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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Good Tuna and Wahoo (4/13/2018)
[Durban,KZN] We launched this morning into a strong NE wind that the forecast said would die out early and the day was supposed to be stunning, but it did not happen
[Durban,KZN] We launched this morning into a strong NE wind that the forecast said would die out early and the day was supposed to be stunning, but it did not happen
Fun Family Fishing Trip (4/11/2018)
[Durban,KZN] In the end the whole family had a great day out with a lot of fun even though there was a little rain from time to time.
[Durban,KZN] In the end the whole family had a great day out with a lot of fun even though there was a little rain from time to time.
Black Marlin 3-2-1 - Released (4/09/2018)
[Durban,KZN] What a day we had today, we launched this morning to look for a Marlin into a 12knot NE wind which just got stronger as the day went on until it peaked at about 28knots. Water was warm and light green. We headed about 70km out to our selected grounds
[Durban,KZN] What a day we had today, we launched this morning to look for a Marlin into a 12knot NE wind which just got stronger as the day went on until it peaked at about 28knots. Water was warm and light green. We headed about 70km out to our selected grounds
Sharks on Light Spinning Tackle. (4/04/2018)
[Durban,KZN] These are fun trips for a family outing just to enjoy each other outdoors and have a blast, not serious fishing
[Durban,KZN] These are fun trips for a family outing just to enjoy each other outdoors and have a blast, not serious fishing
Dorado on the bite today (4/04/2018)
[Durban,KZN] The sea was calm and flat, like glass, it was too nice, it is the conditions we always dream about and when we actually get to fish these days which happen so seldom one has to change ones tactics to get more action on the lures
[Durban,KZN] The sea was calm and flat, like glass, it was too nice, it is the conditions we always dream about and when we actually get to fish these days which happen so seldom one has to change ones tactics to get more action on the lures
The Taxman cometh and taketh away. (4/03/2018)
[Durban,KZN] then a little further out I saw schools of bait fish, I had just gone over a known pinnacle when I saw bait fish flying on my right and some big swirls and I swung the boat towards this and it was not long before the shot gun went
[Durban,KZN] then a little further out I saw schools of bait fish, I had just gone over a known pinnacle when I saw bait fish flying on my right and some big swirls and I swung the boat towards this and it was not long before the shot gun went
Kids Fishing - 3 Generations and over 200 fish (3/31/2018)
[Durban,KZN] He had a whale of a time and caught 44 fish with over
[Durban,KZN] He had a whale of a time and caught 44 fish with over
Two Dolly Birds and a Hoo. (3/29/2018)
[Durban,KZN] Today I had the pleasure of hosting one of my oldest and longest standing customers and his 7yr old son who has been booking charters with me since my first small charter boat 10 years ago. Over many trips and years we are good friends. It was really great trying to remember all the different trips over the years.
[Durban,KZN] Today I had the pleasure of hosting one of my oldest and longest standing customers and his 7yr old son who has been booking charters with me since my first small charter boat 10 years ago. Over many trips and years we are good friends. It was really great trying to remember all the different trips over the years.
