Hi, Does anyone know whats coming out ? going up
- Thread starter Bluefin
- Start date
Hi Guys,
Was there on the weekend, 26 - 28 Nov.
The roads are really bad going there, on fiday it took just over 12 Hours form Jhb to
St Lucia! Word of caution if you are drvnig a small Car as the roads are worse than dirt roads in places, and the stops are just to long, the trucks are plenty as well...
But when the roads are done, esimate May 2011(well See)
The fishing was, well dead, the estuary is still closed, and the wind was sandblasting us where ever we where near the beaches, there where good catches with the ski boats and deep water bottom fishing, a few Dorado where caut between 7 and 9 Kg's.
There where a few grunters caut as well and the od Cob here and there but in very tough conditions, we did try catch a shark stuck in the estury, a 2.5M raggie that bruched a crock while sitting right up close to the water (not a good Idea)
with no luck.
There was a lot of fish in the estury like grunter, mullet and springer, but nothing was biting on sardine, chokka, or prawn.
We where not there long enough to actually fish there th trip was more to check out the area, and it is definitatly a place rich with fishing adventure.
Cant wait til the mouth opens, and the roads finished.
Regards
Was there on the weekend, 26 - 28 Nov.
The roads are really bad going there, on fiday it took just over 12 Hours form Jhb to
St Lucia! Word of caution if you are drvnig a small Car as the roads are worse than dirt roads in places, and the stops are just to long, the trucks are plenty as well...
But when the roads are done, esimate May 2011(well See)
The fishing was, well dead, the estuary is still closed, and the wind was sandblasting us where ever we where near the beaches, there where good catches with the ski boats and deep water bottom fishing, a few Dorado where caut between 7 and 9 Kg's.
There where a few grunters caut as well and the od Cob here and there but in very tough conditions, we did try catch a shark stuck in the estury, a 2.5M raggie that bruched a crock while sitting right up close to the water (not a good Idea)
with no luck.
There was a lot of fish in the estury like grunter, mullet and springer, but nothing was biting on sardine, chokka, or prawn.
We where not there long enough to actually fish there th trip was more to check out the area, and it is definitatly a place rich with fishing adventure.
Cant wait til the mouth opens, and the roads finished.
Regards
Hi Reiniers[/b]
Thanks for the report
Sorry to hear you guys were not very successful, but believe me Isimangaliso still hold some good fish.
I would not hold my breath for the estuary mouth opening any time soon.
We fish the area often and have adapted to rather fishing in the surf then in the estuary.
The estuary use to hold huge amounts of fish but the whole system seems to be too shallow to support that kind of fishing any more.
I prefer to fish the rocks and ledges these days as that is the most productive that I've seen in St Lucia/cape Vidal area.
The one nice thing about St Lucia is that the remote areas holds the best changes for a decent hook-up, but you need to be prepared to walk allot.
Especially when targeting eds. you need to put the millage between you and the frequent areas to be successful.
When targeting sharks and flats it's a whole different ball game, but the best bait for the big one is still shad live bait, one just need to be sure it's legal size.
Did you see any shad coming out?
Next time you there drop me a PM and I'll send you the co-ords. for a couple of hot spots.
GT
Thanks for the report
Sorry to hear you guys were not very successful, but believe me Isimangaliso still hold some good fish.
I would not hold my breath for the estuary mouth opening any time soon.
We fish the area often and have adapted to rather fishing in the surf then in the estuary.
The estuary use to hold huge amounts of fish but the whole system seems to be too shallow to support that kind of fishing any more.
I prefer to fish the rocks and ledges these days as that is the most productive that I've seen in St Lucia/cape Vidal area.
The one nice thing about St Lucia is that the remote areas holds the best changes for a decent hook-up, but you need to be prepared to walk allot.
Especially when targeting eds. you need to put the millage between you and the frequent areas to be successful.
When targeting sharks and flats it's a whole different ball game, but the best bait for the big one is still shad live bait, one just need to be sure it's legal size.
Did you see any shad coming out?
Next time you there drop me a PM and I'll send you the co-ords. for a couple of hot spots.
