Richards Bay Billfish Interprovincial 2017

On Friday 3^rd March, Hansie, Zander and I launched “Mitsu-Fishi” out of Richards Bay. We were competing in the Richards Bay Billfish Interprovincial as the Zululand Team. The northerly wind was blowing about 15 knots so we headed up North in the backline towards Dawsons.

Zander with the 1st marlin of the comp

We put out the lines in 50m and trolled deeper looking for signs of life. The water had a green tint to it and was 25 degrees. As we trolled deeper, the temp dropped but at 800m, there was a temperature break and shot up to 27 degrees. We worked the area and at around 9am, the centre rigger popped as a fish took the lure. We didn’t see the fish due to a swell so we were not sure what it was. The lines were cleared and we put our “first cap” Zander in the chair. After about 10 minutes, the line angled to the surface and the surface erupted with a good size blue marlin. It went on a spectacular run down sea, so Hansie could back down on the fish and Zander retrieved most of the line. The leader came up and I took hold of it but the fish had other plans and went down deep. There was not much current so it was difficult to manoeuvre the fish. Eventually, after countless turns and position changes we found a line that brought the fish to the surface. Being the first fish of the comp, I didn’t want to put unnecessary pressure on the leader so I had to let go a few times until eventually the fish gave the right approach and I could get it under control next to the boat. It was a lovely 180kg fish which was quickly tagged and turned loose. What a great start to the comp! Better still, this was the 200^th billfish that I had been with and it had taken a while to get that last one, so I was over the moon.

 The lines went out again and we trolled the area for most of the day without another pull, so we started back on a homeward bearing. The water temp dropped again but in 500m, there was a half a degree spike so Hansie worked the area. At one stage, there was a big tanker heading for us, so we altered course to miss it. There also happened to be a few birds ahead of us and as we trolled through them, there was a massive splash behind the left long as a big fish missed the lure. Seconds later, the fish was back and knocked the lure out the rigger without hooking up. I wound the lure back into position, grabbed the spool and pulled the drag to freespool, anticipating the strike. It looked like jaws coming down the swell when the fish came in and engulfed the lure. I fed it a few seconds then went tight. The fish went mental on the surface and we could see that it was a comfortable 700Lbs blue. It went greyhounding across the surface to the port side. We cleared the lines and I had just climbed into the chair when the unbelievable happened… the tanker that we had seen ahead of us was now right next to us, within 100m, and the fish was on the other side of it on the surface. Hansie spun the boat around and tried to get ahead of the ship, but there was just too much line in the water and seconds later, the line cut off. It was an awkward moment as we knew it was a big fish that would have taken a long time to fight and we probably would not have made the weighin, but it was the biggest fish I had personally had on the line in South Africa and I really wanted it. It was just not meant to be I guess. We rerigged and trolled for the rest of the allotted time before heading home.

There was no other fish caught for the day, so we were in the lead with 2 days to go.

Team Zululand Red

On Saturday 4^th March, Lucas joined the team and we launched at 5:30am and decided to head straight out the harbour and work the dropoff near where we dropped the big fish the day before. There was a lot of bait in the area and every now and again there would be a 30kg yellowfin jumping in the area. We worked the ledge and it didn’t take long to get a pull. The centre rigger popped and the reel took off. A 100kg marlin made a few jumps out the back but then the line went slack and the fish was gone. On closer inspection, the fish had grabbed the bird instead of the lure, so we had no chance…  

Trolling commenced and on the second pass over the ledge resulted in a good fish pouncing on the left long. It took a fair bit of line and jumped a few times before the hook pulled! It was now really unlucky! Again, the lures went in and Hansie headed for the next flock of birds. We had just straightened out from a turn when the right long popped but then stopped. Seconds later the centre rigger popped and the fish took a lot of line, jumping as it went. We were clearing the lines by speed, but before we could get anyone in the chair, the hook pulled. Now it was getting ridiculous… three fish missed by 9am…

Lucas with a 16kg Dorado

The prime time passed and things went quiet. So, after a while without action, we headed deeper, but the water got worse the further we went so we turned back again. In the green water, two reels went off with dorado. One was pretty small and the other was a good size bull. I winched in the smaller one while Lucas kept his under control until it was safe to take his fish. After a few interesting moments on the leader, we managed to get a 16kg fish into the hatch. A personal best dorado for Lucas.

