Port Edward to Durban

KwaZulu-Natal South Coast and Durban

Warm water, rock ledges and the famous sardine season.

The water

Warm, tropical water with a steady current. Netted beaches protect bathers; the shore-fishing areas are often separate.

The shore

Rock ledges, piers and sandy beaches. Some beaches have bather-protection nets and fishing rules close to them.

Gear note

Pulley rigs and live or fresh bait are common for sharks and kob. Check the rules on shark fishing and release.

Check a setup in the builder

Season

The winter sardine run is a well-known time of year, but its timing varies and it is not guaranteed.

The fish

Often targeted here

Also mentioned: Shad, Bronze bream, Pompano, Natal stumpnose.

Season at a glance

Compare with similar regions

Months that are usually good for the main target fish in each region
Region	January	February	March	April	May	June	July	August	September	October	November	December
West Coast	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Usually good	Usually good	Usually good	Quieter	Quieter	Usually good	Usually good	Usually good	Quieter
Cape Peninsula and False Bay	Quieter	Quieter	Usually good	Usually good	Usually good	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Usually good	Usually good	Usually good
Overberg and Garden Route	Usually good	Usually good	Usually good	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Usually good	Usually good	Usually good
Eastern Cape	Usually good	Usually good	Usually good	Usually good	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Usually good	Usually good
KwaZulu-Natal South Coast and Durban	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Usually good	Usually good	Usually good	Usually good	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter
Zululand and the North Coast	Usually good	Usually good	Usually good	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Quieter	Usually good	Usually good	Usually good

Dark circles are the months anglers usually rate highest. This is general guidance, not a forecast: seasons shift with the water temperature and the weather.

Before you fish

Fishing in South Africa has rules: sea fishing needs a recreational permit, and dams, rivers and clubs set their own permits, bait rules and limits. Check current regulations with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment or the owner of the water before you fish. Rules change and this site is not an official source.