estuary Archives - The Sardine News

Posted on December 11, 2024December 11, 2024 by Sean Lange — Leave a comment

Jumping Tides this 11 December 2024

11 December 2024 Jumping Tides and Jumping Dorado w Adam Kamdar

Jumping Tides this 11 December 2024

Jumping Tides this 11 December 2024: welcome back to The Sardine News this absolutely perfect 11 December 2024. And it’s a jump tide (the tide moved forward about 2 hours last night) so we are back to idyllic low tide mornings. As we move towards an epic spring tide and full moon in a few days time. These are magnificent circumstances for all ocean activities. Plus the ocean and weather conditions look to remain stable right through to the next high pressures due after the weekend. When it will all turn around blowing hard from the northeast. And get HOT as hell!

We are starting real early with reports today following The Bear on his chosen path down south. On his ever-lasting quest for clean, fish-rich water that KZN Spearos dream about all year long.

Welcome to the Late Edition of The Sardine News…

Flat Seas Early by the Bear With Viz Report KZN South Coast 11 December 2024

It’s been an incredibly cool week weather-wise here in KZN. And it just looks to get better, with a light south-west wind forecast to breeze through sometime this morning. You can hear the excitement and stoke in The Bear’s voice in his report today. Can’t wait to see what the spearos come out with later.

Over to The Bear…

Surfing

That little rat swell is hardly gonna make it into Durban town beaches at all. Maybe on the north and south coasts, you might find something to surf. But it’s gonna be mainly all about holidaymakers and bathing today. The water is still clean and clear in KZN. The proper rains have not come yet and we look ok for the next week or so.

Get in while you can!

Plus, it is 24 degrees or more in some places today. There are some cooler pockets as per usual. Down to 22 or 23. But this 24 and 25 stuff is perfect gamefish sea temperature. The fish are not too lazy from either the water being to warm. Or too cold.

Fishing report coming up next…

Thanks to The Bear of The Master Watermen for the dive and surf reports.

Fishing

Adam Kamdar got lucky enough to get out to sea yesterday. And even more lucky he got when his rod screamed whilst trolling. And he found himself attached to this remarkable bull dorado.

Matching Dorado Kit Available at Township Hyper

Obviously this inspired Adam and crew to be out there again today…and…BANG! Early this very morning! Veer and Novi are the lucky crew members.

Veer Heeramum stands proud with his Durban Dorado this very morning

Novi and Veer out with Adam Kamdar this morning — Veer Heeramum stands proud with his Durban Dorado this very morning

Shad

The shad have realised the date and have gone into hiding. The beaches are dotted with anglers trying to find ’em. But those shad can be really fussy and they do not like warm water. They most likely have ventured out deeper in search of the cooler water that they are known to thrive in.

Couta

Now if you can find those shad out there, and snag a nice big one – put it out live for a decent shot at the wily king mackerel(couta in KZN) as they just come into season. The kayaker crew are leading the leader board with two medium-sized couta so far.

Martin DeJager South Coast KZN Dream Catch on Kayak early December 2024

And on the backline, we even have a November couta caught. By kayaker on the North Coast – Aldeen — Martin DeJager South Coast KZN Dream Catch on Kayak early December 2024

If you would like to be totally kitted to catch these big fish, MYDO Fishing Lures can rig you up. With special heavy-duty but stealthy MYDO Baitswimmer Gamefish Traces. They can swim a dead or a live-bait. And are adjustable regards depth.

And trace length. Got to hook up right – first time every time!

MYDO Telescopic Dropper Assembly Heavy Duty — MYDO Telescopic Dropper Assembly

MYDO StripBaitSwimmer dressed with sardine fillet and light blue mini skirt — MYDO Telescopic Dropper Assembly

You can browse all the MYDO products for targeting couta / king mackerel by clicking right HERE. And you can watch all tihngs MYDO, including how to rig your own, on our YouTube Channel. Click right HERE for that.

Estuary Halocline Hunting

Estuary Halocline Hunting – For International Fishing Pleasure – by MYDO Baitswimmers.

