And it’s Chris Lepan again with another Umzimkulu Estuary kob fishng prize catch. Chris releases all his fish back into the river to swim again. Nice Chris.
Chris Lepan and crew on Happy Daze have mastered this estuary kob fishing on artificials. You can see them every chance they get spinning and slow trolling all sorts behind the boat up and down the channels of the Umzimkulu River.
Meanwhile down at the mouth, which has re-opened, it’s mad with shad and garrick anglers throwing spoons, baits and plugs all over the waters around The Block. And fish. Mainly shad, a few garrick in between, and at night time, kob.
It’s pretty much the same story up and down the coast, at all the good fishing spots.
Sardine news is scant these days, it looks like that first flurry might be all we get?! But not necessarily as the south winds set in and churn the weekends serene ocean into a rough mess. Exactly what the sardines are waiting for. This wind also drops the oceans temperature towards the magical 19 degrees we know the sardines like. Stay posted!
Although this was from Friday, the gallery gives you a clear look at what is going on up and down the North and South Coast of KZN Natal.
“The conditions this week have been fair with the game fish action being sporadic and the sardines not really putting in a showing. Apparently the garrick are coming out again south and some cuda and snoek north. Broderick had a good day today with snoek cuda and even a GT! There is good viz up and down the coast but ground surge is quite heavy and some swell and a north east wind predicted tomorrow. Sunday looks awesome conditions wise. Good luck to everyone diving the natal champs shore dive comp tomorrow.” – by Jason Heyne
Captain Duarte Rato gives an entertaining account of the Blue Marlin World Cup 2015, on his new website fishbazaruto.com. Click the following links to read all about it…
A Blue Marlin leaves the water as pro photographer Captain Duarte rato hits the shutter.
The competition is unique, exciting and worldwide. And as a result has grown in popularity over the decades. Read the following excerpt and click this link to check out the full story.
“No other big game tournament allows teams to fish anywhere in the world for 8 hours in their time zones. The World Cup is for 1 day only, for 1 species only and with 1 winner only. There is no second place in the World Cup.
The entry fee of $3000 includes everyone on the boat. The OPTIONAL additional $5000 BIG BLUE CHALLENGE is for those who want to win an even BIGGER AWARD, (see rule 10). In 2011 this division was won with a 585 lb Kona blue marlin.”
The competition was won by Madeira…congratulations!
Mias in Benoni, Midrand and Woodmead are all now official stockists of the new Mydo Fishing Lures Original and the Generation II range.
The Mias group have been around as long as the tackle industry and each store has amassed a serious amount of stock. Their many years in the industry are apparent as the Mias stores are always busy. Everyone seems to know everyone everywhere?!
The accompanying photos and map are of the Woodmead store, we will map the others soon as…
Our first panorama of the trip was taken by Johnny van Biljon, very early, at Mdumbi, in the Transkei. The shad never materialised this morning, but the evening before, 47 in total were pulled out.
The Wild Coast to Port Alfred by Panorama
Having Johnny van Biljon along on this trip (distributing Mydo’s and gathering news), with his iPhone 5, has opened up a whole new way of capturing the moment. Johnny, who has had many years experience in the film and tv industries, has an eye for a great scene a good shot.
Our Mdumbi friends Warren and Noli enjoy the view down to Umtata Mouth and beyond, from their stoep.
Johnny is currently dabbling in panoramic photography such as what has made the iPhone (Ok and Android) smartphones so nifty.
As we drove through the Transkei, we stopped for a few more spectacular vistas.
The bridge over the Umtata River as shot by Johnny van Biljon and his handy iPhone 5, in panorama mode.
And then finally into the spectacular scene that was Port Alfred on an upcoming moon and an outgoing tide.
The Royal Alfred Marina as viewed from Willows Camping on the south bank. Millionaire’s view for a song (R130 per night). And garrick (leeries around here) swimming up and down out front, in the crystal clear water.
Although the fish were easily seen, they were very shy in the crystal clear water. The visibility must have been 10 metres or more. We threw all sorts at them, and were not alone as local spinning mad anglers lined the jetties and hot spots. Very nice fishing. One guy got a strong pull on a live mullet right in front of us, but garrick are highly suspicious and this one must have felt something because he let go after a good 10 meter screaming run.
The office set up, the lines out, and the braai on the go. All we need now are some garrick to get hungry as us.
Local veteran of these waters, and our fishing host Peter, gave us the rundown on what fish are here right now and its Silver Steenbras / Pignose Grunter / Steenies / White Steenbras that are causing the scene. The biggest so far this season, in the canals, was 14kg’s.
Kelly’s Beach is a Blue Flag spot a few kms south of the Port Alfred piers. Safe looking.
Kelly’s Beach offers much safer bathing and even surfing (on the right tides and swells), and half way between Port Alfred and Kelly’s, is Halfway – another ominous resemblance to a surf spot.
More panoramas to follow, as we tour back to KZN. And here, our parting shot…saying good bye to the attractive coastal town, of Port Alfred. Thanks Johhny van Biljon for stepping up as photographer/DOP.
Good night and good bye Port Alfred…panoramas by Johnny van Biljon
Newsflash: Sports n All in Port Alfred, officially stock Mydo Lures.
