Veldriff Shad/Elf. When?

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Smelly Cat

New member
 

Hey guys

Instead of driving all they way to Veldriff only to find out that there are no shad/elf in the river yet, could those of you that have been out that way recently kindly keep me/us posted wether thay have arrived yet?

Also wether there's been any actual reports of decent size Steenbras comming out lately?

This is a hell of alot of fun to catch and release these little blighters, and being Veldriff you catch a lekker tan aswel.

Any knowlegde of recent activity would be much appreciated...

Tight lines... "Summer is on our doorstep" :::S
 
S

Smelly Cat

New member
This is a hell of alot of fun to catch and release these little blighters, and being Veldriff you catch a lekker tan aswel.

::happyd:
 
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sparky2009

Senior Member
Brenden wrote:
This is a hell of alot of fun to catch and release these little blighters, and being Veldriff you catch a lekker tan aswel.

::happyd:
Click to expand...
fun or not it is still ILLEGAL TO TARGET during the closed season
 
O

Oosie

Senior Member
He is not targeting Elf ou Sparky, "he is just fishing with pilchard for Cob or spinning for Leeries" and there is nothing wrong with that. If the Elfies wants to be a nuisance, so be it, this guy is releasing and having great fun.
 
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sparky2009

Senior Member
Brenden wrote:
 

Hey guys

Instead of driving all they way to Veldriff only to find out that there are no shad/elf in the river yet, could those of you that have been out that way recently kindly keep me/us posted wether thay have arrived yet?

Also wether there's been any actual reports of decent size Steenbras comming out lately?

This is a hell of alot of fun to catch and release these little blighters, and being Veldriff you catch a lekker tan aswel.

Any knowlegde of recent activity would be much appreciated...

Tight lines... "Summer is on our doorstep" :::S
Click to expand...
 
S

Smelly Cat

New member
Guys, i see no harm in this, as i use a barbless hook, and its purely for fun. Unlike the locals that catch them by the black bag full (undersize) and take them home. If i can catch and release them, maybe they will be a bit more weary of a hook next time (the hook that will harvest them)

My main concern are the Steenies, and the elf are just a little fun inbetween.

Where is the harm in Catch and Release? Wether season is closed or not.

;)
 
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tubs the sea saver

Sealiner
@ brenden bud this is an open forum, posting a topic like this will get negative comments, look the law says that you cant target them in closed season even though you using the most fish friendly methods, please see this as advice. will send you a pm aboout it

 

 
 
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ThefishinMagician

Sealiner
Ok... irrespective of the fishing closed season, when can one expect the Elf to be in Veldrift. (in numbers). When the season reopens again or later?
 
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Captain Sparrow

Member
Brenden,
Have you had much success with fishing Veldrift in the past? My wife, kids and I spent a week up on the West Coast (Langebaan) and we spent an entire day driving around places like Veldrift, Tiettiesbaai...etc. I found Veldrift area so built up and the river there looked somewhat gundgy/ dirty. Do you normally fish at the mouth of the river or anywhere along it?

I had a buddy that use to rave about this area and use to spend most of his holidays up there.

Have you ever seen anyone fishing from kayaks in this area?

Cheers mate
Gavin
 
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Smelly Cat

New member
@ Mervin - Shad Season is closed from the 1 Oct to the 31 Nov. So yes, it will be illegal.

@ TheFishingMagitian - The local knowledge around Veldriff say the Elf/Shad arrive in Oct.

Id like to see MCM paroling this area, its sad to see these locals bagging tens to hundreds of undersize shad. I concider the fact that they are poor and this is supper for them most times of the year, but surely it cant be the only food source in the area... Why are people letting them get away with this??????
 
S

Smelly Cat

New member
@ Gavin - Im more than happy to share what i know about the area, as long as you share the same sentiment as i do. The guys on this site point out that we should look at it as Angling and not Fishing, where guys of all races, age or creed can get together and enjoy this sport we love so much...

I personally think a kayak would work nicely on this river, ive only seen boats trolling up and down, but if i had a kayak id use it there. The three main spots are: the mouth, right by the harbor wall where guys target shad, cob and steenbras. Then theres under the bridge, where all the locals target shad and some guys target cob(ive heard a story of a guy landing a 20kg+ cob under the bridge). Then if you walk a little further up from the bridge theres a farm where the owner charges you R20 per person to access the train bridge on his land, and this is where guys target huge steenbras and shad here. I've heard of some monsters comming out here.

So those are the main three places that are the most productive in the river. The river mouth is accessible from the northern side of the river, and the other two are accessed from the souther side. I cant comment on the places surrounding Veldriff as i havent tried them yet myself, but if you do and have any success, please let us know ;)
 
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Captain Sparrow

Member
Awesome reply, thanks Brenden. I think we have the same sentiments about Sandvlei across from where I stay. Catch and release is the order of the day and I think everyone (or at least most) respect that. Truth is I keep very few fish for the pan. I have a few personal rules that I stick to passionately and as a result I see far more of my fish being released than kept.

Well Veldrift certainly sounds like it has potential, so perhaps it's time for me to load up the van with the wife and kids and trek up there for a little recon session...

Shot for the info bru...
 
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Smelly Cat

New member
No probmlemo ;)

I also maintain a release policy at the Vlei. ;)

When you're up that way look out for a black polo 2door, and come and say hi :)

::tight:
 
C

Captain Sparrow

Member
Cool...:SSS

I will be back home in CT in just a little more than two weeks. Currently offshore in the Gulf of Mexico where I work on a seismic research ship. . Will have a whole 5 weeks of fishing...just about every day ::S

I'll definitely look out for your car. I have a silver double cab Isuzu bakkie (3.0 DTI).

Catcha later mate...
 
1

1309sg

Senior Member
Hi guys. Did a bit of fishing on the river the weekend without any luck. Right at the harbor mouth a guy got a coupla sandies. I wasn't too concerned about fishing though, was more for the outing.

Outgoing tide is pretty strong and I sure wouldn't want to get caught up in a kayak in that!

Saw a lot of good size fish on the fishfinder though, guess timing wasn't too lekka.

One bad thing is the amount of grass though. If you leave bait in for any length of time, it's wrapped up!...

Oh, and the hole beneath the bridge shows 8meters at low tide, with a coupla BIG fish on the finder.
 
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Smelly Cat

New member
1309sg - Thanx for that report, i had a feeling there must be a hole there under the bridge. As for the current, i've noticed its very strong when there's been rain, then all the fresh water flushes out the river, and unfortunatly the fish aswel.

Happy hunting

::tight:
 
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