5hrs, 4 Countries, 3 Fish. (3/27/2018)
[Durban,KZN] We had an interesting group of guys today from 4 countries to attend a wedding. Belgium, Australia, UK. We launched at 06h00 for a short 5hr charter, by 07h30 we already had 2 x
[Durban,KZN] We had an interesting group of guys today from 4 countries to attend a wedding. Belgium, Australia, UK. We launched at 06h00 for a short 5hr charter, by 07h30 we already had 2 x
Good Bottoms in a Strong Current (3/25/2018)
[Durban,KZN] the west wind was blowing stiff with a small but choppy sea we made our way out to look for some game fish. The reverse current was screaming at 6 knots
[Durban,KZN] the west wind was blowing stiff with a small but choppy sea we made our way out to look for some game fish. The reverse current was screaming at 6 knots
Triple up Dorado (3/17/2018)
[Durban,KZN] Launching at 06h00 just as the rain started to lift the day started out wet and turned into a stunning day
[Durban,KZN] Launching at 06h00 just as the rain started to lift the day started out wet and turned into a stunning day
Autumn Game Fish Grand Slam (3/14/2018)
[Durban,KZN] With summer behind us we are now in Autumn, my favourite fishing time of the year. What a stunning morning with dead flat seas and a very slight wind we made our way out to the deep to look for a Blue Marlin by the mountain
[Durban,KZN] With summer behind us we are now in Autumn, my favourite fishing time of the year. What a stunning morning with dead flat seas and a very slight wind we made our way out to the deep to look for a Blue Marlin by the mountain
Another Black Marlin for Fat Girl (3/11/2018)
[Durban,KZN] It’s been a frustrating 3 weeks and the water has not been that great with screaming currents, green water inside and wind from every direction, water temperatures have varied from 22deg.C – 28deg.C and out in the deep the flying fish and squid are plentiful. We have not seen a Dorado or Wahoo since early February
[Durban,KZN] It’s been a frustrating 3 weeks and the water has not been that great with screaming currents, green water inside and wind from every direction, water temperatures have varied from 22deg.C – 28deg.C and out in the deep the flying fish and squid are plentiful. We have not seen a Dorado or Wahoo since early February
A Big Lady, the one that got away, the Tuna and a Shark. (2/05/2018)
[Durban,KZN] We had 3 long trips from Friday through to Sunday with various guests from the UK and Austria, our team consisted of Erik, Kurt and myself. On Friday we launched very early so we could be back well in time before the big South West wind came through and this worked out well
[Durban,KZN] We had 3 long trips from Friday through to Sunday with various guests from the UK and Austria, our team consisted of Erik, Kurt and myself. On Friday we launched very early so we could be back well in time before the big South West wind came through and this worked out well
About the Turtle and the Yellowfin (1/29/2018)
[Durban,KZN] This weekend was very frustrating with the weather reports getting it totally wrong, On Saturday light NE winds were forecast and we launched early for a 5 hour trip,
[Durban,KZN] This weekend was very frustrating with the weather reports getting it totally wrong, On Saturday light NE winds were forecast and we launched early for a 5 hour trip,
Game Fish Grand SLam (1/26/2018)
[Durban,KZN] Today was a vast improvement and the strong SW winds have brought us some warmer and cleaner water and it looks like things will start getting better. We had a short 5hour charter today with nice results
[Durban,KZN] Today was a vast improvement and the strong SW winds have brought us some warmer and cleaner water and it looks like things will start getting better. We had a short 5hour charter today with nice results
A Big Honeycomb Skate in the Harbour. (1/13/2018)
[Durban,KZN] We had two 5 hour harbour trips and had some great fun, catching a bunch of .......
[Durban,KZN] We had two 5 hour harbour trips and had some great fun, catching a bunch of .......
Black Marlin Afternoon (1/10/2018)
[Durban,KZN] I knew when the Wahoo and Bonnies started coming around we would be getting a Black very soon. A very happy angler with his first Marlin, and our Marlin account opened for 2018. Well done Henk, you fought your Marlin like a pro.
[Durban,KZN] I knew when the Wahoo and Bonnies started coming around we would be getting a Black very soon. A very happy angler with his first Marlin, and our Marlin account opened for 2018. Well done Henk, you fought your Marlin like a pro.
Wahoo again (1/09/2018)
[Durban,KZN] If Wahoo are around then Black Marlin are around so the clock is ticking and it will be game on soon, the next 4 months from now until April is the best time for Marlin in Durban.
[Durban,KZN] If Wahoo are around then Black Marlin are around so the clock is ticking and it will be game on soon, the next 4 months from now until April is the best time for Marlin in Durban.
Dad's Dorado (1/08/2018)
[Durban,KZN] With a short morning trip that had to be split between game fishing and bottoms we shot out early in the morning and by 06h30 we had a .....
[Durban,KZN] With a short morning trip that had to be split between game fishing and bottoms we shot out early in the morning and by 06h30 we had a .....
Wahoo Account opened for 2018. (1/08/2018)
[Durban,KZN] The conditions have been improving and there is a lot of clean warm water around, especially out in the deep. Inshore has been very quiet and we have had to travel a fair distance to get fish.
