Stranded Whale Sharks off Umzumbe

One of the Stranded Whales Sharks at Umzumbe

There has been quiet a few Whale Sharks being stranded lately, and yesterday 2 Whale Sharks got stranded on the rocks at Umzumbe beach on the KZN South Coast. I assume that it was the large swell that picked up very quickly in the middle of the day.
We had been surfing in the morning in fairly small surf, and in a matter of an hour or so the sea had jacked up to a rather solid swell. That combined with the high tide as the swell hit could have been the Whale Sharks demise.

A pic of the 2 Stranded Whale Sharks

There have been quiet a few Whale Sharks stranded on the Zululand beaches, but I was reading that the authorities say that it was normal to have almost 10 strandings a year.

The sea being strange again?

Coatesman

Spearfishing in a Strange Sea

With all the weirdness going on in the sea while spearfishing these days, it was good to get some feed back from someone who has seen some of it before. Here is a mail i got from George Askew:

Hi Chris
Your report below warrants this:
Hope you find it useful.

We first started seeing Yellowtail in Natal in summer at Park Rynie around 1966.

And several big Dagas were shot at Jangamo [Inhambane] in the 1st SA Nationals in Moz [+- 1967]. They were not included as eligible fish as no one thought they went that far up!!

In 1970 I shot a baby Garrick near "The Gap" at Santa Maria [Inhaca] in Jan!!  Who would have thought they spawn in Maputo Bay mangroves??

{Did you know I think I shot the only Greek to be shot in Durban Bay [Salisbury Island] - 30lbs +- 1959. How many do you know of that have been hooked in the bay? I have never heard of one.

And what about Cliff Templeton`s 54lb Red Steenbras shot on a Bluff shore dive in 1971.

???  Go figure Sunshine.
The sea`s a strange place!

The Askew.
[A wealth of information in only one head!!]

 Indeed it is strange!

Coatesman

Where are the Couta?

If you are wondering why I have been so quiet, well its just that I have had little to report on. Its not that there has been no diving, the guys have reported some very good diving conditions over the weeknd.

I have been out of it with a nasty stomach bug and did my first dive today since last week. I am still a little weak, but the conditions look far too inviting not to dive. The vis was great the temp was great, there were bait fish every where but alas on Couta Breams!

I heard that on or 2 Couta came out of Lamercy area on Sunday, and some guys saw some off Sheffield with one guy out of PLENTY getting ONE.

On the freaky note, a Dagga was shot off Umhlanga lighthouse acouple days ago and on the same day another diver saw a Cape Yellowtail in the backline! ..... Its no wonder we are not getting Couta ... the fish think this is the Cape!

Anyway enough bitching and moaning .... tomorrow is another day.

Coatesman

Spearfishing Deep Water Dorado

7.5kg Dorado Shot out deep

You got to love those calls when the mates call you up and say they have a boat organised and they are going diving! I got one of those and went out deep off Durban yesterday to look for Dorado.
We landed up with 19 fish umungst 7 guys and had a ball. I got some great footage will I will add to our next film and even had a go at a few fish.

The Couta are still a little quiet, but there are some roumors that some fish came out yesterday. I did not get in this morning, I had promised the lighty I would take him surfing before school. The conditions looked very good and I am sure if there were fish around the guys would have nailed a few.

Coatesman