Looking for venue for first sea launch on Jetski.

[The Ancient Mariner]

Greetings!I have recently purchased a Jetski which gas been outfitted for offshore angling.I am a bit unsure of a good launch site for my first launch.

The vessel is registered as a CAT E and I have a CAT E skippers ticket,proceeding to sea from a commercial harbour,fishing harbour,or a protected launch site.

Please also take into consideration that I live in JHB and am looking for the path of least resistance.Some comments and advise from some of you 'old salts' would be greatly appreciated!

Best regards,
TAM

 

[Johnno s gone fishin]

Hi Tam

I am also a Joburger, and although I know it is a bit if a schlep distance wise,  i would recommend Richards Bay.
I am a member of RBSBC and travel down there at least every 2 months, either with my Jetski,or my skiboat-- it is worth the trip.
You can launch either from the Richards Bay Ski Boat Club ( they have dedicated facilities for Jetskis), or the Meerensee Ski Boat Club. Both are Jetski friendly, have camping faiolities on their grounds, the exit from the harbour is a breeze AND there is pretty good fishing close in.

Just make sure you have ALL your safety gear, radio, radio licence, Skippers ticket etc. In other words -- THE LOT.
Harbour Police who are cool guys are very active.
If you do decide on RBay, I  would recommend you go the long way round (via Durbs) and stay on the freeways. Believe me i have tried just about every alternative route there is and whilst they are shorter (+- 100k's)and cheaper (no tolls), the roads are CRAP ,and if you get stuck behing a convoy of Abnormal Vehicles, you can cover 20 Km's in two hours-- Yeah !!

Best of Luck, and welcome to the ranks of Jetski fishers
Johnno

 

[The Ancient Mariner]

Hi Johnno,

Thank you for this useful information!I completely share your sentiments regarding the roads!I am a regular at St-Lucia(surf fishing) and have tried every alternative route,only to end up disappointed!I have also come to the conclusion that the N3 is the only way to go,toll roads and all!

What kind of fishing techniques do you employ(jigging,livebait,trolling) and what works the best in the RB area?

Regards,
TAM

 

[The Ancient Mariner]

Hi Johnno,

Thank you for this useful information!I completely share your sentiments regarding the roads!I am a regular at St-Lucia(surf fishing) and have tried every alternative route,only to end up disappointed!I have also come to the conclusion that the N3 is the only way to go,toll roads and all!

What kind of fishing techniques do you employ(jigging,livebait,trolling) and what works the best in the RB area?

Regards,
TAM

 

[Johnno s gone fishin]

Hi Tam

Have not tried jigging, but trolling for Natal Snoek works just North of the harbour entrace, or working the back line can produce Garrick.
For bottoms there are plenty of reef areas +- 1 km from shore and if you can anchor and use a pinky for live bait  -- BIG Rock Cod results.

I see you are also wanting to do a breakneck trailer, well it's not too big a deal to convert a standard one. The biggeest problem is to turn it upside down without messing up either the tail lights or the mudguards.

Although why bother unless you beach launch.
Cheers
Johnno

 

[The Ancient Mariner]

Hey Johnno,

So you say that there are healthy Rock Cod populations not far offshore in RB!This is good news!What is your PB?

Yes I realise that it is not such a big deal to modify trailer into a breakneck!After much scrutiny,I have established that I can modify it in over a weekend with materials costing me no more than R1k.I have built a few trailers in my time and understand the welding thing.

Ultimately,I will be surf launching.Once I am confident,I would like to be able to launch at St-Lucia,Cape Vidal,Sodwana.I also have friends with properties at Inhambane,Moz.This would be my first prize!Just a mission to get there!So essential to have breakneck!At least then I will have the best of both worlds!

I went to Paindane in Moz in October 2008.Had boat but no bait.My companions were not fishermen and by the time we were on the water,the Jetskis and kayaks were on their way in already.Only caught two fish over a week,both by default in their pec fins!Got back from Guinjata on 17/07/2011 after blanking!After rigging up trolling rods with 'living lips' and with fresh Mackeral thawing,the see like glass and fish boiling in the bay,the boat motors failed and we were forced to abort.I thought that I was going to burst into tears!!

Anyway,it was a blessing in disguise because this is what urged me to purchase a jetski.Upon my return from Guinjata,I proceeded with a jetski hunt,leaving no stone unturned!I purchased a 2006 Seadoo GTI in showroom condition with 63 hrs on clock.Never tasted salt water!

The whole dynamic of my fishing career is about to change for ever!I cant wait!Crossed lines on the beach will now gow down in the annals of history!Also,no more reliance on crew and late sleepers!

I see you are also in Sandton!Im in Kelvin.Are you happy with your Kawa?

Best regards,
TAM.

 

[Johnno s gone fishin]

In Kelvin ?? You got to be kidding  -- me too. I am in Daleway.
Give me a call on 0827816515 and we can chat and maybe get together for a lager or two at Cescos

Cheers
Johnno

 

[The Ancient Mariner]

Hey Johnno,

It certainly is a small world!Here we are high and dry in JHB with an ocean that beckons from way in the distance!My cell:082 334 1646.

It would be nice to chat!

Best regards,
TAM.

