Surf angling along the lower North Coast beaches is a bit sketchy this time of the year, especially since the closure of the shad season on October 1. Most of the action happens at night, with catches of salmon, stumpies and grunter.
Anglers normally use baits such as chokka, ghost crab and mixed grills of robust rock baits to try and overcome the pecker problem. Cold weather and strong surf conditions have kept many regular anglers at home, but those who braved the elements found better success around rocky areas, with copper bream being a common catch.
Anglers are usually secretive about productive spots, but following the crowds or keeping a log book can help track successful fishing patterns.
It was exactly because of the indifferent surf angling at this time of the year and scratching for fish, that I once heeded the advice of a fellow old-time angler to begin a log book. Logs detailing dates, tide conditions, bait used and fish caught can reveal trends over time, increasing your chances of catching specific species. It took a while to compile this information but a pattern did begin to emerge and it definitely improved my success rate.
Currently, the northern beaches, especially around Tugela, are producing salmon, while summer flatfish are becoming more frequent. Water temperatures hover around 21°C but should rise soon. Although the north-easterly winds could churn up cold water it will bring hot, humid days.
Sand sharks have been active, with reports of large rays providing sport. Richards Bay anglers are enjoying a productive garrick season, and spots like Mapelane and St Lucia are starting to yield grunter as the spawning season approaches.
Offshore anglers had to put up with big seas and southerly winds last week that resulted in few launches. Durban ski boat anglers managed to launch at times and it was mainly garrick and some snoek that were targeted in the Umgeni area. Larger charter craft managed to put to sea and these skippers found half-kob plus a few dagas feeding on the bottom.
Some really good-sized rockcod and soldiers were also caught and the guys fishing really deep found plenty of geelbek salmon on the deep reefs. Anglers are now optimistic, hoping for the return of dorado, which traditionally arrive in October.
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