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Rock Salmon: how far upriver do they swim?

Rock Salmon - how far upriver do they swim?

Rock Salmon: how far upriver do they swim?

Rock Salmon: how far upriver do they swim?: In this quick study, we get a few numbers wrong…but you get the picture at the end.

This day, we were doing some 3D work at the very top of the Umzimkulu Estuary. We were on the St. Helens Rock stretch, and were returning to base after a few hours of scanning.

In the video I said 10 kms. Then 13 kms. But when I measured accurately, the fish was caught at about 9.7 kms upriver. That said, a fish can still swim a long way further. Right up to the steep rapids at the corner to the cement factory. Another 5 km more.

Flowing river

The river was flowing. It had been in full flood just before this trip. And now it was backing off just enough for us to scan. But trailering the boat was a challenge in the current. On my third and last attempt, as I killed the motors, here goes local subsistence fisherman Sandile, vas with a big fish.

Who could it be now?

On handline, I thought it must be a big carp. Sandile gets them quite often right here where he fishes plenty. Takes them to town and sells them in the rank. But this was no carp. As it came out of the water the unmistakable sheen of a rock salmon reflected in the sun. This was a good fish too, maybe even 3kgs or so.

How far?

I measured 10 km if you followed the river channel. But it could be slightly less. Either way…

  • the river was flowing with floodwater
  • the water was brown and fresh as can be
  • the fish took a live bait in that current and in that murk

Gallery

Jimmy with Rock Salmon lightie on the low-level bridge over the Umzimkulu River
Jimmy with Rock Salmon lightie on the low-level bridge over the Umzimkulu River
Sean Lange releases all his rockies too. Caught in grunter alley...
Sean Lange releases all his rockies too
Liam van der Merwe releases all his rockies too
Liam van der Merwe releases all his rockies too
Bens first Rock Salmon in the Umzimkulu Estuary
Bens first Rock Salmon in the Umzimkulu Estuary
Caleb with his prize estuary gamefish the Rock Salmon aka Magrove Jack
Caleb with his prize estuary gamefish the Rock Salmon aka Magrove Jack
Chris Woodley Rock Salmon
Chris Woodley Rock Salmon December 2020
Chris and rock salmon Mpenjati
Chris and rock salmon Mpenjati
The MYDO Estuary Pack contains all you need to target estuary gamefish
The MYDO Estuary Pack contains all you need to target estuary gamefish
Dejan Vujevic and his Umzimkulu Rock Salmon
Dejan Vujevic and his Umzimkulu Rock Salmon
Rock Salmon by Greg Defillipi
Rock Salmon by Greg Defillipi
Rock Salmon Rory Reen
Sharene Rock Salmon Slayer
A tiny cute baby rock salmon caught in my cast net and let go healthily. Great release!

Umzimkulu Adrenalin is standing by to take you hunting for these formidable fish. Use the big old WhatsApp button floating about somewhere or contact Sean on +27793269671 or on umzimkulu@gmail.com.

Affiliated YouTube Channels
https://youtube.com/@thesardinenews
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Websites
https://brucifire.co.za
https://thesardine.co.za
https://masterwatermen.co.za
https://umzimkuluadrenalin.co.za
https://divingdivassa.co.za

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Hard fishing…

Doug Oosterhuizen Yellowbelly_1

…on the Niteshift this Saturday. Mark Shone, Doug Oosterhiuzen and Josh Moore headed out for a shot at the geelbek salmon and yellowtail. What started as a lovely day soon turned into a challenge as a huge east built up steadily through the morning.

Fishing rough seas
Fishing rough seas on the Natal Lower South Coast on Saturday

Starting out for livebait, some nice shad, pinkies, seapike and mozzies (maasbanker) were feeding and soon we were headed straight out to sea off Umtentweni. But by the time we got there, the combined forces of the east wind and the north south current, made it impossible to anchor. A few drifts later and it was south to Protea Reef, in the hope for a yellowfin.

Josh Moore fights a fish
Josh Moore fights a fish

The current was so strong, it took no time to get to Protea Reef, trolling an awesome spread of live baits. It was quite active when we arrived with a few fish breaking the surface and when the live shad on a pink number 5 Mydo screamed off, we held our breaths. Half an hour later the strong fish broke the surface with an ominous brown glow – shark! The sea was wild by now, so we changed tactics again and headed in to Boboyi, where we have been catching a few afternoon geelbek lately. The anchor held but the reef didn’t. No fish.

Doug Oosterhuizen Yellowbelly_1
Doug Oosterhuizen tags his first Yellowbelly Rockod…a nice fish of 400mm

Mark Shone Yellowbelly
Mark Shone Yellowbelly

So it was we headed inshore and found a nice little reef, the anchor kind of held, and the determined crew tussled with some nice yellowbelly and catface rockod. Doug tagged his first ever fish…a nice yellowbelly of 400mm. Fishing with a huge number 6 Mydo is revolutionising bottomfishing. No tangles and foulups, and the shape of the baitswimmer uses the current to it’s advantage and get’s your bait down there in no time – and in good shape.

Mydo catches catface rockod
Mydo baitswimmer number 6 catches a catface rockod. The Mydo’s fished on the bottom make it too easy!

 

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