179kg Shark caught off KZN North Coast
Dubbed as the catch of the year, ANSA’s very own Durban-based reporter, Mike Vlcek caught a magnificent 179.8kg Zambezi Shark off the lower North Coast on Friday. Get the full KZN Fishing Report in the latest Angler News South Africa podcast with Vinesh Soogreem.
Pictured above in this week's cover art: Mike Vlcek and the 179.8kg Zambezi Shark he landed on the North Coast last Friday night.
After a four-hour fight, this beauty was finally beached to give Mike the well-deserved bragging rights. Two anglers helped pull the Zambezi over the shore break, removed the hook, and then released it safely back into the water within a minute, hence Michael forgetting to turn off his headlamp!
In general, the fishing this week has been hotter than the weather.
Offshore: The tuna has been in short supply but the snoek and couta have more than made up for it.
Rock and surf: Scratching has been very productive along the entire coast. There are still some big nasties around, but the bulk of the catches have been of the edible kind.
Freshwater: The dams and Stillwaters have all been producing fish even with the cooler weather moving in. Remember there are always fish to catch but you can't catch them without going fishing.
Listen to the latest Angler News South Africa podcast at the top of the page or below, and scroll down for some incredible photos of some of the catches. Please note that all inedibles are catch-and-release.
Pictured above: Eckhart Potgieter with a juvenile Kingfish caught down the lower South Coast.
Pictured below: Jardus Smith with a 66cm Rainbow Trout from Nottingham Road during the Tops trophy challenge.
Meanwhile, in Monday's episode Vinesh was joined by seasoned angler Jace Govender, known for his exceptional rock and surf fishing skills, especially in capturing giant fish over 300 kilos. Jace shares his journey from catching small fish at an early age to mastering the art of angling giant sharks, emphasising the crucial role of experience, proper tackle, and technique.Listen to the interview below:
Find more episodes of Angler News SA in the full channel below:
More about the Angler News South Africa (ANSA) podcast:
ANSA is Africa's only fishing podcast that focuses on the latest fishing reports, whether they're hot or not. ANSA delivers true and accurate content from the country's most prominent anglers every week on various facets of angling.
• The KZN Fishing Report (Thursdays, 3 PM)
The fishing report kicks off down the Lower South Coast with Adam Lyon, who covers everything fishing-related from Port Edward to Port Shepstone. The news then flows down to the Kingsburg/Illovo stretch, where Gary van Sluys gathers content from the rocks every morning.
For the Durban report, we have two correspondents: Mike Vlcek, a seasoned competitive angler, and Brad Grobbler, known as the East Coast's Davie Jones for the time he spends on the water keeping anglers up-to-date on the week's activities.
North Coast reports from Tongaat to Richards Bay are covered by Jesse Schubach, who not only delivers reports but also provides detailed advice on various aspects of angling. The fishing report rounds off in the Midlands with Jan Korrûbel reporting on all facets of freshwater angling..
This weekly report ends with Vinesh and his reporters sharing their predictions for the upcoming weekend.
• Expert Angling Interviews (Mondays mornings)
Dive deep into the world of fishing with Vinesh's in-depth interviews. Each week, he chats with leading anglers and industry experts, tackling topics that are on every angler's mind. Learn how to read tides and weather, master specific techniques, and even explore the path to becoming a protea angler.
Meet your host, Vinesh Soogreem!
Vinesh Soogreem is a legend in the South African fishing media scene. With over two decades under his belt, he's not just an angler who's explored the KZN waters extensively, but also a passionate communicator who's shared his knowledge through books, magazines, and now podcasts and social media. Vinesh lives by the motto "Fish for the future," reflecting his dedication to both the sport and conservation.
Vinesh's authority on KZN fishing is unmatched. Actively involved in the community since the 90s, he's competed at club and social levels, covered major angling competitions, and earned the trust of the media during the Sardine Run. He currently serves as the National Media Liaison for the South African Surf Casting Association, solidifying his reputation as a key figure in the South African fishing scene.
