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Video: orca sighting off the KZN South Coast
Category: SouthCoast
Ocean Safari with Chelsea Dog and the B2 Humpback Whales
Ocean Safari with Chelsea Dog and the B2 Humpback Whales
Ocean Safari with Chelsea Dog and the B2 Humpback Whales: Dr. Oz Goffman (Head dolphin project of Haifa University -IMMRAC – The Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies/School of Marine Sciences) spends his life stalking and saving cetaceans of all kinds and in all places. But specifically these guys. The B2 population. And the C1 guys. These are the ever-entertaining humpback whale communities that visit us, and Mozambique, this time each year. (see graphic by Dr. Oz and colleagues below…secret intel for undercover whale spotters like the Umimkulu Adrenalin operation).
When I worked with Dr. Oz in the deep blue waters out off Bazaruto Island in Mozambique for a few years, we were covertly recording mother to calf humpback whale conversations. We spent literally months and months stalking these guys. So when I say Dr. Oz knows these guys by name, I do not mean literally (see the album slide in the video).
He knows them by name.
The B2 Bombers
Down here on the lower south coast of Kwazulu Natal in South Africa, we are perfectly poised to encounter the B2 bombers, travelling south to Cape Town, at this time of the year. This is their highway to Slaapstad, on their way to stopping off a while at Hermanus for a traditional jol.
And so it was really cool that we got another Ocean Safari booking this week. And this time we were far more camera-ready. Although we missed the ever-eventful launch (and this time was no different, it was wild!), the rest of the camera work went down a treat and the featured video almost made it out there yesterday!
On this trip, we actually only saw this one whale. But man did he perform. Launching right out clear into the air at times. We managed to get a few clips but our guests got the gold.
Umzimkulu Adrenalin
The Umzimkulu Adrenalin operation has fired up on the south bank of the Umzimkulu River. At the picturesque and bustling Spiller’s Wharf riverside shopping and business complex in Port Shepstone. This place is really quaint and historical with lots to absorb and learn about the history of the Umzimkulu River all over the place. It’s a very interesting building. There is even a 100-year-old boat parked in the driveway!
‘To all our previous clients, who have sent us their whale videos last week, we are busy compiling all the bits and pieces and will have yours out soon I promise!’
Sean
Ocean safaris, deep-sea fishing, river cruises, thrill rides, day fishing are all on offer at Umzimkulu Adrenalin. Come and see us, we are right at the back of the centre (Mr. Spiller’s old house).
Or…
Call Sean on +27 79 326 9671 or email umzimkulu@gmail.com.
More on https://thesardine.co.za and https://masterwatermen.co.za.
Legging it with the Green Net and Tony Turton on the Umzimkulu
Legging it with the Green Net and Tony Turton on the Umzimkulu
Legging it with the Green Net and Tony Turton on the Umzimkulu: Legging is a method of moving a boat through a canal tunnel or adit containing water. This method of navigating through canal tunnels and adits was commonly used in canal tunnels during the 18th and early 19th centuries.
It is still in practise today, on the mighty Umzimkulu River in KZN, South Africa.
And, that’s how we got home after a rather huge day upriver. On the good ship Umzimkulu. Sporting The Green Net (green warriors – more about them later) and none other than the world’s own River Raconteur – Professor Antony Turton! Also along for the alluvial educational ride was Selvan Chetty (ANC Chief Whip), Rowan Clark (Engineer), Louis Essery (KuluCrete), Vicky Wentzel (Tourism)…all supported by the land unit operated by Helmut Hansen (Green Net).
Professor Turton
Tony Turton is an encyclopedia. His store of knowledge on rivers and estuarine systems is startling. In the beginning, not many of us knew what he was talking about. But by the end of that boat ride, we all knew exactly.
This is Professor Anthony Turton…
The Green Net
The green terrorist group known as The Green Net is a lethal women-run organisation that is seemingly afraid of absolutely nothing. If you check their Facebook pages you will see pictures of these girls getting deep down in dirty rivers and other environmental hotspots all over the south coast.
Helen Dodge, Dianne Hayter and Joan Gallagher are the main conspirators. Backed up by a wide network of very interested and motivated allies. Some in very high places.
Their initiatives are well-supported and widespread. Gardens all over the place – teaching people how to utilise the soil, and resources, to the best possible results. Environmental concerns such as the berms at St. Helen’s Rock. And myriad more things.
All of these you can check out and get involved in at their comprehensive website on https://thegreennet.org.za. Which has recently received an all-new content lady named Donna Monk who has already dived right in. You can contact The Green Net from their website.
Marketing by The Green Net website team
From Donna…
“If you have products or services that are green in nature, The Green Net website team will gladly list your items on their online superstore for you. Sales will pay a negotiated commission to The Green Net.”
The Green Net website is filled with content and news. And this all-new e-commerce enabled store is gonna rock it!
