PHOTO: Andre catches big snoek

We started by looking for live bait and it proved quite a struggle.

We eventually managed to catch a few red-eye, maasbanker and sea pike.

We had a mozzie and a pike out for a while off Umhlanga, but nothing was happening.

We did spot a couple of sharks in the process and saw a fair number of dolphins on what was a beautiful morning out on the ocean.

We then decided to go closer to shore and see if the Natal snoek were running.

A few kayak anglers were trolling the backline and they confirmed seeing and catching a few snoek.

We swapped our live baits for red-eye fillets and I soon hooked into what appeared a large snoek.

The fish was too clever for me and threw the hook just as I thought I had it under control.

Time was against us with work awaiting and I despaired that once again I would return home without fresh fish for my wife.

Suddenly the ocean surface erupted as sprats were sent flying by hunting snoek.

I latched onto a spinning rod and cast a spoon close to the commotion.

My third cast produced a hit as a snoek of 9kg gobbled the spoon.

I boated the fish after a strong fight and found that it had almost bent my hook straight.

I tend to release many of the fish I catch, but this one was for the pot.

It more than made up for the fact that I had forgotten to apply sun lotion!

(Photo: Kirk Newton: GoFish)

Twitter - @SportswaveAndre