Open Water Carnage

Cape Vidal

The Fishing Freaks are truly blessed to live in such a beautiful area. The East Coast of South Africa is warm through winter, hot in summer & teaming with pelagic gamefish. Being in Durban puts us just 2 hours south of the breath taking, Cape Vidal situated in the Isimangaliso Wetland Park.

Every year at the start of summer (November) the warm Mozambican current flows strong and close to the launch site bringing with it Mahi Mahi (Dorado), Marlin, Sailfish, King & Queen Mackerel, Yellow Fin Tuna and much more all within paddling distance.

With this constantly in the back of our minds, it’s tough fighting that urge to just jump in the car and take the 2 hour drive north. So we did it!

Cape Vidal does come with a paddlers WARNING! The current is extremely dangerous especially when the North East wind is blowing as this pushes the North to South current even faster and stronger, but this also brings in the fish. Only fit and experienced paddlers should dare launch Vidal. Vidal is best fished in a fresh South Westerly wind after 3 days of North Easterlies.

On that note, the conditions were just that and the fish were on the bite! Wez had two live cigar scads out on a simple steel trace with a single #2 lead hook and a #4 treble in the back with a shiny skirt on. After trying in vain to down rig the one livie with a 4oz sinker and very brittle elastic bands, Wez decided to leave the one (on his right) 6 feet from the back of his ski so his baits didn’t swim together and knot his line… The results? Well watch the video!

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