ADVICE ON WILDERNESS

huntley

Member
I am coming down to Wilderness (Ebb&Flow Caravan Park) in September. My primary focus is any type of lure fishing. I have spinning rods from light to heavy as well as flyfishing rods. I would like some advice on what rods and lures to pack and hopefully some ideas about species and spots in the area at that time of the year. It is a part of the coast I have never fished and know nothing about. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
 

DJP

Sealiner
Hi Huntley, early spring isn't always the best time of year because the temperatures may still be quite chilly and rivers in flood or flowing quite strong. Thats said, you can target Garrick in the estuaries, Touws river at Ebb & Flow have mostly small Garrick and if you want to target some better fish you can go to Island lake (need a boat or kayak) or Swartvlei/Sedgefield.
At Sedgefield (and Knysna) you can target grunter on fly but September is probably a bit early for them, although some of the fish are definitely resident (become quite dark in colour whilst ones from see are more bright and shiny). In the ocean you can target kob and shad, mostly on spoons but it's not an easy task especially if you don't know the area and conditons. I would say time better spent in the estuaries/lagoons. Lures, small (9-12cm) stickbait poppers for Garrick and normal grunter flies and lost of patience will work.
 

huntley

Member
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Hi Huntley, early spring isn't always the best time of year because the temperatures may still be quite chilly and rivers in flood or flowing quite strong. Thats said, you can target Garrick in the estuaries, Touws river at Ebb & Flow have mostly small Garrick and if you want to target some better fish you can go to Island lake (need a boat or kayak) or Swartvlei/Sedgefield.
At Sedgefield (and Knysna) you can target grunter on fly but September is probably a bit early for them, although some of the fish are definitely resident (become quite dark in colour whilst ones from see are more bright and shiny). In the ocean you can target kob and shad, mostly on spoons but it's not an easy task especially if you don't know the area and conditons. I would say time better spent in the estuaries/lagoons. Lures, small (9-12cm) stickbait poppers for Garrick and normal grunter flies and lost of patience will work.
Thanks for the heads up. Sounds like the wrong time of the year and no need for any of the heavier spinning rods. I'll probably bring a 6 wgt fly rod and one other
very light spinning rod. Just as a matter of interest, would small repalas be a better bet than paddle tails or top water lures?
 

DJP

Sealiner
It really depends on the rivers and weather, if the rivers aren't too strong and there is a couple of warm days the fishing may pick up a bit sooner. With the topwater you can cover more water and the Garrick typically hold near drop-offs or weed lines which are easier fished with topwater. Rapalas/ stick baits will work but then you will fishing deeper areas, preferably off a boat/kayak. Soft plastics will also work, not necessarily paddle tails but more jerk minnows fished closer to the bottom especially if the bit is slow.
 

huntley

Member
It really depends on the rivers and weather, if the rivers aren't too strong and there is a couple of warm days the fishing may pick up a bit sooner. With the topwater you can cover more water and the Garrick typically hold near drop-offs or weed lines which are easier fished with topwater. Rapalas/ stick baits will work but then you will fishing deeper areas, preferably off a boat/kayak. Soft plastics will also work, not necessarily paddle tails but more jerk minnows fished closer to the bottom especially if the bit is slow.
Thanks a million DJP. I really appreciate your feedback. I'll be down there for for just over 2 weeks in September so hopefully will get to fish at least on a few occasions.
 
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