Fishing Reports by Guide Mike Laubscher
About The Author:
Company: Blue Water Charters - Durban
Area Reporting: Durban. KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Bio: I have been fishing since I was 5 years old in Durban and have fished many places around the world and in South Africa, but Durban is my home waters. I fished competitive for many years and I have been running my own charters since 2008 with 2 companies and 2 boats, fish a variety of styles and target a variety of fish species in both Salt and Fresh water, have many published articles in several magazines on fishing. Love nature and outdoors, Am very conservation minded and have a passion for birds. I am crazy about big Tuna, Marlin Fishing and Game Fishing, and also love light tackle spinning, am a total lure junkie. Represented my province in fly fishing for many years and am also pro staff for Rapala/Shimano. I want to write a book on fishing one day. 3 items left on my fishing bucket list, guess then a new bucket list will be in order. As a writer I have my own quote: \"I love taking people fishing because it releases their inner child, and in doing so keeps my inner child alive.\"
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Another Grand Slam for Fat Girl – Day 2 (2/12/2019)
[Durban,KZN] Conditions were perfect with the sea as flat as a little mountain pond.
[Durban,KZN] Conditions were perfect with the sea as flat as a little mountain pond.
Grand Slam for Fat Girl - Dorado, Tuna, Wahoo (2/10/2019)
[Durban,KZN] It was very special day for this Grand Dad of 92 to land 2 Dorado (Mahi) for himself, well done this is an awesome accomplishment and we are honoured to have shared this with you.
[Durban,KZN] It was very special day for this Grand Dad of 92 to land 2 Dorado (Mahi) for himself, well done this is an awesome accomplishment and we are honoured to have shared this with you.
Dorado Fishing on McFire (2/09/2019)
[Durban,KZN] With a short 5hr morning trip, McFire headed out at 05h00 this morning into some nice conditions, fortunately the sea had settled nicely after yesterdays pumping NE wind and a light SW made for an ideal day offshore. There was not time to be wasted as a mix of Game and Bottom fishing was requested for today
[Durban,KZN] With a short 5hr morning trip, McFire headed out at 05h00 this morning into some nice conditions, fortunately the sea had settled nicely after yesterdays pumping NE wind and a light SW made for an ideal day offshore. There was not time to be wasted as a mix of Game and Bottom fishing was requested for today
Great Day Offshore on McFire (2/07/2019)
[Durban,KZN] So the day ended with 3 Dorado, 2 Yellowfin on the tally and a bunch of great guys to enjoy the day with. Thanks guys for such a great day, was an absolute pleasure, it was really relaxing and refreshing. I think we should do this more often.
[Durban,KZN] So the day ended with 3 Dorado, 2 Yellowfin on the tally and a bunch of great guys to enjoy the day with. Thanks guys for such a great day, was an absolute pleasure, it was really relaxing and refreshing. I think we should do this more often.
Afternoon Quickie (2/05/2019)
[Durban,KZN] Often unplanned trips on short notice work out well which reminds me of a trip last year under similar circumstances and we hooked into a Marlin within an hour from launch and back on the dock 3hrs from when we launched. So if conditions are good and you feel like going, just get on with it and go, you just might be surprised.
[Durban,KZN] Often unplanned trips on short notice work out well which reminds me of a trip last year under similar circumstances and we hooked into a Marlin within an hour from launch and back on the dock 3hrs from when we launched. So if conditions are good and you feel like going, just get on with it and go, you just might be surprised.
Game fishing season in full swing. (2/03/2019)
[Durban,KZN] I think we will start seeing Wahoo catches reported soon and usually when the Wahoo are around we find good numbers of Black Marlin too. Time to stretch those muscles, and prepare for a Marlin fight.
[Durban,KZN] I think we will start seeing Wahoo catches reported soon and usually when the Wahoo are around we find good numbers of Black Marlin too. Time to stretch those muscles, and prepare for a Marlin fight.
Fishing in the rain (1/26/2019)
[Durban,KZN] On the way back we hooked into a large Wahoo which really gave a great Arial display before biting through the leader.
[Durban,KZN] On the way back we hooked into a large Wahoo which really gave a great Arial display before biting through the leader.
