SA BASS Oct-19

October 2019

Issue 222

Line

Signals RSA: R39.50 (incl. VAT) Other Countries: R34.35 (Tax excl.)

JERKBAITS 18

after the pre-spawn

S AR YE

www.sabass.com Bass in the wind | Cold fronts | De Voetpadskloof | Drop me off | Fishing could ruin your holiday | Interne faktore Smoking the grass for bass | FLW RSA National Championship 2019 | Jerkbait fever | Morning, noon and night How close is too close? | Mojo-rig fishing | Basics for beginners and more

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GET YOUR FAVOURITE SA Bass MAGAZINE In hierdie uitgawe is daar verskeie oulike artikels en een wat ek nogal geniet het, was die een oor swartbaarhengel met ‘n handlyn (bladsy 34).

Ander artikels deur ervare skrywers vertel meer van hoe en waar om swartbaars nou te gaan uitoorlê.

Daar is ook ‘n verslag oor ons pas afgelope en baie suksesvolle FLW Suid-Afrikaans Nasionale Kampioenskap wat SA BASS aangebied het. Hiermee het ons weereens ‘n mylpaal behaal. ‘n Groot woord van dank en waardering teenoor al ons vennote en borge wat gehelp het om hierdie kampioenskap tot ‘n volgende vlak te neem. Ook baie dankie aan elke hengelaar, en sy ondersteuners, wat die geleentheid bygewoon het. Baie geluk aan die wenners in al die verskeie kategorieë.

Teen die einde van hierdie maand, Oktober, vertrek ‘n span hengelaars om FLW Suid-Afrika amptelik op internasionale vlak op Lake Cumberland, Kentucky te gaan verteenwoordig. Daar gaan tien lande en soveel as 450 hengelaars van die wêreld se beste swartbaarhengelaars sake uitspook vir ‘n beperkte hoeveelheid “slots” na volgende jaar se Forrest Wood Cup in Augustus.

Ongelukkig, terwyl ons met die FLW kampioenskap besig was, het sosiale media gegons oor die onaavaarbare gebeure by Loskopdam. Sover my kennis strek, is dit juis natuurbewaring se taak om toe sien dat die wet toegepas word en dat ons natuurlike hulpbronne beskerm word. Nou is dit juis van hulle senior amptenare wat betrokke is met die skiet van teëlvisse by Loskopdam onder die dekmantel van “navorsing”. Nou meneer; wat is die doel en taak dan van ons land se erkende visbioloë, Dr. Olaf Weyl en Dr. Dean Impson en hulle onderskeie departemente?

Ons hele land se natuurlike hulpbronbedreiging is baie groter en strek wyer as Loskopdam se duikers. Onder andere: daar is onwettige nette, wat juis deur die einste Mpumalanga amptenaar voorgestaan word, wat ons inheemse kurpers uitwis. Dan is daar die Vaalrivier waar rou riool direk in die rivier vloei. Wat van die omploeg van ons vleilande wat omskep word in steenkoolmynhope? Skielik en kamstig is die enigste en grootste oorsaak van al hierdie gemors een klein vissie, naamlik ‘n swartbaar! Werklik?

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SA BASS 01 October 2019

Contents SA BASS Magazine

is published monthly (12 issues per annum)

by WJ Lindeque cc t/a BB Print (CK99/23366/23)

Office Hours:

Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 08:15 to 16:15

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Editor:

Hannes Lindeque - hannes@sabass.com

Assistant Editor:

Philip Kemp - philip@sabass.com

Senior Writers:

Roger Donaldson, Jay Röhm-Williams, Gordon Brown

Contributors:

Divan Coetzee, Ivan Sonnekus, Dylan Wheeler

International Columnists:

Curtis Niedermier, TJ Maglio, Bertrand Ngim, Clint Skinner, Matt Williams, Tyler Brinks, Anthony Hawkswell

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REGULARS & FORUMS 04

“Jerkbaits after the pre-spawn” Jerkbaits have developed a rich history of exploiting staging bass in late winter and early spring, but some pros have learned that pre-spawn isn’t the only time when the rhythmic dance of a hard-body minnow can help you add some big weight to the live-well – Matt Williams

06

“How close is too close?”

Like it or not, dealing with crowds is part of tournament fishing. We all share water, and we all need to handle encounters with other anglers in a way that’s fair and respectful.

– Jim Tutt

About SA BASS magazine:

SA BASS, which is editorially and financially independent, is a monthly magazine catering exclusively for the bass angling community in Southern Africa.

SA BASS is distributed country-wide

by RNA to outlets, not only in South Africa, but also in Namibia, Swaziland and Botswana.

SA BASS is designed as a specialist bass fishing publication and has catered for a well-defined niche market since April 2001. It enjoys the support and endorsement of non-government organisations, but is not affiliated in any way to these bodies or to any other publishing, environmental or political interest group.

Our mission is to promote bass angling as a socially acceptable and popular outdoor recreational activity, and in addition, to encourage acceptable angling ethics. As such, SA BASS provides pertinent information on a wide range of subjects. These include providing a platform for informed debate on issues affecting the sport of bass angling, providing information on bass angling strategies and techniques, bass angling waters and opportunities, and also creating awareness of new products.

Within this editorial mix, due consideration is given to developing the 02 SA BASS October 2019

sport among all the country’s people (including the youth), and to the practical conservation of the country’s natural resources.

Copyright is expressly reserved and nothing may be reproduced in part or whole without the permission of the publisher. All enquiries regarding editorial correspondence, manuscripts and photographs should be directed to: editor@sabass.com Address contributions to the editor.

Manuscripts, photos and artwork will be handled with care, but their safety cannot be guaranteed. Enclose a stamped, self addressed envelope with all editorial submissions.

The publisher and editorial staff are not responsible for researching and investigating the accuracy or copy right of the material provided for publication in SA BASS magazine. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this magazine, the publisher does not accept responsibility for omissions or errors or their consequences. Readers are advised to use this information with the understanding that it is at their own risk. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher, the editor, editorial staff or SA BASS Society.

12

“Smoking the grass for bass” Smoking the grass is a term that describes a fast method of retrieving your lure. To “burn” the lure on your retrieve would be the same thing – Roger Donaldson

How to use QR-codes 1. Open the QR-code reader/scanner app on your smartphone. Most smartphones models often have an app pre-installed. If not, visit your phone’s app store and download the app.

2. Keep a steady hand while the QR-code is centred on the screen.

3. As soon as it is done scanning, whatever information should present itself for your viewing pleasure.

14

“Mojo-rig fishing” One of the most efficient ways of finesse fishing is arguably the Mojo-rig. The Mojorig can be used to fish all types of structure.

– Richard Dunn

28

“Interne faktore” Behalwe vir die regte toerusting en gerei is daar ook ander faktore wat swartbaarhengel beïnvloed. Die geleerdes praat van interne- en eksterne faktore wat verwys na faktore binne en buite die water – Hannes Lindeque

36 38

20

22 24

30

32

Where we are going to cast our attention to in this article is focusing on different forms of drop-offs and looking at why these areas are absolute hot zones to target during the spring months.

– Jay Röhm-Williams

44

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS

Waar soek ‘n hengelaar nou eintlik na baars in ‘n dam of rivier wat nie aan die hengelaar bekend is nie? Die meeste van ons kom gereeld in aanraking met waters wat vir ons heeltemal onbekend is – Philip Kemp

You can either love it or leave it but there is nothing you can do to change it. Wind… It’s a factor we all have to encounter at some stage of angling and we bass anglers literally have to suck it up to make the most of it or lose out.

– Jay Röhm-Williams

You may be struggling to find sure footing for where to start with this new and wonderful hobby. But have no fear for here are a few guidelines to help you get started! – Hannes Lindeque

“Water resources and flooded ecosystems”

“Baars & blyplek”

“Bass in the wind”

“Morning, noon and night”

Bass fishing is a very dreamy affair for me. At a guess it’s the thought of hidden structures and an unintended creation of an underwater environment which evolves when you flood an ecosystem.

– Roger Donaldson

01 08 10 46

34

26

“Fishing could ruin your holiday”

“Drop me off ”

“Secrets of South Africa’s pros: Line Signals” Experienced anglers can tell when a bass is biting. For them it is unmistakably compared with various other strange, subtle movements in your line – The Bass Spy

While many anglers turn to soft baits during this time, I find that one doesn’t cover water nearly as effectively as when casting jerkbaits. Jerkbaits also have the tendency to trigger a pressured bass into submission – Rudolph Venter

Three days into your vacation your wife isn’t talking to you and the kids start nagging because they are bored. Why? – Jaco Smit

“Cold fronts” A cold front is probably the most used excuse there is for failure to catch bass. It has destroyed more patterns and crushed more dreams than all other weather situations combined – Gordon Brown

“Jerkbait fever!”

“#Hand-line challenge” There many different methods of catching bass, some conventional and others... well not so much! We decided to take a not so conventional method and put it to the test! For what is fishing without a little challenge?

– Dylan Wheeler

48

MY GOOI Readers-go-Bassing Letter to the editor International Angling News - Anthony Hawkswell Basics for beginners

TOURNAMENT NEWS 16

>> FLW RSA National Championship 2019 - Hannes Lindeque DESTINATION

42

>> De Voetpadskloof - Philip Kemp

ON THE COVER “Top water bite” Image: Marius Mostert

SA BASS 03 October 2019

FISHING

BASS SKILLS

JERKBAITS AFTER THE PRESPAWN

5 WAYS TO USE SUSPENDING BAITS DURING EVERY SEASON

By Matt Williams

J

erkbaits have developed a rich history of exploiting staging bass in late winter and early spring, but some pros have learned that prespawn isn’t the only time when the rhythmic dance of a hard-body minnow can help you add some big weight to the livewell.

Here are five more situations in which the twitchtwitch-pause of a jerkbait might bring out the mean streak in headhunting largemouths:

1. Blind-Casting Beds Once bass lock on beds, many anglers lay down the hard baits and reach for a soft plastic or jig that can be bumped slowly across bottom to light the defensive fuse of territorial spawning fish. According to FLW Tour pro Kurt Dove of Del Rio, Texas, a jerkbait can be equally effective on bedding bass at times, but he’s not using it for sight-fishing.

“A jerkbait is a weapon that a lot of anglers don’t take into consideration when bass are on beds, but it is actually a really good choice provided the water is fairly clear,” Dove explains. “It isn’t your typical hard bait that you just wind through an area. You can manipulate the action of the jerkbait – specifically a suspending jerkbait – to make it move fast or really slow. I’ll use it a lot when blind-casting over flats or areas where I suspect there are fish spawning that I can’t visually see.”

Rather than twitching the bait aggressively, Dove employs two or three short twitches to emit a little life in the lure before killing it for three to four seconds at a time. He controls the diving depth with an upward or downward angle of his rod tip.

“When you pause the jerkbait around a bed, the fish will react to it the same way they do when they try to chase a bream or other predator away from the area,” he adds. “It’s big-profile bait that simulates a bluegill or some other baitfish that the bass will see as a potential threat. They’ll dart over and whack it.”

2. Topwater Time and Shad Spawns

PHOTO BY MATT PACE

04 SA BASS October 2019

As water temperatures begin nudging the upper 60s and low 70s in late spring and early summer, aggressive postspawn bass are prone to launch into strong feeding binges. The feeding sprees might center on early morning shad spawns or roving pods of baitfish that gravitate to points and other structure and cover once the sun gets up.

Dove says topwaters always get plenty of play in these situations, but experience has taught him it’s always a good idea to keep a jerkbait handy as well.

4. Dock-Fishing

“It’s a different way to approach those fish that are feeding heavily after the spawn in zero to 10 feet and really chasing the bait,” he says. “The neat thing about a jerkbait is it allows you to cover a lot of water and find those places where the shad are spawning, be it around grass, rocks or hard spots on shallow flats. These are the same places where you can catch them on top, but a jerkbait might catch you a few more fish that won’t rise on a topwater for one reason or another.”

Dove likes to start out working the bait with a fairly aggressive cadence using a couple of quick twitches on a slack line, followed by a one- to two-second pause, but he’s always mindful of how the fish are reacting.

“You have to keep an open mind with jerkbaits and adjust your cadence to find the one the fish want,” he says. “It can change over the course of the day.”

Scanlon says the jerkbait has year-round potential on any lake that has an abundance of boat docks, particularly the large, floating-style slips like those often provided by lakeside marinas.

“Bass won’t leave those types of docks,” he says.

“There’s always food and cover around. You may just have to adjust to different areas around the docks with the season of the year. Go shallower during spring and deeper in the summer.”

Scanlon generally begins dissecting a dock by working his jerkbait parallel with the deeper, shadier corners.

“I’ll also keep an eye out for any extras they can suspend around like anchor cables, brush piles or maybe a tree that somebody has strung up to the side of the dock,” he adds. “It doesn’t take much to attract a few fish.”

3. Schooling Bass

5. Deep Brush

FLW Tour pro Casey Scanlon of Lake Ozark, Mo., has so much confidence in subsurface jerkbaits that he keeps one tied on all year long.

One of Scanlon’s favorite times to tempt bass with a jerkbait is when they are actively chasing or schooling on baitfish at the surface from summer through fall. The action frequently occurs over large flats with deep water nearby, near big channel swings or around the perimeter of floating docks.

“Schooling action can happen just about anywhere,” he says. “It’s a situation where they’ll also bite topwater, but they might bite a jerkbait better. You won’t miss near as many fish on a jerkbait, either. A lot of times they’ll hook themselves even if they swipe at it and don’t eat it.”

Scanlon points out that a jerkbait will sometimes catch the bigger fish in a schooling situation, too, thanks to its ability to dive beneath the fray.

