ROCK AND SURF
FISHING REPORT 14TH FEBRUARY 2009.
Angling along the coast has been consistent as far as the inedible species are concerned. Anglers targeting skates and Sand Sharks are still experiencing some good fishing. Brown skates are being caught all along the coast with their bigger brothers, namely the diamond and Honeycombe skates also putting in an appearance. Big Sand Sharks are being caught at places like Green Point, Scottburgh and Umdoni areas. Edible fish are however harder to find as Shad have not entirely settled into their usual spots but it should not be long before they move into our shoreline.
There are a few being caught at Winkle high rocks but anglers need to be up early in order to find a few fish.
A report of a Shad of over 4 kg was reported from this area last week.
Bronze bream are to be found along the lower south coast with areas such as Trafalgar and Munster featuring well.
This area along with Port Edward has also been doing well for the Shark anglers as there are some good reports of fair size Hammerhead Sharks.

Ski-Boats and Fishing Ski's
Ski Boats fishing in and around the Aliwal shoal have recently had some fantastic angling as current and wind conditions have favoured this particular spot over recent weeks.
A variety of game fish which include some very big Ignoblis Kinfish have been caught recently.
The Kingfish in particular have harassed and frustrated anglers as the bigger fish reef anglers almost immediately. Other gamefish in the form of shoal couta, Tunny, Dorado and a few good size Wahoo have given anglers here some good sport.
Marauding Sharks however contribute to anglers frustrations.
The Durban area is also fishing well with boats bagging some good catches of Dorado on the deeper reefs. Snoek have been caught along the Umgeni area for some time now and boats, skis and jet ski’s getting their quotas in a mornings session.
Reports from the Cape Vidal are suggest that fishing up there is not up to the usual standard for this time if the year.  

The Port Edward area has been slow, according to Tacklenet’s Terry Nel. Very little to report this week and apart from a few shad eating, no other catches have been reported. Baitfish have been spotted offshore and this could be the reason for the sudden lull in the fishing here.

New Hanover Schools Bass Compo
Rory da Silva has sent in this info about the New Hanover Schools Bass Compo. “This is the 6th year the comp has been running and last year we saw a record turnout of 712 anglers of all ages. This is one of the best if not the best comps of this kind around. (Organised and run as only people with a passion and commitment for their school can do) Date:  
Saturday 14th March 2009 Venue:  Dalton/New Hanover area in the Midlands.The competitors will have 12 dams to choose from with a prize for biggest fish being allocated to a senior and junior per dam. Registration:   5.30am at Torwoodlea Dam lines up at 16h00. Pre entries receive a free Tee shirt (before 28 Feb 2009) 
Pre Registration:   
New Hanover Prep School, Dalton Brokers or by contacting, Jurgen Oellerman on 0827858166 or fax 0866946748. Cliff Torlage 0828807088 or 033 5011521. Cost:   Seniors is R80/angler and R50/junior (13 and under as of 14th March 2009)               
Facilities available:   
Breakfast, lunch and supper, and a full bar facility is available. A variety of accommodation is available in the area.” If people want an entry form they can contact the above or email Rory and he will send one via return email Rory’s email address is reds@cookeandson.co.za

The Marlin Ski Boat Club
The Marlin Ski Boat Club is hosting The Port Edward Ski Boat Festival on the 1st & 2nd May 2009. 1st Prize for the heaviest couta is the Explorer 465 MPB with 2 x Yamaha o/b motors and all the extras – ready to go to sea. Worth over R200, 000.00. This competition is open to Ski – Boats only. Early bird entry fee (by 28th Feb 2009) is R190.00 per angler. For more info and entry forms go to www.marlinskiboatclub.co.za.

The Durban Ski-Boat Club Festival
The Durban Ski- Boat Club Festival is being held on the 25th & 26th April   2009. The main prize for the biggest cuda is a Seacat 565 with 2 x Yamaha 70hp motors, trailer, complete with electronics, safety equipment plus fishing rods and reels worth over R352, 000.00, plus other prizes worth over R550, 000.00. Early bird registration before 31st March 2009 – R225.00, thereafter R295.00. This promises to be, as the last few years, a magnificent competition. Visit www.durbanskiboatclub.co.za for an entry form, or for pre – entries contact Durban Ski – Boat Club Tel: 031 337 9506.

