What to expect weather-wise and fish-wise throughout the year

I have borrowed unashamedly from Basie Ackerman’s monthly reports on SpearfishingSA to compile an idea of what happens at Aliwal throughout the year. For those who don’t know Aliwal Shoal, it is the remains of a fossilized sand-dune approximately 5km off the coast, lying between Umkomaas in the North and Scottburgh in the South. In Clansthal, the Greenpoint lighthouse informs passing shipping of the danger this reef poses. The NE pinnacle comes up to a mere 4m from the surface and can clearly be seen from a boat on a clear calm day. On a rough day, massive oceanic swells create intimidating and frightening waves over the pinnacle area.

The area from the NE pinnacle South toward Cathedral is the outer edge and is patrolled by record sized pelagics. This is definitely an area for the big 1.4m and custom built blue-water guns. It can only be accessed by boat. Conditions on the Shoal vary dramatically and it is therefore necessary to have an alert topman on the boat to assist the divers. I have summarized the reports to provide a succint picture of a year on the Shoal. The ideal conditions on the shoal would be a N to S current, clear water 20-30m viz and temperatures around 26 C or what is best described as Mocambique water!

My year starts in October. Traditionally SW fronts are moving up the coast making diving conditions unpleasant. But there is the promise toward the end of the month of temperatures increasing and the viz improving. Die-hard Spearos encounter Yellowfin Tuna (YFT), few Wahoo & Couta and the odd Sailfish or Marlin. In the deep, next to the reef (25m+) you may encounter Poensies. Kaakap and Sangoras may also be found around the reef at this time. For the experienced Spearo, there is the promise of Kob(similar to White Seabass/Mulloway) on the Nebo but the diving is deep 25m+. Those who just have to get into the Ocean should try the white water for Garrick, Brusher and Spotted Grunter. The weather is quite unpredictable at the beginning of October but should start settling toward the last week of the month.

Conditions in November can be quite changeable but expect more diveable days to come your way. You may still have to scratch for a good day but one good day can be expected per week with the situation definitely improving toward the end of the month. Species seen include Sailfish, Wahoo, Dorado and you could find an Ignobilis (Giant Trevally or GT) putting in an early appearance. Fortunate divers who are alert and properly geared up, could pick up Couta and may even find YFT or Marlin when conditions are suitable.

December and Christmas Holidays. This is really the start of the rainy season. Unfortunately the Ocean will not have settled to allow for continued good conditions. The system is improving becoming more settled but you can still expect some unpredictable and unpleasant conditions. Species found include Sailfish, Wahoo, Dorado, Couta and Ignobilis with more consistancy.

January is really when you can start to expect the conditions to be more in your favour than against. Species encountered: Couta, Dorado, YFT, Ignobilis, Striped Marlin. Inshore, right in the back of the breakers you could also find Natal Snoek (Queen Mackerel). One huge caveat! SAPPI SAICCOR effluent discharged upcurrent of the reef may turn diveable days into disasters. The Aliwal area is huge so look around for clean conditions.

February is an improvement on January. The SAICCOR problem persists. The end of Feb can be excellent as you approach the height of the Aliwal experience. Species: Couta, Black Marlin, Ignobilis, Sangoras. Baitfish indicate the presence of the big pelagics. Look for Kawakawa(Bonnies) breaching to get an idea of what sort of area to drift through.

March is the ultimate in the Aliwal calender. The perfect conditions exist for much of the time. Warm, clear fishy water(deep indigo). Current usually maintains the N to S direction. Snoek may be encountered inshore. Offshore expect Couta, Rainbow Runners, Yellowtail Kingfish and even Dogtooth Tuna. The 2007 season was particularly unpleasant after the middle of the month because of a freak set of circumstances. As fate would have it, the Autumn Equinox and Spring tide coincided(occurs every 18 years) and together with a nasty weather front wrought havoc along the shoreline bringing the otherwise idyllic conditions to an abrupt end.

The unusual conditions impacted on April making it quite variable. However Couta, Wahoo, Sailfish and Marlin were encountered and successfully landed. A shoal of Yellow-spotted Kingfish even put in an appearance on the shoal. You would be well advised to look for Garfish on the surface when planning your drift. Try to set up the drift through the area of activity.

May can be good, with conditions favouring the Spearo again. SAICCOR effect cannot be discounted though. Wahoo are at their peak this month but other species may also be encountered, including Ignobilis, Sangoras, Couta, Sailfish and Dorado. You may even encounter Black Marlin.

The poorer conditions are on their way in June. Expect to get only one day a week to dive. The water is cooling and viz deteriorating. Wahoo are still around, as are Couta, Dorado, Sailfish, YFT and Black Marlin. Kob may be found on the deeper wrecks. The ‘Produce’ is closed to Spearfishing. June also heralds the start of the Sardine migration so inshore activity may be mounting.

July represents very marginal diving. The odd Wahoo is still around. You may even encounter Sailfish, YFT and Black Marlin. Poensies in the deep again. The Sardine fever should be at a crescendo if they co-operate and make an appearance (the shoals can be very unpredictable sometimes).

August can be dismal. Viz is poor, the water is cold. The odd Wahoo or YFT may be seen by those really stoked to dive the Shoal but there is better diving to be had in the shallows what with Garrick, Brusher, Kob and Grunter putting in their appearances.

September heralds the back of Winter and the start of Spring but like a scorpion, it carries a final sting in the tail in the form of SW fronts making their way up the coast. At best, look for Kob on the ‘Nebo’ or hunt bottoms at any suitable reef you find, if the weather allows you into the Ocean.

The great thing about a Spearfishing site compared to a book is that entries can be updated regularly. I aim to modify the content of this article regularly so that in time, you could just take a quick look at it, to guesstimate the likely conditions and species encountered on Aliwal at any time.