[Durban,KZN] The conditions have been improving and there is a lot of clean warm water around, especially out in the deep. Inshore has been very quiet and we have had to travel a fair distance to get fish.
First Dorado for 2018 (1/03/2018)
[Durban,KZN] With a stiff SW wind and unsettled seas from the SW Buster the day before we made our way out for a short morning trip, we eventually found some nice clean warm water
[Durban,KZN] With a stiff SW wind and unsettled seas from the SW Buster the day before we made our way out for a short morning trip, we eventually found some nice clean warm water
Last Dat out in 2017 (1/01/2018)
[Durban,KZN] Both Fat Girl and Nawty Girl made their way out of port early on the 31st to do their last trips for 2017 after a very busy week. It was a stunning day with great conditions, warm clear water, light winds and flat seas.
[Durban,KZN] Both Fat Girl and Nawty Girl made their way out of port early on the 31st to do their last trips for 2017 after a very busy week. It was a stunning day with great conditions, warm clear water, light winds and flat seas.
Best of the West (12/28/2017)
[Durban,KZN] we made our way out deep and headed south, we found warm, clear purple water just under 26deg.C. Birds diving and hovering, flying fish, bait schools and lots of small tuna jumping everywhere; we were excited and were expecting something big
[Durban,KZN] we made our way out deep and headed south, we found warm, clear purple water just under 26deg.C. Birds diving and hovering, flying fish, bait schools and lots of small tuna jumping everywhere; we were excited and were expecting something big
Lonely Dorado - Fishing Report – Durban – 26-12-2017 (12/26/2017)
[Durban,KZN] After yesterdays wind the water was all green again but it was warm with temperatures from 24.3deg.C to 24.8deg.C.
[Durban,KZN] After yesterdays wind the water was all green again but it was warm with temperatures from 24.3deg.C to 24.8deg.C.
Early Morning Tuna Bite (12/24/2017)
[Durban,KZN] Today was one of those great mornings, flat seas and warm water at almost 25deg.C and very clean with a slight current. We had a 5 hour Mini Deep Sea so it was not a trip out to the deep
[Durban,KZN] Today was one of those great mornings, flat seas and warm water at almost 25deg.C and very clean with a slight current. We had a 5 hour Mini Deep Sea so it was not a trip out to the deep
Little Guy Loves Fishing (12/18/2017)
[Durban,KZN] he had so much fun on Nawty Girl and caught a.......
[Durban,KZN] he had so much fun on Nawty Girl and caught a.......
Tuna off the bottom - Offshore Fishing Report – Durban – 17-12-2017 (12/17/2017)
[Durban,KZN] Sea conditions were ideal for bottom fishing today with a 1-2knot S-N current and a very light SE wind, so light that one could hear a ship’s engines from 2 miles away.
[Durban,KZN] Sea conditions were ideal for bottom fishing today with a 1-2knot S-N current and a very light SE wind, so light that one could hear a ship’s engines from 2 miles away.
Miles of ocean and one Hot Spot (12/12/2017)
[Durban,KZN] Inshore the water was cold and well under 23deg.C and so we headed out to deeper waters and eventually on the 200m Ballito side we found a warm patch of clear water with 24.5deg.C which was about 5km long in a sort of oval shape about 3km wide. So a rather strange patch of water that had a lot of activity and we got fish, at 08h00 we started up with a triple up .....
[Durban,KZN] Inshore the water was cold and well under 23deg.C and so we headed out to deeper waters and eventually on the 200m Ballito side we found a warm patch of clear water with 24.5deg.C which was about 5km long in a sort of oval shape about 3km wide. So a rather strange patch of water that had a lot of activity and we got fish, at 08h00 we started up with a triple up .....
A Stormy Dorado into the backing (12/11/2017)
[Durban,KZN] The water was not that clean and but over a wreck in about 80m of water I saw some good fish showing on the sounder, but they were not coming up even after several passes, so we moved away, I saw no evidence of game fish anywhere else so decided to persist on the 80m wreck and after the 2nd pass the reel started screaming and line was peeling off.
[Durban,KZN] The water was not that clean and but over a wreck in about 80m of water I saw some good fish showing on the sounder, but they were not coming up even after several passes, so we moved away, I saw no evidence of game fish anywhere else so decided to persist on the 80m wreck and after the 2nd pass the reel started screaming and line was peeling off.
