Vidal Species and target tactics

[Lichia amia]

  With the Vidal trip being less than 20 days away and some serious Vidal fever in the air, how about we put a species and tactic list together in the build up?  Covering the area (specific spots), species, bait, hook size, hook snoot length and leader size ........ 

[REEFMAN]

Nice idea Craig... so get the ball rolling... I know you have it all already!  :sml:

[Lichia amia]

Sh@t Reef Im the apprentice here , thanks for putting me on the spot  .

Lets start small and think big.

The Blacktail ( Diplodus capensis )

Habitat: Blacktails can be found in rock pools and close inshore. They are normally caught off the rocks as they will be swimming around sheltered areas.
Bait: Blacktails are not fussy when it comes to bait. They will take a large range of baits such sardine (pilchards, red eye), worms, squid, mussels, crabs . Camo worm on dropshot can be very productive .
Fishing Strategy: Light tackle with a small size hook smaller than a std 1/0 will work best. Hook snoot of +/-30 to 40 cm of .50

Limited on time today. Watch this space …….

[Homie]

My 3c - Please note, these are my tactics, and as such are not necessarily the best ! 

 
Rockcod
Habitat: Can be found in rocky areas, ledges etc
Bait:  I find that Soft fleshy baits work well. Cutlets and sard belly are a winner
Fishing Strategy: Medium tackle with a .6- .8 Hooksnood as you fishing in rocky areas. I prefer a fixed sinker (light line) with no or very little flotation. Hooklength of +- 30cm

[REEFMAN]

Giant Kingfish
Caranx Ignobilis
The biggest and most powerful of the 15 species of Kingfish found along our Shoreline. A memorable experience to do battle with this powerful fighter.
Feeds on just about anything, but Live bait or moving bait, will significantly increase your chances. Blacktail, Karanteen, Shad or Wave Garrick slid out live is the way to go.
Dead baits - Chokka, Sea lice, Octopus.
Tackle - it's go big or go home. A Kingie will head for the nearest Rockey outcrop to try free himself. Minimum 1mm leaders with good abrasion resistance.
Spinning is another good way to target these fish with poppers, spoons or plugs. Chisel nose ot the famous GT Ice cream are winners. My presonal favourites are the Big fat Aubrey da Gama plugs in Red/White and Chartreuse.
The take... often you will see the fin of the fish pursuing your plug. Most anglers make the mistake of stopping the retrieve, but the trick is to not stop, keep going, which should trigger a reaction strike. Sometimes, the GT will hit your plug several times before you have a hook-up.
Important to have your drag set properly before the strike, as a too tight drag will result in tears - either your rod heading towards the sea, or a quick snap off. This is where the Bimini join to leader is critical, as the stretch in it acts as a shock absorption for the strike.

[REEFMAN]

Southern/African Pompano

Hard fighting member of the Kingfish family, found close inshore in foamy water where they feed on Sea lice, shimps and other small fish. Usually found close to a sandbank.

The take of this fish is suprisingly vicious and flattens a light tackle rod pronto. Provides a great fight and is excellent eating!

Same applies to the Natal Stumpnose...

[REEFMAN]

Grunter

Often occur in very shallow water in the surf zone, feeding on shrimps, prawns, sea lice.

Light tackle is imperative with this fish as it is a shy feeder. Mouths the bait several times before swallowing. Avoid striking as the fish should hook itself once the bait is swallowed. Small hooks for a small mouth.

[MIKE PIKE]

Giant guitarfish:
 
Found in shallow surf zone, will take baits such as mackeral / sardine / chokka on a slide or big throw bait, tackle required :medium to heavy as this species can put up a good fight .

[magman]

Let me help you guys,

if you fishing vidal, imo, Stumpies if they still around, and Kingies off the bricks (close in), also rubberlips and tassles, but I don't know what you will catch them on, I usually catch them on my speargun (at mission), I have nearly risked the parkies wrath at the size of some of the stumpies and rubberlips there at vidal...........

Rockcods are more at Missions, towards bats cave, not much at vidal, I have sen one though before which is the biggest I have ever seen.

Missions there is plenty of kingies, and tonnes of bream, about 500m's from the path north,

The non edds, I would walk north, between the two sets of reefs then fish there at night, I have not checked any big non edds there, but there will be at night I am sure, I would not try near the lodges/carparks, cause you will just get upset when the reefs smash you up. There is appreantly a zambi there well into the 3m's I havn't checked it (I have seen shadows and the zambi's remoras), but it lurks off the point, by the flag. I don't know if the parkies will let you swim out much with it being an mpa)

Grunters I have only ever checked small shoal grunters in the bay feeding around the bay in the sand.

Blacktails are a plague

good luck guys, I was hoping to do a recce there on friday or saturday, but it looks like I have to go to durbs.

IS THERE ANY OTHER SPEARO'S COMING?

[magman]

Can someone confirm exactly what fisherman can take out, last time I was there guys were telling me the problem they had with a rockcod they had bought in the town, and the parkies giving them grief for wanting to braai it, even with the receipt, I think the parkies there have their own agenda.

[Homie]

Mag, not too sure, will try and find out.
As far as I know, 99% will be catch and release, unless we keep one for a braai ?

[magman]

Mag, not too sure, will try and find out.
As far as I know, 99% will be catch and release, unless we keep one for a braai ?

I don't know who you can speak to, I would hate for someone there to have problems, the only thing that would work is something in writing and I don't see a parkie (even from HQ) putting there name and signature on a document.

Let me try

[Homie]

Thanks boet !

When ca we expect you there ?

[magman]

sorted, I spoke to the Senior Marine and Territoral complience officer, and he said

fishing of all bottoms is allowed from the shore, pending size and bag limits, crayfish is permitted from past the beacon and you can enter the MPA again with the bag from the shore,

Spearing is only pelaigics to Mission rocks, from Mission you can shore enter and shoot bottoms and collect for marine aquariums.

Of interest he did say that it is not likly they will stop the rhino card, it is more a rumour that circulates when KZN wildlife negotiate rates/levies with Isimangaliso wildlife for use of the parks/wetlands.

He did give me a contact number that will clarify if you have a problem with the parkies if they hassle you, pm me if you want it.

[Homie]

You are a star bru ! Please pm it to me !

Again... When you joining us ?

[magman]

You are a star bru ! Please pm it to me !

Again... When you joining us ?

the saturday and sunday

[Rods]

Howzit Magman. Are you going to travel both days or camp overnight? Also looking at options and wouldnt mind alternating vehicles if commuting.

[magman]

Rods, it will be a pleasure, I got rhino card, bakkie etc, I will more than likely being going saturday and sunday, pending visibility (unless it floods Vidal is always clean to dive). More than likley leave early, will pm you my no. You can leave your car at my place, I'm in meerensee, near pick n pay.

[Action Man]

Non eds:

Sandies
Blackfin
Brown Skate
Zambi
Diamonds
Greys
Spinners

Eds:

Stumpie
Grunter
Rockcod
Kingies (few species)
Stone Bream
Lemon Fish
Cracker
Pommies
Shad
and quite a few other species can be expected

[Rods]

Thats super cool, Magman. Will give you a call tomorrow as the airtime she is low. But thanks a million for the offer.