Sardine fever

[calliecal]

Latest on the sards is that they had 4 nets out and were catching lots at Scottburgh this morning and into the afternoon. By 2pm they'd moved as far north as Umkomaas and there were 6 netters out there getting fish. Most of the activity has died at Umkomaas but they reckon there's still plenty of pockets of fish coming through. The prediction for tomorrow is that Warner Beach will be a good spot to catch.

The good news from the guys flying overhead is that although there are the lots of sharks all the big ones are still in the Transkei with the main shoal.

Our underwater club is planning to get out there and be a part of the action. Shout if you in the area and keen to join in!

 

[calliecal]

So we went out on Monday to dive with Sards (thank God for public holidays in SA!!) and it was amazing!! Although these are still the smaller pilot shoals they are pretty big and it's a very odd sensation diving down and being completely enveloped by thousands of silvery fish.

No big predators around to shoot, unfortunately. They're still with the main shoal down the coast. With the colder (though more miserable) weather we're having this week the predictions are that the main shoal will come in close to shore and all the way past Durbs. But at this rate we'll be lucky if we see them if the rain continues to muddy up the water.

The weather for the weekend looks like it'll clear and should be good on Sunday and so we're planning a trip out in the club boat to try our luck once again. We'll plan to free dive if they're still moving fast and scuba if they're milling around more. We will definitely have spears on board, just in case...

 

[Hiawata]

:wave

This guy ain't shouting, but I would love to join in for some of this fun!

The plan is to travel by car from Durban down the south coast and wildcoast. Leave Durban 26./ 27. june, and has to deliver the car in Jbg 6. july. If you recon the run will be over until then, and there is a posibility to join in on sunday, we might skip Zwasiland, and head straight to Durban from Maputo.

I am a spearfisher, but has not tried any biggamehunting yet. I guess that just freediving without a gun would be action enough. Only carrying my own mask and "fins".

 

[RangerBob]

The sardine run has just started and will finish sometine around the mid to end of July, the varsity crew will dive internitently throughout the season and probably on the 27th from our boat in Durban and travel south by sea.

To spear you will need to purchase a license from the post office, and we can supply you with a gun. There is no sure thing with the sardines so you might just end up cruising, but its a nice day out. You can contact Calliecal or myself, if you are interested.

Schweet

 

[calliecal]

Heya Hiawata

As the Ranger said, we'll definitely be diving as much as we can in the next few weeks while the sardines are here. The recent rains have muddied the water somewhat making sightings difficult so it's hard for us to say exactly where they are right now but we're keeping track of all info services and will keep you informed as we go.

We're planning on spearing this weekend down the south coast, probably Port Shepstone area but it all depends on where the little slippery silver fishies are. At this stage it's looking more likely to be on Saturday morning (28th June) as opposed to Sunday (29th). Though if there's a good sighting close by during the week then we'll be out there!! If you only have to have your car back in Jozi on the 6th I'd say stick around the coast as long as you can before heading back inland to return home... The run hasn't happened this big in a long, long time...

 

[calliecal]

Latest news from this morning is that there was lots of activity with sharks south of Toti all the way down to Port Shpestone. There have been scattered shoals all along the coast with netters out from Ilovo through to Warner Beach, though how much they're netting I don't know as yet. The Sharks Board guys were going to take a flight out this morning to see exactly what is going on and let us know by 2pm but as yet we've not had an update. A big pocket did go through Umhlanga this morning about half a km out to see and screaming north, so they definitely are out there it's just a matter of finding out exactly where's the best place for a shoal at the size you are comfortable with in the best of a bad lot of vis

 

[corneil]

Hi Caroline

Do you think there will be any silver fishies left in the water by the 12,13 of July? As discussed, we will be joining you for some training evenings.

How much actual diving will you guys be doing on the 'investigative' trips up and down the coast on Sat/Sun? Is it going to be quick stops, or will there be an opportunity to spend about an hour in the water per site?

Cheers
Corneil

 

[SurfnSpear]

Hi all, any chance of posting up some pics? Boat shots, beach shots, dive shots...whatever..
......from an ex-Warner Beach boy missing it!

 

[calliecal]

Do you think there will be any silver fishies left in the water by the 12,13 of July? As discussed, we will be joining you for some training evenings.

How much actual diving will you guys be doing on the 'investigative' trips up and down the coast on Sat/Sun? Is it going to be quick stops, or will there be an opportunity to spend about an hour in the water per site?

I wouldn't put my head on a block about it but I think there may well still be some sards around that time. By all accounts the main shoal hasn't hit yet...

For the actual drives down the coast, I don't know quite what format that's going to take, I'm sure we'll discuss it on the course and come up with something that everyone is happy with. The course is going to be very informal which leaves a lot of room for people to make sure that they get what they want out of it.

As for diving etc... the course lectures will be held in the evenings which conveniently leaves the days free... there are some other guys coming from Jozi and we plan to try get in the water some time during the week. Also, I'm sure Rob and Jeremy would welcome any excuse to get out the office, even if it is a spearo's dream office...

 

[calliecal]

Hi all, any chance of posting up some pics? Boat shots, beach shots, dive shots...whatever..
......from an ex-Warner Beach boy missing it!

I'm not surprised you're missing it...

Practically the only spot along the coast where guys were getting fish yesterday was at Warner Beach. Apparently the water was crystal clear, you could see the Cuta, Garrick and Shad running just below the surface. Pity I had to be in the office

The rest of the coast is still mucky from the heavy rains we had. You should see the road down by Park Rynnie. Eish...

Um, I'll try get someone to bring a camera and will post pics up. Unfortunately I managed to get sand in mine...

 

[calliecal]

Fishing corner are having a Sardine comp aimed at anglers and spearos. Check it out at Fishing Corner - Gummy Bait Sardine Machine Competition 2008