“The bigger fish sometimes trail along down there beneath the smaller fish that are surfacing,” he explains. “They’ll ‘sit down’ to get the easier pickings – the wounded or dying baitfish the others sometimes leave behind.”

On clear-water Savannah River impoundments such as lakes Hartwell, Keowee and Russell, FLW Tour pro Brian Latimer of Belmont, S.C., says anglers frequently use topwater lures throughout much of the summer to call bass to the surface from underwater brush piles – some as deep as 35 feet. Then, for whatever reason, the surface bite begins to wane once September rolls around.

“The fish are still relating to the deep brush piles, but for some reason they get off the topwater and you have to use some kind of reaction bait to draw them up,” he says.

“That’s when a suspending jerkbait can really shine. They’ll come up and grab it 6 to 7 feet beneath the surface.”

Latimer says employing the proper retrieve is important for the jerkbait to produce over the deep, gin-clear depths.

“This is warm-water, clear-water jerkbaiting,” he says.

“The fish are going to be pretty aggressive, so I like to work the bait as fast and erratically as I can to maximize the flash and create those reaction strikes without giving them opportunity to get a good look at it. That is really important in super-clear water.” ■

PHOTO BY ROB MATSUURA

Brian Latimer

SA BASS 05 October 2019

FISHING ADVICE

HOW CLOSE IS TOO CLOSE? DISCUSSING PROTOCOL FOR SHARING WATER IN TOURNAMENTS

L

ike it or not, dealing with crowds is part of tournament fishing.

We all share water, and we all need to handle encounters with other anglers in a way that’s fair and respectful.

After more than 20 years on the FLW Tour, the best rule I can think of for dealing with these situations is the Golden Rule: Treat others as you’d like to be treated.

Yet, I understand we all see things differently. We’re all guided by a different set of morals and values.

Sometimes the lines are blurry.

Maybe I can clear them up a little.

First off, good tournament anglers are always prepared with a back-up plan in the event they have to share water, but sharing water doesn’t mean you can’t do well in a tournament. There’s nobody who fishes like you, and what you’re doing might catch fish other anglers can’t. To me, it’s not the end of the world to fish behind someone else (I’ve caught a lot of fish that way).

I also think it’s OK to make your case to another competitor if you think that person has moved in on you unfairly. No one has to be a pushover. However, it’s pointless to get angry and overly defensive of an area or to try and run someone off aggressively. Egos and personalities 06 SA BASS October 2019

are part of this sport, and some people will always try to get in your head by refusing to concede a spot, even if it’s obvious they’re in the wrong. My advice: Take the high road, stay calm and try to work it out. If that doesn’t work, beat ’em at the scale, which is where it really matters.

Along those lines, I believe communication is the best way to prevent any sort of negative encounter. If you find another angler in your best pocket, ask what part of it they’re fishing.

They might only be working one stretch, and you can both fish there without getting in each other’s way.

Or you might be able to work things out some other way.

Just be honest. If you fished there in practice or previously in the tournament, say so. If you didn’t, don’t lie about it. It’s never OK to move in on someone just because you know that angler is catching fish on a spot.

When I find company in a spot I’m planning to fish, I first consider the circumstances. Is it a single dock, point or brush pile only big enough for one angler? If so, I’m gone, but I could still come back to it. An angler might try to tell you not to fish it later, that it’s “his spot,” but no one owns it. If you found it fairly, fish it.

If I’m running a pattern, I might move on to the next spot, or to the

By Jim Tutt

PHOTO BY ROB MATSUURA

other side of the creek. I could allow a fair buffer between us so I’m not cutting the other boat off, but not giving up the area entirely. A 100yard buffer or half-dozen docks is minimum. More is better.

Sight-fishing derbies can get interesting. Here’s the most important rule: If you’re parked on a bed in a good-looking pocket, you don’t have claim over all the other beds in that pocket.

And then there’s ledge fishing.

Nowadays, you have to concede that you’ll eventually need to share a ledge. Talk it out. Rotate. Fish sideby-side if you have to. It’s part of it.

We all find the same schools.

Timing also comes into play. On day one of a tournament, the entire lake is wide open. I’ll fish anywhere.

After that, I might consider where I am in the standings.

Some folks think we all need to bow out of the way when the leader rolls in. That’s not necessarily the case. If I’m way out of cut range, I’ll certainly give a wide berth, and I’d never roll into a pocket just because I saw the leader there the day before.

But if I’ve got a shot at making the cut, and it’s a spot I fished earlier in the event, I have as much right to fish there as the first-place pro.

One last thing I think is important is how you treat your buddies versus the rest of the competition. If you’re sitting on a ledge, you can’t let your buddies come in and get on those fish, but not let someone else in. That kind of collusion is almost hole-sitting, which is against the rules in a lot of tournaments. Likewise, if I let you in on day one, don’t crowd me out on day two. Play it fair.

I guess the best advice I can leave you with is to talk it out. Even when I don’t need to, I’ll usually ask, “Hey, do you care if I fish here?” It’s the friendly thing to do, and it’s what I’d want to hear from someone who pulled up by me. And that, after all, is how you live out the Golden Rule. ■

SA BASS 07 October 2019

READERS

GO BASSING

To feature in “Readers go Bassing” send your story and pictures to editor@sabass.com All photos published in “Readers-go-Bassing” are for the exclusive use of SA BASS Magazine. Any photos previously published by other magazines will not be considered.

LOSKOP

GESPOOK

A friend and I went to Loskop Dam in August to do some sight fishing. We caught about 7 fish with 5 of them over 2kg. The weather was perfect. No wind at all and a nice sunny day. The bass were rather aggressive and we didn’t have to tease them for too long. We used black StrikeKings Bitsy Bug jigs 1/4oz and black purple football jigs with a black Culprit Craw trailer on the jigs. We had fun catching the fish and trying to figure out what they want. Loskop will definitely see us again – Adriaan Venter

Soos gewoonlik het Roodekopjesdam nie teleurgestel nie.

Die bietjie wind wat gewaai het, het nie gepla nie. Ek het vroeër die oggend twee kleintjies gevang en na-middag so by 14:00 ‘n “Cullem Sincro Black Red” opgesit, ingegooi en die lyn laat sak tot op die bodem. Nie eers ‘n minuut later toe byt sy. Dit was ‘n lekker gespook en sy’t dit nie vir my maklik gemaak nie. Die eerste keer wat sy uit die water gespring het, het ek geweet dis my nuwe PB. Ek was uit my vel van opgewondenheid – Frikkie Els

TROTS Ek het my 6 jarige seuntjie, Wilhelm, saam met my na ‘n vriend se plaasdam naby Delmas geneem. Dit was ‘ n redelik koelerige Saterdagoggend gewees, maar kinders voel mos nie veel nie. Skoene, kouse en warm klere het gewaai nog voor agt-uur die oggend. Al wat hy wou doen is visvang. Sy eerste vis het hy gevang met ‘n Sexy Shad Squarebill van Strike King. Hy het ‘n Berkley Lightning pistol grip 5’6” stokkie gebruik met ‘n mik-en-druk Abumatic katrol en 10lb monofilament lyn. Die bass het lekker baklei maar die mannetjie van my het die bass nie kans gegee om tussen die klippe teen die damwal in te swem nie. Die bass was ongeveer so 1.3kg, wat natuurlik sy PB is – Willa Bezuidenhout 08 SA BASS October 2019

WACKY I caught this 3.2kg specimen from a farm dam outside Ermelo. The fish ate a wacky rigged Robo worm and put up a great fight on the light tackle. The fish was caught on 10lb braid with a 12lb fluorocarbon leader and a 7’0ft Duckett Micro Magic Pro rod – Johan vd Wath

DONALDSON The day started off colder than usual and windy. The fishing remained slow, as we remained patient and persistent.

We decided to fish under the shade of overhanging willow trees during the middle of the day to avoid the sun. I took my artificial Aura topwater frog and filled the inside with water to turn it into a bottom bait. About 15 minutes later I hooked up on one of Donaldson’s fabled monsters of 3.3kg, right under the overhanging willows. I ended the day with a total of 13 decent bass – Johan Jordaan

GOOD SIZE BASS

WACKY RIG After going out and not catching anything over the course of just over a month (five fishing trips), I decided to give it another go and caught seven bass on a wacky rig. Nothing crazy, but great to have something on the other end of the line again.

Very recently we visited a small farm dam close to Klerkskraal Dam. The day went very well on the numbers and we are very pleased to have landed this good size bass. I fished a 5 inch black Super Fluke weightless which I retrieved very slowly. The pick-up was aggressive with a bucket mouth tail dancing soon after the hook was set. Hunting big bass in small dams during winter always deliver big awards and I will take one of these any given day. The bass was not weighed.

– Jay Esterhuizen SA BASS 09 October 2019

EDITOR

LETTERS TO THE

The post had numerous responses and praises from anglers all over the country saying it was the right and gentlemanly thing to do. By the evening, a gentleman called David Burton messaged me and said he lost his favourite set up in August in that same area. He named the correct model of the rod and reel and even the colour of the reel handle that he replaced.

The rod and reel is now reunited with the owner who is out of this world excited. He insisted on paying for this and I said I don’t want anything and he insisted so I said I will accept a packet of flukes for this.

Kind regards Zeyn Habib

Good day Philip My name is Zeyn Habib from Pietermaritzburg, KZN. Please see attached picture. Not the best quality though.

I was fishing at Albert Falls on the 8th of September in an area called the Bowl. Fishing was very slow so I cast out a Mega bass Dark sleeper lure which is a bottom dragging swim bait.

While reeling in, I snagged what I thought was a stick and I reeled it in. To my surprise it was a rod with a bait caster reel. It was covered in algae and dirt. I rubbed off the dirt on the side off the boat and saw that it was a very nice Shimano Cumara rod with a Lews speed spool reel. I knew this tackle and know both these particular models were expensive and also discontinued.

As much as I wanted to keep it and look at it as a gift from the bass gods, I knew I would have been as heart sore as the owner would have been to lose this.

I decided to post it on Facebook groups called “Bass Junkie” and “Bass Fishing Africa”. I said in my post, if anyone lost a set up and can name me the model of the rod and reel, I will return it to them.

Bass Bite Sproei Bass Bite is nuwe knoffel-sproei wat spesifiek vir die swartbaar hengelmark ontwikkel is. Wat maak dit anders as ander knoffelprodukte?

Bass Bite het geen chemikalieë in nie en bevat “garlic flower” (egte knoffel-olie) gemeng met een van die voedselbedryf se mees verfynde olies. Bass Bite kan eenvoudig op enige kunsaas gespuit word, maar werk veral goed as dit binne-in ‘n pakkie plastiekaas gespuit word.

Bass Bite is kleurloos en sterk. Hierdie produk het geen negatiewe effek op sagte plastiekkunsaas se samestelling nie. Die sproei trek makilk in die kunsaas in en werk langdurig.

Skud die botteltjie goed voor gebruik.

10 SA BASS October 2019

SPRING is in the AIR The bass are biting CAT’S Catch Fish

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Tungsten Weights

CAT’S Creaturess

1/4 oz

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4” Paddle Tail Jerk Minnow

5” Jerk Minnow ow

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4 /5 “ Trick Stick

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6” Lizard

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A VARIETY OF HOOKS

>> SA BASS

>> My sincere apologies for this title - it’s just that grass has become so common place all of a sudden much to the delight of many medicinal healers and some laid back fisher folk. But this is the place for me to speak the truth and I’m going to come out with it. I’m a massive fan of grass fishing and the time is now!

Smoking the grass for bass >> Roger Donaldson*

Horny Toads are a favourite spring and summer lure when fished fast along the water surface through grassy vegetation

I

refer to it as “smoking” the grass because this is a term that describes a fast method of retrieving your lure. To “burn” the lure on your retrieve would be the same thing. Cast it out and reel it back pretty quick, without pausing or stopping during the retrieve.

The activity from feeding fish will start warming up now that the winter season is over and the fish migrate back towards the warm water of the shallows along with various aquatic creatures that thrive there. Bass will be in

12 SA BASS October 2019

close pursuit and their energy levels will also be rejuvenated, desiring to fill up on their resources which were depleted during the recent spawning phase. As the season rolls over, the storm clouds will set in and dam levels will slowly rise, which in turn floods the shallows and creates newly defined feeding zones for fish species. Bass know this all too well.

While camping on the edge of your favourite dam you will quickly learn whether that activity has started to heat up.

The familiar unmistakable feeding sounds of bass striking

at baitfish in the shallows will emanate through the quiet misty morning as the cold water meets and mixes with the warmer air. I will definitely be taking full advantage of the grassy areas and one very exciting type of lure, the never forgotten, always reliable, Horny Toad.

Bass will not need much to convince them that your lure is something to strike at. In fact, the mere reason that the lure is moving near them gives them good enough reason to climb into action, race through the grass and collide with your frog presentation. There will be no escaping this fate should you have been a real frog – not even the fastest of frogs.

You can cover a lot of water quickly with this strategy of fishing. It’s a great way to search for the bass as they cruise unseen beneath the water surface, slowly migrating through the day in search of prey. As I referred to earlier the technique is quite straight forward. Cast in and retrieve without a pause and even though the bass may strike at your lure and miss don’t be afraid to keep your reel winding until the bass tries again and succeeds – because they will. There really is no stopping them once they’re locked in feeding mode.

The Toad can be rigged up in two ways, both of which I have seen to work effectively. The most commonly used technique is to rig the Toad without any weight at all, only the wide gaping hook with the metal spiral to secure through the nose of the lure. Admittedly, this is my most

preferred method as it is the least likely to get snagged up in the grassy vegetation – as soon as you drag any grass behind the lure the bass shy away immediately. The second method requires a small bullet weight to be fixed the same as a Texas rig to the front of your lure. It weights the bait down and keeps it tracking and kicking more truly and ferociously across the water surface. It’s just that little more effort you need to apply when rigging your lure. But bear in mind if you are casting toward heavily covered grassy areas you may experience a little more snagging if you’re not keeping your rod tip up and reeling in fast enough.

