Fishing the Eastern Cape

Fishing EC is an SA Blog Awards Finalist – VOTE HERE!

Nigel — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:02:08 +0000

Hi Guys, thanks for the nominations, we are now a finalist so please support us by making your daily vote until 17th September. You can only vote every 24 hours from a single email address. Let your friends and family know so everyone can vote, lets put the Eastern Cape on the map. CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO VOTE or click this link http://website.sablogawards.com/2010/vote/voteforme/2776 Once you vote SA Blog Awards will send you an email, click the confirmation link and thats it.

Nigel Louw

Dead whale sparks concerns (video)

Nigel — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:54:12 +0000

Three humpback whale deaths were reported along South Africa’s coast on Wednesday, sparking concerns among scientists over the high number of deaths among the marine mammal species, writes Michelle Solomon.

The Daily Dispatch on Wednesday reported the discovery of a humpback whale carcass near Kidd’s Beach and went to inspect the body alongside East London museum scientist Kevin Cole.

He said the whale had been heavily predated by sharks after dying — with one bite as large as 32cm in diametre.

A local fisherman said he had seen Great White sharks preying on the carcass on Wednesday, and more sharks were trying to get to the body on Thursday, which was wedged on rocks as the tide receded.

Siani Tinley of Buffalo City marine services said the body was first reported drifting at sea on Tuesday, and had washed up by lunchtime on Wednesday.

“It looks like it had been dead for a day or two already. The cause of death was not obvious, it had been damaged by waves and sharks by then,” Tinley said, and added that the cause of death “could be anything from illness or disease or trauma”.

Marine services often remove a whale carcass when it washes ashore close to a residential area and poses a health-risk for East London residents by attracting predators like sharks.

Wednesday’s whale carcass was far from a public swimming beach however, so the it would be left for “nature to take its course,” Tinley said.

“The carcass is in a difficult area to reach so machinery can’t be used to remove it,” she added.

Two humpback whale calves beached themselves off the Kwazulu-Natal coast on Monday, and had to be put down due to their resulting injuries, according to a report in local newspaper, The Mercury.

Both Cole and Tinley expressed concern over the increasing number of whale mortalities in recent years and its possible link to human activities like ship traffic, over-fishing, pollution and climate change.

“In the same breath the number of whales seen passing our coastline has increased over the years,” Tinley said.

Article: Dispatch Now 24/7

Berkley Dropshot Comp Winners

Nigel — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:40:52 +0000

Well done to Dave, Gilliminki, Buska and Jon Kean who win themselves a bucket of Berkley Gulp Sinking Minnows each.

Dave landed a 955mm Kob on Berkley 5″ Pearl Watermelon Jerkshad. Gilliminki landed a 2.74kg Spotted Grunter on 5″ Berkley Pear Watermelon jerkshad. Buska landed some non eds on Berkley Gulp Shrimp/5″ pearl white shad. Jon Kean landed a 65cm Kob on 5” Pearl Neon Jerk Shad.

Well done guys, I will contact Bilimoria and chat to Vick to arrange for you to collect your prize next time you stop by the shop. Thanks to Bilimoria for the monthly sponsor, it is greatly appreciated.

Nigel Louw

Jesse Botha, Winner of the Fish Africa DVD

Nigel — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:36:06 +0000

Jesse botha winner of the Fish Afria DVD for his big catch submission of a 53.4 kg duckbill, caught 21 nov 2009 at Bluewater Bay ,PE. Tagged + released, bait – octopus leg, fight duration 45 mins !! Poseidon hmg medium rod + grandwave 50 + .47 kingfisher giant abrasion line.

EL Zoo – Catch a Carp Comp

Nigel — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:35:29 +0000

DATE: Saturday 11th September 2010

TIME: 8.00am-12pm

VENUE: The duck pond at the East London Zoo

COST: R50.00 per rod

1st PRIZE: R1500.00

LOTS OF LUCKY DRAW PRIZES

BOEREWORS ROLLS, BACON & EGG BURGERS AND HOT & COLD DRINKS ON SALE

ENQUIRIES: TEL 043 722 1171

Save Nahoon campaign kicks off!

