SA BASS Jan-19 by SABASS

January 2019

Issue 213

RSA: R39.34 (VAT incl.) Other Countries: R34.21 (Tax excl.)

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Contents

FLW_19-32.qxp_Layout 1 11/9/18 12:47 PM Page 23

SA BASS Magazine is published monthly (12 issues per annum) by WJ Lindeque cc t/a BB Print (CK99/23366/23) 5 Advantages of T-Shotting

The T-shotting system provides anglers with the benefits of fishing with straight fluorocarbon, including low stretch, low vis-

REGULARS & FORUMS

Office hours:

ibilityoffice and hours abrasion resistance. Yet it eliminates some of the headaches caused by a full spool of fluoro, which in some cases Our are Monday to Friday, 08:15 to 16:15

Contact numbers:

nest. Here five key advantages. Office: (065)are 849 3264, Alternative: (083) 306 2718 Fax: (086) 234 5026

By Curtis Niedermier Postal Address:

is so “springy” that the coils loosen or it tangles on a spinning reel’s spool and you end up with poor casting distance or a bird’s

SA PO Box 24938, Gezina, 0031, RSA 1. BASS, The Reverse Belly

2. A Direct Connection

Braid and monofilament float, so when a long cast is made, the The advantage of No. 1 primarily comes into play h is one of theEditor: simplest Hannes - hannes@sabass.com line canLindeque end up with a high point out on the surface of the water with suspending or middle water column baits. For needs to be wrapped – curving from that point where the line is floating down to the bottom baits such as a shaky head or drop-shot, the braid gets wrapped lure. Badenhorst When a lure–such as a jerkbait is twitched, the line could actu- sinking fluorocarbon Assistant editor: John editor@sabass.com “My PB – before &provides after” a more direct-line conuoro and seven with the ally pull the lure in an upward direction. And when a fish bites, if it nection for more responsive hooksets and increased After qualifying for the event the wraps from comes toward the angler, the angler might not feel the bite. control. international friendship Conversely, the T-shotting system uses enough fluorocarbon, Regular contributors: Roger Donaldson, Philip Kemp, Jay Röhm-Williams, tournament at Lake ease on the spool – as which sinks, that the line takes on a “reverse belly” shape. It slopes 3. Cost Savings Gary Peter, direct Gordon Brown d says. “If I’m fishing a Guntersville, I desperately in a more path to the lure or along a slight U-shaped path, Braid is expensive, but it lasts a long time, so using here and let it cure some boatinga experience so that the line directly in front of the lure pulls more horizontally it asneeded backing provides cost savings because it rarely International Columnists: Bertrand Ngim, Clint Skinner, at the bait. Hookups and the David action Swendseid, both improve. needs to be replaced. as I’m mostly familiarSimilarly, with kickthe price of high-end Curtis Niedermier, TJ Maglio, Matt Williams, Tyler Brinks, fluorocarbons increasing, boat fishingkeeps – Hendrik Brand but this system allows When line is TRADITIONAL a simple filler spool to last much longer because the line floats mono Joe Balog, Anthony Hawkswell twitched, the bait angler is replacing only 35 feet at a time. is pulled vertically.

Subscriptions:

Hannes Lindeque - hannes@sabass.com along the line

high point

When a fish bites it can swim at angler without him feeling it.

Layout and Design:

Storm Deezigns - dee@stormdeezigns.co.za

Distributed by RNA:

Junius (011) 248 3536 Jannie T-SHOTTING

braid

knot

When line is twitched, the bait is pulled straight ahead.

slight reverse belly

January 2019

larger inner diameter – which leads to what he calls a “weight-forward effect” on the fluorocarbon during the cast. Because the fluorocarbon is heavier per foot than the braid, the fluoro comes off the spool easier, without tangles. “Your inertia is better,” he explains. “You don’t have to worry about springiness from inside the spool that bursts forward like you might with a full spool of fluorocarbon.”

5. Knot Location

With short leaders, every time a fish surges near the boat, it applies pressure to the knot. When T-shotting, the knot is already on the spool when bass get close, so there’s really no weak point in the system.

FLW

“T-Shotting” A simple improvement on the braid-tofluorocarbon leader system. – Curtis Niedermier

1. BAIT CHOIC

HALLMAN’S PICKS Hallman generally goes with a smaller p tic, such as a Strike K Rage Bug, craw or beaver-style bait bec it penetrates thick co easier than a bigger ture such as a full-siz Brush Hog. He thinks bait suc Rage Bug or NetBa Craw, which hav appendages, w when fish are essive. A subtler BB Cricket o Innovations Beaver gets th when fishing pre e or something el the fish in a fun

UARY 2017 I FLW

PHOTO BY D.W. REED II

SA BASS, which is editorially and Long sport among all the country’s people sinking fluorocarbon pulls the line financially independent, is a monthly leader (including thedown. youth), and to the If a fish bites, it pulls the magazine catering exclusively for the bass practical conservation of line theaway country’s and the angler always feels it. angling community in Southern Africa. natural resources. but don’t cinch. Repeat SA BASS is distributed country-wide five to seven wraps. Copyright is expressly reserved and by RNA to outlets, not only in South nothing may be reproduced in part Africa, but also in Namibia, Swaziland or whole without the permission of and Botswana. the publisher. All enquiries regarding SA BASS is designed as a specialist editorial correspondence, manuscripts For Baitcasters Too bass fishing publication and has catered and works photographs should be directed to: T-shotting with both spinning and baitcasting n the braid. for a well-defined niche market reels, sincethough editor@sabass.com for many tournament anglers, the spinApril 2001. It enjoys the supportning andapplications probably outweightothethe baitcasting Address contributions editor. endorsement of non-government applications. If you want to useand it with a baitcaster, Manuscripts, photos artwork will be Swendseid recommends braid 40-pound test or heavorganisations, but is not affiliated in handled with care, butoftheir safety cannot and a 12- to 25-pound-test fluorocarbon leader. any way to these bodies or to any ier, other be guaranteed. Enclose a stamped, self For flipping applications, he suggests tripling the publishing, environmental or political addressed envelope with all editorial length of the leader. This provides more line for the interest group. ogether. occasionalsubmissions. retie, but you’ll still save money by not using en trim. Our mission is to promote a full bassspool The of fluorocarbon. ■ editorial staff are publisher and angling as a socially acceptable and not responsible for researching and popular outdoor recreational activity, investigating the accuracy or copy right FeBRUARy-MARCH 2017 FeBRUARy-MARCH 2017 I FLWFISHING.COM and in addition, to encourage acceptable of the material provided for publication angling ethics. As such, SA BASS in SA BASS magazine. While every provides pertinent information on a effort is made to ensure the accuracy wide range of subjects. These include of the contents of this magazine, the providing a platform for informed debate publisher does not accept responsibility on issues affecting the sport of bass for omissions or errors or their angling, providing information on bass consequences. Readers are advised to use angling strategies and techniques, bass this information with the understanding angling waters and opportunities, and that it is at their own risk. The views also creating awareness of new products. expressed in this magazine are not Within this editorial mix, due necessarily those of the publisher, the consideration is given to developing the editor, editorial staff or SA BASS Society. 02 SA BASS

O Tour e season He reed he with

4. Weight-Forward Casting and Control “Breaking Down Punching Gear” According to Swendseid, adding The basic tools for targeting bassthe in braid heavy essentially makes the reel’s spool shallower – it creates a vegetation – Matt Williams PACE

Wilma Lindeque - wilma@sabass.com

About SA BASS magazine:

EXPE

F LW

braid Manager: Advertising main line

Digital subscriptions: www.magzter.com

Readers-go-Bassing

23 How to use QR-codes January 2019 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. SA BASS 17

Master Class

“An understanding for spinnerbaits” Let’s cast right in and take a look at a broad variety of spinnerbaits, their wire frames, the weight options, skirt colours and blade configurations – Roger Donaldson

SA BASS

“Big bass in small ponds” Whether it smashed you with surprise like a top-water hit or you gently slept through it as a deep- winter lunker would, 2019 is here. – Jay Röhm-Williams

Tactics

“The same but better” There is an old cliché and saying about the wheel which goes as follows… “Don’t re-invent the wheel, just make it run better” – John Badenhorst

Master Class

“Shallow water crankbaits” I remember fishing Nottingham Dam in Zimbabwe. The air temperatures were sweltering up in the 40’s. The water temperature fluctuating about the 25º mark and water clarity stained with visibility of less than 30cm – Roger Donaldson

SA BASS

“Where to Fish?” It is Friday evening and the question is not whether to fish tomorrow but where to fish? Reports from Witbank have been good and as it is a big piece of water, boat traffic should not be an issue – Alan Morgan

SA BASS “Fishing the FLW Costa Series, Lake Guntersville With Robbie Olivier” SA Bass interviewed our FLW South African champion, Robbie Olivier.