Winning team 2017

We arrived back in the area that had action earlier, and on the first turn, the left long took off with a speed as a 200kg blue tried to overtake the boat on the port side. In a flash, Hansie was on the controls and the line took tension again. The lines were cleared, but again before anyone could get in the chair, the hooks pulled… There are no words for the disappointment, but we kept at it. Unfortunately, that was the last strike that we had for the day and headed back with only 2 dorado as a consolation prize.

On Sunday 5^th March, we launched for the final time in the tournament. After dropping 4 fish in the one area, we headed back there to try our luck again. Unfortunately the bait had moved on and the green water had covered the ledge. Despite trolling to over 1000m, we could not find any more fish and out day ended without a touch.

Luckily for us, there was no other boat that caught a second fish, so we were lucky to win the tournament on time. Thanks to Hansie, Zander, Lucas and Herman for making this a great comp. 
 
 

Bait Bycatch

On Saturday 25^th February at 6:00, At and I launched “Avanti” off Richards Bay. At wanted to catch some bait for the upcoming Top 10 Species Tournament at Cape Vidal. We stopped at the pipeline and found a good showing. Both of us went down with jigs and came up with full strings of maasbanker which went into the live well. The current was running strong so we drifted off the spot quickly. I took us back to the numbers, but the shoal had moved so I sounded around to find another showing. Every so often, there was a nice showing and we would get a string of two. In about an hour, we had enough bait, but they were all maasbanker. I suggested we go to the 45m marks to see if we could get some mackerel.

At with some bycatch

On arrival, there was a small showing a bit off the bottom so At went down and quickly hooked a few baits. About half way up. The rod keeled over as something ate the string of bait. While At was rerigging, I took us back to the start of the drift. Being a bait fishing session, we did not have any gamefish tackle or gaffs with us, so when I rigged up a live maasbanker on a small spinning rod, I knew I was looking for trouble. I passed the rod to At and he let the bait out while I sent down the jigs. Just as At wanted to put the rod in the holder, the line flew off the reel. He fed the fish for a bit then tightened up and went on to a strong fish. I cleared my line and sat back to enjoy the show. The fish came in surprisingly easily so we both thought it to be a bonito or small tuna. It had not taken any line and soon we had colour under the boat. As the fish came closer, the shine got bigger and bigger until we could make out the shape of a nice yellowfin. With no gaff, I had some fun on the leader and eventually managed to grip the tail and lift the fish aboard. It was a hefty 12 or so kg fish. A surprise to us both. It was bled and put on ice. After a few more drifts without any more bait, we headed back to the harbour.

Vidal Shoalies

On Friday 17^th Feb, at 3:45am At and I left Richards Bay to meet up with friends Lambert, Eric and Hannes at Cape Vidal. We arrived on the beach at around 6am and quickly got the boat “Garfield” prepared for the day. After a quick surf launch, we were on the backline looking for livies. After about an hour of searching, we found a few maasbanker. While Lambert and I caught the bait, At pinned a small bait and fed it out. It was only a few meters from the boat when it was eaten. After a quick feed, he tightened up and handed the rod to Hannes. The fish started on a run but unfortunately quickly bit through the nylon leader. With a few livies in the water, we headed north to the greens.

On arrival, I put out two surface livies, 2 deep livies and a halfbeak on Japan. I had just finished setting the spread when one of the surface livies went away. Lambert took the rod and brought in a shoal cuda. The fish was just in the hatch when one of the deep baits went away and Eric got another shoalie. I rerigged and At tacked back into the area. Almost immediately the surface rod bent but straightened again as the fish missed the hooks. We had just turned shallower when a deep bait went away but again the hooks pulled. I increased the drags a bit hoping that the extra pressure would set the hooks. Not long after, the deep line went away again. This time Hannes caught a shoal cuda. Followed by another for Eric. There were a few rain squalls around and at one stage it was bucketing down! In that rain, the fish seemed to switch on and in a few minutes, we had four strikes and managed 2 more shoalies. There was only one livie still in the water and didn’t take long to get eaten. Unfortunately, another fish swam into the line and it parted. Lambert looked at the rod in the T-Top and saw that it was bending. He took the strike and brought in a big 8kg kawa-kawa. But what was strange about this catch was that it had the previous strike’s trace in its mouth. Greedy fish I suppose.