Nigel — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:31:51 +0000

Brown flags, “Save Nahoon” stickers and “Save our sea” placards dotted the Nahoon beach on Wednesday as East Londoners came out in protest of Buffalo City Municipality’s (BCM) seemingly lax attitude towards the spilling of sewage into the ocean, writes Lois Moodley.

Close to 300 residents supported the Save Nahoon Awareness Campaign held at the Nahoon Lifesavers shack. Organisers Ed Peinke and Llewellyn Thatcher said they were pleased with the turn out.

“I think it is fantastic and encouraging. I would rather have two or three hundred people who are passionate than a thousand people who just pitch up,” said Thatcher.

Peinke explained that the campaign was the result of a Facebook group started by Kevin Harris. The group is aimed at raising support for a blue flag status for Nahoon.

Together with Gary Dalbock, Peinke, Thatcher and Harris decided to host an awareness campaign that will put pressure on BCM to draw up a plan of action that will stop sewage flowing into the sea.

“We don’t want to fight with them (BCM) but they need to perform their civic duty. We know that the problem will not be solved tomorrow. What we want is an action plan that we can hold them to,” said Thatcher.

At the event Harris handed over a memorandum to BCM’s Graham Cowley requesting a public announcement of the municipality’s plans for Nahoon beach.

BCM has four weeks to reply — if they do not, Harris says the group will look at “more aggressive plans”.

Article: Dispatch Now 24/7

Couta from a ski off Nahoon

Nigel — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:37:12 +0000

Just want to share something interesting with you guys, on a recent trip to East London I queried with some mates whether there would be any game fish around, I was told to go back to Durban if I wanted to catch any game fish. Well I decided to try my luck as bottom fishing is rather monotonous.

Launched first light at Nahoon beach and paddled to the back of Nahoon Reef (out of reserve area), I put out a 3kg Bonnie down rigged with a teardrop sinker and no sooner than I could put my second bonnie on I heard the sweet sound of Shimano music and immediately knew that this was a decent Couta, in addition I trawled some stripbaits and landed two Natal Snoek (Queen Mackerel)

Well needless to say that I certainly opened a few prospects to the locals and showed them the very next day after being rewarded with a further 2 Couta of 10 and 13kgs respectively.

I look forward to my next trip to East London and will certainly take up some dropshot lures to test for the allusive Nahoon Kingfish.

Tight Lines.

Kindest Regards.

REEL BUSY

SHIMANO Non-Edible Challenge, September 2010

Nigel — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:39:23 +0000

Send us your best non-edible catch during September 2010 and stand a chance of winning a Shimano TLD 20/40 reel. Non-ed can be caught in river, sea or deep sea. You may slide too.

HOW TO ENTER: (rules)

1. Submit your catches with a photo and story during September 2010 and you could win this prize. Also specify your tackle used. (fish must have been caught during September 2010 in the Eastern Cape)
2. The judges decision is final.
3. Minimum fish size: Fish must meet the minimum legal size requirement according to latest regulations.
4. Competition closes on 30 September 2010.
5. The winner will be contacted and announced early October.
6. Use the ADD YOUR CATCH BUTTON at the top of the left sidebar to enter.
8. Photos must have either yourself holding the fish or if fishing alone place your rod next to the fish as to show some scale. (Pictures of fish on their own will not be entered).
9. Fish must be caught using a fishing rod, no nets allowed.
10. An entry may not be posted on the site due to bad photo quality.

NOTE: Please don’t try submit old photos, we have ways of extracting the info and checking when the photo was taken.

Sponsors: Thank you to Bilimoria Fishing Tackle

Surprise Kingy at Mazeppa

Nigel — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:44:02 +0000

Got a huge surprise this weekend at Mazeppa Bay, caught this 30cm Big Eye, “i think” kingfish on a berkley gulp 7 inch jerk shad emarald shiner.

Have not heard anything before of this species being caught at Mazeppa Bay in the surf ever before.

FISH: Kingfish

WEIGHT/LENGTH: 30cm

CAUGHT BY: Shaun Murphy

CAUGHT AT: Mazepa Bay 29 August 2010

BAIT/LURE: Mad Mullet jigheads and Softbaits

RELEASED: Yes

Kob on Mad Mullet lures

Nigel — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:51:31 +0000

Had a blast this last weekend at Mazepps, we landed 4 Kob biggest of 88cm, smallest of 66cm, the other two were 79cm and 77cm.

