Durban producing Natal snoek

Sodwana down to Cape Vidal has produced good catches of smaller yellowfin tuna over the last week, the majority weighing around 4-6kg, which make for the best eating. The majority of these tuna have been caught trawling Rattlers, Halcos and feathers around bait balls and over shallower pinnacles at a high speed.

The tuna bite has extended to Maphelane where they have also been smaller, but as abundant. Also in the mix have been a few Natal snoek and couta, which seem to be of much better size. South of Maphelane the tuna bite has started to taper off in numbers. However, the odd larger fish above 10kg were caught.

Zinkwazi is producing good catches of garrick, a lot of which have made good size each day. Fish of 12kg and above have not been uncommon. Many anglers have also been having a fair amount of success with drop-shot and plugs on the backline.

Durban has produced decent snoek over the last week in most areas, including Blue Lagoon. Some of these fish have been in the region of 7kg and were feeding on spoons and Clark spoons. The Cutting has also produced excellent numbers of snoek of a larger size. Fillet baits seem to be the way to go in this area.

Isipingo down to Rocky Bay has seen decent bottom fish recently. Geelbek, daga, copper steenbras and musselcracker have all been coming out in various depths.

Green Point produced some excellent snoek and a few couta over the last week, with a few bonito and tuna coming out too.

With the northeast winds blowing for most of this week, offshore angling will be extremely uncomfortable if not impossible. The best bet at a launch will be this weekend, if the westerly does not pull through early.

With the good fishing that we are experiencing in the harbour lately, it may be an idea to spend some time in the calmer water and catch a grunter or two.

On 1 August The Kingfisher started their annual Biggest Shad Competition. This year it will be run over a two-month period, August and September, with three prizes each month. The heaviest shad for each month will receive a Daiwa SL 50SHK Reel, valued at R1625, the second heaviest shad will receive a 13’6” Kingfisher Coastline Medium, three-piece, 4-6oz Graphite Rod, valued at R1145 and third heaviest shad will receive a Daiwa AG 6000 Reel valued at R598. Please note that all shad (fresh) must be weighed at either, The Kingfisher, 53 Hunter Street or Tackle Centre, Old Fort Road or The Fishing Tackle Shop, Warner Beach during trading hours.

Please remember there is a bag limit of four and the minimum size is 30cm and that the season closes 30 September and re-opens 1 December 2015.

(File Photo: Caroll Hermann)

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