Fishing in Margate

I finally got it together to buy myself a nice bicycle and have kitted out a backpack with a cooler and some trace boxes.

The plan is to cycle along the beach road, from where I live in Uvongo to my favourite old hunting grounds in Margate – and scratch along the different points, gullies and formations along the way.

Uvongo Pier, Beacon Rocks, Manaba, Lucien Beach, Margate Beach, Lee Rock, Bird Rock and those wonderful bays and gullies along the dirt road on the far right hand side of the Panarama Parade (Margate beach road)

Last year, we had no big fish from September till May this year – so  I want to concentrate on tagging as many of the vulnerable reef fish as I can.

Using circle hooks and “Lock n Load” technique, which basically means that you use a heavier line/braid and a tight drag to get your fish in quickly. The circle hook, with a squashed barb and the Lock n Load technique, results in a 0.5% mortality rate, which is excellent.

Although I will be mostly using prawn, as well as mussel as bait – I am also very interested in artificial baits and small spoons and lures. I will take photos of the baits, fish, tags and the release and post it onto ShanesFishing.co.za

I just got to get another camera as mine is playing up.

Margate is such a beautiful little town and the fishing can be excellent and remain excellent if a little effort is put into conservation. This also includes parents teaching their kids to handle the little fish that they catch with their small nets, with the utmost of care and respect.

Anybody that comes to visit Margate and surrounding areas, is more than welcome to contact me for a guided tour of our best fishing spots, there are some real gems.