24/03/2026
The History of the White Metal Spoon in Durban and KZN (1950s–1990s)
By S Marcus
From the 1950s onward, the coastline of Durban and the wider KwaZulu-Natal region developed one of South Africa’s most distinctive and enduring fishing traditions: spinning with the white metal spoon.
In the early 1950s, most anglers along Durban’s beaches, piers, and harbour relied primarily on bait fishing. Artificial lures, including early metal spoons, were present but not yet widely used. These spoons were often imported or crudely improvised from scrap metal or household items. At the time, lure fishing was seen as experimental and practiced by only a small group of anglers.
By the 1960s and into the 1970s, this began to change. The rise of shad (elf) fishing, combined with the annual sardine run along the KZN coast, created ideal conditions for lure fishing. Predatory fish feeding aggressively near the shore responded well to fast-moving, shiny lures. Anglers in Durban increasingly turned to spinning techniques—casting and retrieving metal spoons from beaches, river mouths, and rocky points.
It was during this period that the white metal spoon began to establish itself as a reliable and effective lure. Its success came from its simplicity: a curved, reflective piece of metal that mimicked a fleeing baitfish. The flash and vibration in the clear, warm waters of the Indian Ocean proved irresistible to a wide range of species.
By the late 1970s and into the 1980s, Durban anglers had begun to develop their own local versions of the spoon. Handmade spoons became common, crafted from stainless steel or, more traditionally, from tin or “white metal,” which provided a bright, highly reflective finish. Many anglers believed this white metal produced the best flash in the water, making it especially effective in clear conditions.
These spoons were carefully shaped and tuned by hand. Slight bends in the metal controlled the action, allowing the lure to wobble or dart depending on how it was retrieved. Each angler often had their own preferred shape and balance, refined through experience on the water.
The white metal spoon proved highly versatile and was used to target a variety of species along the KZN coast. Shad remained the most common catch, but anglers also regularly hooked garrick (leervis), kob, kingfish (including GTs), and queenfish. From rocky points and ledges, spoons were used to target more powerful predators such as snoek and couta (king mackerel), especially when these fish moved close inshore.
This style of fishing was closely tied to the use of the traditional KP reel, a simple and robust handline reel widely used in South Africa. Its direct retrieve allowed anglers to vary speed quickly, an important factor when working a spoon effectively through the surf or across reef structure.
By the 1980s and 1990s, the use of white metal spoons had become deeply embedded in Durban’s fishing culture. Many serious anglers preferred handmade spoons over commercial lures, often polishing them to a mirror finish and relying on just one or two trusted designs for years. Knowledge of how to shape, bend, and fish a spoon was passed down through generations, forming part of the region’s rich angling heritage.
In essence, the white metal spoon in Durban and KZN is more than just a fishing lure. It represents a practical, locally developed solution to the conditions of the coastline—simple, durable, and highly effective. From the beaches to the rocky points, and from shad to kingfish, snoek, and couta, it remains one of the most iconic tools in South African saltwater fishing.