All were landed on Mad Mullet 2 oz shad head jig heads.

Three were caught in the mid morning off submarine rock and the other bigger one was caught at Gcina on Sunday morning.

Rods were Assisn Beachmaster Lite Limited Edition and Saltist 20sh reels were used with 20lb mono and 0,65mm leaders.

Two were released and two for the pot.

The pic is of the biggest one caught on sunday morning before leaving.

FISH: Kob

WEIGHT/LENGTH: 88cm

CAUGHT BY: Shaun Murphy

CAUGHT AT: Mazepa Bay 29 August 2010

BAIT/LURE: Mad Mullet jigheads and Softbaits

RELEASED: 2 kept 2 released

EL Ski Boat Club results and photos – Aug 2010

Nigel — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:54:55 +0000

Results for the comp fished on Saturday 28 August 2010, 19 Boats participated, 72 Anglers (55 members, 1 lady, 3 juniors, 13 visitors)

BLACK STEENBRAS

KP SMITH 5.45 (RIP CURL)

BUTTERFISH

ANTON KROUSE 1.85 (PICCOLLO)

CARPENTER

IVAN STEWART 1.80 (SOLITAIRE 11)

COB

DONAVAN AMOS 2.50 (RIP CURL)

COPPER STEENBRAS

JAKES 20.85 (VOYAGER)

STUMP

JAKES 3.45 (VOYAGER)

ENGLISHMAN

MATTHEW SPARG 2.35 (NORA WHITMORE)

MISS LUCY

DOUGLAS VAN DER LINGEN 3.65 (C-BREAKER)

BROWN ROCKCOD

CHRIS EBERHARDT 2.55 (VOYAGER)

SOLDIER

ROY 2.55 (FLAGSHIP)

STOCK FISH

CRAIG CARR 1.95 (WILD THING)

MACKERAL

IVAN STEWART 1.70 (SOLITAIRE 11)

TOP JUNIOR

SYNJOHN HERBERT (BIG BOUY)

TOP ANGLER

JAKES (VOYAGER)

TOP LADY

VEREENA ENGELBRECHT (VOYAGER)

TOP BOAT

VOYAGER (MARIUS ENGELBRECHT)

ANY QUERIES YOU MAY HAVE, KINDLY CONTACT ME.

Thanks

Estelle Ashton

Secretary

East London Ski Boat Club

Cell: 076 048 0950

Nice Spottie caught – Nahoon River

tdomf_7d3a6 — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:20:40 +0000

I caught this fine speciman on a pushing tide along the bank of the Nahoon River opposite Torquay Road.

It was weighed, photo was taken and was released within a minute.

Good day at the office!

FISH: Spotted Grunter

WEIGHT/LENGTH: 50cm / 2.4kg

CAUGHT BY: Jason Coetzee

CAUGHT AT: Nahoon River 21 August 2010

BAIT/LURE: Squid

RELEASED: Yes

RASSPL this weekend 4th September 2010

Nigel — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:49:42 +0000

Competition date will be on the 4 September 2010 to be held at Sundays river surf

New Team entry R200 per team

R50 per team angler

R200 for the 8 Species main prize pool

R250 per angler taking part in both team and 8 species pools

Tickets are available from Commercial Marine, Alcocks fishing tackle and Stefs Fishing tackle in Newton Park and Hook Line and Sinker tackle shop Newton park Tonys tackle Newton Park. Tickets may be purchased online and can be collected on the morning at registration. Ticket requests to be sent to rasspl@yahoo.com.

Registration will take place from 5am on Saturday the morning of the 4th September at the parking lot inside the Sunday camp site just before you go onto the beach. Fishing will start from 6:30 till 2:30 and all weigh cards must reach the weigh master by 4:00.

There will be braais available for those wanting to braai there will be a brandy, whiskey and beer bar will be available. Prize giving will commence as soon as the points are calculated.

