Category: Wild Coast

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Supping is safe at Port St. Johns 2nd Beach – in the estuary

Supping is safe at Port St. Johns 2nd Beach – in the estuary

Supping is safe at Port St. Johns 2nd Beach – in the estuary! After weeks of bumping into people and hearing their stories in and around PSJ, it definitely does not seem safe to even consider going into that piece of ocean. http://africasup.com/ gave us two SUPs to give it a go, which we did, and have come to the verdict that this place is just too full of sharks for any kind of water boarding at all.

But we gave it a go…

Don’t even think about trying it. It was so spooky, the shallow bar gives way to a deep and ominous undertow that sucks you out to sea in no time. At last we got a wave or two, but Brucifire took a hit on the nose and on the finger and was bleeding all over the place. We quit while ahead, and moved into the estuary for some balancing practise and a swim with the lifeguards.

There are just too many sharks, it’s that simple.

This is shark central. There are no nets here, and no subsistence shark reapers. The sharks abound. And they love the Umzimvubu, which is full of them, big mammas down to small pups. We catch them all the time. And see them.

There is a lot to attract them to the area, Pristine eco systems and reefs. Dirty water. Kob…

So until a shark exclusion barrier ( not a shark net system like the killer gill nets in KZN) is installed at 2nd Beach, there will be no takers. The reason we undertook this publicity stunt was to garner support for the exclusion barrier. Exposure through controversy, and it seems to be working. The lifeguards are involved and stakeholders in the town are excited.

Drownings are also a huge problem down in Port St. Johns. This device will almost certainly put a stop to accidental drownings completely. The lifeguards patrol within the exclusion zone, right amongst the bathers, as they maintain the barrier through the tides. The barrier is removed completely at night, or in bad weather and ocean conditions.

Note: We are not writing Supping off at 2nd Beach completely. I mean a huge 10 ft board gives you 1000 times more chances of shark encounter survival. In a flat sea it’s even safer. If a shark comes past, just hit the deck and hide!

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Secret Shark Attacks

Secret Shark Attacks

Never thought it would get to this but there are shark attacks going down all over the globe, that are being kept secret!

Makes you wonder what it is that turns the media, from sensationalists, to economists, in a blink?

Two in Moz, two in the Kei, and one in the Cape. Those are just about all the details I can give, since they are still deemed secret shark attacks. All this month and last! And that is just Southern Africa.

Protecting and nurturing an embattled, and injured tourism sector is the obvious reason. But surely there is a way to turn this all around.

SUP’s!

Yup, SUP’s are big bad surfboards about 10ft long and 5ft wide, which you drive with a skippers ticket and a paddle. And you can surf them in shark infested waters without a fear in the world. Paint it Orca colours and any great white within a mile will head for Seal Island!

It is with this idea in mind, that Brucifire and thesardine.co.za team will be heading to Port St Johns this week, two SUP’s and two dogs on board, to surf the classic sandbars in complete safety. And pave the way for the SUPping future!

More fire!!!

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Featuring: The Outspan Inn

The Outspan Inn

Arriving in Port St. Johns in the early evening, after a big drive in from Port Edward, we stopped above the estuary overlooking the river, to take it all in. As we gaped, a flock of terns treated us to a fly by at eye level in the twilight, and with that, the awesome reality of being in The Transkei, set in.

Welcome to The Outspan Inn - Port St Johns, the Wild Coast

After a magical meal at Steve’s Restaurant, we settled into our home for the next few days – the evergreen and steadfast Outspann Inn. Right on the Umzimvubu River!

The Outspann Inn has a history as long as that of Port St. Johns.

The accommodation is built around a lush indigenous garden and a swimming pool, with beach access to the river bank.
This amazing location has obviously played a part in Outspann Inn’s longevity…imagine back in the days, when trekkers outspanned right here as they tried to get across the temperamental river waters.

Fishing is undoubtedly the biggest draw card for the tourists in Port St. Johns. They come from far and wide, and the guys staying at the Outspan Inn nect to us, caught two walloping kob of about 20kgs each and a night time caught garrick! The garrick have been wild in the river this year – reportedly the best season in decades.

Port St. Johns is filled with things-to-do and places-to-go. The restaurants are top notch – starting with Steve’s right at the entrance to The Outspan Inn. The beaches are empty and stretch for miles, although bathing isn’t really recommended, other than in the swimming pool. There are nature walks, a mini golf course, well stocked shops and no trip to Port St. Johns is complete without a cruise up to the airstrip and it’s majestic views.

Outspan Inn

It is a great spot that caters for the whole family.

Check out more about the Outspan Inn on outspaninn.co.za

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PSJ from underwater by Ant Kobrowsky and Offshore Africa

PSJ from underwater by Ant Kobrowsky and Offshore Africa

Anthony Kobrowski from Sea Candy – an underwater image production company, spent a few seasons with Rob Nettleton and Debbie Smith of Offshore Africa in Port St. Johns, chasing sardines and the predators that follow them.

This short film, put together by Sea Candy, portrays the vibe that gets us all so amped each sardine season.

For more information and for booking enquiries, click on over to:

http://www.offshoreportstjohns.com/

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Mydos available at Gremlins in Margate

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Submitted by: Sean Lange

Report:

Mydos available at Gremlins in Margate

Robbie Gavin has been assisting local and visiting anglers to the south coast, catch their dream fish, for 3 decades now!

Gremlins is just up from the famed Margate Beach, famous for it’s fun-in-the-sun vibe and great fishing.

From the Margate Pier south towards Ramsgate you can find numerous spots that are very comfortably fished all the while surrounded by beautiful nature and scenery as the bays and points unfurl. Kob and shad are well fished in this bays and gulleys.

If you are planning a trip down further south, into the Transkei, Robbie knows all the secrets and good spots, so stop by for a chat and an update on conditions and places that are fishing well.

The Mydo Luck Shot Mini #1 available at Gremlins is super fun in the plentiful estuaries and lagoons on the lower south coast. Work a Luck Shot in any of the bigger ones and you are sure to get well excited. Sometimes lures outfish livebaits so it’s great to go prepared for both.

MYDO-MCARTHY
Gremlins in Margate have long been the go-to guys for rock and surf tackle, bait and advice, from the KZN South Coast and way into the Transkei. Gremlins have a strong dropshot section and it is in here that you will the Mydo and MacArthy range of dropshot baits and baitswimmers.

Southbroom, Mpenjati and Umtamvuna are full of gamefish ready to be stalked with these small 0.7 Oz lures.

But the big news this time of the year is the kob run! Expected to happen any time soon now, and already pre-empted by some great catches off the side, including Mike Stubbs big fish on a Rapala, weighing in at 32.7kg’s, caught on The Sandspit in Port Shepstone…

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The MYDO Luck Shot Mini #2 has also seen some kob action, here is Simon Fish with his MYDO caught kob in the Transkei. He got it on his very first cast with a green glow McArthy 6″ Paddletail.

Simon fish and his first cast MYDO caught kob in The Transkei
Simon fish and his first cast MYDO caught kob in The Transkei
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