Missing at Vidal

[Plugger]

News24 reports a 36 year old fisherman is missing after being washed off the rocks at Vidal yesterday. NSRI, helicopters and a ski boat involved in the search.

[sardinella]

Not good news. Lets hold thumbs all ends well

[khaliq]

We've got heavy swells again this weekend.


Booked a fishing weekend at South Coast and windguru is showing 7.2m swells on Friday morning. Not going near any rocks - even for sightseeing.


I wonder what's causing this.

[John F]

I wonder what's causing this.

New moon + wind conditions?

[khaliq]

Yes but 7.2m is unusual for the conditions. I was wondering what else is going on.


I know the prediction is based on algorithms - i cannot figure out what is having such a huge effect on the swells.

[dugong]

I only get 4.5m for Friday

[REEFMAN]

Yes but 7.2m is unusual for the conditions. I was wondering what else is going on.


I know the prediction is based on algorithms - i cannot figure out what is having such a huge effect on the swells.

Nibiru?

[colin]

[quote author=REEFMAN

Nibiru?




   only due in October according to 


 

[REEFMAN]

[quote author=REEFMAN

Nibiru?





   only due in October according to 


 

Ya but conspiracy theorists say it's proximity to earth has profound effects on nature. 

[DownUnder]

Wish Nibiru would arrive now the world is going crazy, time for a purge me thinks

[REEFMAN]

Wish Nibiru would arrive now the world is going crazy, time for a purge me thinks

 

[khaliq]

Woudn't it be great if it was a selective purge - only corrupt and bigotted politicians


On a more serious note, this weeks solar eclipse is also having a significant effect on swells.


The predictions are dropping and Margate is now showing a maximum of 5m for Friday at the moment.


Note to myself - Solar eclipse and Spring tide - don't book fishing trips

[Visenvryheid]

Heavy swells as high pressure is weak from last front that hit. Now a double front is hitting. A huge fetch over the four fronts in a row, almost halfway to brazil, and a steady west wind at sea makes for a huge swell. Just a late winter, though the last el nino was so strong that the moment the clock struck june 22, the 3 high pressures started moving relatively south again. They are currently south of their usual position (discounting the central one which has been bumped north by the last front, it will ridge in quickly enough as soon as it has a gap), they are south even of their summer position already and on the move still further south for a few months still, so expect more rain as the fronts are making their way between the highs now, like a shark does with shark nets, instead of the highs forming a barrier..and as they move further south into deep summer and we move into late summer and there is no high stuck over the country, expect early cold fronts to make it through and become cut off lows when the cyclone season in moz kicks..Prepare for floods in the interior come past the mid point of summer is my prediction. Should be good surf this summer. Niburu and solar eclipse less to do with it :) Hope some corrupt cronies get washed away nonetheless. Hope fishermen and ladies are safe this summer.

http://www.koolasun.co.za/weather/sa-weather-chart.html

[Grumpy]

Well then, Nibiru , solar eclipse and el Nino. I suppose and hopethat all the stars will align and encourage fish to feed despite all this doom and gloom. If not , I shall avail myself,of some Glen and ride my fat bike on the beach at Vidal this week. Weather reports indicated a 2 to 3 m swell this week too, but you should have seen Durbs this arvie.  Like Leeukop I can imagine.
What I have learned of late is that the forecasts are misleading around swell height and if,used as the sole indicator for your fishing jaunts you will get caught out regularly. That's not to say that they are incorrect, but it is far better to go and look at the beach yourself.  The swell may not be as bad as indicated.

Probably not a bad idea to wear one of those personal flotation jackets if you are in a feisty fishing spot. May save your life.  They inflate with a CO 2 canister. If that fails you can blow,it up manually. Although if you are drowning, blowing up manually may be quite tricky!!!

[Umpa Lumpa]

This one went off topic

Any news on the fisherman that got swept off the bricks?

[Visenvryheid]

Yeah, so it did..
Shame I have not heard anything about the angler.. Hope he is alright or in peace at least. Be safe guys..

[Visenvryheid]

Well then, Nibiru , solar eclipse and el Nino. I suppose and hopethat all the stars will align and encourage fish to feed despite all this doom and gloom. If not , I shall avail myself,of some Glen and ride my fat bike on the beach at Vidal this week. Weather reports indicated a 2 to 3 m swell this week too, but you should have seen Durbs this arvie.  Like Leeukop I can imagine.
What I have learned of late is that the forecasts are misleading around swell height and if,used as the sole indicator for your fishing jaunts you will get caught out regularly. That's not to say that they are incorrect, but it is far better to go and look at the beach yourself.  The swell may not be as bad as indicated.

Probably not a bad idea to wear one of those personal flotation jackets if you are in a feisty fishing spot. May save your life.  They inflate with a CO 2 canister. If that fails you can blow,it up manually. Although if you are drowning, blowing up manually may be quite tricky!!!

Also one must read the data correctly, swell height determines wave height less than swell period affects it..Swell period is most important factor for how much energy a swell contains. Today the swell is peaking in eastern cape at 7.4m and 18 second period!!! That is monumentous. A 3m swell at 14 to 16 seconds will make bigger waves than a 6m swell at 8 or 9 seconds..Read surfing in south africa by steve pike and all is explained. My guess is that a 7 m swell at that period will break in waves well in excess of 10m on reefs at the shore that are exposed to the swell direction whereas a 7m swell at 7 seconds will make messy 2-3m wind chop foamy waves at the shore..don't just look at swell height and go stand on the rocks or go to sea, look at the bigger picture and be safe.

[Umpa Lumpa]

I wonder what's causing this.

New moon + wind conditions?

This is so true, last month new moon we did an afternoon evening shot, were met with a wild sea i have never experienced before and the swells running insane out deep we could hear the shore break. Also agree that if you planning a fishing trip, rock surf or offshore, never just think aah no wind today lets go, swell direction, current speed, wave height, tides, water temp, moon phase etc etc will all aid in how well or bad your trip turns out. We still newbies but have learnt alot and thus some trips are rewarded nicely.

[Plugger]

I'm sure we used to fish a lot more before we had easy access to weather reports so far in advance. We'd go down and because we'd made the trip fish anyway regardless of the weather. Now we look at forecasts and then see if we want to go or stay at home and drink beer.

[ianf]

Was at Vidal on Thursday, and nice to see 2 x Ultimate Angling members on the beach.....Garrick and son. Pity the wind was pumping so strong, and that the only fish that were biting were the little ones.