Good north coast snoek action

The latest Kingfisher Ski Boat update says that there have been reports of good catches of Natal snoek on the KZN north coast. Geelbek and daga have started to come out - but in smaller numbers.

Lots of boats and paddlers have been targeting fish at Umdloti, as well as the Umgeni River mouth. There have been good catches of Natal snoek off Umgeni, while further north at Umhlanga there have been some garrick caught on live shad.

Those of you taking part in the Africa Marine Expo Catch & Release Deep Sea Angling Scottburgh event will be pleased to know that garrick are starting to bite out on the backline on the south coast.

All ocean lovers are in for a treat this weekend with the action packed ocean and conservation festival – the UGU South Coast Tourism Africa Marine Expo – taking place at Scottburgh Main Beach. The Powerplay Surf Pro starts tomorrow morning with a R50 000 prize purse, the event has attracted more entries than any other SSA Pro Surf Tour event in recent years. The KZN bodyboarding champs is also taking place at Scottburgh just around the corner at Back Beach.

There are also two major angling events – the Deep Sea Catch and Release competition which is on tomorrow and a Family Fun Catch & Release Junior angling event with Dean Pretorius on Sunday morning.

Those of you that have never had an opportunity to scuba dive are urged to come down to Scottburgh Beach as Blue Vision Dive Centre will be offering an opportunity for members of the public to experience breathing underwater with scuba gear in the public tidal pool at Scottburgh Point.

You are also invited to learn from the incredible speakers giving 10-minute presentations on the beach on the main stage in between the live music and festivities.

SATURDAY:

11h00 Craig Thomassen – Importance of catch and release fishing

12h00 Dr Tony Ribbink – Sustainable Seas Trust talk on the recent SAMSA Saldanha to Sodwana SST Tour

13h00 Kate Holden – G.E.E.K2! Green Education Equals Knowledge and Knowhow

14h00 Sheivine Datadin - WESSA Blue Flag & Shark Spotters

15h00 Nigel Eady – Ezemvelo and Aliwal Shoal Honorary Officers presentation

 
SUNDAY:

10h00 Phanor Montoya-Maya – Sardine Run Talk for Hills Have Eyes

11h00 Allen Walker – Award Winning Underwater Photographer shares some tips and stories of his adventures on sardine run

12h00 Andre Fletcher – NSRI Deputy Station Commander Durban on what to do to expedite a successful rescue and ocean safety tips

13h00 Paul Hoyte - Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)

14h00 Sabine Clinckemaillie – WESSA SustainEd

15h00 Thea van der Westhuizen – Paddle for the Planet uniting watermen worldwide in conservation

 
Jet Ski Demos, Learn To Surf Clinics, a Kite Flying Festival and Miss Africa Marine Bikini Glamour pageant - it is all happening on Scottburgh main beach this Saturday and Sunday.

Its definitely a weekend for the beach with clear skies forecast for today, Saturday and Sunday. The onshore will blow quite hard today which won't make for the most pleasant beach weather, but there is hardly any wind tomorrow and light northerlies predicted for Sunday.

(File Photo:Gallo Images)

- Olivia Symcox

Twitter - @OliviaSymcox and @SportswaveAndre