SA BASS

INDUSTRY NEWS

“Fishing the FLW Costa Series, Lake Guntersville With Neels Beneke” SA Bass interviewed our very own FLW South Africa champion, Neels Beneke.

“Garmin awarded top NMEA honours” Garmin was named “Manufacturer of the Year” for the fourth consecutive year.

SA BASS “A small craft angler’s road to Lake Guntersville” – Vicus Horn

news

“2019 World Fishing Games” Fishing as we know it has many different facets and aspects that are practices by thousands of anglers on a daily basis around the world. – Valerie Jacobs

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS 04 MY CAST 06 READERS-go-BASSING

39 24

CAST-FOR-CASH

“2019 Tournament Dates”

SA BASS

Cast-for-Cash - Tournament Results

Angling International

“Secrets of South Africa’s pro’s – Part 6: Other Approaches to Structure” One of the biggest mistakes of seen anglers make is approaching the structure too quickly and with no consideration of what they are ultimately trying to achieve – Bass Spy

ON THE COVER “My PB after my US trip” Image: Hendrik Brand

SA BASS 03 January 2019

has gone digital !! GET YOUR FAVOURITE SA Bass MAGAZINE

DIGITALLY Voorspoedige nuwe jaar! Teen die tyd wat hierdie uitgawe drukkery toe gaan en versprei word, is dit nog Desember 2018. Maar die vissies wat ons so graag vang het geen benul van datums nie. Hulle biologiese klokke onderskei wel tussen seisoene en maanfases, maar met daardie klein ertjiepit-breine het hulle ons almal ‘n slag of twee uitoorlê en met leë hande huis toe gestuur. Gelukkig het ons weer in hierdie uitgawe ‘n verskeidenheid artikels wat deur ervare hengelaars geskryf is om hulle kennis met ons lesers te deel sodat ons almal meer gereeld groter swartbaars kan vang. Ons bied artikels oor stroppe, hengeltegnieke en raad oor hoe om “crankbaits” te gebruik. Vir die kompeterende hengelaars het ons die Novembermaand se Cast-for-Cash-uitslae en onderhoude is gevoer met ons huidige Suid-Afrikaanse FLW-kampioene. Dit is interessant om hulle terugvoering te kry wat bevestig dat FLW Suid-Afrika sedert 2016 aan hengelaars geleenthede bied om hulle drome te bewaarheid. Ons vorige Suid-Afrikaanse FLW kampioen, Mike Matthee, het in November na Amerika vertrek om swartbaarhengel sy beroep te maak. Hy is nou deel van die 150 voltydse hengelaars wat aan die FLW Tour deelneem. Ons wens hom en sy gesin baie sterkte toe vir die seisoen. Plaaslik is dit vir my altyd lekker om die bekende gesigte langs die water te sien en veral die entoesiasme van nuwe hengelaars. So het Dylan van Deventer en Mike van Zyl vir die eerste keer in Gauteng gekompeteer en die derde swaarste vis van die dag geweeg. Nie sleg vir ‘n begin nie, maar dan ook; konsekwente hengelaars is goeie hengelaars. As hoof-organiseerder van die maandelikse Cast-for-Cash swartbaarhengeltoernooie, is dit interessant om te sien dat daar tydens elke hengelkompetisie hengelaars is wat wensakke inweeg, terwyl ander net nie ‘n enkele vis kan vang nie. Dis nie dat die hengelaars nie kan visvang nie, hulle kon net nie op die betrokke dag ‘n wenpatroon vind nie. Op bladsy 8 is daar meer inligting oor die Wêreld Hengelkampioenskappe wat in Februarie in Suid-Afrika aangebied word. Iets wat ons almal beslis sal dophou en oor rapporteer. Tot ‘n volgende keer, mag julle lyne sing. Hannes Lindeque

04 SA BASS January 2019

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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.

CAREFUL Just wanted to share this beautiful catch and release on our private farm in Underberg. Two years of catch and release and careful management have resulted in this! Thanks for a great magazine – Gareth Burnett

PROUD Herewith pictures of my daughter, Inge Pieterse aged 11 years, who caught the biggest bass I have ever seen in real life! It weighed in at 3,15kg; much bigger than mom’s personal best of 1,84kg and also bigger than her dad’s PB of 3,0kg! And to think that this was only her third trip out fishing with us while dad had been regularly bass fishing for the last 5 years. It happened over the weekend near the end of September 2018 at Roodekopjes Dam just outside Brits, South Africa. We were trying out a spot on the dam called ‘Likkewaan Cove’ when this monster took her lure, a California Craw. She brought the beast in all by herself, with absolutely no help from mom or dad! We are the proudest parents and will be absolutely thrilled if you could publish one of her photos in your next issue of SA Bass magazine – Gerald & Karin Pieterse 06 SA BASS January 2019

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A VARIETY OF HOOKS

>> SA BASS READERS-GO-BASSING

MY PB â&#x20AC;&#x201C; BEFORE & AFTER >> Hendrik Brand*

fter qualifying for the international friendship tournament at Lake Guntersville, I desperately needed some boating experience as Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m mostly familiar with kick boat fishing. Richard Blair, a fellow KBC (Kick Boat Challenge) fisherman, was happy to help. We decided to do a session from his boat at Clanwilliam Dam in mid September. With the water temperatures rising, the fish were setting up to spawn at that stage, however heavy rainfall in the area caused some cold water to rush through the system. With this sudden drop in temperature we had a tough time getting bites in most parts of the dam, until we came across a bay that was just something special. We started nailing the fish one after the other. We realized that this bay was positioned in such a way that the water temperature was considerably higher than the rest of the dam. This allowed the fish to continue with their spawning procedures as normal and was less affected by the sudden changes the rest of the dam was experiencing. We were targeting these bedding fish with weightless Senkos and flukes on flat gravel areas when all of a sudden I hooked into a fat female. As soon as I set the hook she decided to launch out of the water in typical smallmouth fashion. We managed to land the red eyed beauty weighing in at 2.21kg. All thanks to Richard for putting me onto my PB smallie.

08 SA BASS January 2019

After the FLW trip to the USA we landed in South Africa on the 7th of November. This left me with three days to prepare for the next KBC event on the tenth. I was super excited to be back and fish my home waters. After chasing schooling bass on Lake Guntersville, it’s back to normal for me when targeting cover related bass in the Breede River. The conditions set up perfectly for the bigger fish to show up with overcast weather and slightly stained water. These signs were promising as this part of the river is usually crystal clear which can really make the big ones hard to come by. After the event kicked off at 05:30 I started the morning by covering water fast with top water frogs and spinnerbaits. I fished the frogs when I came across thicker vegetation and used a spinnerbait when things opened up a bit. Having no success, I had to slow down in an area where I caught fish before. By this time the clouds started to clear up which shifted my focus to the more shaded areas. I started pitching and punching a

variety of different creature style baits from BBB fighting frogs to tubes. Texas rigging these baits with heavy tungsten weights allowed me to enter in and out the cover very effectively. Soon thereafter I caught my limit and upgraded twice. I realized that some of the fish spat out crab legs in my live-well which ensured me that this was the pattern I should stick to for the remainder of the day. At 10:00 I felt a gentle tap-tap on my line and set the hook into something that felt like a log. I felt the weight as soon as I set the hook knew straight away this is potentially my new PB. With my heart nearly beating out of my chest, I managed to land the beauty which came in to the scales at 3.32kg. This doesn’t sound like much but to get this size fish in a KBC competition, right after the USA trip, in a public accessible Western Cape body of water was really something special for me. Thanks to FLW SA for giving the small craft anglers a chance to fish for something bigger than their regular

season, for making dreams a reality by providing them with a slot to go to the states and represent their country. It’s been an absolute privilege being a part of this experience and good-luck to every small craft angler for the rest of the season. Keep on dreaming because it just might come true with FLW South Africa. Thanks to FLW SA, SA BASS magazine, Alpha Laboria and Garmin SA for making this possible. *Hendrik Brand is the current FLW South Africa Small Craft Champion.

SA BASS 09 January 2019

GEAR

PUNCHING GEAR

BREAKING DOWN PUNCHING GEAR THE BASIC TOOLS FOR TARGETING BASS IN HEAVY VEGETATION By Matt Williams PHOTO BY MATT PACE

hen bass are buried up in thick vegetation, few tactics work better for getting at them and triggering reaction strikes than punching through with a Texas rig.

