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Mydo ‘n Mackerel

Mydo n Mackerel

The original Mydo Baitswimmer number 2 rigged with a fresh mackerel definitely enters you in the big fish lottery. Even yellowfin tuna gobble them in spite of the wire. Tuna normally hate wire traces.

Slow trolling for big couta has always been fun. But sometimes the tuna or bait get all excited and you really need to closer for a cast. Before, without the Mydo bait swimmer, you could never have pulled that mackerel any faster. It would just spin, tangle and cause chaos.

Now, with the Mydo in control up front, you can easily speed right up. Even up to normal lure trolling speeds. So now you can even chuck in a rapala. And a daisy chain. And as you variate your speedspeed, strikes might occurr, giving indication of the right speeds to work, at that moment.

A fresh bait will last but eventually at these higher speeds, the bait falls apart. But if you are having success like this, and you would like to protect your bait, just stick it inside a Mydo Superskirt…choose your colour and design. They have patented gill flaps that shroud the head and soft parts. This keeps your bait swimming even longer.

A mackerel rigged with a MYDO Baitswimmer, which allows for much higher trolling speeds and makes the fish swim like it's alive. A mackerel rigged with a MYDO Baitswimmer, which allows for much higher trolling speeds and makes the fish swim like it’s alive.

More about Mydos hereMydo

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Umzimkulu perch

Umzimkulu perch

The Umzimkulu Perch that we have been catching can range from little guys of like 10cm. And then up to like 4kg’s or more. They are aggressive and ferocious fighters too. Although the fish featured here took a fillet of sardine on a tiny hook – Umzimkulu Perch like to jump on a lure for sure. Sometimes we even get double strikes on the troll.

We troll all sorts but the best performer overall is definitely the range of soft baits on offer. Those loud clangy wheel bearing laden hard plastic baits are so completely unnatural. If we stick a nice split tail or paddel tail on a decent dropshot head, we can troll that up and down the channels and catch perch all day long (when they are biting ha ha).

If you stick the softbait on a MYDO LuckShot, you will get some real swimming action and the benefits of a softbait during the strike. Fish hold on to soft baits since they are so naturally textured. And the single hook almost always hooks in the top or corner of the mouth. Making for real healthy and successful releases. Compared to the double treble configuration (or singles), which almost always inflict damage on the fish.

Using double hook configuration for anything is always going to work against the chances of any fish surviving a release. Or for use as live bait. Double marlin konas are dangerous and inflict a lot of harm during the fight.

And as for bait fishing – use a circle hook! The difference is calculable right from your very first fish. Perfectly healthy releases!

Mapson jnr with a really good sized Umzimkulu perch - that was carefully released. Nice one family!
Mapson jnr with a really good sized Umzimkulu perch – that was carefully released. Nice one family!

Mike and Gina Mapson treated their family to this weekend down on the Umzimkulu River – and the first time they threw in a line, Mike jnr nailed this awesome perch. The perch ate a bread bait and was gently released by Dad.

The fishing has really hotted up in the Umzimkulu…more posts to follow…and fishing enquiries to umzimkulu@gmail.com or call 079 326 9671.

The Umzimkulu Marina is offering packaged fishing adventure trips (guided fishing, boats and accomodation for deep sea, rock n surf and estuary fishing) for the upcoming super- exciting fishing season.

Here is a quick YouTube video of our latest big perch, this one was caught two weeks ago (January 2020).

You can also stay in touch via our Facebook page at http://facebook.com/thesardine.co.za

If you or you kids want to come target perch for a weekend or a session, contact me Sean on umzimkulu@gmail.com or WhatsApp +27793269671

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Pumula Surf Camp

Pumula Surf Camp

Pumula Surf Camp
Pumula Surf Camp

http://www.pumulasurfcamp.co.za/

The recently opened Pumula Surf Camp is the talk of the town right now – Justy and Hayley Maisch have created a small piece of paradise on the KZN South Coast.

The surf in and around Pumula is world class and there are waves all year round. Winter is obviously the best time when sand lines all the point breaks producing beach after beach filled with perfect waves. Umzumbe, Hibberdene, The Spot…are but a few of the classic right hand point breaks that the KZN south coast is famous for.

Justin, also known as “The Fox” stemming from his competitive nature and prowess, is an advanced surf coach that will help better surfers surf better, and start beginners off from scratch. Pumula Surf Camp’s close relationship to Wedge Surfboards and Maisch Fins mean they have the best possible equipment for you to rent or buy.

For more information on surfing on the south coast, accommodation and packages…

http://www.pumulasurfcamp.co.za/

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Shad bait up by Craig Sinclair

Shad bait up by Craig Sinclair

Craig Sinclair aka Baconovich, takes us through a simple yet effective shad bait on a single hook trace. A double hook trace also features in this instructional fishing video.

Shad, or elf, or taylor, or bluefish – come thick and fast this time of the year – just before the supposed arrival of the supposed sardines. They provide great entertainment and thousands of anglers hit the bays and points up and down the KZN South Coast, also known as the Hibiscus Coast (luckily not the “sardine coast”).

Bigger gamefish like garrick / leervis, salmon / kob, Queen Mackeral  /  Natal Snoek, Brusher / White Musselcracker…have also been known to gulp down a shad bait on the drift, presented like Craig’s bait in the video. 3/0 or 4/0 hooks mean you stand a chance again these chance encountered trophy fish.

Enjoy the video…

 

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Kingfish caught on Gummy Squid Jigs

Kingfish caught on Gummy Squid Jigs

Fresh news in from a competition held off Inhaca Island…the new Gummy Squid Jigs are proving to make excellent catches, time and time again.

These fantastic photos were submitted by some of the participants…

“Hello

The fish equaled the all tackle world record Yellowspot king.
Also caught a golden king that was very close to the 10kg line class IGFA
world record but released the fish so didn’t weigh it.
Caught a nice GT of 107 cm.

All on squiddies.
Regards

Pierre”

 

 

Check out this link for more Gummy Squid Jig action.

 

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