Cheers
Dean

If you not sure what the RASSPL is about check this out www.rasspl.co.za

Kayak fishing outing on Gonubie – Gallery

Nigel — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:48:16 +0000

Well the weather on Saturday for the kayak outing on Gonubie river was excellent, but the fishing was poor. The tide was high and starting to go out. We headed for the Red Cliffs where Dave and Hylton pulled out a River Bream each. Dave’s Bream was the leading fish at 357mm fork length. Later in the Day we moved down to the drop off where Hylton hooked into a Spotted Grunter right on the edge. The Grunter measured in at 362mm and was the biggest fish of the day. Thanks to everyone who took part.

Well done Hylton on winning the mini comp. I will give you a call to arrange collection of your prize.

Kayaking Pigeon on Gonubie

Nigel — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:11:48 +0000

While Dave, Hylton and Myself were all relaxing on the Gonubie River waiting for the fish to bite we had an unusual visitor. A pigeon started circling us and eventually landed on the point of my kayak. We all reached for our cameras slowly so we would not scare it off. After taking some pics and casting in a line the bird was still there not scared at all. I splashed some water and he enjoyed the shower. He must have been having a rest stop or is just lost as he had a ring on each foot, must be a racing pigeon.

Fishing EC outing on Gonubie River

Nigel — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:00:14 +0000

Hi Guys it is time for another member get together so Saturday 28th August 2010 it is. We will be meeting at Gonubie River slipway at picnic spots at 07:00. I will be fishing drift from my kayak, lets try get as many kayaks and boats together as possible. The more people the more fun it will be.

We will have a R20 entry and winner with best fish takes all. You may fish dropshot, bait or lure. Fish may be kept or released, if released you must take a photo and measure it.

This is just a fun outing.

PLEASE COMMENT BELOW IF YOU GOING TO ATTEND.

We might have a Rock and Surf member outing coming up soon, if not we have the Big Annual Haga Haga challenge coming up in November.

Nigel

Save Nahoon Beach

Nigel — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:55:37 +0000

If you use Nahoon Beach and would like to see it kept clean and have no more sewerage problems then please attend and support the SAVE NAHOON BEACH CAMPAIGN.

Kob for Dad and Daughter

Warren Bowdler — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:31:47 +0000

These 2 Kob were caught by father and daughter being Gary and Melissa Du Randt. One was caught on a social comp on the 7 of August just outside Oceana which was 64cm by Gary and the next by Melissa on Darians of 62cm both between 2.2 and 2.5kg…

2 nice Kob for 2 people who fished hard those days…

FISH: Kob

WEIGHT/LENGTH: 62cm/64cm

CAUGHT BY: Gary and Melissa Du Randt

CAUGHT AT: Near Oceana and on Darians 7 & 21 August 2010

BAIT/LURE: Chokka

RELEASED: No

Nominate Fishing EC for a SA Blog Award

Nigel — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:53:35 +0000

Hi Guys

Please show us your support by nominating Fishing EC for a SA Blog Award. You can do this by clicking on the image and then filling in your email and the code on the Blog Awards site. It will be really awesome if we can win the top group award.

Big Kob at Fish River

tdomf_7d3a6 — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:42:12 +0000

Fish was caught at about 15:30 on a pushing tide. Took me 15 minutes to land the fish. What a good fight.

FISH: Kob

WEIGHT/LENGTH: 992cm 8.89kg

CAUGHT BY: Danie

CAUGHT AT: Fish River 21 August 2010

BAIT/LURE: Squid head

RELEASED: No

Port Alfred River Fishing Comp – Sep 2010

Nigel — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:05:29 +0000

Port Alfred River Fishing Competition on the 4th of September. Angling is permitted from a boat or from the river bank. This particular competition will be open to all rivers from the Bushman’s River to the Fish River. Marine coastal management rules apply.

Prize giving at PARSC after weigh in. As usual there will be a Lucky Draw for participating Anglers.

Hosted by: PORT ALFRED RIVER AND SKI BOAT CLUB

Date: 04/09/2010—05/09/2010

Time: 15:00—08:00

Entry fee: R50.00 per angler (including Breakfast)

R25.00 per additional Breakfast (friends and family welcome)

Weigh in: 05 September 2010 @ 08:30 at PARSC

Entries and Information at Kingsley Tyres. Please make sure you name is down before

11am on the 4TH September. Their number is 046 624 3325/90.

