Jumping Tides this 11 December 2024
Jumping Tides this 11 December 2024: welcome back to The Sardine News this absolutely perfect 11 December 2024. And it’s a jump tide (the tide moved forward about 2 hours last night) so we are back to idyllic low tide mornings. As we move towards an epic spring tide and full moon in a few days time. These are magnificent circumstances for all ocean activities. Plus the ocean and weather conditions look to remain stable right through to the next high pressures due after the weekend. When it will all turn around blowing hard from the northeast. And get HOT as hell!
We are starting real early with reports today following The Bear on his chosen path down south. On his ever-lasting quest for clean, fish-rich water that KZN Spearos dream about all year long.
Welcome to the Late Edition of The Sardine News…
Flat Seas Early by the Bear With Viz Report KZN South Coast 11 December 2024
It’s been an incredibly cool week weather-wise here in KZN. And it just looks to get better, with a light south-west wind forecast to breeze through sometime this morning. You can hear the excitement and stoke in The Bear’s voice in his report today. Can’t wait to see what the spearos come out with later.
Over to The Bear…
Surfing
That little rat swell is hardly gonna make it into Durban town beaches at all. Maybe on the north and south coasts, you might find something to surf. But it’s gonna be mainly all about holidaymakers and bathing today. The water is still clean and clear in KZN. The proper rains have not come yet and we look ok for the next week or so.
Get in while you can!
Plus, it is 24 degrees or more in some places today. There are some cooler pockets as per usual. Down to 22 or 23. But this 24 and 25 stuff is perfect gamefish sea temperature. The fish are not too lazy from either the water being to warm. Or too cold.
Fishing report coming up next…
Thanks to The Bear of The Master Watermen for the dive and surf reports.
Fishing
Adam Kamdar got lucky enough to get out to sea yesterday. And even more lucky he got when his rod screamed whilst trolling. And he found himself attached to this remarkable bull dorado.
Obviously this inspired Adam and crew to be out there again today…and…BANG! Early this very morning! Veer and Novi are the lucky crew members.
Shad
The shad have realised the date and have gone into hiding. The beaches are dotted with anglers trying to find ’em. But those shad can be really fussy and they do not like warm water. They most likely have ventured out deeper in search of the cooler water that they are known to thrive in.
Couta
Now if you can find those shad out there, and snag a nice big one – put it out live for a decent shot at the wily king mackerel(couta in KZN) as they just come into season. The kayaker crew are leading the leader board with two medium-sized couta so far.
If you would like to be totally kitted to catch these big fish, MYDO Fishing Lures can rig you up. With special heavy-duty but stealthy MYDO Baitswimmer Gamefish Traces. They can swim a dead or a live-bait. And are adjustable regards depth.
And trace length. Got to hook up right – first time every time!
You can browse all the MYDO products for targeting couta / king mackerel by clicking right HERE. And you can watch all tihngs MYDO, including how to rig your own, on our YouTube Channel. Click right HERE for that.
Estuary Halocline Hunting
Estuary Halocline Hunting – For International Fishing Pleasure – by MYDO Baitswimmers.
Unbelievably, the rains have stayed away and we are blessed with clean water and even clean estuaries here on the KZN South Coast at the moment.
Here we feature a classic sequence of the halocline (line between more salty and less salty water) moving down the river as the tide drains. And as luck would sometimes have it…as the halocline moves into the jetty area, the baitfish and prawns hiding there get given a proper hiding.
The tip is to find that halocline and work with it. Moving up the river with the pushing tide or the other way around. Tomorrow early we are going to be giving the estuary out front here a go. Stay posted to The Sardine News to see how it goes.
Synoptic Analysis
The synoptic chart is looking great again at the moment. That big dotted line across the middle is a weakening cold front. And you can tell by the way the contour lines are further apart in that area, that the ocean and wind out there are cool and calm.
Tropical Storm Chido is still lurking top right. You got to keep your eye on those two low pressures looking to dance together more closely.
But overall, this is a very healthy looking synoptic chart for today.
Mozambique Travel
Things are about the same as yesterday. BAD!
Traveling in Mozambique right now is NOT advised. Roadblock at Maimelane this morning already…pictured alongside.
Sadly, Fatima’s Nest in Tofo have had to cancel their annual Ocean Festival. Something that has held cultural importance for the Inhambane people for 14 Years straight!
Club of Mozambique report of a study in which 13 000 bookings have been cancelled due to political unrest in Gaza province alone. Many lodge owners have upped and left for their own safety.
This is an absolute disgrace that political bickering over votes, money and power can affect so many people so badly. To the core. So many livelihoods. It’s gonna be a bleak Xmas and New Year in Mozambleak this year for sure.
And our thoughts and good wishes are with everyone affected.
We will be back!
Sardines and Sighting Maps
It has been a fantastic sardine run this memorable 2024. And all the action has been logged right here on The Sardine News. This year’s map has been viewed 197,000 times and just keeps going.
Which led us to decide to keep the map live. And keep adding unique marine animal sightings and events. That occurs non-stop all year round. This year we started to log more whale and dolphin sightings. And we even had a shipwreck! And a freaking tornado! And recently a capsized KZNSB boat! We have been updating the map with recent catches too…
These events will from now on be included in the Sardine News Sightings Map for 2024. And on the 1 January 2025, we shall start all over again.
Here are the links to existing and past Sardine Sighting Maps. Great for a windy day like today to research. With instructions to install The Sardine News right on your phone or desktop.
2024 Sardine Map
2023 Sardine Map
2021 Sardine Map
Channels
Brucifire Surf Retorts – highly entertaining surf reporting
Master Watermen – news from way down deep
The Sardine News – neva miss a single sardine
FishBazaruto – 1000 pounds plus
MYDO Tackle Talk – highly technical sport fishing
Surf Launching Southern Africa – getting out there safely
Water Woes – complain about your municipality here
Websites
umzimkulu.co.za – self-catering right on the Umzimkulu River
umzimkuluadrenalin.co.za – will get you right out and onto the edge
thesardine.co.za – never miss a single sardine
masterwatermen.co.za – news from under water
fishbazaruto.com – dreams
brucifire.co.za – surf retorts
