Categories: Report

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…

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

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

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

And it’s Chris Lepan again with another Umzimkulu Estuary kob.

Dylan and Joshua and a square tailed kob.

Not released…

Kob vs Garrick PSJ The Two Wise Men

30kg Kob at The Block in Port ShepstoneUA

Sean Calitz 25kg Kob at Port St. Johns with MYDO and Paddletail

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.

Beautiful-kob-and-Diving-Diva

Kob Catch Restrictions and Advice for KZN

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:

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