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Ben’s first rock salmon – caught in the Umzimkulu

Bens first Rock Salmon in the Umzimkulu Estuary

Ben’s first rock salmon – caught in the Umzimkulu

Ben’s first rock salmon – caught in the Umzimkulu: man-oh-man it’s cool for me when I get good anglers on my trips. And these two, Dad Stephen and kid Ben, are top drawer.

And they are from Cape Town! And pitched up in shorts! I had layers and layers on. I was in fact just short of donning my waders to keep that icy offshore breeze from getting in at me. But ok, on time to greet the mellow incoming neap tide, we set out. On the good ship Umzimkulu, who is back in action BTW!

Lures

Trolling and flicking lures along the way, cris-crossing the channels and trying really hard. I threw a camera out the back to see what was there. Nothing as it turned out. The neaps are just not strong enough to really push that warm blue water up to where we like it. Although right at the mouth, our underwater camera trap did catch some aqua blue coming in. But again, not even a mullet swam by.

Live mullet

Were easy to catch back at the Umzimkulu Marina where they hide from the hordes down at the mouth. I have started treating my live baits a whole lot better these days. After seeing them on camera underwater taking so much strain with a hook through it’s head or body. So I got a nice little darning needle from upstairs and threaded the mullet Catalina style. Or marlin style, if you like.

The happy little pair of mullet each took a direction and we settled in for the 20-minute wait.

Ben’s first rock salmon

Bang!

The little guy took off against the slight circle-hook drag that I had set for Ben. It was real funny as he fumbled with that screaming drag trying to get it tight enough to stop his little rockie from going all the way to the mouth.

Now it was Ben’s turn to show some mettle and he pulled that first rock salmon straight back through the trees that he went right through!

Stephen got the video rolling and we captured the catch and release of Ben’s first rock salmon!

Watch it all right here…

But ok, it’s great fun making these videos so come and star in one of your very own. Join us down here in Port Sheptone as we make the most of the limited activities we are allowed to do.

Including fishing!

There are still sardines swimming by. And although the surf has gotten real big, the water out at sea off Port Shepstone yesterday was a sardine perfect 19 degrees Celsius.

The estuary itself is crystal palace clean and although a bit chilly, the water is alive. Enjoy the gallery of a few recent scenes about the place…

If you Like and Subscribe to our YouTube Channel, you won’t miss a sardine, ever!

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Bass on fly tackle

Bass on fly tackle! Fly sailing is a great new way of tackling bass and practising for the saltwater! Niki Tilley with a nice South Coast largemouth bass.

Bass on fly tackle

Bass on fly tackle? To the purists and sceptics out there – it’s a great way to practise for the saltwater! – Sean

And as the southerly and northerly winds start their perennial argument, hanging out in the shelter of a tucked-away bass pond – is a great place to be. Especially along the KZN South Coast inland beat, where we are right now. And the wind is scathing our beaches and coastline. Right now as I write this, its literally blowing a gale at 30 knots plus. From the south. And tomorrow it’s gonna be the same but from the south-east. Even worse! Then it turns north. Even worser!

Luckily, many farmers from around here allow bass anglers to hunt fish in their dams. And many dont! But if you are on the KZN South Coast some time, and you want to go bassin’, we can take you for sure. Paddock and Umzumbe hold some secrets and even close around Port Shepstone there are some gems. That do not get fished very often at all.

And who also hold some lunker sized bass. Even just recently, as the bass start to enter spawning mode, some good catches have been made including one of over 4kgs caught and released just south of Port Shepstone.

But ok, a few stories that might get you amped up…the first from Coty in the States who penned up this real cool article on what it takes to bassin’ on the fly.

https://yourbassguy.com/fly-fishing-for-bass/

And this one, also sent in by Coty…

https://www.wired2fish.com/biology/biologists-world-record-bass-potential-in-south-african-reservoir/

…is well worth a read as it analyses the famed Loskop Reservoir where Wayne Naude caught the current SA Record at 7 something kilos!

But ok thanks Coty for the articles, and you can visit Cotys new website at Your Bass Guy dot Com. Click right HERE to check it out. Looking forward to some more technical stuff from the old USA.

And if you want a bassin trip to remember, get in touch with me Sean on umzimkulu@gmail.com or +27 79 326 9671 anytime and lets chat it out.

Check out our YouTube Channel right here…

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You can buy all sorts of fly fishing tackle right HERE.

The Sardine News (c) 2020

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