Author Topic: Newbie - Estuary / harbour fishing (Read 18389 times)

Sumanth · « **on:** October 02, 2014, 12:56:44 PM »

Hi Guys,
i have recently joined the forum and i must say it has been very good reading thus far. I am first time owner of a small trim craft fishing boat. Purchased 2 months ago. I have since got all my certificates completed and boat motor upgraded from a Johnson 70 to a Suzuki 85. In order to launch the boat i have changed my car from a BMW x5 to a brand new toyota hilux double cab. ( so i have motor for sale and bakkie side step and back bumper for hilux)
So now i am ready to do some harbour or estuary fishing. Need some advise between Richards Bay or Umtamvuna river. Its a long haul from JHB so want to make sure i plan well before the trip. Any advise on locations and fishing tips would be appreciated.

Tommo · « **Reply #1 on:** October 03, 2014, 08:30:17 AM »

Hi Sumanth, your best bet is going to be the harbours. Both Durban and Richards bay offer good fishing. The rivers on the KZN coast are not in good shape from a fishing/boating perspective. You should consider doing some trips to the Eastern Cape, which holds the most productive estuaries in the country.

Peter Gordon · « **Reply #2 on:** October 03, 2014, 08:34:15 AM »

chrisquinton · « **Reply #3 on:** October 03, 2014, 08:49:08 AM »

1. come in summer. from november to feb. youll have lots of fun.
2. go to durban harbour or richards bay harbour and stay close by.
3. watch windguru. best is to fish ahead of a cold front, as the barometer drops to its lowest and on the rise as the front hits.
4. bring lots of surface lures. small to medium poppers, stickbaits etc. 3-15cm
5. tell us youre coming.
6. dont come if its been raining very heavily.

durban harbour is very busy, and is heavily regulated. it would be wise to obtain a port disk, as chacks are done frequently at public slipway and on the water by police. you might also consider joining one of the clubs in the bay (RB or DBN). Some clubs will let you leave your boat at the club during your stay here.

Tommo · « **Reply #4 on:** October 03, 2014, 09:01:54 AM »

Quote from: chrisquinton on October 03, 2014, 08:49:08 AM

1. come in summer. from november to feb. youll have lots of fun.
2. go to durban harbour or richards bay harbour and stay close by.
3. watch windguru. best is to fish ahead of a cold front, as the barometer drops to its lowest and on the rise as the front hits.
4. bring lots of surface lures. small to medium poppers, stickbaits etc. 3-15cm
5. tell us youre coming.
6. dont come if its been raining very heavily.

durban harbour is very busy, and is heavily regulated. it would be wise to obtain a port disk, as chacks are done frequently at public slipway and on the water by police. you might also consider joining one of the clubs in the bay (RB or DBN). Some clubs will let you leave your boat at the club during your stay here.

This is very good advice!

I would also get a selection of dropshot, around 1/4 oz heads to 1/2 oz and three to five inch tails. Some 1/2 oz bucktails, a Storm Flutterstick or two and some Rapala 's. Together with the surface lures that should see your options well covered.

Sumanth · « **Reply #5 on:** October 03, 2014, 10:34:48 AM »

thanks for the great feedback. Which boat club should i join ? any indication on costs or who to contact. I did try emailing e few clubs and not recieved any feedback.

Sumanth · « **Reply #6 on:** October 03, 2014, 10:41:18 AM »

Tackle - i intend to get the tackle suggested any suggestions where to buy. In JHB tackle shops are not cheap.

chrisquinton · « **Reply #7 on:** October 03, 2014, 01:08:24 PM »

as Tommo added - dropshot also great. I personally prefer hard lures, but the dropshot is deadly for flatheads. when its quiet, or the sun is up, the flatheads are always around. lots of fun. fish on the shallow banks (where water is warm) right on the bottom or bouncing off the bottom. any colour works. i prefer chartreuse/white and orca.

another inexpensive and absolutely deadly lure in the bay is the small spanyid spoons. fish them slowly.

some clubs in dbn harbour:
http://www.kznltbaa.co.za/
bobbies
fynnlands
Bluff Yacht Club
Natal Rod and Reel

jball7204 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 04, 2014, 12:52:39 PM »

It's time to start prospecting in the Bay (Durban) for gamefish. Summer cant come soon enough....I'm getting bored! And that new Rapala really looks the business Tommo.

jball7204 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2014, 06:14:58 AM »

Sumanth, check this thread out http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=17498.0

Last summer's lures...

Sumanth · « **Reply #10 on:** October 06, 2014, 10:16:37 AM »

Great guys, i will contact one of the boat clubs and register.
Cant wait to get down to Durbs and fish.

My son goes on school holidays now and cant stop asking when we going fishing.

Sumanth · « **Reply #11 on:** November 18, 2014, 09:30:30 AM »

Hi Guys,
I am finally bringing my boat down to Durban

and will be parking it there so that i do not have to tow each time. I have not yet registered with a club in Durban but was hoping to do some fishing either this Saturday or Sunday. If Durban harbour is not an option due to not been a memeber of a boat club where else could i fish?
was thinking maybe estuary not far off from Durban. Any suggestions ?

as long as my son enjoys some fishing.

i only have one motor so restricted to harbours / estuaries.

Sumanth · « **Reply #12 on:** November 18, 2014, 10:55:35 AM »

Hi All, okay change of plans i am now considering Richards bay harbour.
Tips / suggestions please.

hardfisher · « **Reply #13 on:** November 18, 2014, 03:04:48 PM »

Durban harbour and Richardsbay harbour are managed by Transnet and have rules, unfortunately you cannot just launch and fish. You need to join a club and need to get a pink permit from Transnet. Durban Boat Owners is your cheapest option. Your only options up North are St Lucia and Mtunzini. If you have a low gunnel/dam boat forget about St Lucia. Mtunzini has some sand banks and rocks that you need to be aware of.

Sumanth · « **Reply #14 on:** November 18, 2014, 03:28:22 PM »

Hardfisher- thanks for the reply. I am aware that i can not lauch in Durban harbour as i am not a member of a boat club. Does the same apply to Richards bay ?
The pink permit from transnet where do i obtain this from. Does it take long ?
Durban Boat owners - i am trying to call them to get more details of prices and requirments. no one is answering the telephones.

hardfisher · « **Reply #15 on:** November 18, 2014, 06:13:07 PM »

Call me on 071 874 9903, will give you details.

Sumanth · « **Reply #16 on:** November 19, 2014, 01:11:10 PM »

Hardfisher, thanks i have sent all my documents to Boat owners association and they are busy processing my application. Hopefully tomorrow i will be able to do application with transnet.
Hoping all goes well.

hardfisher · « **Reply #17 on:** November 19, 2014, 01:42:24 PM »

They do it on your behalf, you pay DBOA and just go to Transnet to collect it. Remember DBOA are only there until 14h00 on weekdays.

Da hook · « **Reply #18 on:** November 19, 2014, 03:13:45 PM »

DBOA is very helpfull.I just joined as well and got the pink disk sharp sharp at Transnet.They are close to the customs office.The lady their was very helpfull.She actually made a comment about us having to join clubs just to get the pink disk.It is nice to belong to a club and meet people so i did not mind too much.DBOA is very affordable,its just that initial join that hurts a bit.The slipway is cool and I think my bass fishing days are over for good.One days bass fishing pays for a years membership at the club.Its fun fishing in the bay and nobody shoots at you like Inanda dam.

hardfisher · « **Reply #19 on:** November 19, 2014, 03:22:41 PM »

The harbour is fun if the weather does not catch you like it got us on Saturday morning