ABOUT PUNCHING T: 011-251-9999 E: info@garmin.co.za W: https://garmin.co.za Garmin is the world leader in GPS Satellite Navigation and a global manufacturer of in-car GPS systems, portable navigation devices, handheld GPS units, and GPS products for the marine, aviation, outdoor and fitness sectors . In your car, on your boat, in the air, in the great outdoors or training in the gym - there's not a single area of your life where Garmin isn't welcome. The Mall Offices 11 Cradock Avenue Rosebank, South Africa

10 SA BASS January 2019

Punching – whether accomplished with pitching or flipping techniques – is a tight-quarters, in-their-face power-fishing technique typically built around some sort of soft-plastic creature bait, a heavy hook, stout line and a sinker heavy enough to crash through cover and get the bait into the strike zone. The idea is to cover water and make vertical presentations through dense cover – sometimes in rapid succession – until a fish eats the bait.

Bradley Hallman – The Norman, Okla., pro won the first FLW Tour event of his career last season at the opener on Lake Okeechobee. He flipped and punched tangled reed heads for the win and is an expert with a heavy rod in hand.

PHOTO BY JODY WHITE

TWO EXPERTS

PHOTO BY MATT PACE

Peter Thliveros – A veteran pro, Thliveros calls Florida home and has decades of experience punching dense vegetation in the Sunshine State and elsewhere.

THE BREAKDOWN 1. BAIT CHOICES HALLMAN’S PICKS Hallman generally goes with a smaller plastic, such as a Strike King Rage Bug, craw or beaver-style bait because it penetrates thick cover easier than a bigger creature such as a full-sized Zoom Brush Hog. He thinks bait such as a Rage Bug or NetBait Paca Craw, which have active appendages, work best when fish are aggressive. A subtler Gambler BB Cricket or Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver gets the nod when fishing pressure or something else puts the fish in a funk.

Strike King Rage Bug

NetBait Paca Craw

Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver

Gambler BB Cricket SA BASS 11 January 2019

PETER T’S PICKS Thliveros also is fan of small, compact baits because they slide in and out of thick cover easily. His favorite is the Zoom Z-Hog Jr. “The bait has a really small profile and is very streamlined – not much bigger around than the weight – so it follows the weight through the hole extremely well,” he says. “A more compact, streamlined bait allows you to penetrate with a lighter weight.”

Zoom Z-Hog Jr.

2. COLORS AND RATTLES

HALLMAN’S ADVICE It’s hard to go wrong with black/blue and various green hues, says Hallman. He never adds dye, but he will occasionally use a rattle. “I’ll sometimes use a rattle when they aren’t really eating it on the initial fall, or if I’m having to shake it to draw them from a distance,” Hallman explains. “A rattle won’t mean much if 80 to 90 percent of my bites are coming on the initial fall.”

PETER T’S ADVICE Thliveros is a fan of darker colors such as black/blue, black neon, black sapphire, Okeechobee craw (green pumpkin/blue usually) and green pumpkin. He likes to dip the tips of the claws of green pumpkin baits in chartreuse dye if the fish are eating bluegills, and he prefers to use a rattle, especially in cooler water or in situations when the fish might need some help locating the bait. 12 SA BASS January 2019

Add a rattle in dirty water or if fish aren’t biting it on the initial fall.

3. LINE Most anglers prefer braided line over fluorocarbon or monofilament when punching vegetation because it tends to slice through grass, resists abrasion, has no stretch and is super strong. Hallman prefers 55-pound-test PowerPro braid, while Thliveros uses 50- to 65-pound-test Lew’s Speed Line APT Braid.

4. HOOKS

Heavy-duty, straight-shank flipping hooks are preferred for punching in thick vegetation, especially in combination with braided lines and stiff rods, because the hooks resist flexing or bending on violent hooksets. The better ones have a welded eye to prevent super-line slippage. Hallman’s favorite hook for punching mats is the Strike King Hack Attack Heavy Cover Flippin’ Hook. Thliveros uses a similar hook, but prefers to build his own using a nickel-plated spinnerbait trailer hook made from stout wire with a strong point and barb. The keeper is constructed from a section of a large copper staple (the kind used on cardboard boxes) or a plastic toothpick that is hand-shaped at the proper angle. He ties the keeper on with sewing thread and glues it in place. There are many online tutorials that explain this type of tying process, but it’s similar to tying an eye on a rod or hair on a fly. “It’s a time-consuming process, but I’m a fisherman, and I don’t mind taking the time to build eight to 10 good hooks that will last me two or three tournaments if I’m punching or flipping a lot,” he says.

“PUNCHING” WOOD For flipping dense bushes or brush, Hallman changes to an offset EWG hook and fluorocarbon. He says his hookup ratio is nearly 100 percent with that combo.

Strike King Hack Attack Heavy Cover Flippin’ Hook

Peter T’s homemade flipping hook

5. WEIGHTS

You can pretty much brush aside lead, brass, steel and any other material other than tungsten for punching weights, at least among the pros. Its sensitivity, density and compact profile make it ideal, particularly when working with the heavy weights so often used for punching. A compact weight slides more easily through cover, and it won’t “blow open” the fish’s mouth as much as a larger weight tends to do during the hookset. Hallman suggests a Reins tungsten weight because it has a plastic insert to protect the line. SA BASS 13 January 2019

6. KNOTS

While some knots perform better with different styles of hooks, lines and techniques, the best choice often ultimately boils down to personal preference. However, both sources like a snell knot on straight-shank hooks because it causes the hook point to kick out and up on the hookset.

THE PARABOLIC TREND Hallman punched his way to a $100,000 victory at the 2016 FLW Tour event last February on Florida’s Lake Okeechobee, but he didn’t rely on a broomstick rod and bone-jarring hooksets to stick his fish.

PHOTO BY JODY WHITE

Instead, he used an MHX FS966 extra-heavy flippin’ rod from Mosley Rod Works. He says the specialty rod is designed with a parabolic bend that allows for a subtler hookset, better hookups and improved control over big bass in heavy cover when using 3/4 ounce and heavier weights. “It’s the rod I use strictly for punching,” Hallman says. “The hookset I use punching is entirely different than what I’ll use when flipping bushes. Flipping bushes I generally use smaller weights and throw slack at the fish before I really jack them on the hookset. If you do that with a big weight and braided line around thick grass you’re going to blow their mouth open and miss lots of fish. I did it that way for years.” Hallman uses what he calls a “pull type” hookset with the Mosley rod. “You initiate the hookset on a tight line instead of a slack one. The rod’s parabolic bend keeps slack from getting in the line during the fight and helps prevent a big fish from throwing the hook when you’re using a big weight.”

ABOUT THOSE PEGS Punchers frequently use a bobber stop (or two) above the weight to keep it snugged against the bait’s head. This prevents separation on the fall and promotes better penetration. With weights larger than 3/4 ounce, some anglers prefer to use a bobber stop between the weight and the knot to help protect the knot. However, Thliveros likes to punch without a peg whenever he can get away with it. “There are some situations when you have to peg the bait, but there are definitely some advantages to not using one. Not using a peg frees up the bait and gives it more movement that might get you a few more bites,” he says. ■ 14 SA BASS January 2019

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T-SHOTTING

A SIMPLE IMPROVEMENT ON THE BRAID-TO-FLUOROCARBON LEADER SYSTEM By Curtis Niedermier

avid Swendseid is a details guy. Currently DUO Realis’ U.S. manager and R&D specialist, Swendseid has worked in product development and promotion in the fishing industry for nearly 25 years, primarily developing Japanese companies in the U.S. market. If you’re a fan of the tackle coming out of Japan, then you know that Japanese manufacturers sweat the small stuff. They measure in minute fractions of ounces, design with the most capable computer software, and polish up every last surface. That attention to detail trickles down to the methods by which Japanese baits are fished and the equipment used to fish them. Which is where Swendseid comes in. He’s the guy who helps American anglers adopt new Japanese tackle and, when necessary, apply the new products to the American fishing scene. Swendseid also possesses a cache of knowledge on the performance characteristics of fishing tackle and has developed systems for maximizing gear performance for a variety of popular techniques, particularly finesse techniques. One such system is what he calls “T-shotting.” It’s actually a spin-off of a saltwater rigging system called topshotting, where anglers replace heavy tackle and monofilament line with light tackle and thin, high-strength braided line connected to a heavy shock leader. Swendseid’s T-shotting adaptation combines braid and a long fluorocarbon leader on spinning tackle. It’s a great way to save money, cast farther and improve landing percentages using light-line techniques such as spybaiting.

