Angler News SA Podcast

It’s officially Kobtober, and while kob remain a major target along the KZN coastline, anglers are reminded that the shad season is now closed and will reopen on 1 December. Despite this, coastal fishing remains productive, with a wide variety of species keeping rods bent from the beaches to the deeper reefs.

Recent reports show excellent catches of brusher, stumpnose, grunter, kob, bronze bream and black musselcracker, particularly along the Durban North and Umhlanga stretches. A handful of grey sharks, diamond rays and honeycomb rays have also added excitement for anglers targeting larger fish. Offshore, weather windows have delivered quality catches of geelbek, daga salmon, Englishman, scottsman, slinger and rockcod, while the arrival of yellowfin tuna has created growing excitement as water temperatures begin to rise. Durban Bay continues to produce quality grunter and kob, and with springer season approaching, there is plenty for anglers to look forward to. Conditions are improving, fish are on the move, and the KZN coastline continues to offer excellent spring fishing opportunities.

Meanwhile on the freshwater side on KZN, decent rainfall has boosted dam levels across the Midlands and improved conditions in many freshwater systems. The trout rivers have recovered well following a slow start to the season, with anglers still finding fish despite stronger flows and occasional discoloured water. Stillwaters continue to produce quality trout, while the recent Underberg Himeville Trout Festival delivered some impressive catches before the weather turned.

Bass fishing has improved noticeably at Midmar, Albert Falls and Mearns Dams, with good numbers of fish being reported as spring conditions settle in. Water levels continue to climb, providing a welcome boost to KZN's freshwater fisheries. Anglers travelling through the Midlands are reminded that Foot and Mouth Disease biosecurity protocols remain in place and should be strictly observed.

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Despite a week of rough weather and limited opportunities offshore, anglers who found fishable windows were rewarded with some quality catches. Along the beaches, kob remain the headline species, particularly on live bait after dark, while stumpnose, grunter, garrick, bronze bream, blacktail and rockcod have all featured in catches. Non-edible action is also improving, with grey sharks, spinner sharks, honeycomb rays and sand sharks making regular appearances. Offshore, conditions have been challenging, but anglers have still managed snoek, couta, yellowfin tuna, yellowtail, geelbek and daga salmon, while Durban Bay continues to produce some impressive grunter and kingfish. With summer edging closer and predator activity increasing, there's plenty of excitement along the KZN coastline.

Meanwhile, the Midlands remains in desperate need of substantial rainfall, although forecasts are showing promising signs of incoming rain and colder weather. Trout anglers have reported encouraging catches from the uMngeni and Mooi Rivers. Yellowfish continue to thrive in the clear waters of the Umkomaas, uMzimkhulu and Tugela systems, offering excellent sight-fishing opportunities. Stillwaters are producing consistent trout catches, while Midmar, Albert Falls, Inanda and Hazelmere have all reported improving bass fishing as fish move through their spawning cycle. Carp catches at Midmar have also been encouraging, with several quality fish reported.

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The KZN coastline is showing all the signs of a productive spring season, with increasing baitfish activity attracting a wide range of predators. Kob remain the standout species along the beaches, with anglers also finding success on shad, blacktail, bream and rockcod. The arrival of brute shad around Amanzimtoti has added extra excitement, while kingfish and garrick are keeping both live-bait and spinning anglers on their toes. Shark activity is also starting to increase, particularly on the lower South Coast, where rays, skates and other non-edible species are beginning to feature more regularly.

Offshore, the North Coast continues to lead the way with excellent catches of tuna, snoek, couta and quality bottom fish, while the Central Coast is producing snoek, geelbek and rockcod despite challenging weather conditions. Further south, anglers making the most of favourable weather windows have enjoyed exciting tuna and bottom-fishing action. With improving conditions and plenty of fish moving through the province, the outlook for the weekend is extremely promising.

Moving away from the coast much-needed rain and possible snowfall are on the forecast for the Midlands, bringing hope for rivers that remain exceptionally low for this time of year. Trout anglers have reported encouraging catches from the uMngeni and Mooi rivers, while yellowfish continue to provide excellent sight-fishing opportunities in the Umkomaas, uMzimkhulu and Tugela systems. Stillwaters remain productive, with trout responding well to natural-pattern streamers and larger flies.