I witnessed the latter version being applied with the most awesome results at a farm dam on the N4 just after Malelane and before the Komatipoort border to Mozambique. One 4kg bass after another, each cast with the Horny Toad attracted either an explosion of pond water and shredded vegetation, or the massive bass simply rolled over on the lure with an gargantuan, leviathanic churning swirl.

So, get out there at smoke that grass with your favourite Horny Toad and you’ll never look back. *Roger Donaldson is an experienced journalist and knowledgeable bass angler who has enjoyed many enlightening hours with many of South Africa’s top, competitive bass fishermen. As a competitive angler himself, he also enjoys sharing his expertise with fellow bass fanatics in the hope that they find the same joy in this unique sport.

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SA BASS 13 October 2019

>> SA BASS CLASSROOM

Mojo-rig fishing One of the most efficient ways of finesse fishing is arguably the Mojo rig.

The Mojo rig can be used to fish all types of structure.

L

et’s start off with by learning how to make a Mojo rig. The original method requires a Mojo tool, some elastic strings and a cylindrical Mojo weight. Start by threading the line through the sinker, then insert the Mojo tool through the sinker and then insert the elastic through the Mojo tool. Fold the elastic double as this will secure the sinker better to the line. Wet the elastic a bit and pull the Mojo tool back through the sinker. Cut of the excess elastic and trim both ends ensuring that you don’t cut the line. You can now moisten the line and sinker and move it to the desired place.

An easier way is to slide the Mojo sinker over the fishing line and use two bob stoppers to keep the sinker in place one above the sinker and the other below the sinker. Wet the line and move the sinker to the desired place. You are now ready to tie on a hook onto the line.

The distance between the sinker and the hook depends on the clarity of the water that you will be fishing. When you have secured your favorite lure to the hook, drop the rig in the water. As soon as the lure disappears out of sight, where your line enters the water; that is where your sinker should be. In other words if you have only 30cm of visibility then your sinker should be 30cm away from your hook. Do not make this longer than 45cm and it should not be less than 10cm.

The Mojo sinker size will depend on wind strength and the depth of the water that you are fishing. Always try and fish the lightest weight possible.

>> Richard Dunn* all times and when you see any movement on the line, set the hook immediately.

Grab your favorite lure, rig up a Mojo rig and go out there and go have some fun. I surely hope that this rig will help you put more fish on the boat. Remember to release your bass for generations to come. *Richard Dunn is a Protea Angler who represented South Africa internationally.

The original Mojo rig consists of elastic strings that keep the Mojo weight in place

How to...

Cast the lure into the desired area; wait for the lure to drop to the bottom; leave it for a couple of seconds and then slowly start retrieving it by either sweeping of lifting your rod. Take up the slack and repeat this method all the way back. Very important is for the lure to be in contact with the bottom or structure at all times.

There are a couple of ways of detecting if you have a bite. Firstly you will detect a distinctive tap. Once you feel the tap, lift the tip of you rod, wait to feel the weight at the end of your line, take up the slack and set the hook.

Secondly, when you lose contact with the structure or bottom that you are fishing, this could mean that the bass has picked up the lure and is swimming towards you.

Again take up the slack, feel the weight and then set the hook.

Lastly, especially during spawning season, bass will pick up the lure and take it out of the nest. Watch your line at 14 SA BASS October 2019

As quicker way of making a Mojo rig is by using two bob stoppers

The distance between the sinker and the hook depends on the water clarity

View all our products at www.hillbillypoisen.co.za Email: hillbillypoisen@gmail.com Available at leading tackle shops Tel: +27 60 470 5125

Back: Pieter Khourie, August Lingnau, Greg Schluep, Johann Zwarts, Vikesh Parbhoo, Wayne Louw, Cornel Smit Front: Wilma and Hannes Lindeque

FLW RSA National Championship 2019 Where we lead… others follow!

A

fter ten qualifying FLW Cast-for-Cash events for the 2018/19 season, the top anglers from Gauteng, KZN, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and OFS were invited to compete on Witbank Dam. It was our third FLW RSA National Championship and for the first time ten anglers representing TBC (The Bass Challenge) also joined in. In total we had 128 anglers registering for the championship and competing over three full days.

After day one Team Bass Outlaws with Malcolm Coetzee and Steven Dyke from Gauteng took the lead with 5 fish weighing 6.435kg. In total 302 fish were brought to the scales with an average weight of 0.752kg. The heaviest fish for the day weighed 2.995kg On day two Team D & H Engineering with Hedley Groger and Dirk van der Merwe from KZN took the lead with 5 fish weighing 6.380kg. In total 287 fish were weighed with an average weight of 0.748kg. The heaviest fish on day two weighed 2.355kg.

>> Hannes Lindeque* Only on day one and two did we have two teams who didn’t weigh any fish. All the other teams did. The limit was 5 fish per team per day and the size limit was 12 inches per fish.

Witbank Dam is known to have lot of small fish and finding bigger fish would be the key. Greg Schluep and Giulio Nolli from North West fished very consistently and stayed in second position on day one and two.

Pieter Khourie and August Lingnau managed to improve their position from 21st place on day one to 10th place on day two.

Team Greens², Vikesh Parbhoo and Johann Zwarts improved from 17th place on day one to the 7th place on day two.

The competition amongst the anglers was tough and with the wind blowing most anglers off the water from 10 o’clock everyday – it was important that the anglers stayed focused not to miss a bite.

Day three was the highlight of the championship. The weigh station moved from Witbank Yacht & Aquatic Club to The Ridge Casino & Hotel where the teams had to come in particular flights. While they were queuing their fish were well looked after. The teams went onto the stage addressing the crowd and were interviewed by master of ceremony, John Badenhorst.

Big fish came to scales and our independent weigh master, Braam Wahl, had his hands full. On day three he weighed 257 fish with a total weight of 234.975kg. All the fish were returned to aerated holdings tanks next to the stage and released between the flights by FLW marshals.

While we were waiting for the next flights to come in, the anglers and audience enjoyed a live music concert with artist Eunice Kemp and Martin Bester.

Prize giving followed soon afterwards with many lucky draw- and spot prizes given away. Some of the highlights were:

Alan Morgan

Final results 1

Team Khourie/Lingnau (NW)

Pieter Khourie & August Lingnau

ȴVK

19.255kg

2

Team Secret VC (NW)

Greg Schluep & Giulio Nolli

ȴVK

17.420kg

3

Team Greens² (NW)

Vikesh Parbhoo & Johann Zwarts

ȴVK

17.375kg

4

Team GLT Petroleum (GP)

Wayne Louw* & Cornel Smit

ȴVK

15.465kg

5

Team Good Fellas (GP)

Alan Morgan & Dennis Thompson

ȴVK

15.195kg

6

Team Beli VC (LP)

Justy Varkevisser* & Reed Eastman

ȴVK

15.040kg

7

Team SA BASS MP (MP)

Jannie Erasmus & Adrian Leite

ȴVK

14.035kg

8

Team SA BASS KZN (KZN)

Bryan Leppan & Charles van Heerden

ȴVK

14.000kg

9

Team Gel Events (GP)

6KDXQ -RKQ 3HHW YDQ GHU 6FK\΍

ȴVK

13.990kg

Robert Olivier* & Neels Beneke*

ȴVK

13.880kg

10 Team Gamakatsu Outdoors 365 (KZN)

*These anglers competed in 2017 and 2018 at the FLW Series Championship in the USA

Costa FLW Series Championship 2019 The top four anglers; Pieter Khourie, August Lingnau, Greg Schluep and Giulio Nolli each won a slot to represent FLW South Africa and compete internationally at the Costa FLW Series Championship on Lake Cumberland in November 2019. Their sponsorship include the championship entry fees, the two skippers, Pieter and Greg, will be provided with fully rigged Ranger boats during the tournament, return air tickets from Johannesburg to Nashville, accommodation during the tournament and team clothing.

They will be accompanied by the following TBC anglers; Chris Greenland, Vaugh Kendall and Glen Lees who will represent FLW South Africa at the Costa FLW Series Championship in the International Friendship

Tournament. (South Africa has won this event in 2017 and 2018 - Ed).

Angler of the Year winners; Shaun John and Peet vd Schyff

Winning patterns for Pieter Khourie & August Lingnau

pushed their bag weight for the day to 10.550kg which secured their winning position.

Like most other anglers, Pieter Khourie & August Lingnau, had great pre-fishing experiences and identified key areas that they would return to during the championship.

They knew that the river section of Witbank Dam held good fish and didn’t put too much pressure on the area on day one and two of the tournament. However; they did visit the area every day to get that kicker they needed to keep them in the game.

In the mornings, before the wind picked up, they mainly fished weightless Senko’s (natural colour) on very thin line and each day they had their bag limit within half an hour fishing grass edges.

When the wind started pumping, they switched to Texas rigged swim Flukes and Stretch 40 soft plastic baits.

The most productive fishing areas were grass and rocky bank combos.

On day three they fished a wind protected bay and because of a cold front moving in, the bigger fish moved into the target area and came on the bite. At 08:30 they already landed a total bag weight of 7kg. They went to the river section and upgraded their bag.

Day three, on their way back to the weigh-station they made one last stop and on the first cast landed a fish that

Winning patterns for Greg Schluep & Giulio Nolli They also focused on the river section because they knew that the better size fish was to be caught in this area.

Every day they tried to cover as much as possible water and were casting spinnerbaits and swimbaits in 1 - 3ft of water. On short strikes they would immediately cast and slow roll a 3’2 inch Amber Laminate colour Pro-S swimbait from Secret Lures. They maintained their second position throughout the championship.

Winning patterns for Shaun John & Peet vd Schyff Team Gel Events powered fished on day one and two by throwing white/chartreuse spinnerbaits. The most productive times were early morning and in the afternoon.

They found many fish short striking the bait.

On day three they completely changed their game plan and were fishing top water baits and small soft plastic baits which they retrieved much slower. They consistently caught fish, but struggled to get the bigger size fish on the boat. In retrospect they didn’t fish shallow enough and are of the opinion that there was just too much wind in the areas they fished.

Angler of the Year )RU WKH Č´UVW WLPH ZH DOVR KDG DQ $QJHU RI WKH <HDU DZDUG ZLWK WKH WRS WHDP PV IU IUURP P HDFFK )/: & &DVW IRU &DVK UHJLRQ FRPSHWLQJ DJDLQVW HDFK RWKHU IRU WKH WLWOH 2Q GD\ WZR WKH FRPSHWLWLRQ ZDV YHUU\ WRXJ WWR RXJ JK ZL ZLWK RQO\ JUDP GLÎ?HUHQFH ZLW EHWZHHQ WKH WRS WKUHH SRVLWLRQV )LQDOO\ RQ GD\ WKUHH WKH HQG UHVXOWV IRU WKH H $Q QJO JOHU HU RI WKH H <HDU DU DZDUG ZHUH DV IROORZV VW

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3.920kg

Pieter Khourie & August Lignau won R7,000 sponsored by Bill Le ewi wiss Lu ure r s

2nd

3.600kg

Johann Zwarts & Vikesh Parbhoo won R2,000 sp ponsore re ed by y Billl L Le ewiis L Lu ure es

3rd

3.3 .370kg 3 g

A lan Morg Al gan & Denni n s Thom mps pson won R1,000 0 sponso ore red b by y Bill ill Le Lewi wiss Lu wi Lure ress re

Thank you The 2019 FLW RSA National Championship would not have been a success without the generous support of the following tournament partners and sponsors: The Ridge Casino & Hotel, Garmin South Africa, McCarthy Volkswagen Wonderboom, SA BASS magazine, Yamaha Distributors SA, HillBilly Poisen, Bill Lewis Fishing Africa, Ganiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Angling World, Vibez.Live, Crank Hunters Fishing Accessories, Sensation Angling Supplies, Loutjie Louwies Bass Bite, All Power Polokwane, Battery Centre Polokwane, Fusion Digital Print, House of Print, The Bass Challenge, Cappuccinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Highveld Mall, King Pie Highveld 18 SA BASS October 2019

Mall, Nabana Lodge, Bivane Game Lodge, Chinaka Game Lodge and Masskot Scales Witbank. Please support them.

Our next bass angling tournament season starts end of September 2019. Please visit our website www.flwsouthafrica.com for more information. *Hannes Lindeque is the founder and publisher of SA BASS magazine since 2001, the tournament director of the FLW Castfor-Cash bass angling tournament trial and licensee of FLW Southern Africa.

Registration

Start of day one

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>> SA BASS CLASSROOM

ColdFronts

By now most of the long cold days are a thing of the past as we move into a long awaited summer, with all her beauty and splendour. Not to mention the pure joy and expectations of bass fishing as the water starts warming up and of cause bass become more active. Now not to put a damper on things we will at times be faced with cold fronts. As these weather changes occur they do affect our fishing success or lack there off.

A

cold front is probably the most used excuse there is for failure to catch bass. It has destroyed more patterns and crushed more dreams than all other weather situations combined. Let’s understand the characteristics of a cold front. There is a falling and rising of barometric pressures. A wind directional change with a rapid drop in air change, causing a drop in water surface temperature. As the front moves through a cloudy sky will clear increasing light penetration, giving way to a bluebird day. The common belief among anglers is that a cold front knocks bass out of commission (lock jaw). This view fails to take into account the fact that a bass is a resilient, opportunistic predator, not a helpless victim of its environment. Taking this 20 SA BASS October 2019

last statement into consideration, there is still hope in catching some fish in cold weather conditions. Some anglers welcome a cold front when fishing a tournament as it eliminates so many patterns and frustrates so many anglers who can’t or don’t adapt to weather changes. My fishing partner and I have generally done better in tournaments when fishing was tough and had to adapt to other techniques.

