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Protea Reef 16 Feb 2013

After the usual hectic river mouth launch out of the mighty Umzimkulu (Port Shepstone), we headed out on a bumpy sea, to Protea Reef a few miles out, to take on the yellowfin tuna that frequent it’s pinnacles. The first two drifts at 3.5knots yielded nothing, but on our third attempt, things hotted up fast.

Randy Stevens first yellowfin...
Randy Stevens’ first yellowfin of the day…

Guest on the Niteshift – Randy Stevens, was the first to have his arms stretched – by a nice yellowfin of 9kg’s. That fish started the rush and soon we were going 3 sticks away. The yellowfin

got bigger and bigger and our last fish – caught by Frenzy, weighed in at 14kgs. She pulled it right out of a shark’s mouth – check the bite mark in the picture!

Brian Lange with Frenzy's 14kg Yellowfin Tuna
Brian Lange with Frenzy’s 14kg Yellowfin Tuna

A huge school of bottlenose dolphin came by – one with a white dorsal fin and white patches all over his body – spectacular. We captured him on video, along with some of the fishing action – see video below…

The Umzimkulu Marina on the south bank of the Umzimkulu River in Port Shepstone is completely rigged for the family fishing holiday. The Niteshift – a Supercat hull with a walkaround cabin and powered by twin 4 stroke Yamahas takes on the launch with aplomb and confidence.  Protea Reef is the main attraction and the Hibberdene area (famous for huge king mackerel / couta) is a quick 30 minute race north.

The Umzimkulu – a 25ft cruiser with a roof and seating and licensed for 17 is ideal for parties / events / functions / fishing on the Umzimkulu River. Estuary fishing for Grunter and Rock Salmon (Mangrove Jack) at night is another great distraction. There are also ski’s and a paddle boat available.

Email umzimkulu@hotmail.com or call +27732711694.

 

 

 

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Campbell’s Cracker

Neil Campbell on the South Coast caught this Black Steenbras by mistake whilst fishing for Cape Yellowtail deep off Hibberdene. It won him the bottom fish prize in the competition he was fishing in. Weighing in at 25kg’s – this is a nice Poenskop, Mussellcracker or Black Steenbras – three of the names it goes by. Cymatoceps nasutus is it’s scientific name. An endemic species – we only get them off Southern Africa, and they get to 40kg’s!

Neill Campbells Cracker
Neill Campbells Cracker

A few websites with more information…

http://www.seaworld.org.za/species/entry/black-musselcracker

http://www.wwfsassi.co.za/?m=5&s=5&idkey=880

http://www.aquarium.co.za/species_exhibits/browse_species/black_musselcracker_poenskop/

It is a protected species and cannot be bought or sold, but is highly sought after as a table fish.

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Rodriguez Tribute at Rock Bottom this Sunday!

Rock Bottom – The Music Bistro will be holding a Rodriguez tribute this Sunday – 17 February. If you know a song or 2 (unplugged) or have an anecdote or story to tell, come and join us on stage with Dave Marks and share. It is sure to be an amazing arvo giving tribute to this previously unsung music legend. Contact Dave on 083 359 5610 if you would like to contribute. Please book as the Rock fills up fast on a Sundays. Call Noel on 079 396 5724 for bookings. —

Rodriguez at Rock Bottom
Rodriguez at Rock Bottom
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Fishing the KZN South Coast in Summer

16kg Dorado by Ryan Enslin

Chasing dorado up and down the brown water line created by the seasonal flood waters…has yielded good catches lately…this upsized bull dorado was caught a bit further out though, along with the magnificent Cracker below…

The current on this coast line has characteristically been screaming but every now and then it lets up, allowing for some deeper water bottom fishing. Roger Davidson has been on a roll…with these prehistoric monster Black Steenbras, or Musselcracker, or Poenskop as they are known around here…

 

 

 

Roger-Davison-Fighting-Hard
Roger-Davison-Fighting-Hard
Marc-Lange-Puts-the-Gaff
Marc-Lange-Puts-the-Gaff

 

Nice fish for Roger Davison! 30kgs!

 

Musselcracker-by-Roger-Davi
30kg Musselcracker-by-Roger-Davison

Thanks to Marc Lange and Ryan Enslin for the photos and story…

 

 

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Umzimkulu Dorado!

Marc Lange fishing on the Niteshift out of the Umzimkulu...dorado!
Marc Lange fishing on the Niteshift out of the Umzimkulu...dorado!
Marc Lange fishing on the Niteshift out of the Umzimkulu…dorado!

When the rivers fill right up with brown pigmented water from the summer rain catchment areas in Kwa-Zulu Natal, they  spew out into the ocean hitting the current to form a beautiful seam between the brown and blue water.

This is Dorado time on the Natal and Transkei coast! They swim up and down this seam ambushing baitfish caught swimming in and out of these brown clouds.

Marc Lange with two nice ones…I am pretty sure there were a few more in the hatch! The Umzimkulu River mouth makes for a huge plume and the dorado patrol aggressively…feeding all day sometimes.

Check out http://www.umzimkulu.co.za for more on how to get into the action!

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