Sardine activity keeps KZN anglers smiling
KZN anglers have been smiling this week as the sardine activity has made for exciting fishing!
(Pictured above: Mark Nayler after an epic morning out on his kayak with a variety of offshore species)
Apart from the Sardine Run 'purple patch,' we've had vibrant fishing activities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) over the past week. Anglers along the coastline and in the Midlands landed plenty of fish species in different regions, including Garrick, Shad, Kob, trout, and bass. We’ve also seen some jaw-dropping species from our offshore side.
Listen to all the details, plus predictions for where the best action will be this weekend, in the KZN Report episode below.
Pictured above: Rafa with his first Dusky landed down the lower South Coast.
Pictured below: Dylan Bezuidenhout with a 7.5kg Bonito caught off Shelly Beach, the current SA Record is 8.1kg…just 600g short!
Offshore: The bigger seas and heavy winds have made fishing on the boats a little unpleasant, but the bumpy trips have been worth it.
Rock and surf: The shore-based fishing has been a combination of spinning, scratching and a hint of big fish fishing. All that and the sardines are here in numbers!
Freshwater: The trout are feeding well, keeping the midlands anglers happy. The bass are fussy but are there to be caught. The carp are waiting for you to send a mielie bomb their way.
(Pictured directly below: Felicity Riley with a beautiful Rainbow Trout caught during the Tops Ladies Challenge.)
Meanwhile, in this week's Expert Series episode, we looked into the mindset necessary for successful fishing. Vinesh Soogreem sat down with with John Otto, a seasoned fishing manager with 45 years of experience, to understand what it takes to keep motivation levels alive after hours on the water with no bite.
John (pictured below) talks about the importance of a strong mindset and how it can often outweigh sheer skill in achieving success.
The two also cover strategies for managing different types of anglers and ways beginners can improve their fishing skills, even if they did not grow up fishing. Listen below:
(Pictured above: Scott Brown caught a beautiful carp at Midmar Dam recently.)
Meanwhile: Ever wonder why some days you catch fish all afternoon, while others leave you with an empty cooler? The secret might be written in the stars (and the tides). In Monday's Expert Series edition of the Angler News SA podcast, fishing expert Dave Irvine discusses how moon phases and tides impact fishing.
Dave offers detailed insights into the optimal times and locations for fishing based on tidal movements and lunar cycles.
Listen 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.