The Knot Swendseid prefers the double-unit knot, which is one of the simplest to tie. For best results, he says the fluorocarbon needs to be wrapped around the braid with two wraps more than the braid gets wrapped around the fluorocarbon – nine wraps with the fluoro and seven with the braid, for instance. Swendseid says this helps prevent the wraps from slipping under pressure. “The more refined your knot, the better the release on the spool – as long as you make the knot really tight,” Swendseid says. “If I’m fishing a tournament, I’ll drop a little bit of Super Glue on there and let it cure before I put it on the spool.”

1. fluorocarbon leader

Overlap both lines, and form a loop with the fluoro.

2. Wrap the fluoro tag end around both lines seven to nine times, passing each wrap through the loop.

3. Draw the fluoro down, but don’t cinch. Repeat with the braid, making five to seven wraps.

4. Draw down the braid.

The Setup BRAID – Fill the spinning reel with braid – up to 30-pound test. FLUORO – Tie on about 25 to 35 feet of fluorocarbon in whatever pound-test rating you’re comfortable using.

16 SA BASS January 2019

braid main line

5. Lubricate and slide the two halves together. Cinch by pulling on the tag ends, then trim.

5 Advantages of T-Shotting The T-shotting system provides anglers with the benefits of fishing with straight fluorocarbon, including low stretch, low visibility and abrasion resistance. Yet it eliminates some of the headaches caused by a full spool of fluoro, which in some cases is so “springy” that the coils loosen or it tangles on a spinning reel’s spool and you end up with poor casting distance or a bird’s nest. Here are five key advantages.

1. The Reverse Belly

2. A Direct Connection

Braid and monofilament float, so when a long cast is made, the line can end up with a high point out on the surface of the water – curving from that point where the line is floating down to the lure. When a lure such as a jerkbait is twitched, the line could actually pull the lure in an upward direction. And when a fish bites, if it comes toward the angler, the angler might not feel the bite. Conversely, the T-shotting system uses enough fluorocarbon, which sinks, that the line takes on a “reverse belly” shape. It slopes in a more direct path to the lure or along a slight U-shaped path, so that the line directly in front of the lure pulls more horizontally at the bait. Hookups and the action both improve.

The advantage of No. 1 primarily comes into play with suspending or middle water column baits. For bottom baits such as a shaky head or drop-shot, the sinking fluorocarbon provides a more direct-line connection for more responsive hooksets and increased control.

TRADITIONAL

mono

When line is twitched, the bait is pulled vertically.

line floats

3. Cost Savings Braid is expensive, but it lasts a long time, so using it as backing provides a cost savings because it rarely needs to be replaced. Similarly, the price of high-end fluorocarbons keeps increasing, but this system allows a simple filler spool to last much longer because the angler is replacing only 35 feet at a time.

4. Weight-Forward Casting and Control high point along the line

According to Swendseid, adding the braid essentially makes the reel’s spool shallower – it creates a larger inner diameter – which leads to what he calls a “weight-forward effect” on the fluorocarbon during the cast. Because the fluorocarbon is heavier per foot than the braid, the fluoro comes off the spool easier, without tangles. “Your inertia is better,” he explains. “You don’t have to worry about springiness from inside the spool that bursts forward like you might with a full spool of fluorocarbon.”

When a fish bites it can swim at angler without him feeling it.

T-SHOTTING

braid

knot

When line is twitched, the bait is pulled straight ahead.

slight reverse belly

5. Knot Location

Long sinking fluorocarbon leader pulls the line down.

If a fish bites, it pulls the line away and the angler always feels it.

T-shotting works with both spinning and baitcasting reels, though for many tournament anglers, the spinning applications probably outweigh the baitcasting applications. If you want to use it with a baitcaster, Swendseid recommends braid of 40-pound test or heavier, and a 12- to 25-pound-test fluorocarbon leader. For flipping applications, he suggests tripling the length of the leader. This provides more line for the occasional retie, but you’ll still save money by not using a full spool of fluorocarbon. ■

PHOTO BY D.W. REED II

For Baitcasters Too

SA BASS 17 January 2019

>> SA BASS MASTER CLASS

Spinnerbait options are vast and anglers can choose from a large variety...

An understanding for spinnerbaits

In the previous issue i mentioned that there is a wide variety of spinnerbaits to select from and they all have a time when you can apply them to your advantage. Summer is also a great time of year to put your spinnerbaits to use as they are particularly effective when there is plenty of bait activity >> Roger Donaldson

et’s cast right in and take a look at a broad variety of spinnerbaits, their wire frames, the weight options, skirt colours and blade configurations.

Stainless steel wire compared to titanium If you have done your share of shopping for spinnerbaits you will already know that you could be in for quite a bit of money. That is if you are only planning on buying titanium wire baits that is. Although titanium is far more durable than their stainless steel counterpart they can be pretty costly if you plan on buying a few different options. So if you’re a fanatic like me you’ll have around twenty different configurations, pros will have around sixty. It can add up. The big question is how often you will be using your spinnerbaits and what size of bass will you be targeting. The reason I would want to establish those two points is simple. If you are using the same spinnerbait as your “go-to” option on every fishing occasion then you should consider titanium, or possibly buying two, or even three of your favourite one in stainless steel. Secondly, if you’re in big bass territory then you’ll also need a few more stainless steel baits, as they will eventually straighten and then snap.

Weight – heavy or light It is very seldom that a heavy option will be required and the most fished weights will very likely end up being between 1/3 to ½oz. But what’s the reason the spinnerbaits are weighted so differently? Heavier baits can be fished faster (you can “burn” them) and deeper (you can retrieve them slightly slower to swim deeper). There’s good reason to want to do this and one of them may be that you’re fishing a deeper, flooded grass bed, or maybe you’re ripping your bait through the grass quickly. Only the heavier weighted bait would deal with this scenario as effectively as you need it to. The lightweight spinnerbaits can be applied with far more finesse. This is most often where you will be finding 18 SA BASS January 2019

your success with this lure – up in the shallow to midranges, in between tough structures, including trees, grass, lay-down logs, brush piles and boat docks. Important: It is essential that you choose the line to match the weight of your spinnerbait – if your line is too heavy then you find it impossible to cast and retrieve those lighter baits effectively.

Skirt and blade colours: I really only play around with skirt colours as water and weather conditions change. Many anglers will also choose their skirt colour to match the baitfish which the bass are targeting, which is generally silver in nature, so ultimately white is the most popular skirt colour. Blade colours seem to work similarly with silver and bronze being the most popular colour combinations. Why what other colours are there? Well, some blades are painted chartreuse and some are bright orange too. Adjusting both the skirt and blade colours according to water clarity (how stained the water is) will make a certifiable difference to the number of fish you catch. When the clouds come over, or early morning and later afternoon when there is no sunlight also like to brighten up my colour combinations. It is a subtle difference that you need to tinker with and become about when you watch your spinnerbait swimming beneath the water surface. Ultimately you are trying to make the lure more visible to the bass, but without detracting too far from what could be plausibly real. The Vaal River is a great example of where an angler can change from one spinnerbait combination to the next, as the water colours and clarity changes from one area of the river to the next. Many dams are similar, as you move from areas of current where there are tributaries for example to where the dam is still and calm. The constant changes in the water environment, as well

as changing weather conditions give anglers huge scope to experiment with their spinnerbaits.

Blade configurations: The main blade types are willow, Colorado and Indiana. The willow blade is far more streamlined than the other blades and therefore it can move much quicker through the water. They also displace the least amount of water leading to less vibration. Most spinnerbaits have two blades and you’ll often find that the combination is a willow and Colorado blade. This blade combination would move at a medium speed and also displace slightly more water than a double willow blade combination. However, should you want to create more vibration you could select the double Indiana blade option. This bait will move far slower too and this may be what you need in stained water conditions where the bass are going to need as much chance as possible. With those basics in mind I am sure you will find it far easier to select your lure when you’re out on the water. *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 19 January 2019

>> SA BASS TACTICS

There is an old cliché and saying about the wheel which goes as follows…

“Don’t re-invent the wheel, just make it run better”

