Our Accommodation Options for fishing the Umzimkulu
Our Accommodation Options for fishing the Umzimkulu: it’s gamefishing time on the Umzimkulu Estuary as we move steadily into the dry season. The offshores have fired up each morning and have been consistent through this last spring tide, today included. And yesterday the offshore got up to 15 knots or more in places! Casts to the horizon!
This time last year was flooding heavily, delaying the start of the season for weeks. This year, we might just be on schedule, which is normally around mid-April into May.
Clean water
These are nice big tides, and the river is flushing properly, ejecting big plumes of brown water directly out at the absolutely stomping Agulhas Current. At 26 degrees Celsius and crystal clear, this behemoth body of blue water is as intent as getting into the estuary as the rock salmon are. If things hold and the big high pressure off Durban prevails, good weather will lead to the river slowing right down, sediment will drop, and that clean water will start to mingle with the Agulhas blue coming in through the mouth at high tides – bang!
Gamefish
Kingfish consistently top the charts as shoals of greenspots, blacktip, big eye and GTs maraud up and down the channels. Clearly visible on calm days, smashing the daylights out of the mullet and prawns, these fish are aggressive and hungry. They take anything you can throw at them.
Rock salmon also jump on a well-presented lure. Surface or deep down, these fish, aswell as the perch and flagtail, are game. And even the sedate kob readily jump on a paddletail.
Grunter, kob and a plethora of fish you would never imagine visit the estuary in these salty blue conditions. Blacktail, zebrafish, spadefish and shad are amongst the fish that will surprise you if you fish hard enough. All these species we have caught on video. And more, check the videos out from this one, Like and Subscribe!
Grunter Alley in the Umzimkulu feat Goby One Kanobi
Accommodation Options
Eagle’s Roost, overlooking the estuary, has two double rooms and a large lounge area with bunk beds and a sleeper couch. Suitable for families and small fishing groups. International backpackers.
Royston Hall has made some of our recent guests very pleased with their well-appointed, high-end and historical guesthouse. (Pictured in the featured image of this article).
Riverbend is on the next river north – the Umtentweni River, which also fishes well and is a short drive to the Umzimkulu Mouth area. Budget-friendly, very cool place right in nature. Close to Umtentweni bathing beach.
Ambleside is a great choice if you also like catching shad and things off the side. A quick walk down to the beaches, including Shad Lane. And a quick drive to the Umzimkulu River mouth area.
Umzimkulu River Mouth Area
For all of these accommodation options, the north bank of the river, accessed from the Country Club turnoff (turn left immediately), is a fantastic family fishing and picnic/braai spot. And it is also where we meet guests on the north bank, with the boats. To take you cruising, birdwatching, or fishing.
Guests on the south bank, we meet at Spillers Sports Bar.
Get in touch and let’s put some serious effort into spinning and live baiting for this season’s gamefish. Sean on umzimkulu@gmail.com, or +27793269671, you can use the WhatsApp button on this page too, for a direct line to me.
Sardines and Sighting Maps
Here are the links to existing and past Sardine Sighting Maps. With instructions on how to install The Sardine News right on your phone, tablet, or even desktop.
Channels
Brucifire Surf Retorts – highly entertaining surf reporting
Master Watermen – news from way down deep
The Sardine News – neva miss a single sardine
FishBazaruto – 1000 pounds plus
MYDO Tackle Talk – highly technical sport fishing
Surf Launching Southern Africa – getting out there safely
Water Woes – complain about your municipality here
Websites
umzimkulu.co.za – fishing, charters, accommodation
umzimkuluadrenalin.co.za – will get you right out and onto the edge
thesardine.co.za – never miss a single sardine
masterwatermen.co.za – news from under water
fishbazaruto.com – dreams are out there
brucifire.co.za – surf retorts
fishmad.co.za – destination Madagascar
andantelodge.co.za – Transit luxury in Pretoria