GT
That wil be helpfull, the last time I was there the mouth was open and it was busy as hell!
I havnt caut much in last 3 years at the coast, and I really really would love some action, the freshwater thing is getting tedious.
I am going to the Amanzintoti Area on the 24th, Any spots I caould try there and what to use?
The shad are there, as we watched the waves, theye are being chased to, the potential is big, but the weather must lighten a bit.... And the season is starting this week.
I havnt caut much in last 3 years at the coast, and I really really would love some action, the freshwater thing is getting tedious.
I am going to the Amanzintoti Area on the 24th, Any spots I caould try there and what to use?
The shad are there, as we watched the waves, theye are being chased to, the potential is big, but the weather must lighten a bit.... And the season is starting this week.
Hi GT,
I will do that. And thanks!
Generally in the las 3 years fom St lucia t Port Edward, I hav caugt nothing at all, I am seriuos need of help!
I dont know why I cant fish, My dad used to take us to ST Lucia all the time and that is where I caught my first fish, 4Kg Grunter, I have a old photo somewhere....
And to add to the whole Estury closing thing...
It is a shame, becasue think of the fish that are suposed to go up there and spawn, and also for the residents, We are their income as well, and if the fising is harder because of the estury closing, less people wil go.
Earlier days we used to take a Illegal amount of fish on a night, shaol cob to be exact. I was then only around 10 but I could still remember it as yesterday!
:merm
I will do that. And thanks!
Generally in the las 3 years fom St lucia t Port Edward, I hav caugt nothing at all, I am seriuos need of help!
I dont know why I cant fish, My dad used to take us to ST Lucia all the time and that is where I caught my first fish, 4Kg Grunter, I have a old photo somewhere....
And to add to the whole Estury closing thing...
It is a shame, becasue think of the fish that are suposed to go up there and spawn, and also for the residents, We are their income as well, and if the fising is harder because of the estury closing, less people wil go.
Earlier days we used to take a Illegal amount of fish on a night, shaol cob to be exact. I was then only around 10 but I could still remember it as yesterday!
:merm
Hi Reiniers
Yes I must agree with you about the estuary mouth, it such a shame that it's closed.
I was going through some photo's yesterday for my self and my grandfather fishing at the estuary mouth wall when I was just eight years old, and must admit it does bring back some good memories seeing the mouth open and the dredger pumping on the opposite bank.
But grandpa is not with me any more and those years are long gone, although I would give every thing that I accomplished and acquired thought out my entire life to just fish one more day like that with my grandfather at the estuary mouth wall with the mouth open.
I can remember this like it was yesterday, we also use to fish on the open lake at night and use to catch cob regularly, prawn was also on caught regularly at the jetties, late afternoon/early evening time.
This is a really nostalgic and emotional topic for me and I do not want to talk about it any more.
Now I have two boys that age and cannot show them what I have done when I was a child at the estuary, but, like I said; now we focus on the surf fishing and have had allot of success last year and the year before.
We normally go to St Lucia in December and April, if ever you are there at that time I will be glad to help a fellow angler landing some thing descent again.
I will be leaving for the cost on Wednesday evening and will start a new thread which I will try to update everyday, but cannot promise as I get very lazy when I'm there, it's like the whole world just does not bother me any more.
I hope you are successful in Toti, and don't forget to update, tight lines.
GT
Yes I must agree with you about the estuary mouth, it such a shame that it's closed.
I was going through some photo's yesterday for my self and my grandfather fishing at the estuary mouth wall when I was just eight years old, and must admit it does bring back some good memories seeing the mouth open and the dredger pumping on the opposite bank.
But grandpa is not with me any more and those years are long gone, although I would give every thing that I accomplished and acquired thought out my entire life to just fish one more day like that with my grandfather at the estuary mouth wall with the mouth open.
I can remember this like it was yesterday, we also use to fish on the open lake at night and use to catch cob regularly, prawn was also on caught regularly at the jetties, late afternoon/early evening time.
This is a really nostalgic and emotional topic for me and I do not want to talk about it any more.