20 SA BASS January 2019

The same

but better Many articles have been written about the well-known drop-shot method of ﬁshing. If you’re like me and like to read about new techniques and tackle, I’m sure that you’ve read many of those articles too. >> John Badenhorst*

his method of fishing is by no means new, although some anglers have yet to experience its effectiveness when things get tough out on the water. There are even some anglers that specialise in this way of fishing and their results speak volumes. Drop-shot fishing is a very unobtrusive way of targeting those finicky fish and when all else fails, this can in most cases ensure a five fish bag limit. Recently, more anglers have started spending time exploring drop-shot options and although there are more advantages than disadvantages, it is always exciting to see a well-known method receive a bit of a facelift that makes it so much better. With standard drop-shot fishing, one would use a 6.6 to 7ft medium spinning rod loaded with lighter line. The actual rig will consist of a dropshot hook tied onto the line via a Palomar knot and depending on the depth where the fish are holding, the tag end will then have a standard drop-shot sinker. These sinkers are made to break away in the event of an angler getting snagged but as the cost of everything else is constantly on the rise, this can become a rather expensive exercise. Recently, I read some information on a different approach to a method that has become a favourite of mine and when I look at this new way of rigging, it somehow makes sense… The adage of re-inventing the wheel holds true in this sense because it gives the method and its rigging a

well-deserved facelift. Not much has been written about this new rigging method but I’ve spent some time and done some modifications and fished it over the last few weeks with a marked increase in success. The new rig is set up as follows… Using the same rod and reel that you would use for your drop-shot fishing, now, thread two small gummy stoppers onto the line and push this up about one meter. Add a normal drop-shot hook and simply slide this up the line up to the gummy stoppers. Add another two gummy stoppers on the line below the hook. At the bottom loose end of the line, thread the line through a small plastic bead, then thread the tag end through a ball sinker or Mojo sinker of your choice, now, thread another gummy stopper onto the line and finally, tie this loose tag end securely to a small barrel swivel. The rig is now complete and the only drawback is that in the event of getting snagged, the sinker will not break away as with the normal dropshot sinkers that we purchase. On the plus side, this rig allows you to easily manage the depth of your actual dropshot lure and another huge advantage is that if you get a solid hookset on a fish, the entire rig slides down onto the top of the plastic bead above the sinker and the result is less tangles as we had in the old conventional way of fishing. In the standard method, we have found that while landing a fish, the sinker and hook sometimes get horribly tangled and the end

result is that one has to cut the section away and re-tie the entire rig from the start. Since the hook is not fixed to the line in a static position and can with pressure slide up or down the line we find less tangles and less time spending setting up a new rig. As I’ve also mentioned, this new method give the angler the freedom to experiment with the different depths at which he wants to fish the drop-shot lure and as we all know, being versatile is sometime the key to success. The way to fish it remains the same although the way its set up allows a host of new possibilities and option with the added advantage of not having to waste too much time tying up new rigs due to tangles.

Drop-shot fishing is not everyone’s cup of tea, but then again neither is fishing a Ned-rig or fishing cranks. The idea is to experiment with different methods until you as angler feel comfortable with something and make it work for you and your style of fishing. If you’ve been curious about fishing drop-shot up to now but for some reason have been holding off, I suggest you spend a few minutes and try this new method and who knows, you might be pleasantly surprised with the results. *John Badenhorst is the assistant editor of SA BASS magazine and a keen angler himself. He is also a custom lure maker for Wolf Lures, Flies & Feathers.

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Keitech South Africa SA BASS 21 January 2019

>> SA BASS MASTER CLASS

Shallow water crankbaits can be the lure that makes that crucial and exciting difference to your day bass fishing

SHALLOW WATER CRANKBAITS I REMEMBER FISHING NOTTINGHAM DAM IN ZIMBABWE. THE AIR TEMPERATURES WERE SWELTERING UP IN THE 40’S. THE WATER TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATING ABOUT THE 25º MARK AND WATER CLARITY STAINED WITH VISIBILITY OF LESS THAN 30CM. >> Roger Donaldson*

ropping water levels were also par for the course for this dam which has the important task of feeding the nearby farmlands. Challenging conditions to say the least, but a very welcome example for fishing shallow running crankbaits. You really don’t need to limit yourselves to the above fishing situation, but it truly is a textbook example of where shallow diving crankbaits will work perfectly. Let’s take a look at a variety of scenarios where your shallow diving cranks will work magically:

Early hours of the day Shade is the key element here and bass will be taking full advantage of it now around the heat of summer. In the early hours of the day those summer bass will be in the shallows possibly even since the night before, as their food source will be cajoling here in the temperate conditions. 22 SA BASS January 2019

After all, if you find the food source (baitfish, crabs, insects, etc.) locating to a specific area then the bass will be in close pursuit. As the summer heat moves in the bass will be even more likely to find the coolest spot. Keep this in mind at all times, whether you’re fishing around jetties, docks, rocks, trees, or vegetation (not that you’ll be wanting to throw your crankbait into vegetation).

Get into the structure The Vaal River is still such a classic example. Overhanging willow trees donning lay-down logs and fallen branches beneath. Another challenging target area, but believe me when I say that here is where those bass chose to find refuge and more importantly their ambush area. No unsuspecting baitfish, crab, frog or any other morsel moving around those dense shallows would have imagined their greatest

foe lying in wait here. But it really is a favourite haunt for bass. A criss-cross of timber disguised by weeping branches. Look for these areas on your favourite dam. Although it can be challenging getting a crankbait into these tight spots you will certainly be well rewarded with a number of fish. Practise your underarm casting techniques here. Even a “pitching” cast will suit getting under the trees, jetties and boat docks. Hint: Your biggest asset fishing crankbaits around shallow water will be the subtle manner in which you retrieve the lure. The shape of the lip and the design of the lure’s body provides for its unique swimming action and the lip contributes to the baits ability to deflect from structure and reduce the chance of the lure snagging so much. However, if you retrieve the crankbait a little too quickly the chances are that your hooks are going to snag quite easily. Instead of retrieving quickly try take the approach of feeling your way through the structure using your crankbait. Here’s what you should try on your next outing: 1) Cast directly past (maybe 2 to 3m) over the structure – a flooded root system might be a nice example. Root systems have gnarly, knobbly protruding limbs and are often ideal areas to attract bass and prey. 2) Start your retrieve with the aim of getting the lip of the lure to make contact with the roots perhaps once or maybe even twice (depending on how large

this structure is). As the crankbait deflects from the structure this erratic action will induce a strike from any bass in the vicinity. 3) You may feel the line tighten up as the crankbait and line makes its way through the structure. This is a sign that you need to reduce the speed of your retrieve just until the crankbait has swum its way through without snagging. 4) Sometimes you will snag. All is not necessarily lost! By shaking your rod tip and then “twanging” on your line as if it were one very long guitar string can often release the snagged crankbait. If not, I always equip myself with a crankbait remover (ask your tackle store for one!). They’re especially helpful when fishing deeper crankbaits though. Crankbait fishing in general is a real art. The retrieve is so important and is the time where you can try to mimic the resident baitfish which the bass are keying into. Shallow water crankbait fishing is certainly the epitome though and can really help you turn a dull day of fishing into a showcase of excitement. *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 23 January 2019

tournament dates

2019 BASS FISHING TOURNAMENT TRIAL

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SA baars BASS MAGAZINE

>> SA BASS

Forgotten ponds like this hold big bass

A classic small pond scene

BIG bass in small ponds Whether it smashed you with surprise like a top-water hit or you gently slept through it as a deep- winter lunker would, 2019 is here. >> Jay RĂśhm-Williams

opefully it will be a great year for everyone in all regards including us bass anglers with anew twelve months ahead of fishing adventures. For some it offers a chance at redemption, from perhaps a past year of fewer hook ups than one wished and for others an opportunity to expand those borders of previous successes. However it happens and whatever your plans, if it involves time out on the water in between the continuous hum of modern day living then I guarantee it will always be worth it. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nearly January, a time where usually the full force of a South African, summer sun beats down on the land and waters. Magic, early bird mornings and red, glazed sunsets are generally periods when the bass angling population prefer to operate, especially during the summer season. Warm water temperatures and an active feeding cycle gives all anglers from any experience level, an equal chance at striking some golden green 26 SA BASS January 2019

fish. One place often over looked though on our search for a new PB or just some good, old fashioned, big fish action is the humble, small pond. According to the dictionary a pond is a small body of water formed naturally or by artificial means. These are habitats that we have all fished at before, caught, released and then moved on to a much larger dam or lake in a hurry. It is in these forgotten, tiny reservoirs that I have spent many hours personally exploring the theory of big bass in small ponds. As in most cases of life with any species there is always going to be some form of ranking order. Nine times out of ten it is the biggest, strongest individuals at the top and the smaller, weaker candidates at the bottom. It is an age old chain that can only be broken by some through gaining intelligence and big bass do not get naturally large by been stupid. Every lure you have cast into any pond before, alpha bass have probably

seen it a thousand times over or more. In fact you can often see their hulking figures cruising idly around your choice of artificial bait, taunting you with mere, slight suggestions of interest. Frustration is only further fuelled on occasions when the pond you are fishing seems to be an aquatic portal connecting you instantly with dink after dink every cast. So how do we out smart these large bass and prove fables true? I by no means am an expert but I have picked up a few things that might just be of value when you next find yourself crossing rods with a pond again. Many of the watery venues I frequent to practice my love for bass angling are smallish ponds dotted along the Eastern Cape country side. Often discarded from thought due to size or over-fishing these waters still hold big bass! Been determined in my belief that each pond holds a larger beauty than the last has led to countless experiments. It was over a lengthy period through

experiencing a mix of weather conditions, a number of different rigged lures and a huge variation of retrieval techniques that I discovered a few patterns.

