It has been a strange past two weeks with the lockdown in place that has kept everyone away from the beaches and water’s edge.
Anglers must have been really itching to get down to the beach or on the water because of the weather conditions, which have mainly been very favorable as well.
Last Sunday morning was a perfect example, with calm conditions right up until the late morning period before a light north-easterly wind began pushing.
The sea and surf conditions were very favorable as well for a bit of fishing but the beaches and sea were deserted because of the anglers adhering to the regulations put in place.
Although most people respected the lockdown rules, there are always those that will try and buck the system.
Four anglers were apprehended at Warner Beach on the South Coast and each was fined R3 000.
I noticed there were one or two anglers fishing the rocky areas at Tongaat as well and they were not trying to make themselves inconspicuous.
It was clear to see they were targeting copper bream which had begun to come on the bite just before lockdown.
Plus, there were also a couple of other species of fish which feed among the rocks as well.
The shad anglers were also just beginning to smile just before lockdown because the small green China shad had started moving into the beaches and quite a few fish were caught during the early morning periods.
I believe that a few guys tried to sneak onto one of the Durban North beaches but were turned way before they could wet a line.
It is really not worth trying to buck the law and catch a few fish because a fine means that one now has a criminal record and a court appearance can be really undesirable.
It is a pity that the virus made an appearance when it did because it now means that anglers will miss the best time of the year for fishing.
The Easter weekend will be unusually quiet this year and all fishing trips which were planned some time ago are now designated to the scrap heap.
In the past, there were Easter weekends that we managed to fish on all four days but this year there will be nothing, and no bathing as well.
Actually, it could be that the coastline will be left alone for the first time in many, many years and even the hardened poachers will have to beware.
During the week leading to the lockdown, I saw deep sea craft fishing the inshore game fish reefs close inshore between Stud Rock and the Sea Belle hotel.
The guys must have been catching something because they were at the same spot every morning until Thursday when the lockdown started.
Normally, this area produces a few decent couta at this time of year along with snoek at times, and the inevitable yellow-fin tuna.
I did see a surf ski angler who launched in the La Mercy area and he showed me two very nice snoek that he had caught that morning.
The guys fishing the deep bottom reefs were also boating a few decent bottom fish with reds, some nice rockcod and in some instances, some shoal salmon as well.
In some areas sharks were a bit of a nuisance and a few very nice fish were lost to these monsters.
There has been a rumour that the lockdown could be extended but I would bet that the organisers of the Durban deep sea competition will be sweating and hoping that the tournament due for the weekend beginning on April 24 will go ahead.
Hopefully, anglers will be able to cast their lines from April 17 but, until then, stay away from the water and don’t tempt fate.
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