Got the Hammer by the Tail (11/26/2017)
[Durban,KZN] . It was not long after we set our lines at about 06h00 when one of the reels started screaming with a serious bend in the rod and a big fight followed, I thought it was a large Yellowfin Tuna by the way the line went deep and about 1 hour later we found that we had tail hooked.......
[Durban,KZN] . It was not long after we set our lines at about 06h00 when one of the reels started screaming with a serious bend in the rod and a big fight followed, I thought it was a large Yellowfin Tuna by the way the line went deep and about 1 hour later we found that we had tail hooked.......
A good tuna in bad water (11/21/2017)
[Durban,KZN] On the way out the port right at the South Pier we spotted a large GT of about 30Kg dashing through the swells breaking over the sand bank.
[Durban,KZN] On the way out the port right at the South Pier we spotted a large GT of about 30Kg dashing through the swells breaking over the sand bank.
Offshore Fishing Report Nawty Girl Maiden Charter Durban 05-11-2017 (11/05/2017)
[Durban,KZN] Today Nawty Girl did her first charter and it ended with pleasant results.
[Durban,KZN] Today Nawty Girl did her first charter and it ended with pleasant results.
Offshore Fishing Report Durban 02-09-2017 (9/04/2017)
[Durban,KZN] Looks like we may get an early start to our game fish season this year and if conditions continue like this we may even see a Dorado being caught on some boat during September and I anticipate some nice Yellowfin Tuna very soon. Marlin love these Skipjack so if the food is already here.......We wait and hope
[Durban,KZN] Looks like we may get an early start to our game fish season this year and if conditions continue like this we may even see a Dorado being caught on some boat during September and I anticipate some nice Yellowfin Tuna very soon. Marlin love these Skipjack so if the food is already here.......We wait and hope
Offshore Fishing Report Durban 4 June 2017 (6/04/2017)
[Durban,KZN] I was expecting it to be cooler and am also anticipating seeing the first Whales arriving at anytime
[Durban,KZN] I was expecting it to be cooler and am also anticipating seeing the first Whales arriving at anytime
Offshore Fishing Report Durban 27 May 2017 (5/29/2017)
[Durban,KZN] There was loads of Skipjack Tuna (Oceanic Bonito) around and they provided some great lighter tackle fishing fun for everyone on board
[Durban,KZN] There was loads of Skipjack Tuna (Oceanic Bonito) around and they provided some great lighter tackle fishing fun for everyone on board
Offshore Fishing Report Durban 19/20 May 2017 (5/21/2017)
[Durban,KZN] bottom fishing got some nice results with some interesting species
[Durban,KZN] bottom fishing got some nice results with some interesting species
Offshore Fishing Report Durban 17 May 2017 (5/17/2017)
[Durban,KZN] It was only a short morning charter and we had 2 very unusual catches ......
[Durban,KZN] It was only a short morning charter and we had 2 very unusual catches ......
Fishing Report Durban 5 May 2017 (5/06/2017)
[Durban,KZN] with the exception of a sailfish that made itself known but showed very little interest after that.
[Durban,KZN] with the exception of a sailfish that made itself known but showed very little interest after that.
Fishing Report Durban 25-30 April 2017 (4/30/2017)
[Durban,KZN] The worst thing happened on Tuesday with a ....... hooks pulled ...... The highlight of the long weekend was a magnificent ....... caught on Saturday
[Durban,KZN] The worst thing happened on Tuesday with a ....... hooks pulled ...... The highlight of the long weekend was a magnificent ....... caught on Saturday
Fishing Report Durban 22-04-2017 (4/24/2017)
[Durban,KZN] I must make note that this was done on very light tackle and it was not long before the reel was screaming and an hour later with an epic light tackle fight
[Durban,KZN] I must make note that this was done on very light tackle and it was not long before the reel was screaming and an hour later with an epic light tackle fight
Jozini Tiger Fishing Report - 22 April 2017 (4/24/2017)
[Pongolapoort Dam,KZN] This time the fish started biting immediately and first cast got us a good fish and we ended the day with a total of 23 fish. I got a really big hit during this session but to my frustration my rod snapped and the fish was lost. In the last 30 minutes as the sun was setting down low we tried for a last fish to try get to 24 but the bite went quiet. All the fish we caught were safely released.