When the squall passed, the bite slowed and so Lambert started throwing a stickbait. On his fourth or fifth cast, a cuda exploded on the lure but missed the hooks. Lambert kept winding and again the cuda chowed the lure. This time it got hooked and found its way into the hatch.

We trolled for about an hour without another pull, so decided to try at Oscar so we brought in the lines. Lambert was busy retrieving a dead maasbanker when it was chopped by a fish but missed the hooks. When the Japan halfbeak was retrieved, that bait had also been chopped. We were in two minds whether to stay or continue, but decided to go to Oscar so we put on a few trolling lures and headed there. There was no showing on the pinnacle, and aside from a whale shark, we didn’t see any life so we trolled shallower and put out the last 2 livies and 2 dead baits and trolled towards the point. After about half an hour, the deep bait went away at speed as a big bull dorado grabbed the bait. Almost at the same time, the surface livie went away with a second dorado. Hannes and Eric took the strikes and had their hands full with two fish that were very stubborn. Eric’s fish came in first followed about 20 minutes later by Hannes’ fish. The bull was a good fish of about 14kg.

With 10 fish in the hatch, it was time to head in. Thanks to all for a great day.

Boy oh Buoy!

On Saturday 17^th December, Terence, Oom Andre, Willem and I launched “Boy oh Buoy” off Richards Bay. We were hoping to find a few dorado for Terence’s family from up country. At 4:45, we left the harbour mouth and headed for the pipe. On the way, Willem spotted a large flock of birds working a shoal of fish. When we got close enough, I fired a small spoon at them and went on immediately. It turned out to be a nice shad. Terence sent the jigs down to the bottom and pulled up a string of massive maasbanker. Almost every cast resulted in a shad and every down resulted in big maasbankers. It didn’t take long to fill the live well and soon we were off to the deeper water.

A good Tropical Yellowtail

Passing over the ledge, the water was 22 degrees and green with a reverse current. Not ideal conditions for dorado, so we continued deeper. In 100m, the temp went up to 24 degrees, so we decided to put out a few small lures. We came across a few birds that were hovering over an area and when we went through them, we went on with a fish that took quite a bit of line in a hurry. The bumpy conditions made it difficult for Oom Andre to fight but eventually managed to get a big skipjack tuna on the boat. We continued trolling, but things were very quiet. After an hour or two, we trolled shallower towards the 50m ledge. I found a good showing a few meters off the bottom, I stopped and the guys went down with vertical jigs. On the second down, Terence went tight with a good fish that had him pinned to the gunwale for a while with a very heavy drag. After an exceptionally strong fight, the fish came up and Willem could gaff it. It was a really good tropical yellowtail of close to 15kg.

Jono's Amberjack

Everyone scrambled to get their rods ready while I went to the top of the drift again. While the guys went down with jigs, I pinned a live bait and let it out some ways. I was still letting it out when the line pulled tight and line flew off the reel. I fed it a bit and went tight with a dorado. I made short work of the fish and had our first dorado of the day in the hatch. We upped lines and went to the start of the drift again. As the showing started, I let out another livie, hoping for a dorado. I had let the bait out a fair distance when it started revving and I felt a fish eat it. I fed it for a while before tightening up. The fish gave a few big head nods then took off on a strong run. I was feeling a bit under gunned but put as much drag on as I dared. Terence went to the controls and followed it for a while until I was vertical with it. Slowly but surely, I lifted the fish, still not knowing what it was. After about 15 minutes, I saw colour. It was a nice amberjack. Willem put the gaff in and hauled the fish aboard. Great! What an awesome fight, especially considering the light tackle it was on.

A good haul for the day.

We made a few more drifts over the showing, but the fish went off the bite. It seemed to be the effect of the easterly wind that had come up. I suggested we put the lures on again and troll along the current lines and see if we could get lucky. I trolled deeper to 300m and found the water at 26 degrees but with very little life so I headed shallower to work the temp break. It was almost home time and we were about to call it a day when another dorado grabbed one of the lures and soon we had two dorado in the hatch. After that, we decided to head home.