Unbelievably, the rains have stayed away and we are blessed with clean water and even clean estuaries here on the KZN South Coast at the moment.

Here we feature a classic sequence of the halocline (line between more salty and less salty water) moving down the river as the tide drains. And as luck would sometimes have it…as the halocline moves into the jetty area, the baitfish and prawns hiding there get given a proper hiding.

The tip is to find that halocline and work with it. Moving up the river with the pushing tide or the other way around. Tomorrow early we are going to be giving the estuary out front here a go. Stay posted to The Sardine News to see how it goes.

Synoptic Analysis

The synoptic chart is looking great again at the moment. That big dotted line across the middle is a weakening cold front. And you can tell by the way the contour lines are further apart in that area, that the ocean and wind out there are cool and calm.

Tropical Storm Chido is still lurking top right. You got to keep your eye on those two low pressures looking to dance together more closely.

But overall, this is a very healthy looking synoptic chart for today.

Mozambique Travel

Things are about the same as yesterday. BAD!

Traveling in Mozambique right now is NOT advised. Roadblock at Maimelane this morning already…pictured alongside.

Sadly, Fatima’s Nest in Tofo have had to cancel their annual Ocean Festival. Something that has held cultural importance for the Inhambane people for 14 Years straight!

Club of Mozambique report of a study in which 13 000 bookings have been cancelled due to political unrest in Gaza province alone. Many lodge owners have upped and left for their own safety.

This is an absolute disgrace that political bickering over votes, money and power can affect so many people so badly. To the core. So many livelihoods. It’s gonna be a bleak Xmas and New Year in Mozambleak this year for sure.

And our thoughts and good wishes are with everyone affected.

We will be back!

Sardines and 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 197,000 times and just keeps going.

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! And recently a capsized KZNSB boat! We have been updating the map with recent catches too…

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 a windy 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 out and onto the edge
thesardine.co.za – never miss a single sardine
masterwatermen.co.za – news from under water
fishbazaruto.com – dreams
brucifire.co.za – surf retorts

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Sean Lange — Leave a comment

Fish Eagle 0 Fish 1: tight game down on the Umzimkulu

The Fish Eagles of the Umzimkulu wake lodge guests at the Umzimkulu Marina, each morning. Don't worry though, they start at a reasonable hour - fishing time!

Fish Eagle 0 Fish 1

Our two resident fish eagles, a pair that have been living and breeding here on the lower Umzimkulu River, for decades it feels, were circling over head. The colours of the afternoon showing no sign of the impending cold front. The sun was out. The river had swelled magnificently since the mouth started closing.

And there were fish about. As I edged along the bouncy noisy floating jetty at the Umzimkulu Marina, a bunch of mullet were startled by something 50 m down towards the mouth. The blue-tailed guys were jumping for joy (according to science), and there were kingfish-like smashes going on, sporadically, all over. The perfectly calm water making it so much easier to see fish and movement.

Then one of my favourite things – a turtle! It popped his head up down where those mullet were having a panic from before. I cast one near him, kingfish and all sorts tag turtles when they hunting, but remembering a turtle ate my lure twice before in this river, I quickly cranked away.

Enjoying the scene, cast after cast, things looking good for putting in some real fishing time. And I really am looking for a garrick, to round off my winter estuary season.

And there came the fish eagle. Locked on target. Heading for the grunter bank in the middle, a hundred metres in front of me. Picking up speed and lowering trajectory he came in like a missile. Swooping in, the flaps came on and the the highly adapted landing gear came out.

Bang! Splash! Chaos!

The fish eagle literally came to a dead halt. Whaaaaat. We have twice seen the fish eagles here kill huge otters. And eat them all day right in front of us on Dead Man’s Island. So this was unbelievable!

As much as the eagles wings were flapping like crazy – the huge bird went right under for a second. But it came back up and the battle waged on. It looked like the fish eagle was still in the game at one point. The birds wings took for a moment, and I saw the huge back of whatever it was on the bottom end, being dragged up and out of the water. Huge, like 10kgs or so. But then a violent twist and huge splashing brought the eagle tumbling back down into the water.

The eagle came back up thrashing. And then it just let go!

