Snakes on the Beach
Snakes on the Beach: The Sardine News is in Jeffrey’s Bay. It is cold. Sooooo cold. The NW Devil hit Force 6 yesterday, which meant 55 knots plus. The seaweed amassed on the beaches here, containing Puff Adders that had come from the recent huge flood, was being blown back out to sea. The Gamtoos came down very hard. And picked up all the puff adders and plastic that it could, and dumped it all on Albatross Beach, in amongst the piles of seaweed that the flotsam and jetsam had already removed from the reefs.
Which was exactly where Brucifire (Surf Retorts) and I were beach combing, just after they had removed all the snakes!
Puff Adders vs Mambas
We are never gonna be expecting snakes on the beach, but this is what happens. Had we been an hour earlier, those puff adders, might have had a chance at us! And in KZN, when this happens, the odd mamba (green and black), are also taken for a merry ride to the sea by floods. They are tired and annoyed by the time they hit a random beach, when this happens. And sometimes they play dead. Touch one and find out the very hard way!
SA Masters Champs
We are not only chasing sardines on this trip, but the SA Masters Surfing champs are also on at Seal Point next week. After the event…
Sardine Chasing
…we will be back on the road and chasing sardines. These weather and ocean conditions are exactly what the sardines need to get going. They like the encouragement of these big waves to harness their forward energy whilst they travel north. Sardines use these big swells to travel with, they use the non-stop wave energy on tap. You can read or watch that story right HERE.
Elton from the GoDive crew is launching every day possible (Cintsa near East London), and has come back from the sea out there with incredible predator scenes. As these marine predators all start to assemble for the ultimate sardine ambush. In this gathering last week, some Orcas got impatient and HANGRY, and attacked and ate a common dolphin, right under the GoDive teams drone. Spectacular to see wild life at this level.
Thank you Elton and crew! You can subscribe to their YouTube Channel, right HERE.
Weather
It’s gonna be crazy again for a while, right from Cape Town (still weathering a NW), to the Eastern Cape. And finally into KZN, where a big high pressure out off the eastern seaboard, has been keeping these storms (that shall not be named) at bay. But these two cold fronts are vehement to upset proceedings and are literally doubling up, behind the recent tempest (that shall not be named), and are heading up to KZN right now. KZN has been peachy this whole time, but I reckon the chickens are coming home to roost!
Batten down the hatches! Winter is heading to KZN too!
The Fishing Hole
The Fishing Hole in Winkelspruit…has signed up with The Sardine News! So from now on, all Fishing Hole fans are gonna get The Sardine News Daily, for FREE! You can watch and follow on the Fishing Hole Facebook Group Page.
Fishing
In this good weather the past week – some guys have been nailing the shad. Here at The Sardine News, we don’t really name spots, but head to your favourite fishing hole, and give it a try. You will have much more of a chance and getting some shad for breakfast these days, than the dry months gone by.
In times like these, it can be that – the estuaries are the only place to hide. And this is exactly about the time of year when the kingfish and other estuarine winter gamefish start exploring and hunting in the estuaries. We already discovered a garrick eaten in half by a zambezi in the Umzimkuku recently. So, if estuary fishing is your game(or you’d like to get into spinning for estuarine gameys, get in touch with me, Sean, on 0793269671, and let’s arrange an outing.
Prices from R250 a person! Can supply bait and tackle too. Watch the very many “Umzimkulu Fishing” videos on YouTube and all over, to get the actual, hardcore picture.
Surfing
Go surfing! If you get a window, take it. There are offshore winds prevailing in most places. But go early, the days will deteriorate as they go.
Diving
I hope the KZN spearos have been taking full advantage of their good water and weather. Because if things hold in the pattern they are at, it’s gonna get wild. Big waves and big winds. As for the rest of the country, may aswell spear fish in a duck pond, rather than go near that wild ocean.
Sardines and Sighting Maps
Here are the links to existing and past Sardine Sighting Maps. With instructions on how to install The Sardine News right on your phone, tablet, or even desktop.
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 – fishing, charters, accommodation
umzimkuluadrenalin.co.za – will get you right out and onto the edge
thesardine.co.za – never miss a single sardine
masterwatermen.co.za – news from under water
fishbazaruto.com – dreams are out there
brucifire.co.za – surf retorts
fishmad.co.za – destination Madagascar
andantelodge.co.za – Transit luxury in Pretoria
