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Kobtober Begins

Kobtober 1 October 2024

Kobtober Begins

Kobtober Begins: October is here which also means NO shad allowed. For the next two months, as these our favourite fish – enter breeding mode, they are strictly off-limits.

The shad fishing ban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, was implemented in April 2005. This annual ban is designed to protect shad during their peak breeding season. It runs from October 1 to November 30 each year12. The ban has been crucial in maintaining the shad population, and ensuring sustainable fishing practices. During the open season, the minimum size for shad is 30 cm. The bag limit is four per person per day1. This regulation helps preserve the species for future generations, supporting both ecological balance and local fishing communities.

Kob Gallery

We let most of the kob go these days, but it wasn’t always like that. This gallery includes some incredible releases. But nothing as big as Gareth Powell’s fish in 2021. At Port Edward, Gareth caught, tagged and released a 100 pounder.

Released…

Surf fishing. Gerrard-Powells-100lb-kob-being-manhandled-back-to-the-water-correctly
Gerrard-Powells-100lb-kob-being-manhandled-back-to-the-water-correctly
Surf fishing. Mr.-Ant-Nel-still-teaching-tagging-and-releasing-Gerrard-Powells-100lb-kob-for-him
Surf fishing. Mr.-Ant-Nel-still-teaching-tagging-and-releasing-Gerrard-Powells-100lb-kob-for-him
The-magical-tag-number-234455-for-Gerrard-Powells-100lb-daga-salmon-aka-kob-aka-dusky-kob
The-magical-tag-number-234455-for-Gerrard-Powells-100lb-daga-salmon-aka-kob-aka-dusky-kob
Gerrard-Powell-his-two-daughters-and-a-100lb-Kob
Gerrard-Powell-his-two-daughters-and-a-100lb-Kob
Dallas with a groovy little kob at the SandSpit in Port Shepstone
Dallas with a groovy little kob at the SandSpit in Port Shepstone
A fun little kobbie about to be released down on the Sandspit in Port Shepstone
A fun little kobbie about to be released down on the Sandspit in Port Shepstone
Brown water in KZN - good or bad?
And it’s Chris Lepan again with another Umzimkulu Estuary kob.
Dylan and Joshua and a square tailed kob.
Dylan and Joshua and a square tailed kob.

Not released…

Kob vs Garrick PSJ The Two Wise Men
Kob vs Garrick PSJ The Two Wise Men
30kg Kob at The Block in Port ShepstoneUA
30kg Kob at The Block in Port ShepstoneUA
Sean Calitz 25kg Kob at Port St. Johns with MYDO and BruBaits
Sean Calitz 25kg Kob at Port St. Johns with MYDO and Paddletail
Koblet by Josh Herrison near Port St Johns
Koblet by Josh Herrison near Port St Johns
Kob, Daga, Salmon cdall it what you will…such a nice fish to hunt
For a taster of the kind of fish you could be tussling with, this fish was taken in 1937 by brothers Frits and Heinrich Cruys, in the Swakopmund lagoon. It weighed 175lbs!!! You can by MYDOs in Swakopmund, at Leons Fishing Tackle.
For a taster of the kind of fish you could be tussling with, this fish was taken in 1937 by brothers Frits and Heinrich Cruys, in the Swakopmund lagoon. It weighed 175lbs!!! You can by MYDOs in Swakopmund, at Leons Fishing Tackle.
Beautiful-kob-and-Diving-Diva
Beautiful-kob-and-Diving-Diva

Kob Catch Restrictions and Advice for KZN

Kob species
Kob species and deep-sea boat rules above

In KZN, South Africa, there are specific regulations for catching kob to ensure sustainable fishing practices. Here are the key restrictions:

  1. Minimum Size: The minimum size for catching kob is 50 cm1.
  2. Bag Limit: Anglers are allowed to catch a maximum of 5 kob per day1.
  3. Closed Seasons: There are no specific closed seasons for kob, but it’s important to stay updated with any regional regulations that might apply2.
  4. Protected Areas: Fishing for kob in marine protected areas is prohibited3.
  5. Sale Restrictions: Recreational fishers are not allowed to sell their catch3.

These regulations help protect kob populations and ensure that fishing remains sustainable. Are you planning a fishing trip soon? Try Umzimkulu Adrenalin.

1: FishingInfo.co.za 2: Ski-Boat Magazine 3: DFFE

Umzimkulu Adrenalin will take you kob fishing on the KZN South Coast.

Sardines n 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 185,000 times and keeps growing.

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!

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 chilly day like today to research. With instructions to install The Sardine News right on your phone or desktop.

2024 Sardine Map

2023 Sardine Map

2022 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 onto the edge
thesardine.co.za – never miss a single  sardine or storm warning
masterwatermen.co.za – news from deep down
brucifire.co.za –  surf and conditions reporting
fishbazaruto.com – your dreams are out there
mydofishinglures.co.za – technical  sport fishing

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