Before a cold front moves in bass will be more active and can be easily caught on fast moving lures like spinnerbaits and crankbaits. They can be found in the shallows, on relatively bare banks and away from cover. Once the cold front arrives, the fish that were in the shallows and bare banks will move deeper and position themselves on the edge of a drop off. The bass

>> Gordon Brown* around cover will move in tight to the cover. Look for cover which is closer to deep water, it will be better that the rest.

When it comes to choosing baits under these conditions there are two schools of thought. Naturally the first is downsizing. Example, if you were using a six inch worm or Super Fluke, switch to a 4” worm, Senko or a junior fluke. Switching to finesse tactics to entice the finicky bass can pay dividends. The other option is to stay with the bigger baits and simply fish them slower and cover the water much more thoroughly. Making repeated casts to a specific peace of structure can entice a fish into biting.

Remember under these conditions a bass won’t chase after a bait, you need to literary drop it on his head. Another

tactic is to pull a Carolina rigged 6â&#x20AC;? lizard along or down a drop off until you find a school of fish. If you know an area should hold fish, stay with it. Most anglers fail for the lack of confidence in an area. Several years ago I had found an area where big females had moved onto a flat but with a cold front, had move off into deeper water.

With patients and confidents in the area paid off as we caught several 3kg fish that day. *Gordon Brown is a multiple Protea bass angler and a regular SA Bass contributor.

More fishing tips: t 8IFUIFS ZPV BSF ĂŤTIJOH ĂŤOFTTF PS CJHHFS CBJUT TUBZ with compact baits eg. Baby Brush Hog, craw, 3â&#x20AC;? grub or any of the many creature baits available. These baits have lots of action and vibration. t 8IFO QJUDIJOH CBJUT JOUP CVTI PS DPWFS MFU JU GBMM BMM UIF way to the bottom and dead stick it for 10 seconds. If nothing happens give the bait a few shakes, keeping the bait in the same spot. This often draws fish to the bait.

t * QSFGFS VTJOH EBSLFS DPMPVST XIFO ĂŤTIJOH DPWFS FH black/blue, Junebug or Green Pumpkin. With thick cover there is less light penetration and the darker colour will have a greater contrast. t *U NBZ CF OFDFTTBSZ UP EPXO TJ[F PO ZPVS MJOF BOE weight size to achieve more bites. t "MXBZT QPTJUJPO ZPVS CPBU EPXOXJOE GSPN UIF BSFB you fishing, as not to spook the fish. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the wind blow your boat over the cover.

There are too many variables, and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe we will ever be able to measure exactly how and why cold fronts affect bass behaviour. Staying with the basics I have mentioned, scale down, fish tight to the cover with repeated casts and fish slow. A cold front day could just become a hot dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fishing.

TBC -

Leg 1

The 2020 TBC team season kicked off at Boskop Dam in September 2019. It was a very cold and windy morning but the bags produced were of good quality. The top 21 teams all caught a 3 bag limit over 3kg with the top 5 teams who all had bags over 4kg. Congratulations to the top 5 teams: 1 Team Dragonfly 2 Team Brakpan 3 Team Rasmus 4 Team AO4 5 Team Cover-Tec

Pieter van Niekerk & Wynand Herbst Derick Sieberhagen & Schalk Burger Marnus & Elna Erasmus AndrĂŠ Olivier Vaughn Kendall & Gerald Venter

The top 5 TBC teams at Boskop Dam

The next TBC event is 5 October at Klerkskraal Dam The Bass Challenge (TBC) offers a platform for bass anglers who fish from small craft water vessels to socially compete in a stress-free environment.

Participants donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to belong to any club or organization. Please contact Johan Joubert on 082-524-8407 or Hugo van der Walt on 076-127-8344 for more information.

SA BASS 21 October 2019

>> SA BASS

Secrets of South Africa’s Pros – Part 15

Line Signals

Torpedo shaped and ready to burst into action with a kick of its tail; this bass is very aware of our presence

>> Bass Spy*

I

n the previous issue we looked at the different species you may encounter right up in the shallows and how each could possibly be mistaken for your favourite target species, the largemouth bass.

I couldn’t resist but to provide the picture in this article to reiterate how bass stare at you. Once you’ve been spotted they keep a “spooky” little gaze about you and you can forget about getting that bass to bite.

In the picture you can note the bass’ slender body shape and pointed head, perfectly built for explosive attacks on their prey. The bass has the ability to find your lure very quickly and wastes no time in snapping it away from any other predators and competitors in the vicinity.

It’s important that you take note of this as you will be very surprised

22 SA BASS October 2019

how fast your lure is taken and that you are very likely not reacting in time. Experienced anglers can tell when a bass is biting. For them it is unmistakably compared with various other strange, subtle movements in your line. For instance, while your plastic worm is falling beneath the water surface, or tumbling along the bed of the dam below, or slipping and dragging between the long, sticky tendrils of airgrass and other vegetation spread in patches through the shallow water.

It’s wonderful to be able to see the bass (such as the example in the picture provided), or sight fish for them, but those opportunities are unfortunately seldom available. Most of the fishing we do will be for those bass which are completely out of sight even with the use of polarised glasses.

We will be feeling our way beneath the water surface and “hoping” we’re in the right place.

Therefore, preparing yourself for catching your next bass involves understanding the complex structures within the environment you’re going to be fishing in. As your lure moves through or strikes off different structures, your line and rod and the signals emitted up your line and through the shaft of your fishing rod to your hands will change. Knowing the difference and tuning in to these subtle variances will make incremental improvements to your ability to fish out those bass that you’re looking for.

Plastic worms The variety of choice is really massive. However, you can break up these clever little creations into simple

categories; firstly, creature lures being the ones with appendages such as floundering legs, arms, bulky ribbed bodies and flamboyant flapping or twirling tails. Secondly, swimming lures such as those sleek shaped bodies of the super fluke, Senko and similar baits.

Naturally, I am limiting my choice to lures that will swim beneath the water surface, which we cannot see when the bass eventually bites.

Being smart about the category of lure you choose and matching it with the environment is going to make your fishing that much more pleasurable and also put you in a far better position to catch more bass. The easiest example to prove this is to think of fishing through the long stick tendrils of vegetation which may be present in the dam.

Sleek swimming lures will make their way through this cover way easier than the bulky, flopping mass indicative of the creature type baits. You will notice the advantage of the sleek shaped plastic lures, as they hardly ever snag up and you may only need to twitch them gently to free them from the point at which they feel slightly stuck.

Vegetation will “pull” slowly at your bait. That’s what it feels like. It’s a different feeling to what you would experience when bass bite, which is most often a very rapid, purposeful “tapping” feeling and they pull far harder than vegetation no matter their size!

With the lead weight and a creature bait added to your rig you would very often be fishing around hard structures such as trees and rocks, or even over vast open stretches of water and hard gravel substrates. As the lure drags across these structures the lead weight can emit very strong “tapping” signals which can easily be confused with those of a bass biting. The difference, however, being that when bass bite it is that much sharper, often more rapid in succession, and then they also often pull meaningfully at the same time. The professional circuit have also introduced tungsten weights to their arsenal, as this refined metal transmits a far more certain, definable signal compared to the more dull “thump” of lead weights.

If you were looking to improve the feel in your line there are other secret

strategies which include the fishing line that you are using. Monofilament line is often much more flexible than fluorocarbon for instance. Therefore, if you had to swop out and spool up with fluorocarbon you may increase the sensitivity levels and the signals transmitted through your line. This can be hugely advantageous in feeling the most subtle of bites.

In the next issue we’ll jump to cranking lures and what you can expect to feel beneath the water surface. *The Bass Spy has fished alongside and been exposed to the secrets and tactics of many competitive bass anglers on waters throughout the continent. This column is dedicated to all fanatical bass enthusiasts looking for the inside track and an edge on their favourite past time.

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SA BASS 23 October 2019

>> SA BAARS

BAARS

EN SY BLYPLEK Waar soek ‘n hengelaar nou eintlik na baars in ‘n dam of rivier wat nie aan die hengelaar bekend is nie?

Om aan ‘n baars se “voordeur” te gaan klop, en te dink hy gaan net vir jou oopmaak, grens beslis aan wensdenkery. Die meeste van ons kom gereeld in aanraking met waters wat vir ons heeltemal onbekend is. >> Philip Kemp* or die algemeen word grootbekswartbaars in stadigvloeiende water, en stilstaande water, gevind.

Die teenoorgestelde is egter waar as dit kom by kleinbekbaars wat eerder vloeiende water sou verkies en lief is vir oopwater. Dit is egter nie waar dit stop nie. Die blyplek van baars kan soms baie meer divers wees as wat ‘n hengelaar dink.

Baars kan gevind word waar daar verskeie vorme van dekking is, soos onderwater plantegroei, rotse, bome, en boomstompe. In kouer gebiede sal baars ook voorkom in areas waar daar dieper water is om in te oorwinter en die temperature meer stabiel is.

Omrede plantegroei in meeste van ons damme en riviere voorkom en geen ekosisteem sonder ‘n gesonde plantegroei-habitat kan funksioneer nie, is dit belangrik om te weet dat baars altyd sal voorkom waar daar plantegroei in oorvloed is. Terwyl baars jonk is, sal hulle die verskeie vorme van dekking gebruik om in te skuil van predatore wat op hulle jag maak. Soos hulle groter en ouer word, verander die prentjie heeltemal, en sal die baars die dekking gebruik om sy niksvermoedende prooi voor te lê. Daar sal natuurlik ook, in die verskeie vorme van dekking, klein waterorganismes en plankton voorkom wat weer op sy beurt kleiner vissies, paddas en ander kleiner predatore sal lok. Baars maak weer jag op verskeie vorme van voedsel; van kleiner waterorganismes, paddas, waterwurms en natuurlik ook kleiner visspesies.

O

Temperatuur

Hierdie spruit bied verskeie kontoerveranderinge wat swartbaars tot hulle eie voordeel kan gebruik wanneer hulle jag 24 SA BASS October 2019

Baars kan in ‘n groot wisseling van temperature oorleef.

Hulle funksioneer egter die beste in temperature tussen 19 en 24ºC. Te warm temperature kan egter die suurstof in die water verminder en indien die temperature te hoog is, kan dit baars se dood beteken. In Amerika is dit egter nie vir die baars ‘n probleem om in mere wat gevries is, te oorleef nie. Baars sal in sulke omstandighede in water van 5 tot 8 voet, en soms selfs dieper gaan lê. Dit hang egter van die epilimnion se diepte af. Die epilimnion is die eerste 5 voet van water wat gedurende die somermaande verhit word.

Dit is ook in hierdie kolom water waar baars 70% van hul tyd in die somer spandeer. Gedurende die herfs en winter verkoel die eerste 10 voet van water en word die warmer

water deur die koue water afgeforseer tot 10 voet. In die kouer winter maande is die eerste 10 voet van water dus die kouer water en die warmer water wat dieper as 10 voet diep lê, staan dan bekend as die epilimnion. Op hierdie dieptes is die temperature van die water meer konstant en is dit gemakliker vir die baars. Die temperature sal egter nie die baars bind om daar te bly nie. Hulle sal steeds uit die gemaksones uit beweeg op soek na kos.

egter en gebruik baars dit om in te skuil terwyl hulle vir ‘n niksvermoedende prooi wag om verby te swem. Hulle gebruik ook die dekking om in te skuil vir die son se skerp strale. Baars hou nie van direkte sonlig nie. Die lesers moet ook verstaan dat dekking enigiets is wat in die water voorkom, soos watergras, versuipte bome, rotse, klippe en jetties; waarteenoor struktuur die bodem van die dam, meer of rivier is.

Suurstof in die water

Struktuur

Suurstof in water word gemeet in die aantal suurstof per miljoen deeltjies wat in die water opgelos is. Baars het egter die meeste opgeloste suurstof per miljoen deeltjies in die water nodig van alle roofvisse. Sodra die watertemperature te hoog styg, vertraag dit die oplos van suurstof in die water en sal baars geneig wees om na koeler en dieper water te beweeg waar daar meer suurstof in die water is. Baars verkies egter die vlakker water omrede daar meer golfaksie voorkom wat suurstof in die water vermeerder. Daar is egter ook meer waterplante soos watergras in die vlakker water en hierdie plante vervaardig suurstof deur fotosintese.

Bewegende water bevat ook meer suurstof omrede dit as gevolg van die beweging van die water deurentyd met die lug meng.

Die geologiese vorm van die bodem van ‘n dam of rivier staan bekend as die struktuur. Struktuur is die verandering van kontoere op die bodem of ‘n skielike verandering waar die bodem wegval in dieper water. Enige skielike verandering in die vorm van ‘n onderwater eiland, rivierlope, kontoerveranderings, ‘n rif of punt op die bodem, vorm struktuur.

Baars is veral geneig om hulself tuis te maak in areas waar daar ‘n skielike verandering in die kontoere op die bodem is. Hengelaars op gesofistikeerde bote kan visvinders gebruik, terwyl die wat nie die tegnologie het nie net na die kontoere op die oewer kan kyk om ‘n idee te kry hoe dit op die bodem lyk. Met die lae stand van ons damme se watervlakke in die land, neem ek soveel fotos as moontlik van struktuur wat nou sigbaar is of bo die waterlyn lê. Ek bêre dan hierdie fotos in my argief wat ek van elke dam versamel. Sodra die watervlakke dan weer in die somer styg, kan ek die fotos opdiep en bestudeer om ‘n idee te kry van hoe die struktuur in daardie area lyk.