Weather conditions and time of day We all know the early morning, monster hit stories and the late afternoon, bent rod strikes. The difference though needed to give you the edge is how you interpret “early” and “late” when regarding ponds. Personally I found amazing action happening closest from predawn to first light in the mornings and alternatively big underwater, explosions when the sun dips, sets and vanishes. During a lengthy spell of warm days these are the intervals at which the light, water temperature and advantage of a successful hunt without risk of danger seem all in

favour of healthy-sized bass. Equally the fact of some great bassing been had when an approaching cold front is due the day before, during and after a storm is no secret to many. What could be the game changer though is which day you choose and time after time I always bank on the day the storm hits. Keeping safety in mind is always a massive must whether you are boating, tubing or banking especially during rough weather conditions no matter the size of the fishing venue. If the winds blowing with rains coming down and I have a chance to hit the ponds, I am on it. I have been frowned upon many times due to this notion when arriving home soaked but gigantic smiles of success outweigh been wet. Naturally obscured waters due to wind or rain have proven a fundamental weakness for illusive large bass, something definitely worth taking advantage of.

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The Dark Shadow rod & reel setup is designed to hunt Lunker bass in the thickest structure, where they lurk in the Dark Shadow...

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SA BASS 27 January 2019

Lure selection and techniques How do you convince a smart bass to bite on a fake lure of your choice? As covered already, big bass did not become large overnight through stupidity. Years of surviving an array of life threatening incidents has led these small pond giants to become experts in the art of self-preservation. This includes the right to be fussy about what they devour. So when coaxing big bass out I always try maintain an as natural approach as possible when selecting any lure and do my best to mimic the movement of the prey I am trying to imitate. Moments spent glancing over the waters merely watching what and how everything is currently moving helps narrow down your lure decisions plus options of colour. Sometimes small bass will annihilate bulky lures while huge bass engulf tiny ones. The trick to getting the strike you want rests on where your lure falls and how it moves. Artificial frogs whether used above or below are great starters to test for big fish

activity in anyone’s book. To get the best results though it helps to know indigenous colours in your area and exactly where to pitch them. A typical reaction manoeuvre for targeting large bass is focusing on the opposite bank of the pond when casting. Using any size soft plastic frog in colours such as dark browns to faded greens is ideal. Make a short cast to the shoreline across from you. Reel in through the brush and then just before the water’s edge give a sharp jerk on the line to initiate the “hopping” into the water motion almost all frogs do. If there’s indeed a golden green beast nearby you will know soon enough. Another tactic to employ, other than been very quiet in your general movements, is to quickly trawl your lure down the sides of any aquatic vegetation. Here using medium to larger spinnerbaits at a steady speed across a short distance can be deadly. Make sure to allow enough depth to be gained through medium to deep water while working along reed beds or rows of lilies. This is a classic, big- fish finder

move, working exceptionally well under raining or overcast conditions. The key is finding short channels between structures which will allow your lure to make a short burst through unscathed by debris. It is these sudden, shiny, vibrating blurs which seem to trigger instinctual aggression without allowing big bass a chance to focus on what they seeing. The last plan of bent rod action I will end off with is making targeted casts with creature lures. Aiming to cast a lure for a particular spot on a peculiar object is not easy. Finesse and subtleness are vital to avoid spooking in these scenarios. Here the idea is to keep it looking as natural as possible from cast to strike. Seek out the deep water pockets surrounded by tightly packed structure. These secure and protected depths are only places where sizable predators roam supreme. Objectively I aim to lightly propel my soft, plastic creatures rigged weightlessly to land on structure softly. Dead tree branches, clumps of lilies and over hanging reeds are all favourites to look out for. You want to play out the following scene to perfection to truly see some incredible strike time. Once a successful cast has been made and exact positioning achieved, pause briefly. Imagine what you are trying to simulate whether it’s a lizard falling off a branch or an invertebrate swimming off the shallows above aquatic vegetation. Take into account free-fall time, the creature’s aftershock of entering the water and the immediate attempt at returning to safety. If you didn’t get hit after the initial fall keep the line tight and twitch your rod tip constantly. This is to give off the impression of the lure struggling during these vulnerable seconds, something irresistible to a large hungry stomach. Small pond opportunities should never be overlooked when presented and are always worth a bash. It is a new year with all the possibilities in the world just waiting to happen. These ponds could just be the one place where some unexpected, big bass legends could be made! Rods out, lines tight and safe fishing everyone.

28 SA BASS January 2019

>> SA BASS

The Carolina rig consists of a sliding sinker, a glass bead in front of a swivel and hook

Where to Fish? >> Alan Morgan

t is Friday evening and the question is not whether to fish tomorrow but where to fish? Reports from Witbank have been good and as it is a big piece of water, boat traffic should not be an issue. There are no known competitions happening so it could be an extremely pleasant day out. This is a great option. FLW Cast-for-Cash North West is hosting a competition at Rust Der Winter which has been good to us in the past, there is not much boat pressure and the prospect of doing well is ever present which makes this an excellent option. FLW Cast-for-Cash Gauteng is hosting a competition at Bronkhorstspruit Dam which is a smallish piece of water with a lot of boat traffic and winds that are unpredictable and unpleasant to fish in. Added to this we don’t know the dam and have never had great success at this venue, there is a big field resulting in increased fishing pressure. 30 SA BASS January 2019

With everything considered we decided on Bronkhorstspruit Dam as this is right out of our comfort zone and a real challenge. We headed out ridiculously early on Saturday morning to make sure we weren’t late. We knew of one good spot so our wishful thinking plan was to draw a low number and get to this secret spot first. To get five fish in the boat would take the pressure off and after that we could look for unlikely spots which may be overlooked by other fishermen in an attempt to upgrade. You can guess what happened to our plan and morale once we drew starting position number 37. Oh well as all good fishermen know you need to have a few contingency plans up your sleeve so we reverted to our plan “B” which was to wing it. Once we started we optimistically headed to our secret spot only to find five boats on it. After a quick U-turn we headed to the yacht club and fished the reeds and the weeds in front of it. We

started by throwing buzzbaits and top water baits but to no effect. We moved along the reeds pitching heavy Texas rigged Stretch 40’s which resulted in one small keeper. We persisted doing this for about an hour without any further success and then moved out into about 8ft of water heading in the direction of Bajadam Resort. There was a sparse weed line in this 8ft depth which produced four more keeper fish over the next four hours. One was caught on a white spinnerbait and three on a light Carolina rig with a Watermelon Super Fluke in tow. The fishing was very slow but once we had five fish the pressure eased and we were able to concentrate on slowing down our presentation. Just as a side issue my fishing partner is Dennis Thompson who is 82 years young and still loves every minute of fishing. I must say it is a real inspiration to share fishing trips with someone who visibly gets so much pleasure out of this sport.

As John Buchan the former Governor General of Canada quoted: “The charm of fishing is that

it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions of hope.”

A range of Super Flukes

We had been fishing 17lb fluorocarbon line and changed down to 14lb for a slightly lighter presentation. This seemed to work as we then picked up a 1.3kg fish in 8ft of water with the light Carolina Watermelon Super Fluke rig. This fish was badly hooked so we ran it to the weigh station as it was considerably bigger than our other fish and we didn’t want to risk it dying on us. Once weighed we darted back to the weedline in front of Bajadam resort and three casts later were rewarded with a 1.8kg beauty which lifted our

spirits even further. Interestingly this fish spat out a yellow and brown horny toad which it must have been tempted with earlier. This fish started turning so once again we ran to the weigh station to weigh the fish with an early release for the best chance of survival. We ran back to the same spot but were unable to upgrade further. It was now about one o’clock and we moved around the dam picking up smaller fish but nothing that could improve on our bag. We also revisited the spot in front of Bajadam resort but

our fishing day was done. After the 16:00 cut off the prize giving ensued and whilst not a very big bag we were pleasantly surprised to have ended up in fourth place with a weight of 4.925kg. We were just one place out of the prize money. Whist we didn’t win, the personal gratification of doing well at a dam we were unsure of was fantastic. This is what fishing is all about. What an awesome day we had enjoyed with like-minded fishermen all following the same passion and wanting to do well.

