So just how many species are possible in 5 days?

As a super strategic wired person, I have planned, re-planned and the run through my strategy for Sodwana so many times in these last few weeks. Essentially there are three macro approaches to a session. Whilst there is a little overlap, each approach requires dedication and persistence.

Spinning with slow retrieve jigs, drop shot and other plastics is an entire session on its own. I have set aside three sessions to exclusively focus on this type of fishing. It will require the use of only two rigs, the 7.3ft Supernova UL w/ C3000 Vanford and the 8ft Vengeance H w/ Slammer 3500. Between these two I can throw jigs from 15g - 60g and all the plastics in between. I am thinking of stopping in at Richards Bay en route to Sodwana for a quick morning spinning session at either Pelican Island or under the bridge with the Supernova/Vanford/3"jerk minnow combo.

The second type of fishing will be bait fishing at the ledges in front of Mseni Lodge. This is where I have the greatest chance to pick up the most species. Easy targets like Cave Bass, Cat-face Rockcod etc and some of the trickier species like Lemonfish and Speckled Snapper are all on the target list. I will be keeping this really simple with only three rigs. The 15ft Horizon Zero H w/ Stella 14000, the 14ft Evo Zero MH w/ Slammer 6500 and the Vengeance w/ Slammer 3500. The ledges have gaps in between that allow for species like Giant Guitarfish and Brown (Sharp-nose) Skate and so the Horizon Zero is necessary for pulling power. The Vengeance is along to ensure that there is always a spinning option if necessary.

The third type of fishing will be in the bay, approx one kilometre north of the launch site at Jesser's point. The variety here is also amazing and so this will entail four rigs. Firstly, the trusty 14ft Technium Elite w/ Trinidad 30 for sliding. This is thrown with an 8oz grapnel the moment we arrive and allowed to sit and dig in. There are more than a few live bait options for sliding here including Striped Threadfin, 3spot Pompano and Bonefish. Thats where the 13ft Bluefish Zero w/ Slammer 5500 and the 8ft Vengeance w/ Slammer 3500 come in. I will be throwing small chokka baits and small lures to try and get a live bait to slide. The targets that take a live bait include Lemon Shark, Tiger Shark, Blacktip Shark and there is always the chance of a monster Giant Trevally. Whilst this is all going on it is always good to have a smaller Giant Guitarfish/Flatfish bait out on the Horizon. Targets here include the Diamond Skate, Honey-comb Stingray, Giant Guitarfish and Brown Skate.

All this said I think I now have a fairly realistic approach to the trip. If I do a little morning session at Richards Bay, there is the chance of adding between 2 and 5 species that I wouldn't have caught at Sodwana. Fish such as Bartailed Flathead, Walla-walla etc are more estuarine species so better at Richards Bay.

Spinning at Sodwana is so hit and miss. At the top end I could end up with up to 8 species this way but could also only hit 4. I feel like at least two kingfish species, 3spot pompano and one another are almost guaranteed.

Off the ledges with bait is also so hard to predict really well. On the top end, up to 10 species is very possible with varied baits and traces but 4 species are virtually guaranteed including Cave Bass, a rockcod species and then two other small edibles.

In the Bay it is sort of binary. If you catch, its great. However, you can easily blank. I think 5 species would be incredible here with 2 being the minimum. That leaves at the bottom end a target list of 12 species and an upper limit of 25 (due to the spinning overlap between Richards Bay and Sodwana). 12 species would still be an amazing accomplishment as it would mean more than one species per session.

Lets see how it all pans out!!