Dorado (Mahi) Fishing still great and some Tuna coming in. (1/16/2019)
[Durban,KZN] The next 3-4 months are looking to provide us with some great fishing with Fat Girl, Nawty Girl and McFire ready for action.
[Durban,KZN] The next 3-4 months are looking to provide us with some great fishing with Fat Girl, Nawty Girl and McFire ready for action.
Families with Kids having a blast Dorado Fishing. (1/13/2019)
[Durban,KZN] As a skipper there is nothing that satisfies me more than when we take kids out fishing with Mom and Dad and we get them hooked up into a nice Dorado for the first time in their lives
[Durban,KZN] As a skipper there is nothing that satisfies me more than when we take kids out fishing with Mom and Dad and we get them hooked up into a nice Dorado for the first time in their lives
Introducing McFire (1/12/2019)
[Durban,KZN] She is a large catamaran and is all about Space and has lots of it with 1200Hp she has a top speed of 35 knots. She is the biggest boat in the Blue Water Charters fleet, and also Durban’s biggest charter fishing boat.
[Durban,KZN] She is a large catamaran and is all about Space and has lots of it with 1200Hp she has a top speed of 35 knots. She is the biggest boat in the Blue Water Charters fleet, and also Durban’s biggest charter fishing boat.
Dorado, Tuna, Monster Marlin, a Dropped Gaff and a Perch. (1/10/2019)
[Durban,KZN] A difficult report to write, it usually takes me about a week to get over a dropped Marlin. The currents have been a mess with a complete circular system
[Durban,KZN] A difficult report to write, it usually takes me about a week to get over a dropped Marlin. The currents have been a mess with a complete circular system
Dorado (Mahi) Fishing in Progress – 2019 is in Action. (1/05/2019)
[Durban,KZN] Have a Wonderful 2019. Bent Rods, Tight Lines, Screaming Reels and Bloody Decks to you all.
[Durban,KZN] Have a Wonderful 2019. Bent Rods, Tight Lines, Screaming Reels and Bloody Decks to you all.
2 Cape White Eyes, 2 Marlin and lots of Dorado for end 2018. (1/02/2019)
[Durban,KZN] The weather has made it difficult but with some shifting around we managed to get all our trips in on both boats and accommodate everyone. So many trips I don’t know even where to start...
[Durban,KZN] The weather has made it difficult but with some shifting around we managed to get all our trips in on both boats and accommodate everyone. So many trips I don’t know even where to start...
1 Bull and 4 Queens for Fat Girl (12/22/2018)
[Durban,KZN] We headed out for the deep and at the 90m we had our first Dorado on board, a nice Bull
[Durban,KZN] We headed out for the deep and at the 90m we had our first Dorado on board, a nice Bull
2 Bulls and 3 Queens for Nawty Girl (12/22/2018)
[Durban,KZN] Nawty Girl had her first Dorado hook up long before reaching no.1
[Durban,KZN] Nawty Girl had her first Dorado hook up long before reaching no.1
Backline Fun on Nawty Girl (12/22/2018)
[Durban,KZN] A fun backline trip with a good sized Rockcod. Also some Sarda Sarda a lot of Shad and a few Mackerel being caught
[Durban,KZN] A fun backline trip with a good sized Rockcod. Also some Sarda Sarda a lot of Shad and a few Mackerel being caught
Ice Water, Bottoms up and a Tuna (12/22/2018)
[Durban,KZN] We got out to some reefs and did some bottom fishing catching a variety of bottom species including
[Durban,KZN] We got out to some reefs and did some bottom fishing catching a variety of bottom species including
Grand Slam on a Fantastic Day (12/21/2018)
[Durban,KZN] Even though not an ideal temperature this water was holding a lot of fish but all the way there and all the way back was dead.
[Durban,KZN] Even though not an ideal temperature this water was holding a lot of fish but all the way there and all the way back was dead.
One Wave, the Another (12/12/2018)
[Durban,KZN] Finally the warmer water has arrived and we found 23.5deg.C water. We launched into what the forecast said will be a 15 knot NE, but in reality it was around 30 knots and as the morning went on the sea picked up and we ended up punching wave after wave.
