Anglers are likely to face additional challenges in the coming days following the weekend’s disruptive weather conditions.
The icy cold weather, rough seas and almost continuous south-westerly winds ruled out most fishing expeditions, but with river mouths now opening up dirty water entering the ocean will cause further interference.
Last week, before the heavy weather arrived, local anglers fishing the rocky gullies did find copper bream on the bite again and the bronzies have become the most targeted species at present.
They are widespread along the entire coastline.
Although the surf will still be rough this week, copper bream will continue to feed as they don’t mind rough water.
Prawn is the recognised favoured bait for this species but anglers fishing down south did record good catches using chokka bait. This showed just how “thick” the fish were.
If the rivers do flood, the north-easterly wind will be a blessing for the anglers who fish La Mercy’s rocky areas.
Last week’s reports suggested garrick were “going dilly” in the Durban area, so this year’s run seems to be just as hectic as it was last year.
Some big fish were caught mainly by surf ski anglers and the ski boat guys early in the week, but those fishing in the surf caught their fair share as well.
The area stretching from Umhlanga Rocks to the Umgeni mouth seemed to have been the most productive areas but some garrick were caught by local anglers who exercised patience.
Shad catches have improved somewhat but there was no fireworks anywhere. This week is the last until the shad season closes, so anglers have just a few days left.
Inedibles are becoming more plentiful in local waters. One or two big sharks were landed recently, so now is the time to ensure that one’s tackle is up to the task.
Offshore anglers had some productive fishing on the bottom reefs early last week, recording decent sized rockcod, some really big slingers, soldiers and a few daga salmon.
Anglers reported plenty of 74s on the reefs at present but they are still on the banned list and are best left alone.
Bait fish are still plentiful closer inshore and with the water warming slowly, stocking up on bait is a good idea.
Gamefish chasers are finding greener pastures up north where dorado are becoming more plentiful, while large snoek and the odd barracouta are also coming out.
Cape Vidal is normally the popular venue but recently the fishing has been pretty good off St Lucia and Mapelane. Apparently, there has been the odd sailie strike as well, so when the weather settles it seems as if a trip up north would be well worth it.
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