Fresh bassin’ news in from The Sardine correspondent Mike Stubbs…
“The bassin’season is off the hook already. Fishing has been really successful as the bass are starting to be really active. Most of the fish are caught on super flukes, weightless towards the weed line into deep water.
My fish a 1.8kg on a fluke very early morning. And Josh Fisher on weightless fluke 2.9kg his personal best.
Ty Redinger with small male fish.”
Thanks Mike… nice pics!
It was with huge expectations that we loaded the cruiser with the Pau Hana Wavejet powered SUP, and almost all our fishing tackle, and headed south. Deep into the Transkei – the Wild Coast – that place where people and things just seem to go missing.
Watch this video only if you have unlimited bandwidth and time on your hands…
But this is the Wavejet SUP fishing…watch this for sure…
We were after estuarine gamefish, and headed to Mgazana…a favourite hangout for all kinds of desireable fish – just not all edible, as we were soon to find out.
Things started slow, and in between rigging the Pau Hana for fishing, got a few lines in and soon John Fish Fever was into his first inedible – an awesome sandshark that he had to handle ace out, since the rest of the crew were lights out just after sunset and supper. John caught a few more sandsharks that evening, and also tussled with one of the many marble rays that are always up for an argument over a sardine bait, in Mgazana Estuary.
Georgie, our endemic fishing guide, pilots the good ship “Takeiteasy” and the next day went and bagged us a bunch of cracker shrimp, a haul of crayfish, a bucket of oysters and another of mussels, before taking us out for the afternoon high tide. The Pau Hana was looking great at this point, mounted with a cooler box of beer, and a crate, onto which three rod holders were cable tied. What a fishing platform! SO much fun and versatility! Scooting around the estuary, trolling two lures and sipping on a Transkei dumpy – Wowser!
Anchoring some way up one of the main tributaries, we got taught well and proper, how to catch shad, by Georgie. While we mustered up a grunter, a flagtail and some smallies, Georgie caught us two beautiful shad – which together with the remains of the bait, made up a super delicious and filling seafood potjie.
What was meant to be a two day trip soon stretched itself out to 3 days, and then 6! Finding ourselves in the great company of Rob Nettleton and co, Port St Johns proved to be a real treat – a far cry from the chaos this place was back before the shark attacks. We saw no-one on tour really, a few fishermen making hay of the grunter, kob and garrick season, but aside from that – super quiet.
The many punters who braved the 35 knot beasterly easterly wind, gave it right back, and a real blast was had by all.
Starting early, live music and performances were played out with gusto and enthusiasm, and soon the place filled up completely. Restaurants were filled to the brim, the shops overflowing and the Umzimkulu Barge rocking.
The festivities continue over the coming weekend, watch the video below for a preview of activities to be expected…
The programme for the remaining week down at Spiller’s Wharf…
THURS 25 SEPTEMBER 2014
RESTAURANT LUNCH TIME SPECIALS (Fish and chips R29.95)
FRI 26 SEPTEMBER 2014
RESTAURANT LUNCHTIME AND EVENING SPECIALS
Ugu Film festival in conference room ‘MINERS SHOT DOWN’ – 4.00pm
LIVE MUSIC FOR SUNDOWNERS – TWYLA on piano
SAT 27 NOVEMBER 2014
9am HERITAGE CONSERVANCY WALK – walkers to meet at Spillers, Brian Lange to ferry across to country club, walk along organised trail up to tunnels, with historical landmarks
12 noon PIRATE LANDING AND TREASURE HUNT
LUNCHTIME MUSIC BY CRAIG JACK LEWIS
RESTAURANT SPECIALS
2pm UGU FILM FESTIVAL SCREENING – ‘MY ROOM AT THE CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSE’
4pm UGU FILM FESTIVAL SCREENING – ‘DURBAN POISON’
AFTERNOON SPRINGBOK RUGBY GAME
4pm RIVERSIDE PARTY WITH THE SOUND DOGS
SUN 28 SEPTEMBER
SPORTS AND CLASSIC CAR BREAKFAST RUN
RESTAURANT LUNCH SPECIALS
MUSIC ON THE RIVER WITH TWYLA
Join EVERYONE down at Spiller’s Wharf, starting tomorrow – the Heritage Day Festival is underway!
Loads of things to do, things to buy and things to see. Kids love it!
A maritime setting down on the Umzimkulu River – Spiller’s Wharf plays host to entertainment, a market and great fun activities like cruising on the river.
A 45 minute cruise costs R45 and takes you up and down the navigable lower section of the Umzimkulu River, through the Umtentweni Conservancy area and down to the beach. Kids under 12 are half price, and you can bring refreshments, snacks or meals on board.
Call Sean on 079 326 9671 to get on board…
Atlantic flashbacks…Roosta surfing the Dungeon…shot by Greg Chapman
Check out more at www.chappypix.co.za
