Good snoek fishing at Ballito
Kosi Bay - This area has been productive with plenty more species being seen throughout the area. Honeycombs, Sandies, Sea Pike and Snapper Salmon were out of control for the majority of last week, with most fish being of decent size too. Chokka and Mackerel baits seemed to have worked better than most and Sand Mackerel also proved deadly amongst other baits. A Sand Mackerel head is great bait for many flatfish and a fresh cutlet is often not left alone for long.
Cape Vidal - Honeycombs, Sandies, Blackfin Sharks and Diamonds have been biting well on the north side of Vidal, but mainly on bigger baits. The south side produced lots of smaller edible fish, mainly Cave Bass, Kingies and small Shad.
Richards Bay - Lots of Brown Skates and small Spinner Sharks have been landed at Richards Bay over the last week, mainly on Mackerel baits presented neatly, with most Browns being caught on Prawn and Chokka baits. There has been a huge oil spill near the Caesarians section of Richards Bay Harbour. The oil apparently leaked from a pipe in a bunker berth near the bay coaling terminal and has reached as far as the mangroves. This will have a huge effect on angling over the next few weeks until a spillage or clean-up team can move in. Angling could be better than normal in areas which have not been affected by oil spillage as most fish seek refuge in these clean areas.
Ballito - Duckbill Rays have been landed on most points on most small Chokka slide baits. Snoek spinning enthusiasts were kept busy with a good few Snoek on small spoons such as Kingfisher Pro Jet spoons fished on a fluorocarbon leader.
Umdloti - This spot saw a few Spadefish off the beach which has been a relatively rare occurrence historically. Other species which have been landed include big Grey Sharks, many of which have been lost due to light tackle being used with intentions of landing Stumpies and Pompano. Bonefish have also been landed and are being enjoyed by many light tackle enthusiasts.
Blue Lagoon - North banks of Blue Lagoon have had good reports of Snoek, Grunter and Kingies. Grunter have been taken on small baits in good weather conditions and the gamefish such as Kingies and Snoek have been taken on spoon and drop shot mainly. After the weekend of strong winds, the week and weekend to come seems to hold more opportunity.
Durban - Piers have slowed down somewhat, only producing smaller fish on Sardine, Cracker and Chokka. The beaches seemed to be much more productive over the last week, with more catches of Pompano and Grunter. Many smaller Shad are being landed on baits and spoons.
Umkomaas - This area has seen Shad, small Kob, Brown Skates and the odd Grey Shark. Most fish have been landed on the outgoing tide.
Scottburgh - Point has produced a few Diamond rays, Shad and smaller Shark species.
Port Shepstone - This spot through to Trafalgar has been keeping spinning enthusiasts busy with Kob on paddle tails, with the lure of preference being the McArthy tangent 5" paddle tails fished on a 1oz jig head.
Port Edward - Splash Rock has produced a few Kob on baits and paddle tails too, with some surprisingly good sized fish this early in the season.
Port St John's - This area has seen Kob on paddle tail, big Sharks off the Gap area and Shad off the points. Poenskop is producing big Raggies on slide baits, preferably Shad slide baits and Brazen Head has seen some 20kg plus Hammers being eaten by huge Sharks.
(File Photo:Gallo Images)
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