Our Qu a speaks lity for itself!

André van Rooyen Cell: 083 229 9502 www.avrtaxidermy.co.za Street | Roodepoort | 1724 21 Maré 2 M S Email: avrtaxidermy@mweb.co.za E a We promote catch & release W

SA BASS 31 January 2019

Kwa-Zulu Natal

L-t-r: Neels Beneke, Robbie Olivier, Sarel Dicks, Ryan Rogers, Martin de Kock, Gavin Richardson, Len de Wet, Tyron de Wet, Schalk Gordon, Wentzel Gordon

11.080kg Venue: Albert Falls Dam

Top ten places: 1: Team Gamakatsu Outdoors 365 - 11.080kg

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2: Team Gangsters Paradise - 10.925kg 3: Team Yamaha Rapala - 9.955kg 4: Team Halfw ay - 9.055kg 5: Team Gordon2 - 8.695kg 6: Team D & H Engineering - 8.670kg 7: Team Ma & PA - 7.965kg 8: Team Nitro Circus - 7.875kg 8: Team Strike King Fishtec - 7.875kg 10: Team Zman Fishtec - 7.255kg

Catch more, bigger bass, read...

SA baars BASS MAGAZINE Since 2001

VisitVisit www.flwsouthafrica.com www.flwsouthafrica.com for entry for entry forms, forms, dates, dates venues and and venues. results. For general enquiries phone 082-416-5524

32 SA BASS January 2019

November Mpumalanga

Laboria - GP

Winners at De Hoop, November 2018

L-t-r: Peet vd Schyff, Shaun John, Gareth Dryden, Tony Lagesan, Werner Slabbert, Garrick Bassil

8.640kg

7.450kg

Venue: De Hoop Dam

Venue: Bronkhorstspruit Dam

Top ten places:

1: Team Double Trouble - 8.64kg

1: Team Gel Ev ents - 7.450kg

2: Team Sukkelaars - 6.54kg

2: Team HillBilly Poisen - 5.655kg

3: Team Rage - 5.66kg

3: Team Eco Log Homes* - 4.950kg

4: Team Reel Rebels - 5.616kg

4: Team Good Fellas - 4.925kg

5: Team SA BASS MPÂ˛ - 4.88kg

5: Team B_SS Toppies - 4.825kg

6: Team Donkey Cart - 4.16kg

6: Team GLT Petroleum* - 4.510kg

7: Team Woolly bugger Farm - 3.165kg

7: Team Outdoor Paradise* - 4.135kg

8: Team Stan rio Pipe and Steel - 3.15kg

8: Team Ama-Venom - 4.060kg

9: Team Six 8 Custom Baits - 2.975kg

9: Team New Anchor - 4.045kg

10: Team Aquaholics - 2.18kg

10: Team All Lift / Wolf - 4.000kg 10: Team Ranger - 4.000kg

For the complete results and next venue: see our website www.flwsouthafrica.com McCarthy Volkswagen Wonderboom

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T: 0861-282-282 E: info@alphalaboria.co.za W: www.alphalaboria.co.za Alpha Laboria, inter alia renders the following labour law services: disciplinary codes, grievance procedures, charge sheets, etc. Revision of current documentation and/or drafting of all the required documents form part of our presentation. We also do training, conduct disciplinary hearings, arbitration, union negotiations, handle strikes and more. We are available for advice 24 hours a day and act within 72 hours. Alpha Laboria 258 West Street Pretoria North, South Africa

SA BASS 33 January 2019

Limpopo

North West

Back: Stefan Badenhorst, Justy Varkevisser, Wessel du Toit Front: Alexis Kuisis, Reed Eastman, Kobus Snyman

L-t-r: Nigel Potgieter, André Pretorius, Pieter Senekal, Anton Vogt, Prashant Narotam, Kamlesh Parbhoo

4.280kg

8.650kg

Venue: Ebeneser Dam

Venue: Rust de Winter Dam

Top ten places:

1: Team Fear no Fish - 4.280kg

1: Team Bassw orld - 8.65kg

2: Team Beli VC* - 3.765kg

2: Team Bass Reapers - 6.76kg

3: Team SA BASS LP - 2.540kg

3: Team VC Botcon - 6.53kg

4: Team Kamikaze - 2.450kg

4: Team Secret VC - 5.92kg

5: Team Optimax - 2.405kg

5: Team Khourie - 5.39kg

6: Team ABU Riv o - 2.195kg

6: Team Nev er Giv e Up - 5.32kg

7: Team Bouw er - 1.695kg

7: Teams Greens²* - 4.8kg

8: Team Pure Chaos - 1.630kg

8: Team Go Fish - 3.98kg

9: Team Vhav enda bricks - 1.520kg

9: Team Raptor - 3.62kg

10: Team Crazy Bass - 1.375kg

10: Team Bass Boy s - 3.44kg

For the complete results and next venue: see our website www.flwsouthafrica.com

For the complete results and next venue: see our website www.flwsouthafrica.com T: 065 849 3264 E: hannes@sabass.com W: www.flwsouthfrica.net

Polokwane / Pietersburg

Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) is the world's largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money across various tournament circuits. FLW and their partners conduct 286 bass-fishing tournaments annually around the world, including the United States, Canada, China, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, South Korea and South Africa. The FLW television show is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. PO Box 24938 Gezina, Pretoria, 0031

34 SA BASS January 2019

November KZN Small Craft Bass Leaque

T.B.C. - GP

Overall first place for the season - Phillip Dreyer

Glen Lees caught this new all time TBC record size bass in December

685 points

4.580kg

Venue: Midmar Dam

Venue: Rietspruit Dam

Top ten overall places:

New all time record

1: Phillip Drey er - 685.0

10: Juan Pretorius - 482.5

T.B.C. (The Bassing Challenge) is now in its tenth year and at their tournament in December 2018, the fourth event in the 2019 season, there were 59 anglers fishing from all sorts of small craft. They were at Rietspruit Dam where Glen Lees, fishing from a kayak, caught a new all time TBC record. The previous record of 3.9kg was caught in 2009 at Klerkskraal Dam. Glen's new record weighed in at a whopping 4.58kg!

For dates and next venues: see our website www.flwsouthafrica.com

2: Tjaart Fourie - 652.5 3: Daniel Farmer - 640.0 4: Alan Tonkin - 634.5 5: Rudi Herr,amm - 631.5 6: Webster Geekie - 628.5 7: Nicholas Vincent - 612.5 8: Warren Farmer - 583.5 9: Blane Horsley - 493.0

C: 082-416-5524 T: 065-849-3264 F: 086-234-5052 E: info@sabass.com For everyone that loves bass fishing! SA BASS is a specialist bass fishing publication catering for a well-defined niche market since April 2001. Our mission is to promote bass angling as a socially acceptable and popular outdoor recreational activity, and in addition, to encourage acceptable angling ethics. Due consideration is given to developing the sport among all the country's people. PO Box 24938 Gezina, Pretoria, 0031

Record Catch Did you catch a record size fish within the last 60 days? You can claim an official FLW accredited record in various categories including overall tackle, menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s category, ladies category, junior category in different line classes and even fly rod records. Records for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and spotted bass can be claimed. Terms and conditions apply. Visit our website www.flwsouthafrica.com and download the application form PO Box 24938 Gezina, Pretoria, 0031 E: info@sabass.com

SA BASS 35 January 2019

>> SA BASS

Fishing the FLW Costa Series, Lake Guntersville With Robbie Olivier

Robbie Olivier, the International Co-angler Champion 2018

SA Bass interviewed our FLW South African champion, Robbie Olivier, to learn his tactics and techniques which contributed to his success in the USA while taking part in a major Č´VKLQJ WRXUQDPHQW RQ /DNH *XQWHUVYLOOH

What events did you win in South Africa which catapulted you to America to fish Lake Guntersville?

It has to be difficult for South Africans to arrive at a lake theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never fished. How did you scout and prepare?

Robbie: Neels Beneke and I had an awesome season and we dominated the KZN circuit claiming first place overall heading into the final event held at Bivane Dam near Vryheid. A three day event on a small dam with fifty boats meant winning was going to be a big task. We would have to figure out a way to out-fish the other anglers on the same areas. One strategy was going to be down-sizing our line to 7Lb Sunline FC Sniper and rigging smaller baits, such as the Big Bites Jerk Minnow on a size one hook. We ended up fourth on the first day coming across a good area later in the day that clued us in on the fish for the following day where we made up 2.2kg to take the lead. The last day was a grind, but a good size kicker sealed the deal and secured the title of FLW South Africa Champion for both me and my partner.