 

[Pinto]

And I thought that  was the only sod that lived in Joburg and had a ski in the garage rearing to go!! I defenetly don't  get down to the coast often enough.

Going back to Bilene in Moz over New Year and will try my luck again just a pity that there aren't more ski fishermen that way and fishing alone makes me stay near the back line. I was last in Bilene in April and I spent every opportunity I had to fish with no luck at all and to finish off the holiday I was taken out by a monster wave that I coudn't beat on the lagoon mouth - water is stronger than ski!!

Enjoy the fishing.

 

 

 

[The Ancient Mariner]

Greetings Pinto,

How long have you been jet ski fishing for?Are you Cat E or D and do you surf launch?

 

[Pinto]

Hey TAM,

I've only been at it for the past year and only managed to be on the water twice. I have some boating and off shore fishing experience but the ski is the way to go.

I have a Cat E licence and did the surf launch endorsement recently in Scottburgh. It was tough as the wind was pumping every day.

I have thought about the CAT D but if a CAT E can take you out 1nm or ­­about 2km off shore it is more than sufficient plus there is a load of extra safety equipment that is required to be carried on board.

In Bilene where I usually go because of the lagoon where it is safe for the kids to play without being worried about waves and toothed things, the beach launching is very easy as the bigest waves are only about half a meter on a bad day. The crossing through the lagoon mouth to the open sea is the tricky bit. 

Let me know when you next go to Moz or RB, never been to RB!

 

[The Ancient Mariner]

I think CAT E liscense is sufficient!One doesnt want to be venturing too far into the great blue yonder by oneself!If one hooks up with a group,well then a few rules may have to be bent a little and it would be safe to do so!CAT D requires too much safety kit!

How much did the surf launching endorsment cost and who did you do it through?

The little bays of the pontas in Moz make for easy beach launching.

Think I am going to take Johnnos advice and make a few runs to RB to get into it first!

Will let you know when I go down.

 

[henk du preez]

Hi Pinto

I think your alone fishing problem for Bilene has just been solved.

Im also going there on the first week in Januarie .I have one or two

good marks as well. 

 

[Ya Toivo]

Hallo TAM,

I am off to Guinjata next week the 9th Sept for two weeks. Going to do a bit of serious fishing. Beach launching with a jetski is really not that bad. Just never lose your respect for the ocean, does not matter how many times i have been through the surf i still have buttelflies everytime i go. I live in Richards Bay, but have been out there with the jetski only like 2 or 3 times. I like gamefishing better of the jetski so i do a lot of vidal, ponta Malongane and then up north Guinjata and paindane. I do fish alone a lot, because of my working schedule, thats why i trade the boat for jetski, never had crew for a boat.
Anyway, if you feel ready for beach launching and i am on a trip some where I will be happy to help and give advice.

Cheers

 

[The Ancient Mariner]

Greetings Ya Toivo!

You lucky bugger,off to Moz for 2 x weeks!Guinjata and Paindane,such stunning places!I am back to Jangamo on 21 October!Cant wait!

I have spent this weekend converting my trailer into a breakneck!It works great!Jetski just slides off the trailer,all it needs is a little push!No shunting required!

I will also be joining Meerensee boat club.I have a mate who has been a member there for the last 6 years and he reports good things about it!

Yip,I think that it is of paramount importance to have a healthy respect for the sea!Dont fear it,just respect it at all times!I also take time off at my leisure and believe that I will be launching alone frequently.As long as the machine doesnt let me down,I believe it will go well!

Anyway,wishing you much music from your reels over your fishing trip!Please supply me with your cell number so that when I am in RB I can look you up and maybe we can go out together!

Best regards,
TAM.

 

[Ya Toivo]

Hi TAM,

You going to fish the Guinjata jetski/ paddleski challange? Thats starts around the 30th October, 5 days of spesies comp. I will also be back there around 28th or 29th October for the comp. Jangamo is between Jeffs and Guinjata right? Also part of uncle Colin's?
Anyway ill pm you my cell number and name.

Cheers

 

[The Ancient Mariner]

Al Taivo,

Quite correct!I know some people who have houses up on the hill behind Colin Jeffries place.I was hoping to get in before the comp as during the comp I believe the fish become very wise to lures etc?

Tell me,what have you had the most success on(lures,plastics,livebaits,vertical jigging)?



Also,thanks for you contact details,I will save them and contact you when in RB.Before I go to Moz,I will first try a protected launch from Meerensee and get the feel of my jetski first.

Best regards,
TAM.

 

[Ya Toivo]

TAM,

It all depends on the day(current, wind etc), somedays ill put out drift baits, while working jiggs, sometimes ill slow troll dead baits, and sometimes live bait drifts, all depends on whats around and what spesie i am looking for. But not going for any particular spesie i would drift with trap stick out and jigg while drifting.

 

[The Ancient Mariner]

Ya Toivo,is it easy to catch live bait of Guinjata say using a Yo-zuri?How do you usually catch livebait?

 

[Ya Toivo]

TAM, the only live bait i realy use there is small bonnies, i dont know if you will catch anything other than that. But mainly the guys use the bigger yozuri's, daisy chains and little spoons for small bonnies.