Early morning bite

On Saturday, our last fishing day at Vidal, John, Amanda, Tash, Kye and I launched. The previous few days, there had been a lot of early action from dorado by guys fishing with dead bait, so I decided to leave the early live bait catching session and focus on deadbait for a while. I rigged up 2 swimbaits and 2 stripbaits and trolled south along the same current line from the previous day. It took all of 5 minutes to get a double strike, but unfortunately pulled hook on both. I made another turn and went on. Amanda got a dorado in the hatch to open the account and trolling continued. In the next half an hour, we managed another 5 dorado from 6 pulls before the bite slowed. By then, I was pretty close to the bait spot so pulled lines and caught a few livies.

Kye with his first dorado

There had been quite a few fish on the point so I headed back there and set the spread. Things were very quiet, so I headed a bit south of the crowd and tacked deeper to see if the fish were out there. In 30m, we went on with a dorado and then again in 25m so I worked the area a bit. At one stage we were on to a dorado and when it was near the boat, I saw a big fin of a shark making a b-line towards the fish. I put the reel into freespool and let the dorado get away from the shark. When it had settled, we brought it in but unbelievably, the shark came in for a second try at the dorado. We followed the same protocol and this time it worked and the dorado was safely on board.

With the unsettled sea, Kye got a bit seasick and we decided to head back. We had one line left in the water when a dorado came swimming behind the motors. John threw a stick bait at in and went on immediately. The fish put up little resistance before being loaded. We headed back to the beach by 10:30 with a good haul of fish.

Dorado on the line

On Friday 9^th December, John, Chuck and I launched “Drifter” off Vidal. The live bait had been scarce off the point so I ran straight to bighill and found a good supply. There had been a few dorado on the dead baits in the morning, but by 7:30, it went dead so by the time I had livies, we missed the early bite. I decided to troll from the bait marks and see if we could find anything. The water temp had dropped 2 degrees over night and was sitting at 22. 

All the boats in the area were battling, so after two hours without a pull, I headed deeper to look for a temperature or colour break. I had just crossed over the 50m ledge when the far surface bait went away. Chuck hauled in a small skipjack that we released. In 75m, there was a current line so I trolled along it. Not long after, there was a big commotion on the surface and the long rod keeled over. I could feel that the fish was heavy, and there were some big head nods. I increased the pressure and the line angled to the surface where a big shark twisted out the water and luckily popped off the leader. About half an hour later, along the same line, we went tight with a dorado. While it was jumping, I could see a follower with it so I left one of the other lines in. sure enough, when it came into range, the second fish ate the bait and we managed a double. I let out another bait while the deck was being sorted out and just as I put the rod in the holder, it keeled over and we were on. Chuck took the rod on a deep fighting fish which turned out to be a 9kg yellowfin. 

Another dorado along the current line

The wind had picked up from the south and with the strong n-s current, I knew the sea was going to pick up quickly so we ran to the point and put out lines along a good looking current line in 25m of water. I worked the line for about half an hour and went tight with another dorado. Things seemed to be changing with the change in wind. Not long after, the close rod went away. While John was fighting that one, I saw a follower and flicked out a livie on a spinning rod. Almost immediately I went tight to a good dorado which gave me a hard time before I could boat it. The current line moved shallower and I just followed along the edge. In 18m, we managed another dorado on the live bait. Our time was a bit limited as Chuck needed to leave that afternoon, so we started pulling the lines. Just before the last line was in, there was a blue flash next to the boat as a dorado flew in and chowed the livie. Chuck had a quick fight with a shoal size fish before heading back to the beach.

I'll have another Double!