Bass fishing has improved noticeably at Midmar, Albert Falls, Hazelmere and Inanda Dams, with several quality fish reported as the spring spawning cycle gets underway.

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KZN’s coastline is producing some of the best fishing of the season, with action reported from Durban right down the South Coast. Kob have been the standout species, with several quality fish landed in recent weeks, while shad, rockcod, kingfish and garrick continue to keep anglers busy in the surf. Shark activity has also increased, particularly on the lower South Coast, where blue rays, skates and grey sharks are making their presence felt. Offshore, the North Coast remains red-hot, with tuna, snoek, kob and quality bottom fish featuring strongly in catches. The Central Coast continues to produce snoek, kob and geelbek despite challenging conditions, while anglers fishing the South Coast and Aliwal Shoal have enjoyed excellent garrick, snoek and bottom-fishing action whenever weather windows have allowed. With calmer seas forecast and fish active throughout the province, all signs point to a spectacular weekend on the water.

Meanwhile in the freshwater side of KZN, spring may have arrived, but Midlands rivers remain in desperate need of substantial rainfall. Despite low water levels, the opening of the trout river season has produced encouraging catches, particularly on lower river sections where trout up to 43cm have been reported. Yellowfish fishing continues to impress in the Umkomaas, uMzimkhulu and Tugela systems, with excellent water clarity and good fish responding to both dry and nymph patterns. Bass anglers have reported improving action at Midmar and Inanda Dams, while concerns over water quality at Albert Falls Dam remain.

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The KZN coastline continues to offer plenty of opportunity as spring begins to take hold. The North Coast remains a standout, with baitfish attracting kob, garrick, shad, snoek, tuna and rockcod across both shore and offshore waters. Along the Central Coast, shad are still leading the catches, while kob, garrick and grey sharks remain active whenever conditions improve. Offshore anglers are finding success with snoek, kob and geelbek, despite strong winds and challenging conditions. Further south, garrick, kingfish and quality bottom fish continue to feature, with Aliwal Shoal producing exciting action whenever weather windows allow.

Meanwhile on the freshwater scene, Spring has arrived, but recent forecasts suggest winter is not quite finished yet, with more cold weather and possible snowfall expected in the highlands. The trout river season is now open, although low river levels have made conditions challenging despite recent rainfall. Stillwater fishing has been far more productive, with good trout catches reported on a mix of Woolly Buggers, nymphs and dry flies. Yellowfish activity is steadily improving in the Tugela and Umkomaas systems, while some impressive 3kg-plus bass have been reported from local farm dams.

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The Sardine Run 2026 has made another appearance, but the question on everyone’s lips is: are the sardines here to stay? Unfortunately, the answer is not really. What we are seeing appears to be some returning shoals from deeper waters, and thanks to the heavy winds experienced over the past weekend, the Lower South Coast was fortunate enough to enjoy a few minor spoils of sardine action. According to sardine experts, this is likely just a taste of the tail end of the run, with a few bonus shoals making their way back into our waters. So, while the sardines may not be here for the long haul, we’re certainly grateful for these unexpected little surprises. For now, keep your eyes on the water, because you never know when the next shoal might show up!

Fishing along the KZN coast remains promising, with active baitfish keeping predators on the move. The North Coast is producing kob, garrick, shad, snoek and geelbek, while the Central Coast continues to see good shad action, with kob, garrick and grey sharks also featuring. Further south, garrick, kingfish and tuna remain the highlights, with Aliwal Shoal producing quality offshore fishing when conditions allow

Freshwater: With the trout river season opening on 1 September, recent rain and snow have improved river flows and water quality across the Midlands. Yellowfish are active in the Tugela and Umkomaas, while stillwater anglers are finding trout on Woolly Buggers and leech patterns. Bass and carp remain slow at Midmar and Albert Falls due to cold water, with anglers reminded to follow Foot and Mouth Disease biosecurity measures and heed water quality warnings at Albert Falls.