Fish Eagle 0 Fish 1

The fish eagle then flew off into the sun, and found a rad spot on a huge tree. And let out a huge fish eagle cry. But it sounded like laughter. And when it’s partner joined in with a chorus – it also sounded very high spirited – like – “Hey man how big was that fish dude!” Whaaahaaahaaahaaa…

True fish eagles! Having a blast down on the river in the afternoon.

Brown water in KZN: Andrew van Biljon and another baby kingfish about to be released back into the Umzimkulu

Dejan Vujevic and his Umzimkulu Rock Salmon

Sharene Berry kob killer on the Umzimkulu River

Umzimkulu River rock salmon fishing spot

Come and join us down at the Umzimkulu River…get in touch on umzimkulu@gmail.com or check out our river fishing packages at the following link:

Umzimkulu Estuary Fishing

https://thesardine.co.za/product/umzimkulu-ambush-5-days/

Posted on August 19, 2017September 1, 2017 by Sean Lange — 2 Comments

Max Mogeson’s first Rock Salmon

A few weekends back we had a huge influx of fishing mad kids down at the Umzimkulu Marina. Including a chap named Max who took the right ride out to rock salmon alley, on the Mad Mullet. He caught his first rock salmon – and so he brought it home and cooked it for his Mom.

With a magnificent turnaround in weather conditions, the fish in the Umzimkulu came alive this sunny 19th August 2017 morning.

Fishing brothers Liam and Jarrod Gallagher were up at crackers loading the Mad Mullet with her powerful new 4 horse Yamaha. Their mate Max Mogeson made up the three anglers and Brian Lange was at the helm.

After getting the boat back to seaworthy after the recent rains nearly flooded The Mad Mullet, the lucky anglers left the Umzimkulu Marina in high spirits. Liam had netted a live mullet so they headed straight for rock salmon alley.

It wasn’t long before Jarrod was jammed up against the gunwhale as a serious rock salmon came to fight. He was actually a bit too serious and ended up winning hands down.

Live bait gone.

And so they switched to lures and trolled along the northern channel towards the river mouth.

Bang the rod went again. So Max was given a go at his first gamefish. It worked him hard and he had tired arms and deep breath by the time it was flapping on the deck.

Being his first rockie, Max was allowed to take it back to base for a braai.

And a big thank you to The Sardine News correspondent and photographer Tracey Saayman for always being on the spot.

Max Mogeson's first Rock Salmon — Max Mogeson’s first Rock Salmon. Max is on the left, Liam and Sienna Gallagher on the right. Max says he will throw them all back from now on – but this rock salmon was delicious on the braai in foil and garlic butter!

Then the next crew of kids got all excited and Calum and older brother Kyle Saayman headed across in their little boat – Unsinkable 2. They had been schooled in the art of fishing awith a sardine head and soon Kyle was fighting his first rock salmon too. Jack Russells Chelsea and Satch were unfortunately on the boat too, and they cannot control themselves with rock salmon, or any fish for that matter. So they jumped on the lively fish. The fish jumped back at them and a dorsal spine went straight through the pontoon. Calum jumped to stick something in the hole, the dogs came back into the ring, Kyle grabbed the injured fish and someone fell onto one of the rods and smashed two of the eyes. Chaos!

There was no ways that rock salmon was going to make it back into the water, and it also became Mom’s lunch!

[peg-image src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ShusV9ax2wc/WaefklL7RPI/AAAAAAAAK0k/c9f6k7HcqB86cftaHZiU3shV27cMARJ6QCCoYBhgL/s144-o/FullSizeRender-1.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/105055692697822421688/6460307644026744497#6460307641292506354″ caption=”Kyle Saayman and his first rock salmon. Caught in the Umzimkulu Estuary on his boat Unsinkable 2. Using a sardine head as bait…” type=”image” alt=”FullSizeRender-1.jpg” image_size=”768×1024″ ]

They also promise the next ones will go back…

And a few pics from recent weekends at the Umzimkulu Marina…http://umzimkulu.co.za

Dustan van Biljon having a blast with some estuary spinning in KZN Natal

Posted on June 28, 2017June 29, 2017 by Sean Lange — Leave a comment

Umzimkulu GT in the evening

Umzimkulu GT in the evening

Umzimkulu GT in the evening: Estuary fishing is a technical art. You can’t decide to just go fishing. You got to research beforehand and time it right. So when Yousef Jadwat emailed me a while back to go fish the Umzimkulu, we had a good look, and chose 6pm high tide, with absolutely no moon – which happened upon the 27 June 2017.

