Where to fish in KZN: A season-by-season guide

(Pictured above: Ray Thompson)

Experienced angler Ray Thompson joins Vinesh Soogreem to provide a comprehensive six-month fishing forecast for the KZN coastline.

They cover seasonal fishing plans from winter to summer, looking at the best locations and species to increase your strike rate and plan accordingly.

The two discuss targeting big gray sharks and edible fish like Garrick, Kob, and Shad during winter along the South Coast and Transkei region. 

They then shift to springtime around Durban for species such as blue rays and Bronze bream before moving into summer, where the focus turns to the North Coast and Zululand area for flatfish like diamonds, honeycombs, and the challenges of catching edibles during this season.

Listen now to get insights on planning your trips, tackle, and accommodation based on fish migrations and seasonal changes.

Meanwhile, in an earlier Expert Series episode, we looked into the mindset necessary for successful fishing. Vinesh Soogreem sat down with John Otto, a seasoned fishing manager with 45 years of experience, to understand what it takes to keep motivation levels alive after hours on the water with no bite. 

The two also cover strategies for managing different types of anglers and ways beginners can improve their fishing skills, even if they did not grow up fishing. Listen below:

Meanwhile: Ever wonder why some days you catch fish all afternoon, while others leave you with an empty cooler? The secret might be written in the stars (and the tides). In an earlier Expert Series edition of the Angler News SA podcast, fishing expert Dave Irvine discusses how moon phases and tides impact fishing. Listen below.

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.