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Shad are undoubtedly the stars of the show right now, bringing plenty of excitement to KZN’s coastline as winter begins to wind down. Their aggressive feeding and willingness to take both bait and lures have made them a favourite target for anglers of all ages, with beaches buzzing with activity. Along the North Coast, garrick continue to headline catches, while offshore anglers are finding snoek and couta when weather conditions allow. The Central Coast has produced a steady mix of garrick, snoek, kob and geelbek, with both live bait and trolling lures delivering results. Further south, Aliwal Shoal and surrounding reefs have produced quality catches of garrick, tuna and other gamefish. With calmer seas forecast and spring approaching, conditions are shaping up for an excellent weekend of fishing along the KZN coastline.

Meanwhile recent snow and rainfall across the Midlands have boosted river flows ahead of the upcoming trout season, creating optimism for anglers as spring approaches. While cooler water temperatures have slowed yellowfish activity, trout anglers continue to find success in cleaner stillwaters, with dry flies and hopper-dropper combinations producing fish. Bass anglers are also reporting improving catches from Midmar and Albert Falls Dams, along with good numbers of carp. Anglers travelling through the Midlands are reminded that Foot and Mouth Disease biosecurity protocols remain in place and should be strictly observed.

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The recent cold front may have disrupted fishing along the KZN coastline, but there have still been plenty of rewards for anglers prepared to fish the weather windows. Shad remain the star attraction from the shore, providing non-stop action and making this the perfect time to introduce youngsters to fishing. Along the North Coast, anglers continue to report good catches of garrick, kob, snoek and couta, with live bait proving particularly effective. The Central Coast has produced a steady mix of shad, garrick and snoek, while deeper reefs continue to deliver kob and geelbek. Further south, Aliwal Shoal and surrounding reefs have produced exciting catches of garrick and tuna, with trolling lures accounting for much of the action. With calmer seas forecast, prospects for the weekend are looking increasingly promising.

Meanwhile on the freshwater scene, Heavy rainfall and snowfall across the Midlands have given rivers and dams a welcome boost ahead of the trout river season opening on 1 September. Prior to the cold weather, trout anglers reported good catches, including several fish over 50cm, while yellowfish were active in the lower Umkomaas River. Bass fishing remains slow on public waters, although Inanda Dam recently produced 10 fish over the 50cm mark during a competition. Anglers travelling through the Midlands are reminded that Foot and Mouth Disease biosecurity protocols remain in place and should be strictly observed.

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Conditions have been mixed but encouraging along the KZN coastline, with both shore and offshore anglers finding quality fish when weather and water conditions allow. The North Coast was quitter although one the sea settled it produced garrick, kob, shad, rockcod and snoek, with live bait proving especially effective offshore. On the Central Coast, shad remain the dominant species, while kob, grey sharks and geelbek have added variety both in the surf and on the deeper reefs. Further south, despite the challenging sea conditions angler got into some serious action, with garrick, kingfish, tuna and snoek featuring regularly. With calmer seas forecast and baitfish still abundant, all signs point to another productive week along the coast.

Meanwhile on the freshwater side of the east coast the Recent rain and snowfall have given the Midlands a welcome boost, with trout anglers reporting improved activity and some fish exceeding 50cm. Leech, damsel and minnow patterns continue to produce results, while Midmar Dam is delivering bass and carp. Albert Falls remains challenging, although carp and barbel are feeding well. Vinesh's website

The North Coast has been the standout this week, with excellent catches of kob, garrick and shad from the shore, while offshore anglers have enjoyed productive sessions on garrick and kob using live bait. Along the Central Coast, shad, grey sharks and grunter have kept anglers busy, while offshore catches of snoek, kob and geelbek continue to impress. Further south, the scent of the Sardine Run is still influencing fishing conditions, with garrick, shad and sharks featuring regularly in shore-based catches, while Aliwal Shoal and the deeper reefs are producing tuna, kingfish and rockcod. With baitfish moving along the coastline and predator activity remaining high, anglers who stay mobile and adapt to conditions are enjoying some of the best winter fishing of the season.

Freshwater:

A recent cold front has brought cooler conditions to the Midlands, with the possibility of snowfall in the higher Berg expected to benefit rivers and stillwaters. Trout anglers continue to report steady catches, including fish over 50cm, with Woolly Buggers and damselfly nymphs proving effective. Midmar is producing fish, while Inanda Dam is reportedly fishing exceptionally well as water temperatures rise. Anglers are reminded that Foot and Mouth Disease biosecurity measures remain in place throughout the Midlands and should be strictly observed.

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