Last night!

There are very many other technical variables to catching good fish in the Umzimkulu River, down here in Port Shepstone. In our lockup in Mozambique, I had been hoarding a lure. Brand new, but 20 years old. Three trebles. About 20cm. Black on top, silver below. Rapala don’t make anything hand-made anymore, but this one was. Balsa with wire through. Skill all the way. It was like a stretched out version of the infamous CD13, also defunct now. But it’s long narrow profile, and it’s gentle side to side action was exactly what we were going to need. And those colours!

So I had a Luck Shot #1 with my favourite orca 5 inch jerk tail. And my other favourite – Luck Shot #1 with a huge 7 inch split tail out too. It wasn’t a hundred metres, as we set out for the mouth, when I instinctively turned back and WHALLOP! A grey shoulder and huge fins were all I could see for the strike through the spray. It was merciless. An explosion, and the 8ft boat rod bent double, and the 50SH screamed. It was on my 20 year old lure! I was just thinking about those skinny little hooks. The drag was a bit heavy and Yousef could not get the rod out of the holder as the fish smoked line off the spool. And when I went to assist – the rod holder broke clean off the back of the boat! Where it’s been faithfully serving for 20 years too!

Well now Yousef had the rod and I had the lines cleared. I got to the drag and backed it right off – all the time worried about those skinny but sharp trebles. But Yousef did his job well and after some time we got a glimpse way down in the clear water. I had thought garrick right from the start. Those long fins haunting me. It was doing all the head shakes, short high speed runs, rapid turnarounds and staying deep. Then it popped up where we could see it proper in the afternoon light.

Kingfish!

The Umzimkulu is renowned for it’s little kingfish on lures. Usually Big-Eye Kingfish. But we have had plenty yellow ones, and the ultra-beautiful blue-fin versions. We never take any out, they release so easy if you are careful. Just don’t touch eyes or gills, lift carefully by the body, not the hook – and use a long-nose pliers to get the hook out fast. Tag. Very quick photo and release! Too easy.

But this one was huge in comparison. If it was a big-eye, it quite well have been record sized. They only get to 7 or 8kg’s max. Most records stand at about 4 or 5kg’s. But those big fins? I was wondering still.

Yousef started winning with the heavy tackle and next thing the fish was right there. Still fiesty, the fish started to get angry as it got closer. Then GASP! I saw the hook pull and the lure turned upwards! But bang the line went tight again – the tail treble, the third and last one, was stuck in the kingfish’s head. All the others were straight. And now he was mad! Tight little corkscrews at super high speeds. Just flashes really.

I had to do something so I grabbed the tiny emergency gaff and hung out off the back. I was getting dizzy with all the swerving going on but then he did the same circle twice and I poked him right in the tail – where those heavy scales and armour protect him from attack all his life. The gaff hook held as I pulled the little guy through the air backwards and on to the deck. Where the gaff fell apart!

And when I saw that it was actually a GT!

The hook that held, funnily enough, was real tough to remove. That skin up top there is soooo strong. We got some really good shots and a sequence of the release into the serene but colourful sunset on the river. Whooohooo! 1 for 1 on GT as Duarte would say!

In great spirits we patrolled with the same spread down past rock salmon alley one, around the submerged rail and road bridge of old, across perch channel, down the middle along the long wall of features, and into the wide open basin – that presents the foaming mouth of the river, to the warm clear Indian Ocean in winter time. Water was rushing in so we anchored about a hundred metres inside. Just in front of a prefect sandbank slowing the waters for us, and making it very pleasant to fish with some ultralight tackle.