Now I have two boys that age and cannot show them what I have done when I was a child at the estuary, but, like I said; now we focus on the surf fishing and have had allot of success last year and the year before.
We normally go to St Lucia in December and April, if ever you are there at that time I will be glad to help a fellow angler landing some thing descent again.
I will be leaving for the cost on Wednesday evening and will start a new thread which I will try to update everyday, but cannot promise as I get very lazy when I'm there, it's like the whole world just does not bother me any more.
I hope you are successful in Toti, and don't forget to update, tight lines.
GT
Hi GT.
I agree with you man. This is deep heart stuff....
I am at least better of feeling that I am not the only one...
Anyway, I will update for sure! I have a lot of new tricks up my sleeves this year!!!
I am going to St. Lucia again the week before Easter til easter weekend..
So maybe we can make a plan...
:ssswim:
I agree with you man. This is deep heart stuff....
I am at least better of feeling that I am not the only one...
Anyway, I will update for sure! I have a lot of new tricks up my sleeves this year!!!
I am going to St. Lucia again the week before Easter til easter weekend..
So maybe we can make a plan...
:ssswim:
ok, so everyone has seen my pb kingie landed and released.
but more on the fishing.
I tried different things to what I usually do.
one day I went and slided out two shads, next to the local guys.
we made a count and found about 12 rods having all live baits.
not one pull.
so I got the message loud and clear.
the last two afternoons we tried catching some kob.
as, a 25 kg gt was caught the day after my pb, with two salmon's
so late afternoon, we would get some live bait and would walk towards the mouth.
about 600m from the mouth we decided to put the rods out.
we had 2 rods, and 4 live shad in total.
the water was looking good, and different from what I would normally decide to put out my bait.
had a nice pull on the one rod.
with the pick-up I saw the fish hitting the surface.
so I knew we had a shark on the line.
10 minutes later we landed a "black-tip" shark of about 20kg.
after a pick or two we put it back.
but more on the fishing.
I tried different things to what I usually do.
one day I went and slided out two shads, next to the local guys.
we made a count and found about 12 rods having all live baits.
not one pull.
so I got the message loud and clear.
the last two afternoons we tried catching some kob.
as, a 25 kg gt was caught the day after my pb, with two salmon's
so late afternoon, we would get some live bait and would walk towards the mouth.
about 600m from the mouth we decided to put the rods out.
we had 2 rods, and 4 live shad in total.
the water was looking good, and different from what I would normally decide to put out my bait.
had a nice pull on the one rod.
with the pick-up I saw the fish hitting the surface.
so I knew we had a shark on the line.
10 minutes later we landed a "black-tip" shark of about 20kg.
after a pick or two we put it back.
so with the first shark caught I thought that the spot was good.
so we had another run, a proper run, that took the 0.55 purglass 400/5 to the back line in no time. sadly the line parted from the hooks as we were using nylon traces.
2 runs aint bad.
so we slided the last shad out as the other rod was just doing nothing at all.
it wasn't long before we had another pull.
just a short one. as I retrieved the line, I found that the shad was stolen.
with no more bait, I moved the other rod that was just standing there having no pulls.
with the shad now moved I noticed a commotion down the beach.
I then decided to walk down and see whats biting there.
the guys there were on with a fish.
clearly the fish were there and feeding.
it was getting late and as the fish was still far out, and not much ground being won, I decided to leave.
returning at my rod, I found all in order.
when I pulled in the rod I founds the shad was dead.
on investigating the shad I found some puncture holes in it. the scales were removed and more visible bite marks were present.
so it was clear, that the shad was picked up, but dropped by the fish.
so we had another run, a proper run, that took the 0.55 purglass 400/5 to the back line in no time. sadly the line parted from the hooks as we were using nylon traces.
2 runs aint bad.
so we slided the last shad out as the other rod was just doing nothing at all.
it wasn't long before we had another pull.
just a short one. as I retrieved the line, I found that the shad was stolen.
with no more bait, I moved the other rod that was just standing there having no pulls.
with the shad now moved I noticed a commotion down the beach.