Bass Compo
Rory da Silva has sent in this info about the New Hanover Schools Bass Compo. “This is the 6th year the comp has been running and last year we saw a record turnout of 712 anglers of all ages. This is one of the best if not the best comps of this kind around. (Organised and run as only people with a passion and commitment for their school can do) Date:   
Saturday 14th March 2009
Venue: 
Dalton/New Hanover area in the Midlands. The competitors will have 12 dams to choose from with a prize for biggest fish being allocated to a senior and junior per dam.
Registration:   
5.30am at Torwoodlea Dam lines up at 16h00. Pre entries receive a free Tee shirt (before 28 Feb 2009)  
Pre Registration:  
New Hanover Prep School, Dalton Brokers or by contacting, Jurgen Oellerman on 0827858166 or fax 0866946748.
Cliff Torlage 0828807088 or 033 5011521.
Cost:   
Seniors is R80/angler and R50/junior
(13 and under as of 14th March 2009)                  
Facilities available:  
Breakfast, lunch and supper, and a full bar facility is available.
A variety of accommodation is available in the area.” If people want an entry form they can contact the above or email Rory and he will send one via return email Rory’s email address is reds@cookeandson.co.za
The Marlin Ski Boat Club is hosting The Port Edward Ski Boat Festival on the 1st & 2nd May 2009. 1st Prize for the heaviest couta is the Explorer 465 MPB with 2 x Yamaha o/b motors and all the extras – ready to go to sea. Worth over R200, 000.00.

This competition is open to Ski – Boats only.
Early bird entry fee (by 28th Feb 2009) is R190.00 per angler. For more info and entry forms go to www.marlinskiboatclub.co.za.

The Marlin Ski Boat Club
is hosting The Port Edward Ski Boat Festival on the 1st & 2nd May 2009. 1st Prize for the heaviest couta is the Explorer 465 MPB with 2 x Yamaha o/b motors and all the extras – ready to go to sea. Worth over R200, 000.00. This competition is open to Ski – Boats only. Early bird entry fee (by 28th Feb 2009) is R190.00 per angler. For more info and entry forms go to www.marlinskiboatclub.co.za.

The Durban Ski- Boat Club Festival
The Durban Ski- Boat Club Festival is being held on the 25th & 26th April   2009. The main prize for the biggest cuda is a Seacat 565 with 2 x Yamaha 70hp motors, trailer, complete with electronics, safety equipment plus fishing rods and reels worth over R352, 000.00, plus other prizes worth over R550, 000.00. Early bird registration before 31st March 2009 – R225.00, thereafter R295.00. This promises to be, as the last few years, a magnificent competition. Visit www.durbanskiboatclub.co.za for an entry form, or for pre – entries contact Durban Ski – Boat Club Tel: 031 337 9506.

TRADING HOURS
The trading hours of The Kingfisher over the festive season are as follows: Mon - Fri. 8:00am - 5:00pm Sat. 8:00 - 1:00pm .

KINGFISHER CLINIC
The Kingfisher at 53, Hunter Street, Durban hosts a free Fishing Ski Clinic on their premises once a month by Markham Pollard. These monthly clinics are there to help beginners and experienced anglers to see what the sport is all about and how to target certain species of fish. It also shows anglers what equipment to use and also elaborates on safety. Over and above this they also hold Rock and Surf clinics run by Ivan Stopforth and a Drop Shot clinic by Lloyd Pereira.
These Clinics are very informative and covers all the basics, including equipment, knots, bait presentation, and tactics.
Shane Breedt from Free Divers will be hosting a spear fishing clinic on the 28th Feb at The Kingfisher in Durban, this should be a good one for all those interested in diving for crayfish and spear fishing. Remember guys, the crayfish season opens on the 1st March. Andy Jones will be holding a clinic on marlin fishing at The Kingfisher on 14th March.
Andy has hosted many clinics and presentations covering all aspects of marlin fishing and has fished the major Sodwana Marlin Tournaments with the best anglers in the country.

This clinic will cover all aspects of angling, from lure speed to positioning of lures, outrigger knots and rigs, plus much more.

To book for one of these free clinics phone the Kingfisher on 031- 368 3903. Any info about fishing, fish caught or competitions in your area send info to kingfish@iafrica.com or fax 031- 368 4137, attention,
Mike. For the latest KZN fishing news presented by O.J., tune into East Coast Radio at 5.40am Monday - Friday.