As mentioned in previous there is still a lack of game fish and sharks which are normally associated with the sardine run, but there is plenty of shad around as well as a lot of diamond rays.
This year’s shad run continues to be a bumper one and is the best in several years from all the way south in the Transkei up to northern Zululand.
ESA introduces their new presenter… the lovely and talented Jamaica Nicolson! Jamaica tells us a bit about herself!

Angling
There is still a lack of game fish and sharks which are normally associated with the sardine run, but there is plenty of shad around as well as a lot of diamond rays.This year’s shad run continues to be a bumper one and is the best in several years from all the way south in the Transkei up to northern Zululand.

The other activity that anglers are experiencing is that there are a lot of garrick around and anglers targeting these fish are getting some good numbers, up and down our coast. Brusher seem to have entrenched themselves along the South Coast with some areas producing numerous good size fish. When targeting these fish your tackle should be stepped up a grade or two to that of shad angling. These fish are found amongst rocky ledges and points and for this reason your tackle should ideally be that of a heavy nature.

Your nylon should be around the 35lb range, Kingfisher Giant Abrasion is a good line and a heavy action rod like the Poseidon Medium / Heavy is advised. Hooks should range from a 6/0 to a 8/0 Mustard Kendall Round and your trace line should be no less than 30lb, Siglon fluorocarbon 33lb and 40lb does the trick. Reels are also very important and should be in good condition. Machine reels, the Daiwa SL50 and the Daiwa Grandwave 50 are ideal as they have the pulling power and speed to get big specimens out and away from rocks.

Baits can vary, as these fish are not fussy eaters. The main bait however is a live crab but sea lice, crayfish, whole mussels, chokka and even sardine heads work very well.Fly Fishing in Durban Harbour:
We left Wilson’s Wharf at around 09h00 for a quick 3 hour fly fishing session round the bay with 5wt rods looking for little Kingfish. I know it is actually too early in the season but worth a look anyway. It was awesome in the bay with little wind and overcast; the tide had just turned and was starting to come in over the sand banks. We looked around at a few spots and there was very little mullet activity and we looked around at a few spots not finding anything. So we changed down to 4lb leaders and tiny flies and eventually found some little Yellow Fin (AKA Black Tip) King Fish. They were in perfect condition and cute

ESA introduces their new presenter… the lovely and talented Jamaica Nicolson! Jamaica tells us a bit about herself! “Born on the 20th November 1988 in Seattle Washington, USA. My family moved back to South Africa in 1994. Growing up in and around the North Coast area I have had great time to get to know and appreciate the ocean and the vast beautiful surroundings of the North   Coast. I started school at Umhlali Primary and finished in 2006 at Crawford North Coast.

All throughout school I was a tomboy who loved to hang-out with the boys and get my hands dirty. I was always outdoors playing sports, riding horses or getting myself into some sort of trouble. Straight out of school I enrolled at Varsity College to begin my Communication Science degree.

In between trying to finish it I have some of the greatest opportunities to travel to some of the most beautiful Places in the world. In 2008 I spent close on 4 months in Monaco France visiting a Friend who most certainly showed me the greatest time and spoilt me by allowing me to spend most of my time on a mega-yacht where he was living.

It was a holiday I’ll never forget. Just recently I returned from the US where I visited Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Orlando and New York. The weather was hot, the sun was always shinning and the People went out of their way to be polite and hugely helpful. New York being a place I’ll be returning to in the near future. Now that I am back I will finish off my degree and work with ESA hoping to do as good a job as the beautiful and dynamic O.J Symcox.

Action packed ESA fishing shows on TV
Don’t forget to watch the action packed ESA fishing shows on TV. These shows feature both saltwater and freshwater fishing and are aired on Super sport 1. The ESA Saltwater show will be broadcasted weekly on Thursdays between 19h30 and   20h 30 and the ESA Freshwater show will air weekly on Tuesdays between 19h00 and 19h30.

ESA Saltwater: 26.08.2010: In LBSA we take a look at the beginning of our journey chasing the sardine run, while the DSSA team looks at the fun in light tackle angling while in OSSA the team target an array of different species.