KZN waters teeming with fish

Pictured above in this week's cover art: Renier Kruger, Bielie Viljoen, Dawie De Bruyn, Teale Moodley, Sohail Olla with a Ragged Tooth Shark.

Pictured above: Vinolen Govender with his catch.

KZN's waters are teeming with fish! It's a great time to be out there, with a mix of tasty catches and some serious fighters available. Let's break down the good spots:

Offshore:

• Couta: They've been the main target, and some big ones are coming in. Use live bait for the best results, but watch out for sharks trying to steal your catch.
• Kingfish: These hard-fighting fish are showing up in good numbers. Remember, a big kingfish can look like a shark, so be sure before you break the line. Use big mackerel or bonito for bait.

Rock and Surf:

• Central & South Coast: Time to switch to those winter favorites! Guys are catching Kob, Grunter, and Shad.
• North Coast: Still some summer fun to be had with big Kingfish around. But the season's changing, so expect more edibles soon.
• Blue Lagoon: This spot's still hot, with Kob and Grunter leading the pack. The beaches north are good too, with Mullet attracting the Kob.

Freshwater:

• Bass: They're biting big time! Faster-moving lures like crankbaits and spinnerbaits are working well. Once you find the fish, switch to soft plastics for the real trophies.
• Carp: Sweet baits and a bit of almond flavor are the ticket for Carp on the bigger dams. Farm ponds are producing good catches too, especially with fruity scents or bread.
• Trout: Things are picking up for trout anglers.

Listen to the latest Angler News South Africa podcast at the top of the page or below, and scroll down for some incredible photos of some of the catches. Please note that all inedibles are catch-and-release.

Pictured above: Marc Schmidt with his catch!

Pictured directly below: Ronaldo Rautenbach with his impressive haul. Under this photo, is one of up-and-coming-angler Kaiden Pillay with a shark he caught.

Pictured above:  Cameron Carter with his catch!  Note, all non-edible species are Catch & Release.

Meanwhile,  in Monday's episode Vinesh was joined by Protea Anglers, Safia and Hajra Ahmod to talk about what it takes to move from being a weekend angler to getting their green and gold blazers and representing South Africa on the international angling stage.

From humble beginnings of family outings to the harbor, the Ahmod sisters developed a love for fishing at a young age. Listen to their story below:

In an earlier episode veteran angler Dave Irvin, with over 30 years of experience in competitive fishing, joined Vinesh Soogreem to discuss the critical role of wind in fishing. Dave also explored how barometric pressure, moon phases, and tides intertwine with wind to create optimal or challenging fishing conditions. Listen below to gain valuable insights to elevate your fishing strategy by understanding the nuances of wind.

Find more episodes of Angler News SA in the full channel below:

More about the Angler News South Africa (ANSA) podcast:

ANSA is Africa's only fishing podcast that focuses on the latest fishing reports, whether they're hot or not. ANSA delivers true and accurate content from the country's most prominent anglers every week on various facets of angling.

• The KZN Fishing Report (Thursdays, 3 PM)
The fishing report kicks off down the Lower South Coast with Adam Lyon, who covers everything fishing-related from Port Edward to Port Shepstone. The news then flows down to the Kingsburg/Illovo stretch, where Gary van Sluys gathers content from the rocks every morning.

For the Durban report, we have two correspondents: Mike Vlcek, a seasoned competitive angler, and Brad Grobbler, known as the East Coast's Davie Jones for the time he spends on the water keeping anglers up-to-date on the week's activities.
North Coast reports from Tongaat to Richards Bay are covered by Jesse Schubach, who not only delivers reports but also provides detailed advice on various aspects of angling. The fishing report rounds off in the Midlands with Jan Korrûbel reporting on all facets of freshwater angling..

This weekly report ends with Vinesh and his reporters sharing their predictions for the upcoming weekend.

• Expert Angling Interviews (Mondays mornings)
Dive deep into the world of fishing with Vinesh's in-depth interviews. Each week, he chats with leading anglers and industry experts, tackling topics that are on every angler's mind. Learn how to read tides and weather, master specific techniques, and even explore the path to becoming a protea angler.

Meet your host, Vinesh Soogreem!

Vinesh Soogreem is a legend in the South African fishing media scene. With over two decades under his belt, he's not just an angler who's explored the KZN waters extensively, but also a passionate communicator who's shared his knowledge through books, magazines, and now podcasts and social media. Vinesh lives by the motto "Fish for the future," reflecting his dedication to both the sport and conservation.

Vinesh's authority on KZN fishing is unmatched.  Actively involved in the community since the 90s, he's competed at club and social levels, covered major angling competitions, and earned the trust of the media during the Sardine Run. He currently serves as the National Media Liaison for the South African Surf Casting Association, solidifying his reputation as a key figure in the South African fishing scene.