Trek and gill nets being used at Zandvlei

[windknot]

I have been fishing Sandvlei for about 12 years on an irregular basis and the leeries smashing baitfish along the banks has not been a consistent event. My success rate has been poor but that is more to do with the lack of consistent effort. WHat I have noticed is that at times the general fish population in a specific area can fluctuate wildly even with similar weather and water conditions. I suspect that since the regular closure of the mouth fish have been developing a different migration patterns within the system and that the real challenge is to decypher that code. For instance I have caught carp while fishing for leeries at the footbridge in almost completely sea water and I have witnessed leeries swimming 500 or more metres up the concrete canal. Eight years ago one could see schools of adult mullet of 30 to 40 cm congregate in the thousands, now I see mostly juveniles and fingerlings. I am of the opinion that pollution has had a major impact, and poaching and bad fishing practices have added to the blow but we should promote it as a fishery to build a critical mass as stakeholders ( I hate the word). Laws only protect those who use them and are prepared to fight for them so getting more people involved whatever the departure point is, will get people talking in a consructive way. Sandvlei is an eco system that is salvageable even though it is in a rapidly growing urban area and even though it has been 4 years since I caught a leerie there, I look forward to the new season. Btw was there on saturday, saw some activity but the inflow looked like coca cola.

[Chris Shelton]

Thanks for that mate, I couldn't agree more!

[willemj]

we where ask to do a servey with nature conservation to see if we could come up with more fish spesies for them.this is what we got for them.been very exciting.

list:leervis,mullet x2,carp,barbel,bass,tilapia,moonies

[windknot]

How did you conduct the survey and in what area because there where some juvenile elf coming out a few weeks ago (hearsay though). Where you netting ?

[Jason]

Zandvlei is gonna look like a bamboo forest this weekend with all the fly rods waving around after these pics. And I will be one of them lol... BRING ON THE RADIOACTIVE MULLET BAAAABBBBBEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

[willemj]

we dont use nets.we do electro fishing.doesnt harm any fish.was just to see if we can find more species in zandvlei.

they opened the mouth so fishing should be good for leeries.some one told us that some caught a 500mm leerie.very good news to see juv in the lagoon

[willemj]

here is a teaser for guys looking for nice mullet

[Jason]

These boys are damn hard to tempt. They are always leapig out of the water giving everyone the finger. We there many of these baby;s when you guys shocked?

[willemj]

yip.they got a good population.just depends where you looking for