A remarkable thing though, for two months they change species and are not called shad any more. In the line of our economy, I don't think any of us can waste money on stiff fines and 'burrowing' bream are off the keep list now. It's not to long to wait for Mother Nature to catch up and besides, the weather at this time of the year will help to calm the urge.

Terry Nel from Tacklenet in Port Edward, informs us that news have just come in that according to measurement, a fine prodigal son of 34 kg's was landed there in Port Edward on Sunday. Top water fishing has been producing very well in the estuaries and perch are the main predators. This might however change very soon with the rains that we have just had.

During the week a not so common grey chubb of 37cm was caught on sardine as bait and some bronze bream were taken in the Trafalgar area. Some garrick were also taken here in Port Edward and reports were that a large fish was also lost. Although shad are still biting one has to remember that the season is now closed till the 1st December and this law is strictly enforced.  There are so many other types of fishing to do and if you haven’t done them, broaden your horizons give some a try.

Fishing along the Zululand coast should improve once the weather settles down, then anglers can expect some good flatfish angling particularly along the Amatikulu and Port Durnford areas. The far northern areas such as Black Rock and Rocktail Bay should also come to life as the annual giant kingfish run normally starts in early November. Big honeycombe rays and giant sand sharks can also be expected, so get your tackle ready.

Transkei
When the weather permits, the Transkei coast is now fishing well with both garrick and kob as well as the odd brusher biting at most of the popular spots. Fishing in the Port St Johns River is as good as it can get with grunter and kob feeding well. A few nice size garrick have also been taken in the river over the high tide. The grunter and kob feed particularly well at night.

Ski boats
Ski boats, when the weather allows, are getting some fine catches daga and geelbek salmon and general reef fish angling has also picked up well. Mike Laubscher reports that as far as ski boat fishing goes, the weather has still been lousy the past week with the first rains arriving, and frontal system after frontal system travelling up the coast. In Durban there have been a lot of snoek being caught and the shad are still around in great numbers pestering the anglers and destroying well presented snoek baits. NB: Shad are now in closed season. Garrick are also being taken on live mackerel near the backline all along the North Coast. Mapelane is still having a good snoek run. Richards Bay is definitely the place where all the big action is taking place with reports of several blue and black marlin catches all over 200Kg.

Mike Laubscher
Mike has just returned form an awesome 5 day adrenalin packed tiger fishing trip to Lake Jozini. They had a variety of weather conditions during this trip making each outing unique and challenging. They stayed at Shayamoya Game Lodge which as always was stunning. On the first day they only got going at around 16h00 and it was a hot day with the thermometer almost at 40 deg. C, the water was a little cold at 21.5 deg. C. The session was short and basically everyone was learning the ropes on the lure casting retrieval techniques. They got smashed by only one tiger that destroyed the lure and tied them up in the weed beds. (Balance of report to follow in next weeks fishing report). In conclusion the fishing was relatively difficult and they landed 56 tiger fish and 1 barbel on top water in total for the 5 days. Next trip coming soon; Mike cannot wait, this is just such an interactive way to fish and enjoy nature at the same time, and it is good for the family, young and old.