Get in touch with Donna on +27 83 395 5544 to chat possibilities and options.
The Sardine News is a media partner for The Green Net.
Shad attack behaviour in Port Shepstone – the movie
Shad attack behaviour in Port Shepstone – the movie
Shad attack behaviour – the movie was shot on a shallow spot on the backline off Port Shepstone, KZN, South Africa. Near the end of the shad open season this crazy 2020. When they start to congregate to spawn.
The shad, unlike garrick or kob, are given a protected season. This was introduced decades ago when the shad were running out fast. At the end of this month, it is over for shad fishers until 1 December. Somehow this doesn’t make sense since it is the Garrick and kob that the help now. DAFF? Where are you guys on this?
Shad have many names including bluefish and tailor. And its Latin name comes straight out of Asterix and Obelix – Pomatomus Saltatrix!
Anyway, we found a large shoal moving around near the backline at Port Shepstone, and managed to get the GoFish cameras into the water with them. What an amazing amount of fun!
Firstly to have the shad in such a playful mood as they chased our lures from the bottom to the top. We got them on the surface too – like little billfish they mercilessly attacked our lures, often finding themselves cartwheeling through the air and tail-walking. Yes, out here in the blue and flat surface, shad take on a wild new character when cranking a spoon wildly across the top for them to chase.
And secondly, the video material we got out of this session, and some of what features in this video – literally blew our minds!
The GoFish cameras we recently added to our arsenal have completed the mission they were acquired for perfectly…
We can finally see underwater!
The only other people who get this perspective are the spearos and bubble-blowers. But now we can drop a camera down, and observe the goings on on and around the reef, without even getting wet!
Working with the GoFish Cameras
It is not in real-time. Wi-fi don’t work underwater. But we have a cute little computer on the boat that powers off a cell charger and its a quick card switch for us to be seeing what just happened downstairs on the reef below us. There is a wi-fi function on the cameras, however. As long as they are floating in their little life rings, and their bums are sticking up out if the water, you can then live stream in real-time the action going on. This is a very limited function but can be applied to certain limited scenarios.
Now if you buy your GoFish Cams from this here website, you will get unlimited email and telephonic support from me and us here at The Sardine News. We have been using these cameras extensively and have made all the mistakes possible. And we are still making them! Learning every day for sure!
So use the link above or below, depending on your device, to get in on this eye-opening way of working things out on your favourite reef or with your favourite fish!
If you would like to join us down here in Port Shepstone for the season, please get in touch. We are based at the Umzimkulu Marina, right in the banks of the Umzimkulu River – and we are fishing flat out!
We have deep-sea options from backline to billfish on offer. We have the famous Sandspit and The Block to fish from the side from. And then the marvelously fun estuary fishing where we encounter so many different species making every strike that much more interesting.
Please get in touch with Sean on umzimkulu@gmail.com or +27793269671 to work it out. Bookings have come back to normal luckily so think ahead in time.
We are Facebook right HERE and run a full-on YouTube Channel right HERE!
Bass on fly tackle
Bass on fly tackle
Bass on fly tackle? To the purists and sceptics out there – it’s a great way to practise for the saltwater! – Sean
And as the southerly and northerly winds start their perennial argument, hanging out in the shelter of a tucked-away bass pond – is a great place to be. Especially along the KZN South Coast inland beat, where we are right now. And the wind is scathing our beaches and coastline. Right now as I write this, its literally blowing a gale at 30 knots plus. From the south. And tomorrow it’s gonna be the same but from the south-east. Even worse! Then it turns north. Even worser!
Luckily, many farmers from around here allow bass anglers to hunt fish in their dams. And many dont! But if you are on the KZN South Coast some time, and you want to go bassin’, we can take you for sure. Paddock and Umzumbe hold some secrets and even close around Port Shepstone there are some gems. That do not get fished very often at all.
And who also hold some lunker sized bass. Even just recently, as the bass start to enter spawning mode, some good catches have been made including one of over 4kgs caught and released just south of Port Shepstone.
But ok, a few stories that might get you amped up…the first from Coty in the States who penned up this real cool article on what it takes to bassin’ on the fly.
And this one, also sent in by Coty…
…is well worth a read as it analyses the famed Loskop Reservoir where Wayne Naude caught the current SA Record at 7 something kilos!
But ok thanks Coty for the articles, and you can visit Cotys new website at Your Bass Guy dot Com. Click right HERE to check it out. Looking forward to some more technical stuff from the old USA.
And if you want a bassin trip to remember, get in touch with me Sean on umzimkulu@gmail.com or +27 79 326 9671 anytime and lets chat it out.
Check out our YouTube Channel right here…
Catch us on Facebook HERE!
You can buy all sorts of fly fishing tackle right HERE.
The Sardine News (c) 2020