Dit is egter belangrik dat hengelaars moet verstaan waar in die baars se habitat hy homself gaan bevind en waarom hy hom daar bevind. So moet ons ook verstaan dat al die faktore, soos wat ek in die artikel genoem het, elkeen ‘n rol gaan speel as daar na baars in hul habitat gesoek gaan word. Ek glo dat indien hengelaars die interaksie van ‘n baars en sy habitat beter verstaan, sal dit ook sy sukses in die sport verbeter. Ons moet egter probeer om die baars en sy omgewing op te pas. Kom ons pas ook goeie gewoontes toe. Hanteer ‘n baars met groot omsigtigheid en plaas hulle so gou as moontlik weer terug, verkieslik in sy omgewing waar jy hom gevind het. Geniet hierdie somer jou baarshengel.

Fertiliteit van damme Waar damme en mere ‘n hoë inhoud van dooie planten diermateriaal het, sal die water ook ‘n hoër vlak van fertiliteit hê. Hierdie damme en mere sal dan ook minder suurstof hê, maar as gevolg van die hoë bron van voedsel wat hier voorkom sal daar tog ook baie swartbaars voorkom.

Damme en mere met min afvalreste sal egter baie skoner water hê wat meer suurstofryk is. Hierdie damme of mere het egter minder voedselbronne vir baars om op te oorleef.

Hierdie damme het ook minder dekking in die vorm van waterplante en is nie die ideale habitat vir grootbekbaars nie, maar eerder vir kleinbekbaars en forel.

Dekking Dekking speel seer sekerlik die belangrikste rol in die grootbekbaars se lewensiklus. Vroeg in ‘n baars se lewe sal dekking dien as ‘n plek waar die baars veilig kan voel en weg kan kruip vir predatore wat op hulle jag maak.

Soos hulle ouer word, verander die rol van die dekking

*Philip Kemp is ‘n gesoute swartbaarhengelaar en assistentredakteur van SA BASS.

Hierdie klipstapels is goeie wegkruipplekke vir swartbaars wanneer die dam vol is SA BASS 25 October 2019

>> SA BASS You can either love it or leave it but there is nothing you can do to change it. Windâ&#x20AC;Ś Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a factor we all have to encounter at some stage of angling and we bass anglers literally have to suck it up to make the most of it or lose out.

T

here are always going to be mixed opinions about the wind when bass enthusiasts get together swopping tales of woe or glory but ultimately it blows down to the knowledge we obtain and how you apply your strategy. South Africa is no stranger to breeze or gale and when the winds get tough out on the water, bass anglers need to get smart quickly.

To break it down more easily we could say there are three main aspects of how wind effects a day of bassing. They are: t 0VS BQQSPBDI t :PV BT B CBTT BOHMFS t ɨF CBTT UIFNTFMWFT

Approach

A great sized bass caught in windy conditions

First is our approach and whether we are about to launch the boats or jump into our tube floats, wind is always something to be mindful of.

Not only will it determine our entire strategy for the day but also the safety precautions needed to be practiced during any daunting, wind- blown conditions. A gentle gust can turn gale force in a matter of minutes so making sure you are up to date with the recent forecast for your chosen day on the water is a must. Check the batteries of your trolling motors PS NBLF TVSF ZPV IBWF UIF SJHIU fins when tubing for these are game changers in turbulent times. While ensuring all our equipment is in good working order on our watercrafts we should be mindful of hazards we

might encounter as well. Choppy XBWFT QPPS WJTJCJMJUZ BOE EFOTF UJNCFS stands are just a few things that could lead to bumps, scratches, punctures and capsizing, all of which can be dangerously costly. Banking it for bass during a windy day is not without its JTTVFT CVU GSPN B TBGFUZ QFSTQFDUJWF you good to go here.

The next thing regarding our approach is what strategy you wish to employ and how best to use the wind UP ZPVS BEWBOUBHF * XJTI * DPVME UFMM you it is as simple as saying â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ah the wind is blowing, do this and you will catch fishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; but alas it is not so. Always remember all factors concerning bass angling interlink with one another TP WFOVF TFBTPO BOE ZPVS HMPCBM location must be added into any wind equation. Many professional bass anglers will smile when the air starts to stir on the water and for good reason too. When the wind picks up we can use the fact that that normal, accurate WJTJPO CBTT IBWF XJMM OPX CF PCTDVSFE due to surface disturbance and lack of sunlight passing through the water.

This means our lures are less likely to be recognised as fake imitations allowing more and better chances of TUSJLF UJNF 0O MBSHFS CPEJFT PG XBUFS prolonged winds can create currents which are easy to track making it less time consuming to locate and pick off big bass that usually patrol these water ways. Sheltered bays, inlets or BOZUIJOH PĂŞFSJOH DPWFS GSPN UIF XJOE

Bass in the wind An elemental challenge

Thick grass blown towards the shallows by a steady breeze 26 SA BASS October 2019

>> Jay RĂśhm-Williams

Currents like this created by wind are great spots to target big bass

now become hot spots too with almost a guarantee that there will be more than one bass waiting in ambush. )FBWJFS MVSFT TVDI BT WBSJPVT TJ[FE DSBOLT KJHT BOE spinner baits are going to be easier to manage in the gusts when it comes to casting or picking up any bite action. ,FFQJOH ZPVS SPE BOE MJOF IPSJ[POUBM UP UIF XBUFS XJMM HJWF ZPV CFUUFS DPOUBDU XJUI ZPVS MVSF XIJMF SFUSJFWJOH XIJDI JT essential for successful hook-ups. So whether you trawling the bottom or working the mid-section keep that line tight constantly. Try positioning yourself and your rod to an BOHMF XIJDI BWPJET UIF XJOE DSFBUJOH B CPX MJLF FêFDU XJUI your line.

The angler 0VS TFDPOE NBJO BTQFDU XPSUI MPPLJOH BU JT ZPV yourself as a bass angler and how will you handle the wind. " EBZ PVU PO UIF SJWFS MBLF PS EBN ëTIJOH JO UIF XJOE can be honestly miserable. Besides the cold thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wrestling XJUI PWFS CMPXO MJOFT HFUUJOH TUVDL DBTUJOH EJïDVMUJFT BOE USZJOH ZPVS CFTU UP QJDL VQ UIBU CJUF XIJMF TUBZJOH QPTJUJWF /P FBTZ UBTL BOE WFSZ GSVTUSBUJOH GPS BOZ MFWFM PG CBTT BOHMFS whether from the bank or on a craft. To increase your own comfort and durability while hitting the water dress accordingly for what you expect to encounter. Fish smart and use the natural surroundings to their full potential XJUIPVU IBTUJMZ NPWJOH GSPN POF TQPU UP BOPUIFS BU B sprinters pace. Wind is not an element to be discouraged CZ TP EPO U HJWF VQ PS UPTT JO UIF SPET JG TIF TUBSUT UP TUJS

A choppy surface provides good cover from above for anglers

stiff winds causes a major difference in the decline of water UFNQFSBUVSFT BOE CJUF BDUJPO *G JU HFUT SFBMMZ TUSPOH PVU there too much muck and sediment becomes dislodged which has be known to turn bass off in a big way as well.

"U WFOVFT XIFSF UIFSF JT RVJUF B CJU PG BRVBUJD WFHFUBUJPO growing on the waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surface a constant wind will clump all this plant matter together so tightly that it becomes almost impossible to get through to where the bass are sheltering below.

Nobody said bass fishing would be easy, especially if you DPOTJEFS XIBU XF BMM IBWF UP HP UISPVHI KVTU UP HFU UP UIF water in the first place sometimes. Windy days whether rain or shine are always going to be challenging but knowing what to look for and how to tackle each gusty scenario can prepare you for some excellent bassing ahead. There are many ways to catch a bass so next time the trees begin to rustle and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a ripple on the water be confident in your wind tactics and go get hooked in to that big one!

3PET PVU BOE TBGF ëTIJOH FWFSZPOF

Bass themselves Thirdly and probably most importantly we must consider how our dear, greenish gold friends respond to UIF XJOE 4USBJHIU Pê UIF SFFM ZPV DBO CFMJFWF UIBU UIFZ UPP IBWF NJYFE GFFMJOHT BCPVU B TUJê CSFF[F BOE UIF FêFDUT PO UIFJS CFIBWJPVS DBO WBSZ " CBTT CFMJFWFT JG UIFZ DBO U CF seen then the coast must be clear so when the surface of the water is blown about they tend to be less shy. Something FMTF UP DPOTJEFS JT XIFO BMM UIJT BJS NPWJOH BSPVOE IBT CFFO QVTIFE JOUP UIF XBUFS B SJTF JO PYZHFO MFWFMT JT DSFBUFE BOE JO UVSO HJWFT UIF ëTI BO FOFSHZ CPPTU 7BSJPVT FDPTZTUFNT in and along the water will now get disturbed as the wind blows creating a few feeding opportunities which bass will MPPL GPS &WFO CBJUëTI USBJM BGUFS UIF NJDSPTDPQJD GFBTUT that are herded by current and breeze into the shallows which then in turn brings bigger bass out from the deep BOE JO IPU QVSTVJU 0O UIF ìJQ TJEF PG UIJOHT QSPMPOHFE

Keeping your rod and line horizontal to the water allows better contact SA BASS 27 October 2019

>> SA BAARS

Interne faktore By die dam aangekom met my nuwe spinnerbait (soos in die vorige uitgawe aanbeveel) was dit toe nie so maklik nie - hoekom nie?

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el, behalwe vir die regte toerusting en gerei is daar ook ander faktore wat swartbaarhengel beïnvloed. Die geleerdes praat van interne en eksterne faktore wat verwys na faktore binne en buite die water. Binne die water is daar sekere dinge soos watertemperatuur wat veral hierdie tyd van die jaar ‘n belangrike invloed op visgedrag het. Dink daaraan; ek sê vir jou buite by jou voorhek lê ‘n stukkie kougom. Gaan jy die moeite doen om op te staan, alles oop te sluit en die happie te gaan haal? Dankie maar nee dankie - nie ek nie.

Maar wat van ek sê vir jou daar lê ‘n heerlike vars gebakte twee-laag sjokolade koek met gekookte kondensmelk versier – net vir jou; óf ‘n regte egte outydse melktert.

Nou het jy my aandag! Wel, vir ‘n lui, koudbloedige struikrower soos ‘n swartbaar moet die aanbieding ook die “moeite werd wees”, anders gaan jy daar staan tot koeie huis toe kom. Nou is dit ook belangrik dat die aas op die regte plek aangebied moet word.

Anders as in die somer wanneer swartbaars struktuurgeorienteerd is, is hulle in winter opsoek na stabiele watertemperatuur en voedsel wat gerieflik naby is. Dit vind hulle in die diepste dele van die dam, veral as daar groterige klippe is wat alle vis soos magnete aantrek.

Gebruik nou weer daardie spinnerbait en teiken die klippe van alle kante en alle dieptes - onthou die geheim lê in stadige aanbiedings.

‘n “Jerkbait” is ‘n slanke hardeplastiekkunsaasvissie met drie-angel hoeke

28 SA BASS October 2019

>> Hannes Lindeque* Indien jy jou volgende aas wil aanskaf sal ‘n “jerkbait” die regte ding wees. Dit is ‘n slanke hardeplastiekkunsaasvissie met drie-angel hoeke. Die waterhelderheid (nog ‘n interne faktor) gaan die keuse van jou kunsaas se kleur bepaal.

Gebruik natuurlike kleure in helderskoon water en bring die aas in met kort ruk en pluk bewegings om ‘n beseerde klein vissie na te boots. Indien die water troebel is (jy kan nie verder as 30cm in die water sien nie), moet die aas met ‘n konstante tempo ingebring word, sodat die vis die aas kan “hoor” en op hom afpeil. (Sien ‘n vorige wenk omtrent die hantering van drie-angelhoeke).

Ander interne faktore wat ook ‘n rol speel is waterbesoedeling, struktuur, wegkruipplekke, voedselbronne en dalende watervlak.

In die volgende uitgawe kyk ons na nog belangrike faktore wat swartbaarhengel kan beïnvloed.

Hengelwenk: Swartbaars vreet minder gereeld as gevolg van hulle verlaagde metabolisme maar hulle moet nogsteeds vreet.

Hoe kouer die water is, hoe stadiger moet jy hengel – dit kan nie genoeg beklemtoon word nie! *Hannes Lindeque is die stigter en uitgewer van SA BASS sedert 2001, die hooforganiseerder van FLW Suid-Afrika en SA BASS Cast-for-Cash swartbaarhengeltoernooie.

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Call 082-416-5524, or get all the rules, dates and venues on www.flwsouthafrica.com SA BASS 29 October 2019

>> SA BASS Working parallel to a ledge leading to a shallow bay

DROP ME OFF A spawn hot zone

>> Jay Rรถhm-Williams armer days are more frequent on the horizon and bass all over South Africa can feel the change in the water too. The spawning period can stretch out over a few months and during this time various sized bass can be caught all over the place depending on what stage of the spawn they are in. Where we are going to cast our attention to in this article is focusing on different forms of drop-offs and looking at why these areas are absolute hot zones to target during the spring months.

So why all the attention on rocky inclines, steep ledges or deep, running points? Well if we take a closer look at the familiar patterns bass develop during this phase of their lives we know that those big winter bass favour these areas as migration freeways. The warmer water in the shallows is appealing but there will be no sense of urgency as the bass make this slow transition from the deeps. Any well protected bay or stretch of water offering shelter in the shallow depths will be ideal for nesting sites especially the north facing shoreline. Bass will often search for flat, hard bottomed banks to lay their eggs and will be constantly on the move till they have accomplished their mating rituals.

