Estuaries in South Africa

[rory]

Thriss + Deewy
Where on the South Coast do you go? I can help you out with a few spots around Munster and Port Edward?
Cheers
Rory

[deewy]

Thriss + Deewy
Where on the South Coast do you go? I can help you out with a few spots around Munster and Port Edward?
Cheers
Rory

I havnt been up there in years but on the first oppertunity i get i will be up there again. Post the pointers in the tread then everyone can benifit,thats the main focus why i started it. Just give a short descripsion off the fish,tackle,flies,spots method ect ect

I recon info like this would be appreciated by many

[thrisss]

Rory, I usually go to Hibberdene, closest proper estuary is the one in Port Shepston(20km’s). Don’t know if its gonna be worth my while to drive to Port Edward for a 2 hour morning session though – would have loved to but that’s something like 60km’s one way. Hibberdene itself also has a little estuary (don’t they all) but its closed up 90% of the time and the biggest predator I seen/caught was a queen/king fish (never sure which is which – freshwater guy remember) of about 10cm…. was hoping for something bigger

[bluegill]

Around Durban I have fished the La Mercy Lagoon, just past Umdloti (NCoast). The estuary is loaded with shrimps & mullet. I caught a small yellowtail kingie there 3 weeks ago but on the weekend we caught nothing. There are plenty Barbel as well, they seem to be able to adapt to all conditions! The estuary is currently not open & only at spring tides does it get a little bit of salt water.

On the S Coast, the Umkomaas river mouth looks promising but I have yet to catch there. Here the mouth is open. The estuary near Port Edward, Mpenjati is good & holds a variety of fish. The Southbroom lagoon is also productive. The problem is that not all of the estuaries/lagoons are open & some have been closed by sandbanks for years. I get the feeling that if someone does know of a good spot it is usually kept quiet & not shared freely.

As I try more spots, I will report back.

[dpammenter]

bluegill,

how safe are the south coast esturies to fish?

[deewy]

Now we are getting some usefull info
What about those spots like uvongo and ramsgate or pomula,my mom use to live on the south coast but last time i was there was in 2001 and I didnt do any fishing back then.

[bluegill]

The safety issue is difficult to comment on.

ie.

I know guys that have parked at the Wild Coast Casino (for safety) & then walked to the next river/estuary only to be accosted on the beach by a group of youths with knives etc..

Whereas we have never had a problem mainly because we fish in a group & also park at picnic spots etc.

When I fish the Illovo river, I park at Winklespruit rocks (car guards) & walk to the river & have never had a problem. There is parking nearer the river but it is desolate & I would not chance it.

The Mpenjati at Port Edward is safe, you pay 5bucks & there is a parksboard guy that sits at the carpark.

Generally I think it is safe but you never know......

[thrisss]

Generally I think it is safe but you never know......

Everyone who seen the move recently will know what this term refers to and know which movie it is from: T.I.A. – think it is a good summary of state of affairs! dpammenter don’t want to get into this topic but I am sure its as safe as everywhere else; as BlueGill says – safety is in numbers. Else, you like me will have to chance it. Luckily I tend to relay on old faithful pepper spray, didn’t need to use it yet and hope I never will “but you never know”.

Rory & BlueGill – back to logistics, on the south coast in your experience – do you employ the same tactics then the guys in CT? like normally intermediate lines, fishing around structure and drop offs, what kind and color flies do you prefer?
One day I happened upon a tackle dealer in Port Edward while taking the scenic route and apparently he was the “only know guy to FF on South Coast for years” – anyhow, he said his secrete is to just wrap chartreuse chenille around a #14 hook and chuck it in – yet again not as easy as advertised. Please feel free to give as much info as you have time for, as mentioned I am a Salt Water novice…..

[dpammenter]

yeh, thriss, i agree. safety is in numbers

i was just asking because you hear of these little 'happenings' every now and then, and you don't hear of the trouble free excursions

it's good to hear that some of these places are safe(ish) to go to

[thrisss]

Sorry Pierre, only now noticed the topic being under conservation, feel free to move it to the correct thread if you see fit to do so!