[Durban,KZN] Finally the warmer water has arrived and we found 23.5deg.C water. We launched into what the forecast said will be a 15 knot NE, but in reality it was around 30 knots and as the morning went on the sea picked up and we ended up punching wave after wave.
Nawty Dorado Queen. (12/07/2018)
[Durban,KZN] With a short early morning trip on Nawty Girl we headed out in search of a Dorado that was requested in some difficult conditions
[Durban,KZN] With a short early morning trip on Nawty Girl we headed out in search of a Dorado that was requested in some difficult conditions
Good Bottoms and hungry Dorado. (12/07/2018)
[Durban,KZN] Fat Girl headed out for a short morning of bottom fishing .....some Dorado came up chasing the baits a few times but evaded getting landed
[Durban,KZN] Fat Girl headed out for a short morning of bottom fishing .....some Dorado came up chasing the baits a few times but evaded getting landed
Little Guy gets his Dorado (12/03/2018)
[Durban,KZN] Of all the things we were not expecting in that cold green water was a Marlin hook up
[Durban,KZN] Of all the things we were not expecting in that cold green water was a Marlin hook up
Tough Fishing in Cold Water (11/27/2018)
[Durban,KZN] We found lots of bird life and even small bait fish jumping but no fish. I was really disappointed as the water looked so good
[Durban,KZN] We found lots of bird life and even small bait fish jumping but no fish. I was really disappointed as the water looked so good
Number 30 (11/25/2018)
[Durban,KZN] Both fish were released and less than 1 hour from launch we were back on the dock and trip completed along with a completed list of things to do.
[Durban,KZN] Both fish were released and less than 1 hour from launch we were back on the dock and trip completed along with a completed list of things to do.
Big Sea, Xtreme Fishing (11/20/2018)
[Durban,KZN] We had not even finished putting out our spread when the one Tyrnos with the Rapala Xtreme running went off and we got.....
[Durban,KZN] We had not even finished putting out our spread when the one Tyrnos with the Rapala Xtreme running went off and we got.....
Tuna on Ice (11/19/2018)
[Durban,KZN] the wind so icy that my ears get extremely sore so it is still beanies on early mornings in November, going out the port the water temperature has been 18deg.C and deeper out a maximum of 20deg.C, the water is also green
[Durban,KZN] the wind so icy that my ears get extremely sore so it is still beanies on early mornings in November, going out the port the water temperature has been 18deg.C and deeper out a maximum of 20deg.C, the water is also green
Cold Green Xtreme Dorado (11/17/2018)
[Durban,KZN] to my dismay as I left port I saw the water temperature was 18deg C and it was green, I was hoping that deeper out maybe we could find warmer blue water but this did not happen. I was not optimistic.
[Durban,KZN] to my dismay as I left port I saw the water temperature was 18deg C and it was green, I was hoping that deeper out maybe we could find warmer blue water but this did not happen. I was not optimistic.
Family Harbour Trip (10/28/2018)
[Durban,KZN] a delighted young man who had his first ever fishing trip on a boat. During the 3hrs we managed to hook up
[Durban,KZN] a delighted young man who had his first ever fishing trip on a boat. During the 3hrs we managed to hook up
Tuna Grand Slam on Nawty Girl (10/28/2018)
[Durban,KZN] after a good fight what we thought was a Yellowfin Tuna turned out to be a
[Durban,KZN] after a good fight what we thought was a Yellowfin Tuna turned out to be a
Tiger Fishing, Bass Fishing and Camping Safari (10/17/2018)
[Pongolapoort Dam,KZN] The rain was gone, we saw a beautiful little owl n the tree above our campsite. The overcast conditions made for perfect tiger fishing and we landed and released 26 Tiger fish for the day
[Pongolapoort Dam,KZN] The rain was gone, we saw a beautiful little owl n the tree above our campsite. The overcast conditions made for perfect tiger fishing and we landed and released 26 Tiger fish for the day
Bass Fishing, Tiger Fishing and Camping Safari (10/17/2018)
[Inanda Dam,KZN] Awesome weather was presented to us and our morning session went well with 6 largemouth bass landed and released, most of them around keeper size (30cm), nothing took on top water and so we had to fish deeper to get some fish. The afternoon went slower and we went even deeper and we got 4 more bass, Janick was going really slow and this paid off
[Inanda Dam,KZN] Awesome weather was presented to us and our morning session went well with 6 largemouth bass landed and released, most of them around keeper size (30cm), nothing took on top water and so we had to fish deeper to get some fish. The afternoon went slower and we went even deeper and we got 4 more bass, Janick was going really slow and this paid off
Big Bull Dorado to open the season. (10/01/2018)
[Durban,KZN] It was just a matter of time before we got the big one and what a fight it gave
[Durban,KZN] It was just a matter of time before we got the big one and what a fight it gave
Marlin Food is Here (9/23/2018)
[Durban,KZN] These Oceanic Bonito are Marlin food, and along with some flying fish that we saw, I am sure we will start getting Marlin early this season.
