Angling conditions have suited shore based anglers lately with light to moderate Easterly winds.
In the Durban area the fishing has been a little patchy. Shore angling is still improving with some good catches of shad being reported along the middle South Coast but most fish are just making size. The small shad atract huge kingfish along the bank areas
The Ski Boat and fishing ski anglers have have carried on getting some good results but sharks are everywhere.

Christmas has come and gone and anglers can look forward to the New Year. Angling conditions have suited shore based anglers lately as light to moderate Easterly winds have for the past few days blown consistently which makes for ideal angling. The Umkomaas stretch has performed well over the past few weeks and is still yielding good results. Small shad are being caught in the vicinity of the river mouth as has shoal kob and some better size grunter. Certainly a great time for some anglers with the weather being the perfect gift.
In the Durban area a few good fish have been landed although the fishing has been a little patchy. Shore angling is still improving with some good catches of shad being reported along the middle South Coast. Although there are some big specimens around, most fish are just making size. Small shad are feeding at most spots but it’s the South Coast stretch that now attracts these small shad. The river mouth itself seems to be the place to fish for these fish.
At this time of the year and if the small shad are present in this area, huge kingfish tend to feed along the bank areas. Shad is certainly the preferred bait for these kingies and if you are lucky enough to have a live one out, chances are good that you will get challenged by one of these hard fighting fish. Don’t forget to have the correct tackle for these fish, Daiwa have a range of reels that are ideal, the Saltiga and Saltist top the list but the Grandwave and Sealine paired up with the new Kingfisher Poseidon rods will do the job very well. Apart from the kingfish several other species can now be targeted in this particular area.

Ski Boat and Fishing Ski’s
The Ski Boat and fishing ski anglers have since last week carried on getting some good results as far as game fish are concerned. Dorado in particular are being caught all along the coast with the deep water grounds off Durban working particularly well. The only regular catches come from the Aliwal Shoal and Scottburgh areas, were some quality fish over the past week or so have been reported. Dorado started with some big fish been landed along Sheppy Backline on skip baits. Couta have made an appearance here together with some good catches of dorado and smaller yellow fin tunny.
Anglers that have ventured up to the Cape Vidal area have had a variety of good fish, but like everywhere the sharks are wild!!!
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 20h30, and the ESA Freshwater show will air weekly on Tuesdays between 19h00 and 19h30.