The
warm waters of the Mozambique current coupled to the extensive in-shore
reef structures provide the ideal conditions for surf fishing.
The
summer months from October to April, when the water temperatures
range from 25°C
to 28°C, are the best shore fishing months. During this time,
the warm (predominantly north to south) current is closer to the
shoreline and therefor good catches of game fish are taken off the
beaches. The winter months (water temperatures from 21°C to
23°C) are however not as good.
Early
morning and late evening into the night are the best times to fish.
similarly an in-coming tide is better than an out-going tide.
The
most common fish caught from the shore are a wide variety of Kingfish
(including the Giant Kingfish), Stumpnose, Pompano, Shad and a variety
of reef fish.
Occassionally,
and particularly in the summer months, the smaller game fish such
as Couta (King Mackerel), Queen Mackerel and Barracuda are also
caught off the beaches.
The
traditional natural baits are halfbeaks, Sardines, Squid and crabs.
Elastic cotton is normally used to secure the bait whilst various
types of sand sinkers are used to prevent the bait washing ashore
in strong currents. In almost all cases, with wire or nylon trace
should be used to counter the very sharp teeth of the resident game
fish.
A variety
of artificial lures are also successfully used off the shore.
The
best locations for shore fishing close to Malongane are:
Malongane bay - south side near reef
Ponta do Oura - south side near rocks
Ponta Madejanine - 4,86kms north of Malongane
Ponta Mimoli - 7,82kms north of Malongane
For
the adventurer, some excellent shore fishing is also found further
up the coast towards Ponta Dobela.
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