Small garrick at Amanzimtoti

Kosi Bay - It was nice to hear of a few blackfin sharks that came on the bite last week. The flatter, calm, clean water has caused these sharks to start feeding. Shad have also been on the bite, as well as other smaller edibles. The westerly winds predicted should further flatten the seas and clean the water.

Cape Vidal – This area is a dropshot paradise at the moment for anglers targeting gamefish such as kingfish, shad and wave garrick. Most fish have been caught on smaller jerk minnows and paddletails. Be sure to take a look at Daiwa's new Laguna 11ft spinning rod, priced at around R750, this rod is real good value for your money. The Laguna has all the bells and whistles and is perfectly suited for surf spinning for species such as snoek, shad, kob, garrick and kingies.

Richards Bay - Shad are being caught daily in this area on spoon and bait. Most popular spots are producing bag limits and a few good sized fish have moved in. Spinner sharks are also in the area and have had no issues with taking any baits in their path. Smaller spinner sharks have proven to be good fun on light spinning tackle.

Ballito - Grey sharks, shad and some very nice size zebrafish and bronze bream have been landed over the last week in the Ballito and Sheffield area. Sharks have been caught on fleshy baits which have been fished early mornings and into the evenings.

Durban Piers - Are producing some fairly decent shad and a few grunter in between. Anglers will find that when the shad are on the bite, almost every bait will be taken by them. When targeting other species such as pompano, stumpnose and grunter, it is advised to use sea lice as bait. This is one of the only baits that a shad will hardly touch. The bait should be cast away from the crowds as well, as the mass of baits in the water create a feeding frenzy and the shad take anything that hits the water.

Durban Beachfront - Smaller shad have been on the bite as the sun rises taking bait, but spoons seem to be producing few bites in this area at the moment. Grey sharks in the dozens were landed in front of Addington on mackerel and red eye baits. These fish were caught mainly on light tackle spinning rods which proved to be great fun. More towards Vetch's Pier there were a few good sized grunter that were landed, as well and some stumpies. Divers in this area have seen many good sized fish including kob and shad in large numbers.

Bluff - Shad action on the Bluff has been very good and most anglers have landed large numbers of fish while spooning and using the slow retrieve method. Anglers using bait have caught bigger fish, but not as many. There has been an increase in reports of kob off the Bluff and also a few garrick. Some reports of decent bronze bream on small chokka baits and prawn baits.

Toti - Anglers are using live shad as bait, but few have had success with some small garrick and a few grey sharks landed. Good weather predictions have been noted, so hopefully our anglers will persist and get a garrick or two in the days to come.

Scottburgh - Blue rays and grey sharks have been present in this area. Shad are also around. Be sure to stick to your limits and to carry your permits with you as you are bound to be asked for it at some stage of your trip. We have heard of a local fisherman getting caught with eleven shad. This cost him R3500. It is not worth breaking the law.

Port Shepstone - Plenty of shad in this area over the last week, however most have been undersized. Garrick have been landed on live shad and some good sizes have been reported. Prawn baits are producing some nice bronze bream as well as bigger blacktails and small brusher.

Port Edward - Humdinger this past week with the shad coming out literally shot for shot off the rocks. Sardines, or I should say the shortage thereof, have been a problem and shops right along the coast were sold out even before the weekend was here. Gamefish are on the bite there and the points have been highly active with kob, garrick and hammerhead sharks. A total of five sea pike between 7kg and 10kg were landed off Splash Rock. No sign of sardines in the sea, just rumours.

(File Photo:Gallo Images)

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