Sardine Run from a spearo’s POV: video by Breathless
Featured image by Ryan Daly.
The Sardine Run from a spearo’s POV: video by Breathless. In as much as this year has been really good (so far anyway ha ha), during all the many years gone by, where pundits have mourned the lack of sardines on the beach – what they don’t realise, is that the sardine run actually takes place beyond the backline.
For real. They only come into the channels, then the shorebreak, and finally the beach – when all the stars line up. But out behind the breakers, that’s where it all actually goes down.
Breathless is a new Vlog on the old YouTube and they are doing a fantastic job! This video is filled with action right from the outset. Launching out through under the bridge at Hibberdene. KZN South Coast. Being dragged into the shorebreak by tractor, negotiating the surf launch – and finally – sardines!
And sharks!
And gamefish. The first of which was a sardine crammed snoek who just never paid any attention and caught a spear for it. Then the sharks come into the scene. With one particularly cheeky looking guy – see if you can spot him in amongst all the other more peaceful players. This is the one that will bite you by mistake. Or maybe even on purpose. But the video is a great study in overall and general shark behaviour during the sardine run. It is probably, to me anyway, about 95% of the zambies, blacktips and coppers, are cool. But, and this is a big but, that 5% are testosterone addled zombies and do not play by the rules. Those are the ones you got to keep actively looking for. They swim different. And their fins point down. That’s the one to watch.
As for tigers, whites and makos – well luckily there ain’t none of them in this line-up. Nor that real punk – the oceanic white tip. And the really stupid blue shark. It seems there are a lot less of these open ocean travelers getting in amongst the sardines these days. Because back when I first jumped in with fins and a mask (holding tightly onto Darrell Hattinghs coat tails – late 80s), we had these morons to deal with a lot more. Perhaps this is ANOTHER contributing factor to the abundance of sardines this year – that all those commercial ships way out deep during lockdown, were actually, as said by Greg Christy, catching sharks and tuna. By the shipload. Lets chalk up yet another theory amongst the many sardine theories floating about these days. The truth is out there! (thank you Prof Simon).
But ok, enjoy the really cool video by Breathless, and don’t forget to Like and Subscribe to their channel. It’s one trillion times better than ANYTHING on TV (box of lies).
And there you have it. If you hear someone complaining that the sardines never swam up the beach this year – tell them to swim out a couple hundred metres and see what happens!
Breathless. Keep up the damn good work pal!
And Ryan Daly, thank you for your amazing chronicling by camera…this Sardine Run 2020. What a sardine run actually looks like.
Keep in touch with us at The Sardine News on Facebook right here. We run an action-packed YouTube channel right here.
USCT shares unique underwater images of bumper 2020 Sardine Run
USCT shares unique underwater images of bumper 2020 Sardine Run: The ongoing cold spell has seen sardine activity increase on the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) South Coast and Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT) has been able to share some breath-taking under-water footage of the #GreatestShoalonEarth. These images and videos were taken by Dr Ryan Daly of the Oceanographic Research Institute whilst out spearfishing near Scottburgh.
“What a bonanza of fish we saw yesterday, it was overwhelming with so many sardines! As both a scientist and someone who has been following the sardines for many years, it was amazing to see the volume of sardines yesterday (Tuesday, 16 June),” explained Daly. “Certainly, it’s the most sardines I’ve ever seen on the KZN South Coast. With climate change, potential pressure from commercial fishing and shifts in the way animals respond to environments, many scientists were worried that bumper Sardine Runs were a thing of the past, so it’s fantastic to see the surge in activity. It should bode well for a great season.”
He said the pandemic meant that, unlike previous years, there hasn’t been anyone closely following sardines on the Wild Coast: “We don’t actually know how much activity there was on the Wild Coast and whether this is just a pocket that showed up on the South Coast, or if it was preceded by a much larger volume. We’ll just have to wait to see, over the next few weeks, if this is followed by even more sardines. We certainly are way overdue for a big run!”
Commenting on the recent predatory activity, Daly said the sardine volume had attracted dusky sharks, bronze whaler sharks and spinner sharks to feed on the shoals, as well as big game fish such as couta fish, tuna and snoek.
“It was great to see that people netted enough sardines for themselves but that there were still so many sardines beyond those that could be netted – what a bounty for the community and wildlife along the coast! It’s been amazing to witness the change in people’s attitudes to the sharks over the years as well,” he continued. “People were releasing sharks from the nets and showing respect for these important aquatic animals. This area is a nursery for dusky sharks in particular, which are endangered, and it was so special to see these sharks and the respect people have for them.”