Chuck and his 1st Sailfish

On Tuesday 6^th of December, Chuck, Kyla and Tash launched “Drifter” off of Vidal. It was the first time the girls had launched through the surf and first time fishing for gamefish. There was a light NE wind and almost zero surf, so it was an uneventful launch. I didn’t even stop on the point and headed straight to where I got bait the previous day. After a bit of a run to Bighill, we managed to catch a hatch full of bait and set about slow trolling. There was a current line on 23m with some bait shoals on it, so I focussed my efforts there. We had trolled for about an hour when both far surface baits went away. Tash and Kyla took the strike and both caught their first dorado. I continued along the line and had another dorado eat a dead bait close to the boat. Chuck made quick work of it before trolling further. One of the boats next to us went tight on a sailfish so I tacked deeper to get out their way. When we were clear, I turned back to the current line and saw the far surface rod starting to load up. I fed it a bit then tightened up to a heavy fish. It bumped its head a few times and the line angled to the surface. I was pretty sure I knew what was about to happen and like a dejavu moment, a sailfish stuck its head out and tore up the surface giving us a great show. Chuck took the rod and had a good tussle with his first sailie before tagging it. Two sailies in 2 days… not bad.

Things went a bit quiet for an hour or so I moved a bit further south to get away from the other boats. This move seemed to work and we went away with a really nice bull dorado that gave Kyla a hard time before it was boated.

Chuck with his 2nd Marlin

With the lull in the action, a few boats left the area. The NE picked up a bit and the dorado went quiet. I decided to let one of the lines out further and a few minutes later, the reel went away. Chuck fought the fish which turned out to be a cuda of about 8kg. I repeated the exercise and again we hooked a cuda that Tash boated. One of the other boats also had two cuda pulls, so it seemed like they were in the area. I was busy setting another bait when the line pulled out my hand. I put up the drag, but the hooks missed the fish. I quickly rerigged and just as I got the rod in the holder, it keeled over and we were onto another cuda that Kyla caught. We fished for a bit longer without another pull so I suggested we head closer to the launch so that the increasing wind did not catch us far south. I stopped off the point and put out 4 lines. I was busy heading out to sea when the far rod keeled over and the reel took off. Looking back, I saw a marlin launch itself full length out the water and start greyhounding away from us. The lines were retrieved double time while I chased after it. Chuck had the rod and survived the first run. We managed to get on top of the fish after about 10 minutes and got a quick tip on the leader. The fish took off and made countless close range jumps, almost ending up in the boat a few times. After about 40 minutes, the fish made a last jump and lay quiet on the surface close to the boat. I swung the stern next to the fish and managed to grab the bill of a 70ish kg black and pop a tag into it. Chuck posed for a quick pic before reviving the fish and releasing it. What an awesome end to the day. Two doubles in as many days! That’s great fishing in anyone’s book.

Make Mine a Double

On Monday 5^th December, I launched “Drifter” off Cape Vidal. With me were John, Amanda and Chuck. The SW was pushing about 20 knots, but the surf was non-existent. I spent some time looking for bait off the point, but similarly to the previous weekend, there was nothing to be found so I headed south to the shallows at Bighill. We managed to find a patch of bait and filled the livewell with mackerel and maasbanker before setting 4 lines.

I had just started heading deeper when the far surface rod went away with an absolute smoker! By the time the rod was out the holder, a considerable amount of line was off the reel so I turned to chase the fish. Unfortunately, the rod shot straight and the fish was gone. It had bitten through the wire. Not a good start. I rerigged and continued deeper. At 30m, another reel went away and Amanda fought the fish to the boat. Before we could see what it was, it went on another run but got converted shortly after. The drag went up to sunset and changed hands a few times until it chafed through the leader. The lines went out yet again and on almost the same spot in the shallows, the far bait went off again with another smoker. I left the other lines in and immediately spun the boat around to slow the run and when the last line was cleared and the fish started to slow down, the fish bit through the wire again!

Chuck with his 1st Marlin

After losing 3 rigs, I regrouped a bit, making some new rigs and setting a new spread of livies. I tacked a bit deeper then back shallower and managed another pull. This time is was a dorado that found its way into the hatch. Finally! I turned deeper after setting new baits and as the boat straightened, 2 rods went away. John and Chuck boated 2 yellowfin of about 6kg each… not my favourite fish to catch. Things seemed to be looking up and in 30m, the surface bait went away. Chuck took the rod on a pretty heavy fish that took several fast continuous runs. After 20minutes, the fish was close to the boat. The line angled to the surface and I saw a big sickle tail surfing down a swell. I first thought it to be a sailfish, but then it lifted the short dorsal fin and I could see it to be a marlin. After some fancy boat driving, I managed to get close enough to grab the bill and get a tag into an estimated 60kg black marlin for Chuck. I was surprised that the fish came in so easily, but maybe it was a blessing considering the light tackle used.