The males stay behind while most of the females head back to the deeper waters to suspend around drop off zones from which they came before. By then targeting these transitional

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Spring out and jump into action is the general thought shared by majority of bass anglers when the spawning season gets underway.

30 SA BASS October 2019

North facing shorelines and small bays make ideal nesting sites

Deep water points and channels with alot of structure

spots in any sized body of water we can narrow down the search for some huge action takes. The bass at these depths of water, which can range from anything starting at 6m to 3m down, will generally be more aggressive around feeding zones found closer to some form of structure. These structures become almost like stop and go spots for bass moving between shallow and deeper waters making a good place to start if in doubt.

Here in the deeper run offs we will find weighted or heavier lures such as jig-style baits for instance bounced off rocky bottoms producing solid hits. Crank- and jerkbaits can be brought down deep and then worked back up slowly again enticing reaction strikes from some decent bass.

Spinner- and buzzbaits will create some excitement as long as you keep the pace steady during retrieval as bigger bass will still be a bit sluggish and not quite willing to chase down fast moving prey. An awesome, trigger bait worth mentioning for any drop off scenario are Texas-rigged tubes fished parallel to ledges, cliff faces and slopes. These can be tweaked slowly along or just brought up straight from the floor towards the surface picking up any actively feeding fish quickly in the area.

As water temperatures rise and the days grow longer bass will be swimming up and down quite a lot so if one particular area is not producing any action move on and

return later again. If fishing a long banked point on the shallow side with no interesting enquiries swop over to the deeper side and work the spot thoroughly. There will be bass congregating along these locations somewhere so be patient. Paying attention to any baitfish activity provides clues to ambush areas off ledges where there might be a deep hole or gully with a giant just lurking there. At the end of each spring day we must remember though that documenting facts and theories mean nothing to any creature. Bass answer only to the call of nature and although we might not always be able to be one step ahead it certainly will never stop bass anglers from â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;dam wallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; trying! So go locate that deep section of water just lying ahead of the gentle shallows and bring those October beauties up from below. Be mindful during this time of the season and treat each fish with respect so generations of future bass can keep on coming.

Rods out and safe fishing everyone.

A steep drop off running along a shallow bank SA BASS 31 October 2019

>> SA BASS

Water resources and flooded ecosystems Bass fishing is a very dreamy affair for me. At a guess it’s the thought of hidden structures and an unintended creation of an underwater environment which evolves when you flood an ecosystem.

H

ow the fish are introduced could be via a few magical ways of nature; possibly they flow down and enter the new ecosystem through streams, or the fish are picked up and transferred/dropped by birds of prey, and then of course through human intervention – which I’ve never complained about.

Eventually, the different species of fish all find their favourite haunts within the bio-network. I saw this first hand at Rhenosterkop Dam while the water level was at its very lowest many years ago. Interestingly, the water levels continue to rise and fall and the fish will relocate to the very same spots time and time again.

32 SA BASS October 2019

So knowing where these areas are is extremely beneficial to bass anglers.

This, however, really does take quite some time to learn.

The baitfish species all have their chosen spots on a dam. Mosquito fish being the smallest of the baitfish species that young bass rely on will be happiest amongst the leaves and stems of the healthy, sprouting shoots on aquatic vegetation – at any time of the day you won’t be short of fledgling bass here and the odd lunker bass in the early hours and other very hot times of day where they seek out the shade of the plants and overgrowth.

In amongst the shallow vegetation and schooling up with their friends

>> Roger Donaldson* will be vlei and canary kurper species and in certain areas of our country the colourful bluegill species too. If you’re lucky enough to find all of the above, combined with areas of rocky boulder structure, then you may encounter the tiny dwarf kurper too. I realise that I have left young catfish by the wayside, but these little critters are probably the most hardy of them all and tend to venture into every area of a dam.

Another not too common baitfish species, (also present in Rhenosterkop Dam), is the makriel which we found to frequent the timber structures around the dam. I can’t possibly forget that in between all of these are a bountiful array of other species,

including carp, mudfish, yellowfish, the larger blue kurper and not too far away, the largemouth bass.

All of these species school beneath the water and create habitats that resemble aquatic cities (just as we have human ones) with areas to feed, seek solitude and areas of “business or pleasure”. It’s essential that we recognise the various areas as this can determine what baitfish are most likely present there and then make our best attempts to resemble these.

Part of my business is designing mining rehabilitation insurance solutions. Wow, urgh. What a far cry that is from my dream of being a professional bass angler! But I have to admit that I see an interesting similarity between the two. No I don’t propose filling the open pit mine with water, planting some vegetation and transferring bait fish and a few bass. Okay maybe I do a little bit.

Although, come to think of it there are a few mine pits out there that have worked very nicely just like that (bass lake in Henley On Klip is home to some very large bass). I’m thinking more about how incredible it is that we can create dams. They’re flooded valleys and landscapes. A whole new living underwater environment from where there was once only dry land, quarries and anthills, kraals and roaming animals, human settlements and dilapidated buildings, weirs of farms dams, hills, cliffs and koppies, living trees, birds, reptiles and a host of other creatures.

I can’t wait to see how the powers at be react to the burgeoning water crisis. Surely we are going to see a provision of more dams? Absolutely and yes please. This makes me very happy. Not too many years back we saw the creation of De Hoop Dam on the Steelpoort River, near

Burgersfort, Limpopo. It was opened in 2014 and has since attracted bass fishermen and their boats from far and wide. The dam boasts a tremendous underwater environment. You can get a glimpse of what’s beneath you by simply looking at the shoreline – abundant trees, rocky shorelines, valleys, koppies, quarries and much more. Bass and aquatic life is absolutely booming there and if we can expect to see more of these water resources being developed then I might have to just give up selling insurance guarantees! *Roger Donaldson is an experienced journalist and knowledgeable bass angler who has enjoyed many enlightening hours with many of South Africa’s top, competitive bass fishermen. As a competitive angler himself, he also enjoys sharing his expertise with fellow bass fanatics in the hope that they find the same joy in this unique sport.

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BASICS “Bass Fishing – An Intro” MicropterusSalmoides, commonly known as largemouth bass, are widespread in Southern Africa.

MicropterusDolomieu, commonly known as smallmouth,bass are also found in Southern Africa, but are not as widespread – Richard Grant

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CLASSROOM

TACTICS “Big Spoons for Big Bass”

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS 01 38 56 50

MY CAST Cast-for-Cash - Tournament Results GEAR UP READERS-go-BASSING

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“Short- or Long-Shank?”

What is one of the most over looked things that we miss when we are searching for the perfect hard bait? – Hendrik

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“Sight Fishing” monster of only just over a kilo!

– Shandon Hawman

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BASICS “Morning, Noon and Night” it may seem intimidating. You may be

INTERNATIONAL

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STRATEGIES

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BASICS

Seisoen” Vir ‘

“A Basic Guide on Boat and Outboard Selection for the Novice Angler (Part 1)” In the modern day and age of bass angling, it is becoming more evident that

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>> Bassin’ in Europe

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>> Aloe Rock - Waterberg

BESTEMMING

seisoene in – Philip

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ADVE

READERS’ COMPETITION 01

>> Subscribe and win with COBB

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>> SA Bass Readers Competition – Raylite Ultimate AGM Battery

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Win with GRIP Hooks

icious F ay angler. Today’s angler deserves ality, durability and reliability in their ar and Vicious delivers all of that with

MONTHLY GIVE AWAYS

URNAMENT NEWS from Sensation Lures” To me bass angling has always been about the excitement of having so many choices of lures and colours to outwit a little green

Winter Bass Classic 2014” lanwilliam Dam is South Africa’s premier smallmouth bassing venue, where the 26th Clanwilliam Bass Classic was hosted by the Western Cape Bass Angling Association.

– Craig Fraser

ITAGS Takes you directly to the SA BASS website.

VENTURE “MATCH MAKING 4X4” 4x4 has taken many people to the outskirts of the earth and it has brought pleasure to many people.

ON THE COVER “Willie Swart” Image: Hannes Lindeque SA BASS 03 November 2014

Y ONL pm R28 Compatible with:

For your Apple, Android or Windows 8 http://www.magzter.com/

SA BASS 33 October 2019

>> SA BASS

#Hand-line challenge There many different methods of catching bass, some conventional and others... well not so much! We decided to take a notso conventional method and put it to the test! For what is ďŹ shing without a little challenge? >> Dylan Wheeler y fishing partner, Max Evrard and I set out for a day of fun on Witbank Dam with nothing more than a hand-line set up, 10lb line and a consequence sitting in the back of our minds.

The objective of the day was to see who would catch the longest fish (measured using a measuring trough), using any lure in our tackle box, the loser would then feel the heat (quite literally) and eat a handful of chillies! Bear in mind that both Max and I cannot handle hot foods!

We set up our gear and set off to start the challenge.

We both chose to start the day with craw imitation baits, I decided on a Green Pumpkin Blue Craw set up as a Nekorig and Max decided on a P,B and J-Craw set up as a Nedrig. Cast after cast and we were not winning! As primitive as a hand-line setup is... casting it is not an easy task to accomplish! But we set our minds to it, and after a few failed practice rounds, we finally got the hang of it!

I made my way to the nearest grass line I could find and found a perfect pocket that I knew would be holding a fish or two. Feeling very much like a cowboy about to throw a lasso, I let go and landed the lure perfectly in the pocket. With the line leading directly to my hand, I could actually feel the lure hit the floor. Two twitches and bang!

I had a take. Not knowing what to expect with this new equipment, the spool was almost ripped from my hand!

After I had gathered my wits and stopped celebrating my first take, the challenge of trying to bring the fish in began. Without the give a rod provides, I first had to allow the fish to take line from my hand, drop the spool and then start pulling it in by the line, a few seconds later I had landed a fish measuring 38cm. Knowing this was a good fish, celebrations and lots of photos were definitely in order!

Chuffed about catching my first fish ever on a handline, I was determined to do it again. I moved on to the

The author with the first bass he caught for the day

M

34 SA BASS October 2019

Max showing his fish

The author with another fish

Max lost the bet and had to eat a handful of chillies

next spot which was a man-made structure of jetty steps, one we had fished before and knew held some decent sized fish. A successful cast out and a few twitches later, I had hooked my next fish. Through the sensitivity of the hand-line, I could feel that he wasn’t as big as the first fish but a catch nonetheless. Realising that he was barely hooked, I decided to net him and brought him onto the boat. I opened his mouth to remove the hook and low and behold, sitting right there in the back of his throat... was a crab! Realisation hit and I now knew why my craw bait was working so well. I called Max over while grabbing my pair of forceps and gently removed the live crab from his throat. Max was just as blown away as I was and it was then that we decided to keep fishing our bait of choice.

Not wanting to be the guy who stole my fish’s lunch, I gently placed the crab back in his mouth and sent him on his way.

It was now when Max had decided it was his turn to catch so we headed over to one of his favourite fishing spots, a floating jetty. I watched Max make a perfect cast to the corner of the jetty, and a few seconds later, heard him shout at the top of his lungs, “I’ve got one!” He made his way to my boat so we could measure it with the biggest smile on his face. The result was 32cm, not quite big enough but still a great catch!

The day went on and a few more fish were caught.

Still none that topped my 38cm, and although Max has a knack for catching at the last second, this time it did not happen. The day came to an end and I was victorious!

Unluckily for Max, that meant he had to face the chillies!

The very next day we set of to our local grocery store for Max to select his fate. We got back to the house and it was time! Max took his 4, finger-long chillies, and reluctantly took a bite! The chillies literally exploded with juice and after a few chews he could handle it no more. His mouth on fire, face red and eyes watering he bolted into the kitchen for some water.

I cannot stress enough how amazing and ridiculously addictive hand-line fishing is and for anyone who is looking to try something new and fun, I would strongly suggest giving it a try! If you would like to view the video of our day out, check out our YouTube channel FISHING INFLATED and don’t forget to like and subscribe.

SA BASS 35 October 2019

>> SA BASS

>> Rudolph Venter* hile many anglers turn to soft baits during this time, I find that one doesn’t cover water nearly as effectively as when casting jerkbaits. Jerkbaits also have the tendency to trigger a pressured bass into submission. With all the angling pressure on most of our waters these days, it is wise to spend time with reaction baits. Especially when fishing venues with clear water where anglers spend a lot of time targeting bass on nests with various soft baits or jigs – you can often fool a bass by a lure darting away too close to its nest.

Even after the spawn, when bass tend to protect their fry, few baits will trigger such a ferocious response as a jerkbait suspended between the fry.

As with any lure, there are several factors which contribute to the success an angler experiences.

W

Jerkbait

fever!

At the end of winter to early spring time, I rely on one particular lure to go tight – jerkbaits!

36 SA BASS October 2019

Rod setup Some anglers prefer spinning rigs when fishing with jerkbaits. I generally prefer a casting rig as it has less strain on my wrist. This is one technique where it pays to fish with a light weight rig. A heavy rig will impact how long you can fish the jerkbait with the correct action before your wrist calls for a break. I currently fish with a Duckett Micro Magic 6’6” Medium (medium fast action) combined with an Abu Garcia Revo MGX reel loaded with 10lbs Gamma fluorocarbon line. I

have caught many bass on a medium heavy casting setup in the past, but found that bass tend to throw my lure easier on these rods compared to a medium action rod. The tip on a medium action rod has a little bit more give which assists when bass try to throw your lure.