CEO of Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT), Phelisa Mangcu, echoed these sentiments, stating it has been one of the best Sardine Runs the KZN South Coast has experienced in a number of years: “In addition to this being a spectacle to witness, the annual Sardine Run provides economic security for commercial fishermen, and food security for subsistence fishermen, as well as generally great fishing for our recreational anglers along the KZN South Coast shores.”
Mangcu said that the recent cold spell had proved particularly beneficial, bringing with it shoals of sardines to various locations along the coastline with netting taking place at Sezela, Ramsgate, Scottburgh, Southbroom and Pennington over the past few days: “This is only the start of this winter event, and we’re looking forward to ongoing marine activity over the coming days. USCT would like to thank everyone who is supporting our local fishermen during this time, as well as those providing support to local restaurants and cafes. We also encourage everyone to continue practising all required health-and-safety protocols, including wearing of masks, regular hand sanitising and social distancing.”
USCT is keeping everyone connected to the Sardine Run digitally during lockdown by uploading videos, images and up-to-date information. Check out the ‘South Coast Tourism’ Facebook page and @infosouthcoast on Twitter for breath-taking images of seine netters on the shore; aerial footage of shark activity by drone pilot @saltywaveslider; and underwater footage by Dr Ryan Daly. For more information about the KZN South Coast and USCT, visit www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za or download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app to find a local supplier.
Amazing imagery by…
IMAGE CREDIT: Dr Ryan Daly
About Ugu South Coast Tourism Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT) is the official destination management organisation of the Ugu District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The Ugu District comprises four local municipalities that include Umdoni, Umzumbe, Umuziwabantu and Ray Nkonyeni. USCT’s mandate is to grow tourism within the KZN South Coast. This involves implementing marketing and development initiatives that are aimed at showcasing the diverse offerings and experiences of the South Coast as tourist destination. A board of directors oversees USCT, headed by CEO, Phelisa Mangcu.
About KZN South Coast Known as the ‘Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom’, the KZN South Coast stretches 120 kilometres from Scottburgh to Port Edward and inland to Harding. Here, the spirit of adventure can be discovered among the many cultural experiences, as well as the 35 nature trails and 58 beaches, ideal for activities like river rafting, abseiling, suspension bridges, paintball, surfing, SUP, canoeing, beach horse rides, shark cage diving and free diving. Nicknamed ‘The Golf Coast’, there are 11 golf courses on the KZN South Coast ranging in difficulty, with endless hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 trails for more rugged excursions. Promoting sustainability, the KZN South Coast has a growing agri-tourism sector that offers world-class produce and hosts tours and excursions. The region boasts a number of permanently managed Blue Flag beaches, and is home to some of the world’s top diving sites, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. The originality continues with the annual Sardine Run, coined the #GreatestShoalonEarth, which is the largest biomass migration on earth and a marvel to witness. The region’s many nature reserves are inhabited by indigenous bird and wildlife, and it holds the title for ‘smallest desert on earth’, The Red Desert in Port Edward. The KZN South Coast is a fast-emerging MICE destination which also plays host to a number of high-profile events including the The Bike Fest, Uvukile Gospel Festival, Ugu Jazz, Ugu Film Festival and the South Coast Fever MTB & Trail Run Series.
Issued on behalf of: Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT) Disseminated by: Olivia Jones Communications For more information please contact: Olivia Jones Communications Cell: 083 653 1720 Email: media@oliviajones.co.za
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Fishing family takes down proper perch on the ‘Kulu
Acanthopagrus berda Forsskål, 1775 (Goldsilk seabream) goldsilk seabream, sly bream or picnic seabream seems to be the fish we are talking about here. (if you know any better please let us know we have been experiencing some signal loss when identifying certain fish lately) We just call them river perch, or perch.
So the very next session after our fishing family caught that awesome flagtail down at the estuary mouth area (see that video here), the next early morning, literally in the dark, we set out on the river. Navigating north this time, up to the big hole and deeper waters under the cliff.
Along the way, stopping at a recently collapsed tree full of weaver birds. Making nests frantically. After trying for a good twenty minutes we moved on. We need to spend a lot more time at this particular spot. Those big rock salmon will be stopping by there on patrol for sure. Waiting for a chick or two to fall in!
Moored up against the rocks at the base of the cliff, this is real nature. Fish eagles said good morning their own jovial way. All sorts of birds were out and about. Herons. Hawks. We even had a tern fly by?!
But the fishing was slow and aside from a few bites it was almost too quiet for my liking. But then our fishing dad had a huge Mangrove aka Santola crab at the surface. And true to form, as we contemplated how to grab him before he grabbed us, he let go. I was already tasting the curry!
