Transkei Estuary Fishing Report

[Rory]

Thanks for the report, that system looks amazing!    You have to love those electric rays 
 

On the sad side, can you imagine what these areas will look like when the new N2 extension goes ahead? We must fight boys. Tell me how and I will.

Greg have alook at this website, lots of info: http://www.swc.org.za/

[L Hooker]

Thanks Tommo for the feedback will go have a look at one cheers mate.

[Gregf]

Thank you Rory, appreciated, I hope others join as well

[Homie]

Fantastic Report  !

Great to see some healthy estuaries !

[deezynking]

TOMMO  :shre:
 

[ebvahed]

I'd give my life's earnings to live on the banks of that river


Thanks tommo, legend stuff.

[Nepptune]

Lovely report as always Tommo, epic stuff....
 
That truly is one of the most incredible estuiaries on our wonderful coastline, and holds very fond memories for me as it was the last place myself and my late old man, Pappa Nepps fished together on a boys fishing trip, just the two of us... we weren't blessed with particularly good weather or fishing conditions, but hanging with my old man, braai-ing fresh grunter every night, pondering the ways of the world, and all its wonder, are some of the best memories I have.... being able to experience such a beautiful place, with my hero, best friend and mentor, is something I'll never forget....
 
After reading your report, I went back through my pics from that trip.... thanks for giving me the idea to do so... truly magic.

[woerman]

Good going Tommo

On what did you get the Springer?  I saw plenty in Knysna lagoon and wondered what they would go for.

[REEFMAN]

Good going Tommo

On what did you get the Springer?  I saw plenty in Knysna lagoon and wondered what they would go for.

I recently got a hook-up in Kosi Lakes with a Rapala X-Rap Magnum 15 - Mackerel flavour...

[Jakes]

Good going Tommo

On what did you get the Springer?  I saw plenty in Knysna lagoon and wondered what they would go for.

I recently got a hook-up in Kosi Lakes with a Rapala X-Rap Magnum 15 - Mackerel flavour...

I got springer on good old trusty Camo worm on dropshot in the St Lucia estuary ... 

[woerman]

Good going Tommo

On what did you get the Springer?  I saw plenty in Knysna lagoon and wondered what they would go for.

I recently got a hook-up in Kosi Lakes with a Rapala X-Rap Magnum 15 - Mackerel flavour...

I got springer on good old trusty Camo worm on dropshot in the St Lucia estuary ... 

I heard from a guy in Knysna that they catch them on a float with small hook and small piece of pilchard

Looks like they eat just about anything

[strandloper]

Good going Tommo

On what did you get the Springer?  I saw plenty in Knysna lagoon and wondered what they would go for.

I recently got a hook-up in Kosi Lakes with a Rapala X-Rap Magnum 15 - Mackerel flavour...

Tony,

Did you use that Trolling or spinning?

I have had some of them in my hands before my last adventure, but not sure as to how they would cast.

PS Sorry for the Hijack

[REEFMAN]

Good going Tommo

On what did you get the Springer?  I saw plenty in Knysna lagoon and wondered what they would go for.

I recently got a hook-up in Kosi Lakes with a Rapala X-Rap Magnum 15 - Mackerel flavour...

Tony,

Did you use that Trolling or spinning?

I have had some of them in my hands before my last adventure, but not sure as to how they would cast.

PS Sorry for the Hijack

We were trolling slowly on Kosi Lakes... that big lip would be very difficult to cast unless you're using ultra light tackle!?

[jaenswart]

those new maria casting minnows cast a mile and they have an awesome action

[Tommo]

Hi Woerman, I got the springer on a 9cm Rapala X-Rap Walk. They are great estuary lures, and the springer seem to love them. There are quite a lot of lures that one can use for springer, from bucktail jigs and dropshots, to slowly worked surface lures. Lures that suspend in the midwater are also good. I find that the most important thing is to be able to pause frequently during the retrieve, with the lure still looking attractive, either by suspending or lying still on the surface.
Springer definitely prefer slower moving lures fished with frequent pauses and twitches. There are days when they will eat anything, but those days are few and far between.
I hope that helps!

[J-Rock]

 :shre:

[woerman]

Hi Woerman, I got the springer on a 9cm Rapala X-Rap Walk. They are great estuary lures, and the springer seem to love them. There are quite a lot of lures that one can use for springer, from bucktail jigs and dropshots, to slowly worked surface lures. Lures that suspend in the midwater are also good. I find that the most important thing is to be able to pause frequently during the retrieve, with the lure still looking attractive, either by suspending or lying still on the surface.
Springer definitely prefer slower moving lures fished with frequent pauses and twitches. There are days when they will eat anything, but those days are few and far between.
I hope that helps!

Thanks Tommo, that helps a lot

Where would be the best to target them: channels, drop-offs, shallow water, etc?  Any tide preference?

[Tommo]

They will hunt around wherever there is a congregation of baitfish. Mullet like to sit on top of shallow banks (particularly banks with some rocks on them), especially when the tide is in. The springer will normally be in the channel close to the shallow bank, waiting for a chance to attack. So working the drop offs is generally good. They do most of their feeding during low light conditions, so early mornings and evenings is prime time for springer. I have had most of my success with them on a pushing tide coinciding with those times.
If you are seeing surface chases in the area then use a Rapala X-Rap Walk 9cm, if you are not getting hits on that then try the suspending version, the Rapala Subwalk 8cm. After every four or five twitches give it a few seconds pause. If there is a hungry springer around he will definitely eat one of those two lures.

[woerman]

Thanks Tommo - great advice