Good stumpnose fishing in Durban
We have been told of good stumpnose fishing in the Durban area over the past week. Honeycomb rays have made an appearance on the upper KwaZulu-Natal north coast this week.
One species which has stood out among all others in the upper north coast region is the honeycomb ray. These have been spotted in the shallows along most of the north coast areas by divers and are said to have been in the region of between 50kg and 120kg. Many anglers who target these fish are using medium sized baits such as whole mackerel slide baits or whole chokka slide baits. These larger honeycombs are well known for their ability to engulf a massive bait, so do not be afraid to put out a bigger bait. Anglers have put out whole tuna heads for sharks and caught honeycomb and thorntail rays.
With the rods available on the market these days, heavy baits are a breeze to cast. The Daiwa Saltist 6-9oz has been known to throw a 7oz sinker and a 500g bonito as bait.
Cape Vidal has been productive for our inedible anglers with guys catching good size blackfin sharks. These fish are being caught on large bonito slide baits on two Mustad Hoodlum 11/0 hooks.
North of Richards Bay we have seen plenty of brown rays and again plenty of big shad. A favourite bait for the browns would be a red-eye sardine head with cutlets cottoned onto the sides. Anglers often hook into these fish while fishing for stumpnose and other edibles such as rock salmon.
Some good size diamond rays are being caught south of Richards Bay and hopefully this is a good indication that the diamond and butterfly ray season in Durban will be picking up shortly. Most anglers are reporting that these fish are being caught on flapped mackerel or larger chokka baits - a good bloody bait should be used when targeting these species.
Mullet and chokka baits are working well for the grey sharks around Ballito and Zinkwazi. These are awesome fish to go and tackle on light surf tackle, a slightly heavier leader such as Kingfisher .75 leader line and a short nylon or carbon coated wire bite trace of around 6”. Mustad Tuna Circle hooks will be the name of the game allowing you to safely land more fish and have a far easier hook removal.
Lots of stumpnose are coming out along the Durban coast on sardine belly and the Mustad Chinu 3/0, a lot of anglers are being surprised with other species taking their bait such as grunter and shad. A lot of healthy sized shad are being caught and released around the Blue Lagoon and Virginia area. A lot of smaller flatfish such as brown skates and duckbill rays are coming out towards Toti. Once again these fish are often caught when anglers are targeting smaller reef fish with a sardine or chokka bait.
The odd honeycomb has been landed around the Winklespruit area, giving anglers a good fight. These are difficult to land. To target these big fish, it is recommended that you fish a FMJ (full metal jacket) trace with a big bait. Do not under-estimate these fish. You will need the best of the best tackle to land them. A grinder no smaller than a 6500 size is recommended paired with a heavy 13’6” or 14 ft. rod.
Lots of bronze bream are still all around the Toti area, once again the Mustad Chinu is the hook to use, with a 1/0 for these smaller fish.
Scottburgh is still showing some signs of garrick with the bait of choice being a live mullet. Some big shad are being released around Port Shepstone. Kob are also coming out in this area, a lot of them on artificials, but the biggest being caught on live bait. The most effective live bait has been mullet, however, anglers who are unable to attain mullet can always scratch around the rocks and use smaller blacktail, karanteen and even species such as stumpies as live bait with great success.
Down in the Transkei a lot of good size hammerheads and grey sharks are coming out, making those big trips worthwhile.
(Photo: Youtube)
Twitter - @kingfisherdaiwa @SportswaveAndre
With the rods available on the market these days, heavy baits are a breeze to cast. The Daiwa Saltist 6-9oz has been known to throw a 7oz sinker and a 500g bonito as bait.
Cape Vidal has been productive for our inedible anglers with guys catching good size blackfin sharks. These fish are being caught on large bonito slide baits on two Mustad Hoodlum 11/0 hooks.
North of Richards Bay we have seen plenty of brown rays and again plenty of big shad. A favourite bait for the browns would be a red-eye sardine head with cutlets cottoned onto the sides. Anglers often hook into these fish while fishing for stumpnose and other edibles such as rock salmon.
Some good size diamond rays are being caught south of Richards Bay and hopefully this is a good indication that the diamond and butterfly ray season in Durban will be picking up shortly. Most anglers are reporting that these fish are being caught on flapped mackerel or larger chokka baits - a good bloody bait should be used when targeting these species.
Mullet and chokka baits are working well for the grey sharks around Ballito and Zinkwazi. These are awesome fish to go and tackle on light surf tackle, a slightly heavier leader such as Kingfisher .75 leader line and a short nylon or carbon coated wire bite trace of around 6”. Mustad Tuna Circle hooks will be the name of the game allowing you to safely land more fish and have a far easier hook removal.
Lots of stumpnose are coming out along the Durban coast on sardine belly and the Mustad Chinu 3/0, a lot of anglers are being surprised with other species taking their bait such as grunter and shad. A lot of healthy sized shad are being caught and released around the Blue Lagoon and Virginia area. A lot of smaller flatfish such as brown skates and duckbill rays are coming out towards Toti. Once again these fish are often caught when anglers are targeting smaller reef fish with a sardine or chokka bait.
The odd honeycomb has been landed around the Winklespruit area, giving anglers a good fight. These are difficult to land. To target these big fish, it is recommended that you fish a FMJ (full metal jacket) trace with a big bait. Do not under-estimate these fish. You will need the best of the best tackle to land them. A grinder no smaller than a 6500 size is recommended paired with a heavy 13’6” or 14 ft. rod.
Lots of bronze bream are still all around the Toti area, once again the Mustad Chinu is the hook to use, with a 1/0 for these smaller fish.
Scottburgh is still showing some signs of garrick with the bait of choice being a live mullet. Some big shad are being released around Port Shepstone. Kob are also coming out in this area, a lot of them on artificials, but the biggest being caught on live bait. The most effective live bait has been mullet, however, anglers who are unable to attain mullet can always scratch around the rocks and use smaller blacktail, karanteen and even species such as stumpies as live bait with great success.
Down in the Transkei a lot of good size hammerheads and grey sharks are coming out, making those big trips worthwhile.
(Photo: Youtube)
Twitter - @kingfisherdaiwa @SportswaveAndre