[Durban,KZN] These Oceanic Bonito are Marlin food, and along with some flying fish that we saw, I am sure we will start getting Marlin early this season.
Bonito are getting bigger. (9/22/2018)
[Durban,KZN] A strong west wind blew for about an hour during our trip and made for a very choppy sea and then all calmed down and the rain set in making us soaking wet
[Durban,KZN] A strong west wind blew for about an hour during our trip and made for a very choppy sea and then all calmed down and the rain set in making us soaking wet
Tuna, Tuna, Tuna, Fat Girl wins again. (9/13/2018)
[Durban,KZN] It was not long before we had our first bonnie on the line, then another and then another, the Bonnies are getting bigger now with a really nice one which was followed by a decent Yellowfin Tuna. After the excitement and 2 nice fish in the hatch and a bunch of others being caught I went to target my next spot and BINGO we all 9 lines go off at once
[Durban,KZN] It was not long before we had our first bonnie on the line, then another and then another, the Bonnies are getting bigger now with a really nice one which was followed by a decent Yellowfin Tuna. After the excitement and 2 nice fish in the hatch and a bunch of others being caught I went to target my next spot and BINGO we all 9 lines go off at once
10 Years of Charters (9/04/2018)
[Durban,KZN] 10 Years of charters. From humble beginnings on the 1st of September 2018, a small boat and 6 fishing rods we have overcome many obstacles to be here today.
[Durban,KZN] 10 Years of charters. From humble beginnings on the 1st of September 2018, a small boat and 6 fishing rods we have overcome many obstacles to be here today.
Good Tuna in a big swell (9/03/2018)
[Durban,KZN] The Bonnies have been thick this year and on our trip on Saturday afternoon we had some wild and crazy Bonnie action which broke all our previous records landing 34 Bonito in 30 minutes which was awesome fun on light tackle and the chaos and mayhem of so many fish happening at once just got everyone’s adrenalin pumping
[Durban,KZN] The Bonnies have been thick this year and on our trip on Saturday afternoon we had some wild and crazy Bonnie action which broke all our previous records landing 34 Bonito in 30 minutes which was awesome fun on light tackle and the chaos and mayhem of so many fish happening at once just got everyone’s adrenalin pumping
Tuna Quadruple Hook up. (8/21/2018)
[Durban,KZN] The fish were not behaving normally today and most were biting the lures very close behind the boat and not the ones further back, they were also jumping out the water at the lures making a great show and one could watch them jump and hit the surface lures and then watch the road bend and the reel zing.
[Durban,KZN] The fish were not behaving normally today and most were biting the lures very close behind the boat and not the ones further back, they were also jumping out the water at the lures making a great show and one could watch them jump and hit the surface lures and then watch the road bend and the reel zing.