Amanda with her 1st Sailfish

After releasing the fish, the lines went out again. I had been trolling a deep line, but had not had a touch on it so I took off the sinker and left it on surface. I was bust letting out the 3^rd line when the now surface bait went away. There was a commotion on the surface as a sailfish tailwalked out the back. Amanda took the strike and had a tough fight with a fish that was fowl hooked. After a while, I managed to get hold of the bill and lift it into the boat. The weather and sea were still unsettled, so we decided to call it a day. I was pretty chuffed with our double on billfish for the day.

Lucky Dip

On Sunday 27^th November, Terence and I launched AVANTI off Vidal. We fished for bait for an hour and only managed 6 livies. We decided to head south with some lures and see what was going on. It did not take too long to find a good current line and tent tight with a small skipjack which we released. There seemed to be some life on the line so I rigged up 2 livies, one deep and one on top. 

Terence with his pb cuda

About 10 minutes later, the deep bait smoked off and Terence fought a good cuda to the boat. I managed to get the gaff in and hauled a 14kg cuda aboard. Now the pressure was off so we could relax. 

A nice Kaakap

I reset the deep bait and minutes later went on with a small bonnie which went into the luna tube. I rigged up a heavy trace on a strong rod with 80lbs braid and pinned the bonnie. The rod was in the holder for about 2 minutes when the rod revved and then keeled over. The reel smoked off as on the surface as a marlin made a run for it. I cleared the other line and chased the fish which was heading for deeper water. Terence put some pressure on the fish and it made a u-turn and ran flat out shallower right on the surface, almost stripping the reel. I followed it with great haste and finally caught up with it. We thought it had settle, but it took off on a long run again. Eventually it was near the boat but when it took off on another run, the leader wrapped around the tail and parted off. Unlucky!

Fresh fish for supper!

I headed back to where we hooked the fish and rerigged. This time it took 20 mins before we got a pull. Terence battled a stubborn fish to the surface. It was a 7kg kaakap. Unfortunately they are now classified as a bottom fish so it was put away.

Things went quiet and we decided to head back early as there was almost no bait left. While I was retrieving the last line, the rod was pulled flat by a feisty dorado that snatched the bait! Awesome! It looked like every strike was a lucky dip as we never knew what they would be. After boating the fish, we headed back to shore and enjoyed the rest of the day on the beach.

First Sailfish of the season

On Saturday 26^th November, Tammy, Suzzie and Terence launched AVANTI off Cape Vidal. We were there for a quick social weekend and were hoping to get a few gamefish. There was a 10knot SW blowing but with the strong N-S current, the sea was a bit bumpy.

We stopped off the point and looked for live bait which seemed to be almost non-existent. After two hours, we had about 10 baits so we decided to rig them and try our luck. Working between 20 and 35m, the current pushed us south and off the slides, the two surface baits started revving. Something had to be scaring them. After a few seconds, the rod that I was holding bumped and I freespooled the fish before tightening up. The fish felt heavy and there were a few big head nods… I was convinced that it was a billfish. As I turned around to pass the rod off, a sailfish stuck its head out and took to the air. It went on a good run which gave

us time to clear the other lines and get Tammy settled on the rod.

The fish gave a great show and with that managed to get the leader around its caudal fin. This made it difficult to turn the fish’s head where we wanted it. We had the fish on the leader about 4 times before I could grab hold of the bill and put the tag in. After a quick photo, Tammy released her first sailfish. Well done!!

Tammy with her first Sailfish

The lines went out again, but without any success. We put on a few trolling lures and made out way to Oscar. Once there we pulled livies over the pinnacles but again no action. Out of desperation, I trolled shallower onto the 30m current line and persevered there for the last hour or so. Just when we thought it was over, the close surface rod went away. Suzzie took the strike and fought hard on a deep fighting fish. After a while, it was a bit much for her and Terence took over. He managed to get a nice yellowfin into the boat. After that, we packed up and headed back.