Dana Skunk and South African Sharks - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

10-17-2007, 11:08 PM

I fished Dana Point with my South African shark assistant,
Donovan this morning. Our day
started off warm, grey, and glassy.
But, soon turned to windy, rainy,
and barely fishable. In other words,
we got skunked.

However, speaking of sharks, Donovan--
who grew up Shark-fishing in
Durban--reflected back on that
Mako we caught the other day in
La Jolla:
Back in Durban, they would
have kept that puppy Mako alive,
put 2 hooks in it, thrown it
off of either North or South Durban
harbor entrance piers to fish for "Zambezees."
Meaning, Bull Sharks. Normally,
a Bull hasn't a chance of catching
a Mako, but once that Mako is
stressed and on the end of your
line, it's easy prey for the big boys.
Typically, the Bulls range from 500
to 1000lbs.
The entrance piers are each a mile
long. Hooking an average Bull would
tax the angler for a couple of
hours. And, after a long walk, the
fight would end on the shore at
the base of the piers.
Zambezees weren't the only sharks
fished for. There were plenty of
"White Deaths" (or Blue Pointers) and
Grey Sharks.
Donovan shared this image with me
of Wyn Moxley with his huge 1,480lb
White Death Shark hooked on the South
Pier and landed on the stretch of beach
at the base of the pier. Wyn used a bamboo
rod, 18 cord flax line and whale meat for
bait. It took him 2 hours to land his catch.

Huge sharks aren't the only target of Durban
anglers. Shad, salmon, 'couta, snoek, kingfish,
queenfish, garrick and skates are commonly
found in these waters.
And you thought we have it good?
(Lamb, you like?)

gary sullivan · 10-18-2007, 06:05 AM

Come on now! You're sure that monster isn't Photoshopped in.

10-18-2007, 06:43 AM

Gary,

I've got more photos.
Other Durban anglers with
other huge sharks caught
off those piers. Really.

lamb · 10-18-2007, 07:44 AM

Impressive...

I like a lot.

You make a great read out of anything...

Did you eat those cheap lobster mackerel?

Check the bag for "not for human consumption" label.

Kevin · 10-18-2007, 08:23 AM

That is the best "skunk" post I've ever read. Combine that with your report/recipe posts on another site and you are becoming one of my favorite posters.

Come to think of it, someone needs to host a fish and 'Q, land it and cook it challenge. Oh man I'd could go for being a judge of that one.

Kevin

BrendanM · 10-18-2007, 11:29 AM

Like the reel. Looks like an Alvey. Hell of a fish from shore. That must have been pretty gnarly landing it.

gary sullivan · 10-18-2007, 11:34 AM

Yani, I believe you. I just like to tease those Texan's, South African's and Aussies that boast of having the biggest everything.

10-19-2007, 07:26 AM

Here's so more:

During WWII, both the North and South
piers were closed. But that didn't stop
dedicated shark fisherman Fred Bennet,
from fishing at night next to the piers.
Somehow he persuded another young
angler, Alby Upton, into paddling his
"paddle-ski" out with Fred's whale-baited
line in hand. Alby surf launched in pitch dark
shark-infested-waters, a quarter mile off
shore to drop the bait. Which was instantly
hit. Then, Alby would use a torch light
to get him back to the beach.

The photo below shows how busy Alby was
one night in 1942. Fred caught 6 grey sharks
and one blue pointer. This was the scene
the following morning.

esdees · 10-19-2007, 10:41 AM

That's insane.

kurt · 10-19-2007, 01:46 PM

I get tired reeling in pup threshers.

Handymansd · 10-19-2007, 02:38 PM

Wow...

O' what a night.... late december back in 42....

hey, isn't that a song?

twitchy · 10-19-2007, 03:08 PM

I am from Durban and have surfed there and seen the toothy fellows out there. I feel pretty safe paddeling out at La Jolla in the dark, but South Africa.......... not so much. A year or two ago, a guy lost his leg fishing in knee deep water next to the south pier......

10-18-2007, 07:44 AM	#4
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	Impressive... I like a lot. You make a great read out of anything... Did you eat those cheap lobster mackerel? Check the bag for "not for human consumption" label. __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

10-19-2007, 02:38 PM	#11
Handymansd Ancient Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: On The Water Posts: 935	Wow... O' what a night.... late december back in 42.... hey, isn't that a song? __________________ All men are equal before fish. -Herbert Hoover

10-18-2007, 06:05 AM	#2
gary sullivan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: spring valley Posts: 192	Come on now! You're sure that monster isn't Photoshopped in.

10-18-2007, 08:23 AM	#5
Kevin Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 78	That is the best "skunk" post I've ever read. Combine that with your report/recipe posts on another site and you are becoming one of my favorite posters. Come to think of it, someone needs to host a fish and 'Q, land it and cook it challenge. Oh man I'd could go for being a judge of that one. Kevin

10-18-2007, 11:29 AM	#6
BrendanM Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4	Like the reel. Looks like an Alvey. Hell of a fish from shore. That must have been pretty gnarly landing it.

10-18-2007, 11:34 AM	#7
gary sullivan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: spring valley Posts: 192	Yani, I believe you. I just like to tease those Texan's, South African's and Aussies that boast of having the biggest everything.

10-19-2007, 10:41 AM	#9
esdees The Good Clone Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Clairemont Posts: 520	That's insane.

10-19-2007, 01:46 PM	#10
kurt Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: 2 inches above sea level Posts: 503	I get tired reeling in pup threshers.

10-19-2007, 03:08 PM	#12
twitchy Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 61	I am from Durban and have surfed there and seen the toothy fellows out there. I feel pretty safe paddeling out at La Jolla in the dark, but South Africa.......... not so much. A year or two ago, a guy lost his leg fishing in knee deep water next to the south pier......