I mainly fish with Salmo Rattlin’ Sting jerkbaits as these lures have a fantastic action, realistic finish and come out standard loaded with Mustad KVD Triple Grip treble hooks. The triple grip hooks have an excellent holding ability as they are slightly indented which leads to less bass throwing your lure. In clear waters I prefer natural colours which imitate the bait fish (Holo Bleak is a great imitation of yellowfish, paper mouth, barbs while yellow holo perch is better imitation of juvenile bass and bream). When the waters are a bit off coloured, I would throw a Sexy Shad colour as it creates a nice contrast in the water.

Target areas I like to work weed lines, gravel beds, boulders and docks with jerkbaits. Generally I wouldn’t fish deeper than three meter with jerkbaits, though there are deep-diving versions available on the market if you wish to fish deeper down. A hard bottom is also ideal when working these baits in an area.

Techniques When fishing clear water; long and accurate casts can make a massive difference in your success with these baits.

You want to place your bait on the edge of the weed line or in the pockets between grasses as well as right on the edge of docks. Remember that a jerkbait is a reaction bait, therefore the bass don’t necessarily want to chase down the bait; you want your lure to pass the bass as close as possible. Often the bass will hit your lure on the first or second jerk after placing it close to a sweet spot.

I love an aggressive jerking action where the lure has a sharp darting action and sometimes even turn around on itself. Bass tend to destroy a bait fish which turns around a looks them in the eye while they are stalking the prey.

Remember that it is crucial that your rod tip does all the work when fishing a jerkbait. Your lure should only be moving via the jerking action while your reel should only retrieve the slack between jerks. Ensure that your rod tip starts and ends in the same position between jerks as this will produce the best action out of your jerkbait.

The pace which you work the jerkbait on will differ from trip to trip. Sometimes the bass prefer a longer pause between jerks (especially in winter) and other times they prefer a quick action with almost no pause between jerks.

You need to experiment on this factor to find the pace which the bass prefer on the day.

Once the bass is hooked, remember to keep your rod tip down to prevent the bass from throwing your lure. Also, lead the bass away from the structure and play it in the open. You need to balance between not playing the fish to hard so the hooks don’t pull while trying to get the fish in the net as quick as possible. Bass are specialist when it comes to coming off the hook with jerkbaits – experience makes all the difference in landing them.

When the jerkbait bite is on, you will be surprised by how effective this technique can be. I have experienced several trips where jerkbaits caught more than fifty bass for the day as well as times where it produced 10kg plus bags for me. Also, on those days when bass are not interested in anything, remember to give jerkbaits a try. These baits just have that amazing ability to make hesitant bass give in to temptation. *Rudolph Venter is a well known Protea artlure angler SA BASS 37 October 2019

>> SA BASS

Fishing

could ruin your holiday

>> So you have worked hard the whole year and earned your annual leave with blood, sweat and tears. Of course your hard earned leave will be used for a ďŹ shing trip, what else??

38 SA BASS October 2019

>> Jaco Smit

C

areful planning has gone into your fishing trip. New tackle has been purchased, numerous articles has been read and studied about your carefully chosen

venue.

Eventually the time arrives and with great excitement the family is loaded into the car and the long road is taken too what is expected to be the best vacation ever.

And then, three days into your vacation your wife isn’t talking to you and the kids start nagging because they are bored. As time goes by the situation rapidly deteriorates and the atmosphere turns plain hostile.

How did this happen? We are all on vacation and suppose to have fun, what went wrong?

Let’s see if the following rings a bell? On the first morning you are up early. Breakfast is prepared for everyone, along with some snacks and refreshments for the day’s fishing.

Everyone is quite excited about the possibilities the day might hold and eagerly the day is started. Although the sun is hot and the fishing a bit slow, everyone seems to be having a good time.

On the second day, the family is a bit sluggish to get started, but soon enough the fishing commences with great expectations. But around midday the kids are getting bored but mom attends to them and you manage to squeeze in a few extra casts before heading to camp.

On day three it really takes motivation to get the troops ready and mom indicates that she would like to give some attention the camp today and will not be joining you today.

By 10:00am the kids are nagging to go back to camp. At around 11:00am, the kids have managed to tangle their lines, lost lures and everyone seem to be barking at each other.

And so it continues to the point where everyone is actually looking forward to going home.

Now this might be a highly exaggerated scenario of what your last fishing vacation might have been, but I bet most of us have experienced similar situations.

How do you prevent your much deserved fishing trip turning into a family feud?

The key is to make time to spend with the family.

During the week, work, school and other responsibilities cause us to live past each other. On these holiday occasions we have the opportunity to reconnect with our families and we should not let our passion for fishing takes that away from us. With some careful planning you can maintain a very good balance between quality family time and great fishing.

As hard as it is to imagine, we must realise that not everyone is as passionate about fishing as we are.

If you can combine some of the interests of the family with your fishing plans you are on the right track too put a smile on everyone’s faces.

Photography For example, if your wife or older children enjoys taking photos, take him or her to venues where they can enjoy their photography while you fish. You’ll most likely have to sacrifice some fishing time to model for them as you cast your lure into the beautiful sunset. It is of course an absolute bonus if he or she can catch a frame of your trophy bass tail walking across the water surface.

Photography is probably one of the best hobbies to combine with fishing because one can usually find opportunities for beautiful nature and family photos at your favourite fishing holes.

Investing in a proper camera for your wife or child will definitely add enthusiasm.

For some added assistance in this regard you can also refer to Ivan Sonnekus’ article; Photography 101 in the July 2019 issue of SA BASS.

Fishing with the kids Keeping the kids entertained is another challenge on its own. However this is a great opportunity for dad to reconnect with the kids and forget about work stress and the bills.

SA BASS 39 October 2019

This is where we as anglers need to take some time and put down our own rods for a while and focus on the family.

You can still fish with the kids, but now it is about them and not your search for your next trophy fish. If your kids are still small you can target small kurper and bass on earth worms with a small float and barbless hooks.

To the kids, size does not matter. Quantity will entertain them for hours on end. And usually the small kurper are willing to devour your offerings even in the heat of the day. Just remember to apply some sunscreen to the kids.

Hiking Going on hiking trails will also provide some variety to your vacation. This is of course yet another opportunity for some photos to capture the memories made.

Game viewing Game viewing in a nearby nature reserve will also take some focus of the fishing. A few hours trapped in the vehicle looking for the ever elusive animals might have everyone looking forward to the next fishing session.

Pamper the wife Another way to earn point with the wife would be to take care of the kids for the day and send her to a spa so that she can be pampered for the day. This will pay off very well next time the fish are biting and you make those few extra hundred or so casts and end up starting the fire for the braai an hour or two too late.

Venue Your choice of venue must be considered very carefully.

There should be enough for everyone to do. Consideration should be given to safety, kids’ entertainment, swimming pool, games room, nearby nature reserves etc.

If you choose your venue correctly, you will optimize your time spent fishing productively and quality time spent with the family.

>> Some extra tips

Whatever activity you decide on, always remember to apply sunscreen for the kids. Sunburn is a sure way to ruin your holiday.

When fishing with small kids, keep the tackle simple and either use barbless hooks or at least squash the bards flat. This will help a bit should an accident occur.

Always have enough for the kids to drink and snack on during the course of the day. This will keep them hydrated and they are usually content if they have something to snack on.

I hope this will give you some guidance when you start planning your next family outing. If everyone has fun, you are sure to have your family excited about the next fishing trip.

Photography is probably one of the best hobbies to combine with fishing 40 SA BASS October 2019

BASSIN KIDS OUTREACH PROJECT A Division of SA BASS Magazine & South African Bass Angling Sport Society

8 - 14 December 2019 We at SA BASS are inviting all avid young anglers between the ages of 7-16 years to join us for loads of fun and adventure.

Venue: Boskoors Farm, 30km North of Pretoria on the Moloto Road.

Bookings are essential!

We have limited spots available as we like to keep the number of campers at a minimum, to ensure that every child gets the necessary individual attention and guidance.

Please call Wilma on 087 808 5406 or 083 306 2718 to book your spot. For more information visit www.sabass.com or e-mail wilma@sabass.com SA BASS 41 October 2019

>> SA BAARS DESTINATION

De Voetpadskloof Juweel van die Loskopvallei >> > > Philip Ph hiili lip Ke K Kemp* emp p*

DIE OPDRAG VAN MY VROU WAS: “SOEK VIR ONS ‘N PLEKKIE NIE TE VER VAN DIE HUIS AF NIE, WAAR ONS KAN ONTSPAN EN BAARSHENGEL...

TOE ONTDEK EK DE VOETPADSKLOOF.

D

Jy kan ‘n kayak huur om vanaf te hengel

Skaars twee ure vanaf Pretoria, 40km noord van Middelburg in die Loskopvallei, vind ek toe die juweel, wat beslis ‘n moet sou wees vir die baarshengelaar wat graag ook sy gesin wil trakteer op ‘n heerlike, sorgvrye wegbreeknaweek.

e Voetpadskloof is ‘n 600ha natuurreservaat met ‘n verskeidenheid wildsoorte, voetslaanpaadjies, bergfietsroetes, swembaddens, waterwurms, ‘n restaurant en natuurlik ‘n groot dam waar jy met ‘n kayak kan hengel vir baars, of met ‘n kabelspoor oor die dam kan gly, en nog soveel meer. Jy gaan beslis nie ledig wees as jy hier kom afsaal nie.

Ek en Reniece het reeds vroegmiddag in die pad geval, want natuurlik wou ons nog laatmiddag ‘n baars of twee aan die hoek wou kry. Daar gekom, was ek verstom oor die netheid van De Voetpadskloof en die hartlike ontvangs het ons dadelik tuis laat voel.

Ons tenthuis was bo in die kloof en weereens het die geriewe my beïndruk. Dit het egter swaar gegaan om my groot Land Rover Defender 130 om die draaie te kry wat effens aan die nou kant was.

Klaar afgepak, kon ons nie vinnig genoeg ons draaie kry om te gaan kyk of daar mooi groot baars in die dam is nie. Alhoewel ons ‘n opblaasbootjie saamgebring het, en toestemming gekry het om hom te mag gebruik, het ons die laatmiddag sommer van die oewer af gehengel. Dit 42 SA BASS October 2019

was nie lank voor Reniece haar eerste baars geland het nie.

Ek moes egter wag tot die volgende oggend voordat ek eers ‘n baars aan die hoek kon kry. Natuurlik moes ek die hele aand by die vuur hoor hoe sy al ‘n vis kon aankeer en ek nie. Ek is mooi laat verstaan dat sy die beter hengelaar tussen ons twee is, en ja… ek kon op daardie stadium nie veel sê nie.

De Voetpadskloof het ‘n wye verskeidenheid van akkommodasie beskikbaar. Daar is twee karavaanparke, een met krag en ‘n boskamp sonder krag, die safari-tente soos die een waarin ons gebly het, die luukse houthuise met sy eie privaat warmwaterswembad, die chalets en die pragtige bergtente wat uitkyk oor die hele vallei.

Na ‘n heerlike nagrus en ‘n bobbejaan wat vroegoggend besluit het hy wil in die asblik kom kyk wat ons geëet het, is ons vroeg op vir ontbyt en daarna het Reniece besluit dat ons een van die menigte staproetes gaan aanpak.

Daar is sewe staproetes om van te kies waarvan die Watervalroete jou vat tot by ‘n pragtige waterval. Ek en Reniece het die Ribbokroete aangedurf en ons kon selfs op die verste punt van die roete Loskopdam sien. Van hierdie

Die grootste baars van die naweek is natuurlik deur die skrywer se vrou Reniece gevang. Die baars het die skaal op 1,6kg getrek.

roetes kan ook met ‘n bergfiets aangepak word. Maak net seker oor die moeilikheidsgraad van elke roete voordat jy hom te voet, of met jou fiets, aanpak.

Laatoggend, nadat ons gestort en ‘n lekker ontbyt genuttig het, is die opblaasboot op die dam gesit. Die hengel was stadig, maar die Keitech swemvissie in ‘n AYU kleur het wonders verrig en ons kon ‘n paar mooi baars aan die hoek kry. Reniece het weldra al stiller geraak soos ek die een baars na die ander gevang het.

Die skrywer se grootste vis kon nie kersvashou by sy vrou se vis nie

DE VOETPADSKLOOF HET ‘N WYE VERSKEIDENHEID VAN AKKOMMODASIE BESKIKBAAR.

Wie laaste lag, lag egter die lekkerste. Sondagoggend vroeg, na ontbyt, het ons weer afgesit water toe. Ons het sommer vroeg reeds alles opgepak. Laatoggend, terwyl Reniece haar aas opkatrol, gryp ‘n groter baars haar aas sommer vlak by die boot. Skielik was die glimlag terug, veral toe die skaal 1,6kg wys en dit swaarder as my grootste baars vir die naweek is. Ek moes toe net weer daaraan herinner word wie die beter hengelaar tussen ons twee is.

Om die kersie op die koek te sit, vang Reniece op die koop toe ook nog ‘n baars van 1,76kg oppad huistoe by ‘n dam net buite Bronkhorstspruit waar ons op haar aandrang, net vinnig gestop het om te kyk of ons nog ‘n baars kon vang . Nouja, ons huis het ‘n nuwe baarskampioen en De Voetpadskloof sal ons beslis weer sien. Dalk verhang ek volgende keer die bordjies.

Lekker hengel! *Philip Kemp is ‘n gesoute swartbaarhengelaar en assistentredakteur van SA BASS.

Die tenthuise is ten volle toegerus en 6 mense slaap gemaklik

Die zipline oor die dam is ‘n groot aantrekkingskrag

As jy moeg is na ‘n dag se hengel kan jy in die restaurant ‘n heerlike ete geniet

Die binnenshuise warmwaterswembad is ‘n moet SA BASS 43 October 2019

>> SA BASS BASICS

Morning,

noon and night F

or many people who are starting arting to fish, it may b struggling truggling to find seem intimidating. You may be sure footing for where to start with this new and wonderful hobby. But have no fear for here are a few guidelines to help you get started!