Another slow hour went by and all of a sardine – Bang! Momma fish was bending. In fact, the fish was now peeling line. And with a real tight drag, the fish was literally pulling her down the boat towards the back. The boys all jumped in to help, relieving Momma of her bending rod. All having a go at trying to tame this mean fish. Eventually, the rod made it to Dad. This is a true fishing family!
After a solid and prolonged fight on the light tackle, the tired but angry perch came to the boat and the tiny hook was visibly only holding on by a thread. Luck was on our side and the fish hit the deck with a solid thump!
Perch are superb gamefish. Aggressive and wily at the same time. Those times when you just get a solid thump of a bite, and let’s go immediately – that’s most likely him knocking at your door.
Most times with perch though, you don’t even have to feed to strike. Just hit him back as he bites and hopefully your hook is sharp enough and finds home. Smaller hooks are easier, but if you are releasing most fish, as we all do these days, sometimes the smaller hooks go right inside. Causing complications. I like to use a 3/0 circle hook in the river so that I don’t get tangled with too many smaller fish. And I hook up far better like this too.
Circle hooks are definitely the way to go, whatever size you choose to fish. If you are releasing fish, your survival rate will go right up if you use circles. Many anglers on our trips have not made this revelation out yet, and often the hook sets way down in the fish’s stomach. No good.
Noel Labuschagne and his cute little Umzimkulu perch, about to go back.
Baits for perch are very much the same as you would use for kob or rock salmon. The ever-reliable sardine head with guts hanging out, on a bigger 5/0 circle hook, put’s you in the game for all the trophies you can find in the Umzimkulu River. Fresh prawn. Squid. The fish in the video above was caught on a beautifully prepared bait – a juicy mixed grill lovingly put together by Shaun the fishing Dad, for his wife. Who hooked the fish almost immediately!
Live baiting for perch
Perch are actually aggressive enough to have produced many double and triple header strikes here in the river. They hang out in shoals and are pretty easy to locate and hunt. There are quite a few features in the river, that hold perch consistently. One place is a wall running down the middle of the river, that goes for about 200 meters, they can always be spotted here on the sounder. The other spot is close to Spiller’s, where the old bridge used to be. Some pieces of the old structure are still above the mud – perfect for ambushing perch.
Chuck in a live mullet at any of these spots, on a decent tide, and hold on tight! I like to fish without a sinker when I live bait – makes for thrilling one on one direct feel. But a small ball sinker in front of the swivel means a bit more control for you. Hook in the front somewhere. Ideally thread the circle hook Catalina style (just like for marlin) giving the live bait the most chance of finding a convincing a fish to eat.
Prawns are plentiful and right on the very top of all the predator fish favourite food list in this estuary. I have been lucky enough to fish a 6 inch long live tiger prawn, which became a trophy grunter in less than a few minutes, down at Spiller’s Wharf on the south bank too. There are quite a few species of prawn here in the Kulu. And don’t put your live mullet and live prawns in the same bucket – the prawns always win! I also like to fish the prawn without any sinker or float, but they can hide away in the mud/sand. So, A small sinker in front of the swivel, and a small float near the prawn keeps the prawn in the water column and not hiding out somewhere invisible. Place the circle hook right in the tip of the tail for best results when fishing a live prawn.
Then this nice fish, was caught right up at the top, in the deepest section that we can get to. It gets down to 12 metres after some good rains. But in this spot, up against the side, it’s about 4 metres deep – going deeper. This spot is also where I caught that little Zambezi Shark on a bass lure. For real! Luckily I have proof…
We are operating down on the Umzimkulu River right now, based back at the Umzimkulu Marina, and it’s on! The ocean has also settled and the colour line looks phenomenal these days as the current sweeps it along the coastline to the south.
We have been lucky with a good run of dorado so far. Check out some recent action on the Niteshift right here. And a double hit of dorado news from http://umzimkulu.co.za right here.
The Port Shepstone lighthouse. Great photo opportunities around here.
We are offering accommodation and fishing trips on the Umzimkulu River. And if conditions allow for safe launching, we can take a few lucky anglers out to sea. To chase dorado, striped marlin, sailfish and beeeeg ‘couta, as the hot season kicks in.
This is what you can expect…
If you want some of this KZN South Coast seasonal action, let’s goooooo!
Get in touch with Sean on umzimkulu@gmail.com or WhatsApp +27793269671, to chat about options, tides and dates.
Stumpy the Octopus announces new YouTube channel: the MasterWaterman
Jason Heyne. For those that don’t know this guy, well, let’s just say he spends more time in the water than out. I was introduced to Jason, in the late eighties, by Darrell Hattingh…another MasterWaterman.
