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…
As we were packing to go home from the story before this one (Protea Reef 16 Feb 2013), we were treated to seeing one of the biggest king mackerel / couta caught on Protea Reef in a while!
Noel Allchin, on his birthday, lucked into this magnificent fish.
With Noel were none other than 3 of the Posthumous clan – Louis, Dawdie and Sean. This fish never stood a chance! The ‘couta weighed 32kg’s and was presumably taken on a livebait (that kind of info very hard to extract from these fellas). Nice fish!
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 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
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.
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. —
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.