[Pongolapoort Dam,KZN] This time the fish started biting immediately and first cast got us a good fish and we ended the day with a total of 23 fish. I got a really big hit during this session but to my frustration my rod snapped and the fish was lost. In the last 30 minutes as the sun was setting down low we tried for a last fish to try get to 24 but the bite went quiet. All the fish we caught were safely released.
Offshore Fishing Report Durban 16-04-2017 (4/18/2017)
[Durban,KZN] Easter weekend brought us a cold front and some strong SW winds and so we were only able to do one of our trips
[Durban,KZN] Easter weekend brought us a cold front and some strong SW winds and so we were only able to do one of our trips
Offshore Fishing Report Durban 11-04-2017 (4/11/2017)
[Durban,KZN] We had some guests from Sweden today, sea conditions were great, water reasonably clear but the temperature is slowly dropping with today at 23.3deg.C.
[Durban,KZN] We had some guests from Sweden today, sea conditions were great, water reasonably clear but the temperature is slowly dropping with today at 23.3deg.C.
Offshore Fishing Report Durban 09-04-2017 (4/09/2017)
[Durban,KZN] With it being school holidays we have had many children along on our charters and today was no exception. I always love the pure joy that oozes out of them when they catch a fish, it's contagious and one ends up in a great mood feeling happy.
[Durban,KZN] With it being school holidays we have had many children along on our charters and today was no exception. I always love the pure joy that oozes out of them when they catch a fish, it's contagious and one ends up in a great mood feeling happy.
Offshore Fishing Report Durban 08-04-2017 (4/08/2017)
[Durban,KZN] Light NE winds made for nice seas and water colour not to bad but not as blue as we like it. The water temps are starting to drop as we are in autumn already and were just under 24 deg.C. The fishing turned out great today with a lot of fish
[Durban,KZN] Light NE winds made for nice seas and water colour not to bad but not as blue as we like it. The water temps are starting to drop as we are in autumn already and were just under 24 deg.C. The fishing turned out great today with a lot of fish
Offshore Fishing Report Durban - 05/04/2017 (4/06/2017)
[Durban,KZN] A short trip inshore for some young boys proved to be great fun on light spinning tackle and a great day out, sea conditions were Ok
[Durban,KZN] A short trip inshore for some young boys proved to be great fun on light spinning tackle and a great day out, sea conditions were Ok
Jozini Tiger Fishing Report: 31 March-3 April 2017 (4/05/2017)
[Pongolapoort Dam,KZN] For 4 days we fished morning and afternoon sessions spending about 8hrs on the water each day. Sadly the water was the colour of coffee and we had no luck with the lures, even 4cm into the water and one could not see the lure and so we decided to switch to bait fishing on anchor instead. The early mornings had a slight nip in the air, but by 8am it was hot and the afternoons were extremely hot with very high temperatures.
[Pongolapoort Dam,KZN] For 4 days we fished morning and afternoon sessions spending about 8hrs on the water each day. Sadly the water was the colour of coffee and we had no luck with the lures, even 4cm into the water and one could not see the lure and so we decided to switch to bait fishing on anchor instead. The early mornings had a slight nip in the air, but by 8am it was hot and the afternoons were extremely hot with very high temperatures.
Offshore Fishing Report Durban - 25-03-2017 (3/28/2017)
[Durban,KZN] With overcast conditions, rain and low barometric pressure we were not expecting anything to bite, in the end we came home with a few fish, not the best day out, but we did not skunk.
[Durban,KZN] With overcast conditions, rain and low barometric pressure we were not expecting anything to bite, in the end we came home with a few fish, not the best day out, but we did not skunk.
Offshore Fishing Report - Durban - 24/03/2017 (3/24/2017)
[Durban,KZN] Game Fish Grand slam on Fat Girl with Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna and SkipJack
[Durban,KZN] Game Fish Grand slam on Fat Girl with Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna and SkipJack