Author Topic: St Lucia/Maphelane (Read 134162 times)

colin · « **Reply #160 on:** December 12, 2017, 07:39:49 PM »

hrogers · « **Reply #161 on:** December 12, 2017, 09:27:03 PM »

Thanks for sharing !! Nice catch !!

sardinella · « **Reply #162 on:** December 13, 2017, 06:59:55 AM »

Thanks for the report. Well done

REEFMAN · « **Reply #163 on:** December 13, 2017, 07:01:23 AM »

Great report Phumba! Thanks! Those Mozzies are unbelievable - in March we had the same thing!
Nice catches!

CRANKMAN · « **Reply #164 on:** December 13, 2017, 09:41:39 AM »

Great report - thanks!

ianf · « **Reply #165 on:** December 13, 2017, 11:21:45 AM »

A report like that just makes you keen too just go down there and start fishing. (which is just not happening this December.....have to wait for June next year).

Bassa · « **Reply #166 on:** December 14, 2017, 11:01:02 PM »

@ phumba72
excellent fishing report
btw
how it the condition of the road to mapelane ?
a friend from rbay has a campsite booked for the Christmas weekend and they planning to pull a 16 foot boat to maps

phumba72 · « **Reply #167 on:** December 20, 2017, 12:09:32 PM »

Hi there.

The road is very narrow and a few potholes. The worst part is the cement uphill climb that has had rain damage and is in a poor state. We did pass a boat that was being pulled and the guy was very frustrated at the tress and branches sliding along the side of the boat. I was told that it is easier to drive to St Lucia and then drive with your boat along the beach. This is what the Ski-Boat club does and is a lot easier. One morning there were up to ten boats all driving along the beach and launching at Maps as was the easier launch. Maybe phone Parks Board.

Good luck and tight lines

Bassa · « **Reply #168 on:** December 20, 2017, 12:22:16 PM »

Quote from: phumba72 on December 20, 2017, 12:09:32 PM

Hi there.

The road is very narrow and a few potholes. The worst part is the cement uphill climb that has had rain damage and is in a poor state. We did pass a boat that was being pulled and the guy was very frustrated at the tress and branches sliding along the side of the boat. I was told that it is easier to drive to St Lucia and then drive with your boat along the beach. This is what the Ski-Boat club does and is a lot easier. One morning there were up to ten boats all driving along the beach and launching at Maps as was the easier launch. Maybe phone Parks Board.

Good luck and tight lines

thanks for the reply phumba72

yes, I will pass on the message to my friend to consider driving the boat over from st lucia to mapelane

yeah,i can imagine the frustration towing the boat to maps and with the recent rains , vehicle and boat gets scratched with over hanging branches and thorn trees

emjay · « **Reply #169 on:** December 23, 2017, 04:24:32 PM »

Been camping here at Sugarloaf campsite in St Lucia for the past three days. I type this as I'm sitting under the tent

. Campsite is awesome, fishing not so much unfortunately.

On Thursday afternoon I went for a spinning session and the wind was howling. Could barely get my spoon past the shore break. So called it a day.

Yesterday I marched from St Lucia to Maphelane. Caught one banded galjoen and nothing else. Walked all the way to crayfish point and also got nothing. As I was walking along I spoke to pretty much all the fishermen I past. One guy got two small pompano between St Lucia and Maphelane, another got a few small shad and wave garrick at Maphelane and a rockcod came out at crayfish point. It was a pretty sad march back to St Lucia with a strong NE in my face

This morning I tried in front of the boardwalk at St Lucia but there was too much seaweed in the water to do any productive fishing. My sinker kept on getting washed onto the beach due to the side wash. Called it a day after an hour of battling with the seaweed and side wash. Managed to drop my reel in the sand as well so pretty bleak about that

. The SW has picked up now during the day but I see it's going to be calmer tomorrow. Will make the mission to first rocks tomorrow morning and see if I can actually bring back something of worth

hrogers · « **Reply #170 on:** December 24, 2017, 06:47:16 AM »

Thanks for sharing your input - keep on trying - will never know when your luck will turn !!
Keep us posted !!