Regular Sponsors:

Pick ‘n Pay, Kingsley Tyres, Vintage Liquors, Aerosat, D&A Timbers, Leo DuPreez and John Gie.

BRING FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR AN ENJOYABLE AFTERNOON / NIGHT OF FUN AND FISHING!!!

Fishing EC “Freestyle Species Challenge” test run – Gallery

Nigel — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:07:31 +0000

On Saturday, 21st August, fifteen anglers participated in a fishing competition using a new point system which took place in the Kowie River.

This was a test run on the new Fishing EC Freestyle Species Challenge system and we will review how it went and tweak where necessary. The idea is to launch this system fully in the new year where Fishing EC members will be able to compete in inter town competitions. (Without having to leave your home town).

Anglers were rewarded points on length and bonus points on species using a colour coded measuring stick accompanied by a photograph of their catch.

Despite the poor conditions, a total of 46 fish were recorded comprising 12
species:

1 x Barbel
5 x Blacktail
7 x Cape Stumpnose
8 x Catface Rockcod(2xtag recaptures)
1 x Garrick
1 x Mullet
1 x Olive Grunter
12 x Spotted Grunter
1 x Two-spotted Ray
2 x White Steenbras
1 x Yellowbelly Rockrod
6 x Zebra

All the fish were released out of anglers free will!

All in all the competition was a great success and the participants adapted well to this “new” type of fishing. Well done to everybody that took part!

The team’s points were as follows:

1st Place – Anton & Leon with 5 species (1080 points).
2nd Place – Dalton & Dave with 7 species (1050 points).
3rd Place – Ashley & Gary with 5 species (860 points).
4th Place – Graeme & Simon with 5 species (740 points).
5th Place – Cyril & Jonathan with 3 species (350 points).
6th Place – Wade with 4 species (290 points).
7th Place – Hannes & Marlene with 2 species (190 points).
8th Place – Marius & Bianca with 1 species (130 points).

If anyone has any suggestions or questions, please go ahead and comment.

Cheers, Dave

What a morning

Hylton — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:49:59 +0000

Justin, Lyall and myself met early on Saturday morning with the intention of paddling out through the predicted 1.3m swell. It ended up being a little larger than 1.3, more like 2m but who is afraid of a little water.

So after a very cold and slightly nervous start we were off. Lyall had a nice shower on his way through the surf, punching a big hole in a cheeky wave.

We paddled to the first of a few marks to start fishing, hoping to pick up a kob, Roman or Cracker. Justin found the Gully Sharks, but very little else. I was then lucky enough to get into a good 6kg cracker (released) before seemingly at the flick of a switch we were all in. My best fish was a 740mm fish, Justin and Lyall both landing fish that weighed in at about 8kg.

We tried a number of other spots with no luck before braving the surf. All in all a good morning, despite not getting too much variety.

FISH: Black musslecracker

WEIGHT/LENGTH: 740 mm

CAUGHT BY: Hylton

CAUGHT AT: Hamburg 14 August 2010

BAIT/LURE: Sardine

RELEASED: Yes (tagged A140336)

Big Bronze Bream

Warren Bowdler — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:26:53 +0000

Hey everyone… Check the Bronze Bream I bagged, it was the only one for the day and it was a bomber at 2.8kgs… Was a worthwhile hour walk for this monster… Also got 4 Blcktail which were all released.

Gary du Randt, Melissa du Randt and Carl all bagged some fish… Gary getting 2 blacktail, Melissa getting a nice Kob of about 2.5kgs and a blacktail and Carl getting a pignose of roughly 1.5kgs and a blacktail.

Caught my Bronze Bream on a 13ft Loomis Shockwave with a Daiwa Firewolf and 9kg line with a 1/0 hook with a pink prawn.

Very eventful day and very happy with my bream… Well done to my fishing buddies that I mentioned on their catch.

FISH: Bronze Bream

WEIGHT/LENGTH: 46cm/2.8kgs

CAUGHT BY: Warren Bowdler

CAUGHT AT: Darians 21 August 2010

BAIT/LURE: Pink Prawn

RELEASED: No