Darrell and I were being chased all over the KZN south coast as we hopped from spot to spot looking for good water to jump into. By a super eager Jason, in his battered but reliable and almost inconspicuous beige camouflaged Peugeot station wagon. Yip, the one with the air suspension.
We were all hustling back then, shooting fish to keep going. An extremely glamorous existence actually. Totally illegal. Being chased by Cedric and his team of the then highly effective and militant Natal Parks Board. We all stopped these shenanigans with a bit of age, Darrell pursues his illustrious marine art career these days, and Jason is an IT professional.
Luckily Jason has put some his computer skills to good use as of late and has produced an all-new YouTube channel. To back up his ongoing and informative dive reports.
Jason Heyne checks in…with reliable and accurate KZN spearfishing reports weekly.
Called the MasterWaterman, Jason is shooting on his dives and coming home for an edit. And if this first video is anything to go by, we are in for a breath-holding journey into Jason’s underwater life. And underwater friends.
Like Stumpy the Octopus. This guy lives on a reef near Umhlanga and has become Jason’s new best mate. Stumpy even jumps onto Jason’s back as he swims off and shoots a garrick! And then when Jason was packing up to swim back in through the surf zone, Stumpy said goodbye with a wave of his tentacles and jetted off back to his spot on the reef?
Enjoy the picture show…
The MasterWaterman YouTube Channel has started!
You can watch Jason’s new channel, and subscribe/share/like at the following link;
Introducing the Mydo Moby Spoon: When the SS Spoon range from Mydo Lures came out, their technological features made quite a literal splash. The lateral line holes and eyes that are cut right into, and right through, the lure cause air cavitation. Resulting in a trail of air bubbles and a plume of spray flying up through the air. Coupled with the concave underneath and the lateral curve (rocker) modelled on Brian Davey’s original spoon profile and design, the SS range has been catching fish. However, many people started asking for the good old Toby spoon. Which, originally made by Abu Garcia, is the most produced type of lure worldwide, ever. But it is not a patented design – and so we unashamedly made our own high-tech version. And here it is…the Moby.
There are three sizes – 600, 900 and 1200. Check them out in the Tackle Store above.
As you will see, it is a little straighter than the SS range. And it swims exactly as it should, a gentle swaying motion starting at the tip and exaggerating into the tail. It is more predictable than the SS Spoon guys, and wowser, it looks good. During testing, we caught many shad on them. So much fun on light tackle. However, there are limitations to fishing high-tech like this, which we experienced in the strong east winds of KZN and the Kei. The lures are extremely lightweight. Which really helps when fishing over shallow ledges or shelves. We never lost one lure to the rocks during the test runs. And it gives them their lively action. But, difficult to get any real distance in, when fighting the beasterly easterly. But by repositioning and fishing with the wind, enables us to take advantage of the wind rather than fight it. The lateral line pattern of holes allows air through the lure during the cast, minimising it’s profile and friction through the air.
The easy way is fish light. Very light, especially when playing around with the smallest model, which is a mere 6cm long. But it’s a dream rig. 8 or 10lb Braid, tiny grinder and a little bass or estuary rod. You can keep this rig with you at all times. And it works for everything, everywhere! Fishing light like this produces so much more, every time. Places like the Richard’s Bay harbour, Durban Bay, estuaries – become a playground as the light tackle opens up a whole new host of target species. And depending on which waters you are fishing, and how you work the spoon, you can choose exactly what to target.
Whilst with clients up in the Okavango in June, we tried the new spoons out for the ferocious tigerfish. We fished the tiny 600 on a real light outfit, and in the idyllic conditions, we were popping that tiny lure a good 20 metres. Which is all you need when fishing the confluences. We had fun with a string of baby tigers. One after the other.
Cameron Yates with another MYDO Moby spoon victim tigerfish, happily and healthily released. Tough and spectacular fighting little fish!
The MYDO Moby is available at participating tackle shops countrywide, but buying them online works great too. Use the Tackle menu item above. Or click right here. Or get in touch via email – works in 2G areas – umzimkulu@gmail.com or WhatsApp +27793269671.
And a gallery of fish recently caught on Mydo SS and SS Moby Spoons…
The little MYDO SS Shad spoon accounted for most fish we caught
A beautiful Talang Queenfish from the waters near Paradise .Island. Released
Island Trevally on a Mydo SS Spoon at Tofinho, Inhambane, Mozambique
The Mydo SS Snoek spoon dealt with 80% of our Snoek this day.
MYDO Team Angler JP Bartholomew with a magnificent Bonefish taken on a MYDO SS Spoon on the KZN North Coast
This is the MYDO SS Spoon Shad in 3.2mm Stainless Steel specification 316 marine grade.
