Confidence amidst Caution.
We got contacted by a couple of clients really wanting to fish Kosi Bay on artificial and they were well briefed by their friend of how difficult this could be yet, they decided to push on and we felt confidant that we could get results amidst all the caution.
We decided on some dates, secured accommodation at the lovely Kosi Bay Lodge and planned for an intense 4 days of fishing. YouTube, friends, locals and just about everyone that we can trust were contacted for any form of information to create the best game plan possible.
Kosi Bay is till this day one of the most beautiful estuary systems in our country with an abundance of life. It is located in the northern part of KwaZulu Natal in the Ezemvelo Wildlife park just South of the Mozambique border.
Weather conditions certainly played into our hands during all our morning session but the afternoons were another story. A stiff 25kts on the lakes gets very nasty very quickly so it was important to monitor the conditions and understand were to fish to make the return comfortable and still have a change to land quality fish.
Our equipment was mainly 7,6 ft Heavy spinning rods with 5k reels loaded with 30lbs braid and 60lbs mono leader. Lure varied from soft plastic, bucktails, sinking stick baits, diving poppers and poppers in just about every size possible. We also had a couple of bigger setups for the GT action rigged and ready to go.
Our main targets were, Rock Salmon and GT and in the middle of the day we targeted the grunters on bait whilst we made a solid brunch. The first day we were after the GT’s and chased bird for hours. They were certainly active but we just could not get into the casting distance before they disappeared into the deep. We mixed up our strategies various times and still no results. They best opportunity we had was a serious follow with a fish pushing a bow wake so big that we started the engine thinking it is a hippo until it turned away and refused the lure last minute. Day two started a bit different, looking at pressure points and working the different water column’s we soon discovered what is working and then poppers and diving poppers it was all the way till the last day. The fish were so aggressive they even took the lure as close as 5 meters from the boat.
Our guests had a great experience landing the fish on topwater, enjoying the takes, the power on that light tackle, and one could just tell by the smiles and excitement in their voice. The biggest we weighed at 8.3kg and was caught on a 130 Molix popper. Rock salmon sure isn’t shying away for nothing.
Most challenging part of the trip was to figure out what was working and what to look out for to give ourselves the best chance possible. Secondly it was the weather, dealing with the wind, planning to fish another area because of it but knowing the bite was somewhere else in the morning. Our guests did not understand until the wind picked up it all started making sense.
The wildlife was incredible, the local fishing traps, water colour, and the area in general still feels somewhat remote. It truly is a bit of an adventure going out there. The local fishing traps, water colour, and the area in general still feels somewhat remote. It truly is a bit of an adventure going out there.
Our window for the fishery is a mere 6 weeks and we will not fish there if it’s not the right window. Does it fish easy? No, but it is super rewarding and we will get fish. Get in touch with us well before so that you can gear up with the right equipment and accessories. This certainly is one of the best local trips there is to offer in South Africa.