First of all I’d like to point out that bass fishing is a huge sport and there are many techniques you could use.

It all depends on the area you’re fishing and of course it depends on you. You may even find your own fishing technique in the future that will be your charm for that monster bass.

Morning If you’re a morning person here are some tips for catching those early ‘birds’. In the early morning bust

Stephan Britz with a smallmouth bass 44 SA BASS October 2019

Use dark colours, like blue for night fishin

>> Hannes Lindeque (Jnr) out the bass’ alarm clocks by tossing tossiingg a few few bu buzz buzzbaits zzba zz bait ba its or th hem)) spinnerbaits. You want to excite the basss (or annoy them) soo reel in your baits at a reasonably fastt speed, keep the bait on the surface or just underneath it. Also keep p a h bait. bait If the fi fish lookout for any fish movements beside the isn’t taking your bait, though you can see the fish swirling beside the bait, try casting a rubber worm in that area you know the bass is active in.

So you decided to stay bit longer next to the dam?

Well now that it’s midday let’s do our research on fishing techniques that fit this period. Important: during the day bass like to hide in cover. They do this to survive of course, so how do we get to them now? Well, when fishing in cover it is recommended to use heavy line. This is because if you hook a bass it will flee for the cover and if you

are using a light line it will most likely break if the reel drag isn’t set right.

When fishing in midday try to focus on the shady parts of the water, deep Bust out the bass’ alarm clocks by tossing a few areas such as drop offs, buzzbaits fallen trees and bushes hanging over the shoreline, and grass growing in the water, basically anything other anglers hates.

Baits Use “jig-n-pig” rigs under fallen trees and bushes in the shoreline. The reason you’re casting here is because the big bass like to use these as ambush points since the smaller fish tend to thrive by the shoreline. Your fishing method will be that of a slow one along the bottom of your fishing waters. You need to watch your line, focus on twitching or movement you know you’re responsible for, when you set the hook be sure to do it hard.

You can also use your spinnerbaits or crankbaits - these baits will be attracting fish from the deeper water. If you want to fish deep, reduce the line strength to about 10 pound and use a deep running crankbait. You could also use a lipless crankbait, let it bounce off the bottom using an erratic retrieve.

If you want to use soft plastic lures you will find that there is a various range of shapes, sizes and colours, casted with or without weights... enough to write book about.

Afternoon When fishing in the afternoon you can cast a variety of baits; these include plastic worms, frogs, lizards, grubs, flukes, etc. You can even throw those weird baits that resemble nothing anyone has ever seen in a living form.

If other fishermen are close by, ask them what colour is working for them on that day. If you bought your baits or still need to buy them you can ask the tackle dealer in that area what he would recommend for the fishing waters.

Don’t be shy when it comes to fishing, and when someone asks you what bait/technique is working for you on a good day, don’t be stingy. However, any sensible angler will not hand out information while fishing in a tournament and I won’t believe anyone who would do that.

When fishing with soft plastics in the afternoon, be sure to make slow imitations. If the bait is new to you, throw it in the shoreline and watch it’s movements as you reel it in. The trick here is to make the bait look as life like as possible with its imitations. Therefore learn to use the bait and what your imitations look like. When you cast into deeper water where you can’t see your bait, try to imagine what your imitations look like as you make your retrieve.

When the light starts fading, you could always start using some of the morning methods again. This is also the time when the bass start moving out of the cover and return to

the shoreline for those ambush points we discussed earlier on.

Night Night fishing could prove to be quite fun and prosperous if Use “jig-n-pig” rigs under done correctly. There’s fallen trees and bushes in lots of information on this the shoreline so I’m going to break it down to some simple steps to follow. First, colour of the baits. Yes colour still matters at night. Use dark colours for night fishing. They create Lizards are very more contrast against effective soft the night sky and are plastic lures in thus easier to spot for rocky areas bass looking upwards.

Since blue is the last colour to disappear as light fades blue is the ideal bait colour. If the area is well lit by lights or the full moon, use white or pink spinnerbaits.

Your method will be a slow retrieval of course, also keep it steady. Try making noise with your baits or a fair amount of vibrations. Though your bait is making noise, yourself should try and make a minimal of noise. If there are lamps by the water there will be bugs. Bugs falling in the water mean fish and fish attracts bigger fish.

That’s how it’s done explained simply and sweet. I hope that this article has been of some help and that it serves as a confidence booster to those new or those struggling. Bass fishing is a fun sport and you might find yourself hooked to it faster than you might expect. So now it’s time to go hit the waters!

SA BASS 45 October 2019

>> SA BASS ANGLING INTERNATIONAL

>> Anthony Hawkswell*

Decathlon reported to be eyeing New Zealand market International big-box retailer, Decathlon, is set to shake up the market in New Zealand by opening a store in Auckland.

The reported move is designed to test the local market before the French company – owner of the Caperlan fishing brand – opens additional outlets.

Chris Wilkinson, Managing Director of Wellington-based First Retail Group, described Decathlon’s announcement as imminent, although Decathlon Australia has so far made no comment.

He said the company could take as long as 18 to 24 months to open in New Zealand if it opts for a new site, but could move into existing space within six months.

Another significant international player, UK-based Mountain Warehouse, is also preparing to expand across the country.

Macpac, owned by the Super Retail Group, also operates more than 25 New Zealand stores.

The outdoor and sporting goods markets in New Zealand are lead by domestic players, including Rebel Sport owned by the Briscoe Group, Torpedo7 owned by the Warehouse Group and Christchurch-based Kathmandu.

Decathlon opened in Australia in 2016 and now has five stores. It has been shipping to New Zealand through its online site since 2017. The company has more than 1,200 large format stores across the world.

Banded moves into fishing

Hunting and outdoor apparel brand, Banded, is branching into angling in a collaboration with Realtree Fishing.

Banded brought its ‘trusted and unmatched’ designs to new Realtree Fishing apparel showcased at ICAST show.

“The Realtree fishing pattern offers a unique offset to the standard fishing shirt colours,” said Banded’s Phil Kahnke. “Wearing the best clothing with the best looking designs is a win-win for fishermen.”

Products introduced at the Orange County Convention Center, in Orlando, Florida, included the Performance Adventure Shirt in a variety of Realtree colours and the Banded Realtree Fishing Trucker Hat, with a mesh back for keeping the head cool.

Realtree, based in Columbus, Georgia, has more than 1,000 licencees for its camouflage brand. The Realtree Fishing business was launched in 2017.

46 SA BASS October 2019

Bass Pro Shops sells Cabela’s stores

Eleven Cabela’s locations have been acquired for $324.3 million in a joint venture deal led by San Francisco real estate investment firm, Sansome Pacific.

Cabela’s, which was purchased by Bass Pro Shops in 2017 for $5.5 billion, will continue to operate the stores under the sale-leaseback deal.

The 11-property portfolio spans 1.6 million square feet, although the specific locations have not yet been disclosed. The deal was brokered by B+E Real Estate, which says it is the largest transaction ever brokered by a digital sales platform.

The merger of Cabela’s with Bass Pro Shops, together with the latter’s boating division, White River Marine, brought together three of the nation’s leading outdoor brands. The combined portfolio at the time totalled 184 stores in the US and Canada.

Top brands team up

A new US-based company opened for business this month offering bass fishing baits to subscribers based on where they live and fish.

MONSTERBASS, based in Los Angeles, California, says its aim is to build a bass fishing community around a mission to help anglers catch personal best bass, offering products from some of the top brands in the fishing industry, including

Strike King, PRADCO-Fishing, LIVETARGET, Daiichi and Z-Man Fishing.

Launched this week, the company is led by Rick Patri, founder of Lucky Tackle Box, as its President and CEO. He said: “I am setting up the company to help people become better anglers. MONSTERBASS is going to change the way that bass anglers learn about the newest lures and techniques to hit the market.

“We realise that region, season and colour matters. Our approach is to help anglers catch more fish by gaining an understanding of the waters they fish and equip them with what we believe to be the highest producing lures and coordinated techniques for the area and season they are fishing.

“We have worked with a group of outdoor writers and regional anglers to create ‘recipe cards’ for each product so anglers have a distinct guide for how to best utilise each item in their monthly shipment.”

Monthly boxes of lures are supported by opportunities to interact with the ‘MONSTERBASS community’ via question and answer with contributors and also posting images of their own catches.

14 pound bass

Andrew Schmidgall

Lake Camanche, a well known big-bass fishery located on the Mokelumne River in the Sierra Nevada foothills, has kicked out a giant bass for angler Andrew Schmidgall.

While fishing with a Wicked Weights jig in 25 to 30 feet of water, he hooked and landed a monster 14.71-pound largemouth bass. Schmidgall said it took him over 10 minutes to land the beast.

“It was the fish of a lifetime,” said Schmidgall.

What’s even crazier, however, is that this isn’t even the biggest bass from this lake this year. On March 16, Tim Wells caught and released a 15.01-pound largemouth he caught while fishing a drop shot. The Lake Camanche record is an astonishing 18.17-pound bass that was caught in 2015. Experts point to the annual stocking of 4,000 to 6,000 juvenile Florida-strain largemouth bass as the primary reason for such big catches from this lake.

Strike King Tour Lure brand, Strike King, has entered the line market.

The US company’s Tour Grade line was unveiled at ICAST in July.

In an inventive twist, every spool also contain Strike King’s Sidewinder spooling tool and a postage paid envelope so that anglers can recycle their old line.

“This product is the right combination of all the attributes you want in fishing line,” said Strike King’s Rocky Kalsow. “It is not about manageability, or ease of use, or toughness; it is about all of these things. We have spent years working with the world’s best anglers to test and calibrate this line.” *Anthony Hawkswell is the editor of Angling International since 2013

Tour Grade line will be available in fluorocarbon, braid and monofilament.

Fluorocarbon and monofilament will come in 200 and 600 yard spools in pound tests ranging from 6lb to 25lb clear. Braid will come in green and hi-vis yellow in 150 and 600 yard spools in pound tests from 8lb to 80lb.

SA BASS 47 October 2019

>> SA BASS BASICS

BASICS FOR BEGINNERS

>> Hannes Lindeque

Weeds 8FFE JT DPOTJEFSFE UIF VMUJNBUF DPWFS GPS CBTT /PU POMZ EPFT JU QSPWJEF DPWFS CVU BMTP QSPEVDF PYZHFO "MXBZT TFFL UIF HSFFO XFFET SBUIFS UIBO UIF CSPXOJTI BOE PS slimy and filamentous.

Plastic lizards Using a plastic lizard is a good choice during the spawning season and also for night fishing any time of the year.

Where to fish plastic lizards t $MPTF UP TIBMMPX XPPE DPWFS t /FBS CBTT TQBXOJOH CFE t "SPVOE TIBMMPX ìPPEFE CVTIFT JO DMFBS UP TMJHIUMZ stained water t 8IFO SJHHFE $BSPMJOB PO EFFQ TUSVDUVSF t *O UIJDL XFFE DPWFS t 0O UPQ PG TVSGBDF XFFET t *O EFFQ DMFBS MBLFT BU OJHIU JO IPU XFBUIFS

Plastic jerkbaits ɨFZ IBWF EJêFSFOU TIBQFT TJ[FT BOE DPMPVST BOE NJNJD JOKVSFE CBJUëTI BOE BSF CFTU VTFE JO DMFBS XBUFS BSPVOE TIBMMPX DPWFS JO FBSMZ TQSJOH BOE GBMM ɨFZ BSF NPTU FêFDUJWF JO DPME UP DPPM XBUFS DPOEJUJPOT

Crankbait tips )PPL TIBSQOFTT JT FTQFDJBMMZ JNQPSUBOU /FX IPPLT are not necessarily sharp.

48 SA BASS October 2019

Shallow water #BTT JO TIBMMPX XBUFS QPTF UXP QSPCMFNT GPS BOHMFST ɨF ëTI BSF PGUFO TDBUUFSFE BOE ɨFZ UFOE UP TQPPL FBTJMZ FTQFDJBMMZ JO DMFBS XBUFS

Bass vocabulary: Flat "O BSFB JO B CPEZ PG XBUFS XJUI MJUUMF JG BOZ change in depth.

Flipping #BTJDBMMZ B MPOH SPE UFDIOJRVF XIFSF B MVSF TVDI BT B KJH PS XPSN JT ESPQQFE SBUIFS UIBO DBTU JOUP IFBWZ DPWFS BU DMPTF SBOHF "MTP DBMMFE ìJQQJO Flipping stick )FBWZ BDUJPO ëTIJOH SPE UP GFFU MPOH EFTJHOFE GPS CBTT ëTIJOH Forage 4PNFUIJOH FBUFO UIF BDU PG FBUJOH Fly â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;N Rind 4BNF UIJOH BT KJH BOE QJH B DPNCJOBUJPO PG B MFBEIFBE KJH BOE QPSL SJOE USBJMFS Front 8FBUIFS TZTUFN UIBU DBVTFT DIBOHFT JO UFNQFSBUVSF DMPVE DPWFS QSFDJQJUBUJPO XJOE BOE CBSPNFUSJD QSFTTVSF Gear ratio .FBTVSF PG B SFFMT SFUSJFWF TQFFE UIF OVNCFS PG UJNFT UIF TQPPM SFWPMWFT GPS FBDI complete turn of the handle.

Grub " TIPSU QMBTUJD XPSN VTFE XJUI B XFJHIUFE KJH IPPL Habitat ɨF QMBDF JO OBUVSF XIFSF B QMBOU PS BOJNBM TQFDJFT MJWFT

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