I then decided to walk down and see whats biting there.
the guys there were on with a fish.
clearly the fish were there and feeding.
it was getting late and as the fish was still far out, and not much ground being won, I decided to leave.
returning at my rod, I found all in order.
when I pulled in the rod I founds the shad was dead.
on investigating the shad I found some puncture holes in it. the scales were removed and more visible bite marks were present.
so it was clear, that the shad was picked up, but dropped by the fish.
it was the last night and I wanted a salmon.
late afternoon we set down to the beach. got some live shad and set off to the mouth area.
it was clear from there that the shad fisherman was in full strength down at the beach. we were lucky to be out of site away from them.
sitiing on a fishing spot surrounded by shad fisherman can be irritating.
on all of the times we fished away from the shad hole, did I try and spin for ather shad, but with no luck.
so a valid point to ask would be: why fish in a area, where there is no bait fish.
why would the bigger fish visit this place for food if there aint any?
do I know something others don't?
it was always said to me, that fish the area where the shad is abundant. but now, I always move off to other places.........................
makes you think.
late afternoon we set down to the beach. got some live shad and set off to the mouth area.
it was clear from there that the shad fisherman was in full strength down at the beach. we were lucky to be out of site away from them.
sitiing on a fishing spot surrounded by shad fisherman can be irritating.
on all of the times we fished away from the shad hole, did I try and spin for ather shad, but with no luck.
so a valid point to ask would be: why fish in a area, where there is no bait fish.
why would the bigger fish visit this place for food if there aint any?
do I know something others don't?
it was always said to me, that fish the area where the shad is abundant. but now, I always move off to other places.........................
makes you think.
ok so on the spot, we slided out 3 shads.
it was not long before I saw the one line going slack.
reeling in, I found that a shark had come and stole my sinker.
the live bait slide wrapped twice around the main line and was able to retrieve my shad and sliding trace.
later on during night fall we had two more runs.
the one was a short ratchet with nothing. the other rod was just before sunset, the rod tip dipped with a short ratchet.
on both occasions the shad were missing.
by now, we had some grass in the water, snagging up on the main line and making sliding difficult.
also we found that two of the slide traces were wrapped on the main line and it was clear that the water we were fishing in, was like a washing machine type.
it was not long before I saw the one line going slack.
reeling in, I found that a shark had come and stole my sinker.
the live bait slide wrapped twice around the main line and was able to retrieve my shad and sliding trace.
later on during night fall we had two more runs.
the one was a short ratchet with nothing. the other rod was just before sunset, the rod tip dipped with a short ratchet.
on both occasions the shad were missing.
by now, we had some grass in the water, snagging up on the main line and making sliding difficult.
also we found that two of the slide traces were wrapped on the main line and it was clear that the water we were fishing in, was like a washing machine type.
we pulled up all the lines, and resend them in.
making sure the slide traces were good.
with the resling of the bait, 10 minutes later I had a pull.
just a short ratchet.
the rod was removed but nothing was feeding on the bait.
I decided to pull up and with the pulling of the sinker free, felt the good old headshake.
the fish had no where to go. it was outclassed with the heavy gear in my hand.
we managed to land a kobbie of just under 12kg.
making sure the slide traces were good.
with the resling of the bait, 10 minutes later I had a pull.
just a short ratchet.
the rod was removed but nothing was feeding on the bait.
I decided to pull up and with the pulling of the sinker free, felt the good old headshake.
the fish had no where to go. it was outclassed with the heavy gear in my hand.
we managed to land a kobbie of just under 12kg.
Attachments
fish that we heard of, but did not see.
a cuda caught from the beach "north of the swimming beach" on a nylon slide trace.
the weight was either 18 or 22kg.
other salmon was also taken.
so remember, always try out different things to what you usually do.
clean water might be good for a Garrick or two.
but fish don't hunt in them....
a cuda caught from the beach "north of the swimming beach" on a nylon slide trace.
the weight was either 18 or 22kg.
other salmon was also taken.
so remember, always try out different things to what you usually do.
clean water might be good for a Garrick or two.
but fish don't hunt in them....