shoals reported at Port St Johns, stretching back into the waters of the Eastern Cape. It was reported that some of the shoals were huge and accompanied by thousands of Cape gannets, dolphins and even humpback whales. This is about a month earlier than normal.

Although the reports are a heads up for the sardine watchers and the experts are saying that this year’s sardine run could be one of the best ever, much could change and at present local water temperatures are still too high for them.

It has happened in the past that sardines arrive in KZN waters with the temperatures still a bit high so they move out to deeper cooler waters and pass by mostly unseen.

Last year’s sardine run was exceptional with the netters really cashing in, but unfortunately, when the markets became flooded, nobody wanted fresh sardines anymore and some had to dump their catches. I once saw people trying to give sardines away for free at the side of the road but the fish had already become soft and pulpy, therefore useless.

At times there are unscrupulous people trying to sell sardines that they have bought frozen, trying to make the average Joe believe they are indeed fresh sardines, so one has to be careful when buying fresh.

Favourable fishing conditions greeted anglers for most of last week.

Garrick have arrived. The first of the season’s fish was caught at Umgeni River Mouth using the drop shot method. He released his catch alive back to the water.

Garrick have been caught at some of the popular upper South Coast angling spots and they did so by casting out lines then placing rods in holders along the beach, spaced out so that no angler could get in-between to cast his line. For me, this is not on. They beach is supposed to be for everyone, not a select few.

Popular local garrick angling spots include the Tongaat River Mouth and as far up as Muchaortwa, Shaka’s High Rock and the Salt Rock beaches. Live bait is a must, but spoons and plugs do work as well if one is prepared to wait and have many casts before having a pull. Many people say garrick is not a great table fish  but one has to go a long way to beating pickled garrick properly prepared.

Garrick tend to feed in the surf during low tide, but I have seen them caught when the tide has been full, especially during the early mornings when the shad tend to feed.

Small shad are still being caught in their numbers, especially at Durban beachfront come nightfall. Small stumpies and salmon have come on the bite too at times.

Recently, small grey sharks have been a problem after sunset, however.

Up north a few pompano were caught along with a few decent sized salmon.

Heavy tackle anglers are still catching the late season flatfish.

Off-shore anglers are enjoying productive game fishing although catches seemed to have been down a bit last week despite the sea water being pretty warm.