Tuna for Fat Girl and Nawty Girl. (8/19/2018)
[Durban,KZN] Yesterday I don’t think there was a moment when someone was not fighting a Bonnie or all the lines out on the light tackle these are great fun
[Durban,KZN] Yesterday I don’t think there was a moment when someone was not fighting a Bonnie or all the lines out on the light tackle these are great fun
Tuna Again (8/10/2018)
[Durban,KZN] Then all the action stopped and we were being entertained by 2 Albatross trying to snatch our Shotgun lure and we were all calling to the Tuna, when all a sudden. BANG the shot gun rigger snapped and ZZZZZZZZZZ as the shot gun rod bent over properly and the reel started to sing
[Durban,KZN] Then all the action stopped and we were being entertained by 2 Albatross trying to snatch our Shotgun lure and we were all calling to the Tuna, when all a sudden. BANG the shot gun rigger snapped and ZZZZZZZZZZ as the shot gun rod bent over properly and the reel started to sing
Tuna are starting to make an appearance. (7/21/2018)
[Durban,KZN] Yesterday I saw some showings of larger fish which I thought were Yellowfin Tuna and so today we went out rigged accordingly with a plan and within 30 minutes we had a hook up
[Durban,KZN] Yesterday I saw some showings of larger fish which I thought were Yellowfin Tuna and so today we went out rigged accordingly with a plan and within 30 minutes we had a hook up
July Holidays (7/17/2018)
[Durban,KZN] . One on long trip we went down South and found a pocket of sardines with Sharks, Sailfish and Marlin smashing them, we managed to hook up ...
[Durban,KZN] . One on long trip we went down South and found a pocket of sardines with Sharks, Sailfish and Marlin smashing them, we managed to hook up ...
Winter Fishing Durban in June (7/07/2018)
[Durban,KZN] Bottom fishing in general has been really good with some really decent size fish coming out, Shark activity has been very high and we have been taxed of a number of good fish over the month.
[Durban,KZN] Bottom fishing in general has been really good with some really decent size fish coming out, Shark activity has been very high and we have been taxed of a number of good fish over the month.
The last weeks Fishing (5/31/2018)
[Durban,KZN] After taking some time off it is back to fishing, the last week has seen the water temperature off Durban go cold with today being 21.6deg.C. The last few trips have seen nice days but the mornings are getting cold and chilly so one has to layer up
[Durban,KZN] After taking some time off it is back to fishing, the last week has seen the water temperature off Durban go cold with today being 21.6deg.C. The last few trips have seen nice days but the mornings are getting cold and chilly so one has to layer up
A tough day (5/12/2018)
[Durban,KZN] We went all the way past Umdloti and only managed 2 bonnies and then we started doing some bottom fishing up North and made our way back to Durban reef by reef. The sinkers were ice cold
[Durban,KZN] We went all the way past Umdloti and only managed 2 bonnies and then we started doing some bottom fishing up North and made our way back to Durban reef by reef. The sinkers were ice cold
Short Mini Deep Trip (5/06/2018)
[Durban,KZN] Strange current direction again today but the water was nice and blue compared to green yesterday. It is chilly in the mornings but today warmed up quickly. Water temperature is dropping as we head into winter now. We trolled just over an hour on our way to the reef to see if we could get a nice Tuna
[Durban,KZN] Strange current direction again today but the water was nice and blue compared to green yesterday. It is chilly in the mornings but today warmed up quickly. Water temperature is dropping as we head into winter now. We trolled just over an hour on our way to the reef to see if we could get a nice Tuna
Short Backline Trip (5/05/2018)
[Durban,KZN] We had a short light tackle backline trip this morning but the dredger was busy in that area so I decided to go on the South side a little deeper.
[Durban,KZN] We had a short light tackle backline trip this morning but the dredger was busy in that area so I decided to go on the South side a little deeper.
Some good bottom fishing (4/29/2018)
[Durban,KZN] no game fish but did see a Sailfish jump in the same area on both days.
[Durban,KZN] no game fish but did see a Sailfish jump in the same area on both days.
Last trips of 40 something (4/25/2018)
[Durban,KZN] Our last 2 trips were half-day trips starting early morning and both days had a screaming reverse current making fishing very difficult even with nice flat seas. Mornings are getting chilly now and there is dew on the cars parked outside early every morning of late and so the signs are that we are well into autumn now and that winter is coming.
[Durban,KZN] Our last 2 trips were half-day trips starting early morning and both days had a screaming reverse current making fishing very difficult even with nice flat seas. Mornings are getting chilly now and there is dew on the cars parked outside early every morning of late and so the signs are that we are well into autumn now and that winter is coming.
Tuna on the bite today - Great fun on light tackle (4/15/2018)
[Durban,KZN] The Tuna had their own plans for us and we had non-stop Tuna action for most of the trip with 14 hook ups and landing .....
[Durban,KZN] The Tuna had their own plans for us and we had non-stop Tuna action for most of the trip with 14 hook ups and landing .....