The first grunter, the only fish that came home with us, made a great show of his first run, as he set off with the tide for the sun. It was always gonna be the kids turn, and the 5 year old Hamza accepted the rod from his Dad with enthusiasm and confidence. The drag was lekker. The rod and reel working so well. Circle hook. Not much current. And soon after some puffing and panting and pulling, there it was. A sterling example of a table-sized spotted grunter. Well pot sized! This one was going to be curry for sure.

Hamza Jadwat and his take-home spotted grunter caught in the Umzimkulu Estuary 27 June 2017

Exploring the Umzimkulu And grunter #2, that along with his other two buddies, were released safely back into their home

The next rod went while we were still taking photographs, and the kid got another one! This kid has a bright future – especially with his already practising catch and release. Between the two of them, they released that lovely GT, and three grunter (plus about 5 strepies?!).

I am going to be working the Umzimkulu Estuary for the next two weeks. There are still some great slots available – get in touch on umzimkulu@gmail.com to get in on this type of fishing. Ot WhatsApp +27 79 326 9671

Click here for more estuary fishing options, along the eastern seaboard of Southern Africa

Posted on July 3, 2015July 2, 2015 by Sean Lange — Leave a comment

The Wild Coast to Port Alfred by Panorama

The Wild Coast to Port Alfred by Panorama

Having Johnny van Biljon along on this trip (distributing Mydo’s and gathering news), with his iPhone 5, has opened up a whole new way of capturing the moment. Johnny, who has had many years experience in the film and tv industries, has an eye for a great scene a good shot.

Our dear friends Warren and Noli enjoy the view down to Umtata Mouth and beyond, from their stoep. — Our Mdumbi friends Warren and Noli enjoy the view down to Umtata Mouth and beyond, from their stoep.

Johnny is currently dabbling in panoramic photography such as what has made the iPhone (Ok and Android) smartphones so nifty.

As we drove through the Transkei, we stopped for a few more spectacular vistas.

The bridge over the Umtata River as shot by Johnny van Biljon and his handy iPhone 5, in panorama mode.

And then finally into the spectacular scene that was Port Alfred on an upcoming moon and an outgoing tide.

The Royal Alfred Marina as viewed from Willows Camping on the south bank. Millionaire’s view for a song (R130 per night). And garrick (leeries around here) swimming up and down out front, in the crystal clear water.

Although the fish were easily seen, they were very shy in the crystal clear water. The visibility must have been 10 metres or more. We threw all sorts at them, and were not alone as local spinning mad anglers lined the jetties and hot spots. Very nice fishing. One guy got a strong pull on a live mullet right in front of us, but garrick are highly suspicious and this one must have felt something because he let go after a good 10 meter screaming run.

The office set up, the lines out, and the braai on the go. All we need now are some garrick to get hungry as us.

Local veteran of these waters, and our fishing host Peter, gave us the rundown on what fish are here right now and its Silver Steenbras / Pignose Grunter / Steenies / White Steenbras that are causing the scene. The biggest so far this season, in the canals, was 14kg’s.

Kelly’s Beach is a Blue Flag spot a few kms south of the Port Alfred piers. Safe looking.

Kelly’s Beach offers much safer bathing and even surfing (on the right tides and swells), and half way between Port Alfred and Kelly’s, is Halfway – another ominous resemblance to a surf spot.

More panoramas to follow, as we tour back to KZN. And here, our parting shot…saying good bye to the attractive coastal town, of Port Alfred. Thanks Johhny van Biljon for stepping up as photographer/DOP.

Good night and good bye Port Alfred…panoramas by Johnny van Biljon

Newsflash: Sports n All in Port Alfred, officially stock Mydo Lures.

Jumping Tides this 11 December 2024

Flat Seas Early by the Bear With Viz Report KZN South Coast 11 December 2024

Surfing

Fishing

Shad

Couta

Estuary Halocline Hunting

Synoptic Analysis

Mozambique Travel

Sardines and Sighting Maps

Channels

Websites

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Fish Eagle 0 Fish 1

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Max Mogeson’s first Rock Salmon

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Umzimkulu GT in the evening

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The Wild Coast to Port Alfred by Panorama

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