Now this is a real fish! Joao Magolu hoists this 9kg Rock Salmon up for a pic in the Tofo Fish Market yesterday.
It was speared down at Praia da Rocha, a known hangout for Rock Salmon, otherwise known as a Mangrove Jack.
Yep…Ian Logie does it again! Fishing with his son at Spillers Wharf last night, Ian’s mullet flapper was taken by this spirited Garrick, which screamed line off Ian’s SL30…up and down the Umzimkulu River.
Soon a big crowd gathered to watch as Ian expertly retained his title of being king of the Umzimkulu.
The fish was brought to gaff after a good 20 minutes as it jumped and splashed and turned sharply.
Not to be outdone, Marius Awcamp’s rod went away just afterwards and he was rewarded with a beautiful Blue Tailed Mullet – a big one at that.
The Umzimkulu River has come alive and is in good condition as the big tides have been flushing it out, twice a day. The water is clean and all sorts of fish have been coming out including Rock Salmon like the one picture here about to be released by Mathew Defilippi, who with his Dad and brother have recently had a really good run of these amazing fish.
And finally we have young Jarrod Gallagher, pictured here with his trophy Caranx Ignoblis, or Giant Kingfish, or GT, also taken in the Umzimkulu River. He caught it on a trolled white StrikePro and on light tackle.
To come fishing on the river in safety and comfort, call Sean on 079 326 9671 to charter The Umzimkulu, a 26ft retired commercial boat. We can fish all night or half night, we have a braai on board, lights, seating and tackle.
Pre-plannning is essential, there are many factors to take into account including the tide, the moon, the fishing, the weather, live bait…call to make a booking.
Alternatively you can fish off the side at Spillers Wharf for a small fee, and park your car inside the complex by calling Marius Awcamp on 078 397 1140.
Fishing the Umzimkulu River off Spiller’s Wharf yesterday afternoon, local angler Ahmed, pictured, hooked into a beautiful Leopard Ray. It took him a solid 10 minutes on ultra-light tackle.
Fishing the Umzimkulu is made very comfortable at Spiller’s Wharf. There are a choice of restaurants – Bela’s Mozambican themed diner is most popular.
There is safe parking, grass, chairs and 50 meters of river frontage to choose your spot from. This night there were 11 rods in the water, catching grunter and perch.
It costs R20 per angler to fish on the premises.
Many species can be targeted. Catfish, kingfish, grunter, perch, eels, rays, oxeye tarpon, rockcod, shad, garrick, rock salmon and even sharks!
Subsistence fishermen have been working the Umzimkulu River for decades. As the condition of the river has deteriorated their lot has been reduced year after year. But there is something very noble about their ignoble existence. Targeting barbel chiefly…they also catch rock salmon (mangrove jack), grunter, perch, salmon and even gamefish like kingfish and garrick. Sometimes shad move into the river and the bounty makes for celebrating.
But mainly…it is hard going.
Pollution.
Brown water.
Cold.
Wind.
Hours with no bites…
Yet what else could they do? Their lifestyle is all they have. Their fishing is all they have. The Umzimkulu is all they have.
Respect to the subsistence fishermen of the mighty Umzimkulu…