In perfect weather and sea conditions on Monday morning last week, Sharks Board officials operating in the Port Edward area reported a huge shoal of sardines heading north, with thousands of dolphins in pursuit and gannets diving into the water.
This was probably the main shoal but unfortunately the sea water had warmed somewhat and netters feared the sardines would move out into the deep. But sardines were netted at Hibberdene on Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday morning more netting took place at Scottburgh.
A huge shoal of sardines was observed passing Amanzimtoti during the afternoon and netting took place at Winkelspruit. Successful nets were also dropped at Illovo beach.
On Sunday morning sardines were hauled in at Shelley Beach and another shoal was reported about 1km off the Umhlanga Rocks lighthouse.
Later in the morning more sardines were reported off Durban and the sardine run seems to be far from over. There should be more action this week as long as the weather holds.
The southerly winds forecast for the week should help to move the sardines closer inshore and perhaps the local beaches could have sardines moving along the backline and even in the surf, which does not normally happen during the sardine run.
The sardines have been instrumental in bringing a substantial number of marine life with them, and the South Coast the rock and surf anglers found the garrick and shad going dilly at times.
At some venues anglers pulled shad throughout the day with many giving no thought of catch limits. It was catch the fish shot-for-shot as long as one could.
Shad were also plentiful along the upper South Coast and in the Durban area. Local anglers also caught shad and the season is now well underway thanks to the sardines.
The low tide period of last weekend resulted in little water but this week the early morning periods should be a lot better. Guys, please try to obey the catch limits of four fish an outing.
Early season catch results point to another excellent winter garrick run this year. Many were caught last week in the vicinity of the sardine shoals.
Local anglers also found the garrick feeding last week, so hopefully they continue to remain in the surf zone and are not drawn out to sea as sardine shoals pass by.
At this time of the year fishing at night is normally the most productive time for the surf anglers, and the good news is that the salmon or kob remain plentiful.
Some big stumpies and grunter were caught by anglers fishing for salmon.
Some sizeable bottom fish were landed offshore, while daga salmon and the red fish species have kept the reels working.
Unfortunately, when pockets of sardines appear nearby reefs the fish tend to chase the sards and the fishing goes quiet.
Big rockcod are also being caught and it seems as if the sharks that were hassling the anglers are now chasing the sardines.
Those targeting game fish can still find a few couta, kingfish and plenty of snoek in certain areas.
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