Visenvryheid · « **Reply #171 on:** December 24, 2017, 10:18:47 AM »

Better than a good day in the office.. :)

emjay · « **Reply #172 on:** December 24, 2017, 05:10:43 PM »

Did the loooong beautiful walk to first rocks today. It takes about 2 hours of moderate walking. Really enjoyed the fact that I was the only soul in miles.

First time I've been to first rocks, so took a moment to enjoy the scenery and solitude before wetting a line. Unfortunately the swell was rather big and there was quite a sidewash pushing my grapnel around. I first started scratching to get an idea what's about. Unfortunately I didn't get a single bite in two hours so I decided to work my way back to St Lucia and try some spots that look promising. I found one spot that didn't have a sidewash and sat for a bit. After half an hour I managed to land a wave garrick, which ended up being the only catch at that spot. I moved on closer to St Lucia and found another promising spot with some good reef structure. I had some bites but nothing amazing, just peckers. Moved on to main beach at St Lucia but the sidewash was pretty dismal and I called it a day. I spoke to some fishermen who were coming down for their second try for the day as the sidewash messed them around in the morning. They said one small pompano came out and they themselves got a small sand shark.... Pretty bleak fishing for the day

The water has been quite clear, so I wonder if that's not maybe affecting the fish.

Couple of tips if anyone wants to walk to First Rocks for the first time:
1) Take at least 3 liters of water. I had 2.25l and was aching for more by the time I got back to camp
2) Pack something to eat. Two sandwiches and a bit of fruit should be fine
3) Pack light. It's a long walk and will be longer if you are carrying half the tackle shop with you. I took one rod but I wouldn't take more than two. Go easy on the sinkers and bait. No need to bring the entire freezer with you
4) Pack your slops. The sand gets hot walking back to the car

Just a few things I noted as a first timer going there...

WalkersKiller · « **Reply #173 on:** December 25, 2017, 09:28:49 AM »

Thanks for the updates!

FishStyx · « **Reply #174 on:** December 25, 2017, 10:22:12 AM »

Thanks for the info. Good luck for your remaining time emjay... Hope you pull in a PB

emjay · « **Reply #175 on:** December 27, 2017, 06:22:43 AM »

Went for a late afternoon spin yesterday to look for shad or maybe a kingie. No luck but I did see two wave garrick come out on bait. A chap also got a pompano I hear. Still a bit of a sidewash giving guys a bit of a headache unfortunately

Didn't fish this morning because it's our last day and time to pack up. Overall I've enjoyed my stay at Sugarloaf campsite. I'd recommend it to anyone looking to get into the bush but have the convenience of the shops around the corner. Best of all is the monkies never harassed us!

REEFMAN · « **Reply #176 on:** December 27, 2017, 11:59:26 AM »

No luck Emjay! Thanks for the reports! Travel safe...

Grumpy · « **Reply #177 on:** December 28, 2017, 05:30:15 AM »

Hi Emily, how were the mozzies?. Probably not a bad idea to invest in a fat-bike. Lots less walking and more time fishing.

emjay · « **Reply #178 on:** December 28, 2017, 07:57:13 PM »

Quote from: Grumpy on December 28, 2017, 05:30:15 AM

Hi Emily, how were the mozzies?. Probably not a bad idea to invest in a fat-bike. Lots less walking and more time fishing.

Who's Emily?

The mozzies were there. Mozzie spray is definitely recommended. They were the worst when we went walking on a bush trail nearby. Think it's called gwala gwala trail?

Regarding fat bikes. I see you can rent them in the St Lucia town. I saw a few people riding them. They look like fun. I really wouldn't mind getting one myself. Perfect beach transportation! I'm planning another trip early next year and will definitely consider the rent a fat bike route

Half-Pint · « **Reply #179 on:** February 26, 2018, 08:10:29 AM »

Guys any further info on the state of St Lucia estuary? I believe they have had a spot or two of rain in the area