Catch n release as we go! JP Bartholomew live from the Umzimkulu…
The Umzimkulu Marina was abuzz with the news that the JP Bartholomew was spending the weekend. JP, as our readers know by now, has an incredible track record, and seems to have a nose for the fish he targets.
So it was that JP and family’s weekend has arrived, and in less than 12 hours – take a look at how the pros do it!
We have today given JP a pack of MYDO LuckShots to use, so we can compare with regular drop snots.
One thing is for sure – the Umzimkulu is producing as it normally does this time of the year. And JP has conclusively proven, that even though he took three hours to get his first fish, the quality of the fish he catches, is worth it, so much more than fishing with bait.
Come and join us at The Umzimkulu Marina down in Port Shepstone, where all the fishing action seems to be these days (ha ha I am in Jhb!). umzimkulu@gmail.com for more information and package deal opportunities.
Mike Stubbs really enjoying the south coast fishing this time of year. 30. Kgs. Nice. Plus a Prodigal Son (Cobia), in the same class.
The South Coast fishing this time of the year is what we all been dreaming about! Although there have been good catches of the elusive ‘cuda right up and down the coast, the area around Port Shepstone has been producing consistent really big fish, the last week or so. Just as it did last year this same time.
Cuda fishing in particular has had everyone out there. Mike Stubbs got this magnificent 30kg fish on the Friday. The Niteshift got a 20kg. King Tutt we saw boat a lovely fish in the 25kg range. He ended up with two.
20kg Couta by The Niteshift. Shown off by Elvis Olimpio and Ansie Kotze, at The Umzimkulu Marina
Shake Shake came back late on Saturday with two 20kg looking yellowtail. Many very strong fighting fish were lost over the long weekend and the rumour is that these powerful yellowtail have been the culprits.
Johan Wessels getting in on the south coast fishing bite over the long weekend, aboard The Niteshift.
On our Saturday charter, as we moved north from Port Shepstone, the water cleared more and more. With our guests Pete and Greg, with Johan Wessels from The Fishing Pro Shop in Pretoria, we spotted three sailfish – one charged into the wake and started jumping around as if he was hooked, but he wasn’t. He was also very small, we also might have seen a marlin but positive identity on the huge thing swirling up the water in front of Johan and I wasn’t possible. Beeeg fish either way. Sickles all over the place!
The concentration of mackerel and maasbanker in the area is creating all the havoc.
We also had a visit from Flipper our local solitary bottlenose dolphin. This guy has been buzzing us for years and loves some human company. And a few livies from the well. He is always alone and is clearly identifiable by a grey band across his peduncle area, and a nip out of his tail, starboard side.
Flipper, our friendly local, also revelling in the south coast fishing action. Mackerel and maasbanker on the menu
And to cap it off, there was a manta ray. A huge guy, jumping clear of the water right in front of us. Then it just chilled out and let us approach, it hung around a while but then it was lines up for us.
For a great fishing experience, come and join us at The Umzimkulu Marina in Port Shepstone. Fish the estuary and the ocean. Fish off the side or hitch a ride on one of the boats moored at the jetty, out to sea or in the river, these boats go all the time.
Professional fishing guide, Ian Logie, based down in Port Shepstone, has been coming across some very strange creatures in the Umzimkulu River, lately.
So far we have three unidentified swimming objects…apprehended and released by Ian and his son Keegan.
We are offering a reward to anybody who can identify any of these three species. What reward you might ask? Well, a free boat ride on the Umzimkulu River of course! Fishing rods compulsory…
Fill out the answers below…
The first correct entries for each fish will win a prize each…
Contact the Umzimkulu Marina on the numbers below, for if you don’t win the prize…
And arrange your own party or year-end function. Catering can be catered for and the boat is licensed for up to 17 passengers. The waters are smooth and flat and safe and almost anyone can come aboard.
To arrange a fishing trip with Ian, email umzimkulu@gmail.com…
Brandon Parsons headed down the KZN South Coast this weekend, taking a break from the usual monster shark fishing he partakes in, when fishing the Cape, as he usually does. There are sharks here, especially Zambezi’s (Bull Sharks), and the Umzimkulu River is full of them, never mind The Sandspit and the mouth area, but we were after gamefish on lure or live-bait…this time round.
When the Umzimkulu River opens and closes intermittently as it does at this time of the year, it has a marked effect on the fishing in the immediate surrounds. When it first closes, the river seems to undergo a change in character – an occasion marked by an increase in fish activity. Mullet jumping like crazy. Then they go quiet a few days, as the game fish trapped inside make a mockery of their huge advantages and smash the poor mullet and other baitfish and juveniles like there is no tomorrow. We had a bait ball of mullet out front of the lodge, in full view of all our guests, hang around for three days! They have nowhere to run and hide and the gamefish become quite complacent about things – showing themselves and even getting caught sometimes!
But it ain’t easy, and many a big thinking punter has left scratching his head.
However, if it works out that you get a good crew, who are committed, and know the ropes and work as hard as required, we average one really nice fish, every four man hours, in the Umzimkulu. That’s not quite National Garrick Day, but really, a garrick or kob or kingfish in the estuary is just so much more fun! And there is more to offer fishing these inter tidal waters. Lets not forget the Oxe-Eye Tarpon, the Kob, the Grunter, the Kingfish, the Rays, the Perch, huge Vundus and Palings (paaaaarlings), prehistoric monster crabs, prawns of all shapes and armourments, baitfish…and some surprises! We even hooked a turtle on a lure back a few weekends!
So this is one of those moments that every four man hours of serious fishing this estuary, is proven to produce:
Game fishing in the protection of the estuary and the Umzimkulu Conservancy’s sheer cliff of natural forest on the north bank up from the golf course, sure beats standing on the beach in a howling onshore. This was the wind situation on this day, but as you can see, Brandon and I enjoyed pristine conditions, catching Kingfish, three kilometres up the river!
Thats not all we have at The Umzimkulu Marina, the deep-sea fishing is also fantastico, with Protea Reef being a short 20 minute ride out. Unfortunately, the river launch really though, is difficult at best. So, to get around this, we have put together an arrangement that allows us to utilise one of the Shelley Beach fleet of boats, when necessary.
Check back soon for details of these customizable fishing holiday packages to the KZN South Coast of South Africa, put together by The Sardine.