Robbie: The advancement of the internet has really in my opinion been a major factor in learning about fishing. I did an immense amount of studying up on Lake Guntersville and I watched every event held on the lake on YouTube i.e. looking at the winning ways and trying to locate the areas that have been most productive over the years. I was even fortunate enough to find a couple of videos on the lake during the fall period which was the time the event would be held.

36 SA BASS January 2019

Describe what distance you were planning to travel on the water to get to your fishing spots? Robbie: Lake Guntersville is a true monster when it comes to size. Interestingly, there were some good areas within a 10 to 15 minutes run. Other good areas would

FLW South Africa Champions: Neels Beneke (2018), Wayne Louw (2017), Robbie Olivier (2018) and Mike Matthee (2017)

take around an hour run up river and a 20 to 25 minutes idle to the back of the creek.

Did you have a particular fishing depth in mind and what structures did you have your strategy set on?

This was something I had to research and teach myself to fish as we do not fish it in South Africa so a lot of time was spent watching videos and studying the rig. My second part of the day was focused on schooling fish pushing bait to the surface in the creeks. This was

Robbie: The lake had everything from lay downs, rip rap and tons of grass! My first day we had cloudy, overcast conditions and I spent the day pretty close to the takeoff area at the dams edge. Here I targeted two ledges in 18ft on a river channel leading out of a big creek. Good electronics were essential as the schools of fish on the ledges would move around. There were not many deep spots that produced fish for me, but this one being so close to the dam meant that it had a lot of current and positioned the fish on the ledges. I targeted these fish with an umbrella rig or A-Rig as they call it in the south.

Our strategy was to down-size our presentation SA BASS 37 January 2019

One of my proudest moments ever

another new experience for me. I targeted these fish with spinnerbaits and swimbaits trying to match the hatch. These fish were very picky and you also had a short window in which you could target them. After getting a decent limit I would spend my time frogging grass mats in search of bigger fish. This got me my biggest bite on day one. I knew a lot of guys would be doing this so I decided to downsize to a small SPRO popping frog to make a difference.

What were the weather conditions on the day and did this have any influence on your plan? Robbie: Day two was a different day, sunny and post frontal, as we had a tornado pass through two days prior. The fish did not school as much making it a far tougher day. This forced me to make a big run up river, just over an hour and a 25 minute idle into mud creek where there was a good frog bite happening during practice.

Is the event something you would want to take part in again? Robbie: Taking home the International Co-angler Champion title was the proudest moment of my fishing career. Just walking across the stage with some of the biggest names in the sport was a dream come true - very surreal. But meeting some of the guys was so much better than expected. They are so humble and friendly. I got to spend some time with JT Kenny, Randy Howl and Bryan Thrift - anglers Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve looked up to my whole life. This was truly an experience of a life time and I thank FLW South Africa for this wonderful opportunity. I look forward to doing it all over again.

Considering the time of year at Guntersville and which dams it possibly reminded you of in South Africa? Robbie: I was actually very pleasantly surprised as Lake Guntersville reminded me a lot of my home lakes here in KZN full of grass - in my mind it was just a very big Inanda Dam. The similarities are so close so it was not that hard for me to adapt and figure out a pattern at all. The only strange thing was that the bass schooling were not structurally orientated and could pop up schooling just about anywhere in any depth. 38 SA BASS January 2019

Standing in the weigh-in line at the Costa FLW Series Championship

>> SA BASS

Secrets of South Africa’s Pro’s – Part 6

Other approaches to Structure This tree on Renosterkop Dam is normally flooded so get a good look...

In the previous issue we looked at approaching structure, strike angles, spooking bass, and sweet spots – all the ways to approach structure that gives us the best chance to get your bass successfully on the boat. There are however other ways to know where the bass will position themselves without even seeing the ﬁsh. >> Bass Spy

ne of the biggest mistakes of seen anglers make is approaching the structure too quickly and with no consideration of what they are ultimately trying to achieve. I will mention local examples which I’ve witnessed and made myself, but there are also good examples of this that you may have witnessed on the international stage, the Bassmaster Classic for example. Let me touch on a few of these. In a recent Bassmaster Classic one of the leading anglers was targeting a shallow are abounding with thin flooded brush. Just the thought of casting over one of these sticks made me think, trouble. The angler successfully pitched his lure into tight gaps and put some good fish in the boat. However, every now and then he would cast just past the point of no return (over a stick for example). Yes, the fish were there, but it was impossible to get them out. Furthermore, the angler needed to drive his boat into the area to free the hook which spooked the fish he was targeting. This is the most common mistake – I still do it today. We’re all wondering why some of the pro anglers are so successful and manage to approach the weigh station with winning bags. It has a lot to do with the way in which they manage their favourite spots. They do some serious homework around their approach and these are other approach strategies which need to be considered:

Shade / sunlight: Shade direction offered by structure will change throughout the day. Remember that bass will always seek the shady section for protection from the sun and as a means of disguising themselves. So as the angles of light change so will your approaching angle. Most of us will be sold by the temptation of simply casting at the structure when you arrive. The next chance you get though, try to

approach with the angles of light in mind and make that first cast count.

Current: In the middle of Rhenosterkop Dam I watched as the current flowed over a large patch of flooded water vegetation. The current was incredible and we were nowhere near a river source or inlet of any kind. It would have made sense if we were fishing a river system, but we were out in the middle of nowhere? This was great though. We could now position the bass as it was certain they would be sitting off the inside edge as the current flowed over the vegetation, lying perfectly in wait of their prey. This was such a subtle change, but current was the key to finding the fish. Place yourself in a river system and then throw structure such as rocks, or trees into the mix. Riding up into the river section on Albert Falls Dam is a great example of how rocks will help you identify here the bass will position themselves. In fact, the subject of current is quite vast and we could probably spend a good few hours speaking just about his subject.

Water clarity: Clear water, although beautiful to look at can be very deceiving and is often not easy to fish for bass. The bass see you coming, often before you do! So keeping your distance from structure you are targeting will be essential and long casts necessary. Not to mention the need to downscale your line thickness, lure size and possible adjust your bait colour to as natural as possible. So a host of factors play monumental roles in how your approach structure and it has been proven very successfully that the more you pay attention to them the “luckier” you will be. SA BASS 39 January 2019

>> SA BASS

Fishing the FLW Costa Series, Lake Guntersville With Neels Beneke

(left) Bryan Leppan, Cast-for-Cash tournament organiser in KZN, and Hannes Lindeque, FLW South Africa, together with FLW SA Champions 2018, Neels Beneke and Robbie Olivie

SA Bass interviewed our very own FLW South Africa champion, Neels Beneke to get his inside track on his amazing experience travelling to the USA to take part in a major Č´VKLQJ WRXUQDPHQW

What results did you achieve in South Africa which sent you to compete? Neels: Fishing the FLW Series in the USA in 2016 was a great experience, but admittedly it was very expensive. I flew up and down in pursuit of chasing a dream. In 2016 FLW SA started in South Africa of course and made that dream so much more possible. However, the event now eliminated the high cost of having to fly in and out of the USA to take part. The dream of competing on the USA big stage has never been more possible to us South Africans. Robbie Olivier and I won the season fishing out of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Cast-for-Cash region and qualified for the FLW SA Championship which took place at Bivane Dam. The championship was another top class event that I will treasure forever. My partner and I won the championship to earn our spot in the Costa FLW Series Championship held at Lake Guntersville. Over excitement was a major understatement! 40 SA BASS January 2019

This one fish secured my slot at the Costa FLW Series Championship

FLW provide us with this fully rigged boat to use during the Costa FLW Series Championship

What season were you preparing for and what target structures did you have in mind? Neels: This being my second Costa FLW Series Championship (first one was at Table Rock Lake in 2016) I already had some ideas and thought of what I was going to target. The anticipating season was fall (autumn for us South Africans) and the main bait focus was shad. Lake Guntersville looked to have been similar to some of our â&#x20AC;&#x153;grass damsâ&#x20AC;? we have back in KZN so I was real excited - as grass fishing is certainly one of my strengths! During the research I conducted on Lake Guntersville it was evident that top water frog bite was the main deal so I got my SPRO Bronzeye frogs ready, bags packed and off I went to go pre-practice for a week.

The dream of competing on the USA big stage has never been more possible to us South Africans SA BASS 41 January 2019

I managed to find almost all my fish on umbrella rig chasing schools

How did you plan for your practice days and did you end up with a specific strategy after your pre-fishing? Neels: I was very fortunate to have had a sponsored boat waiting for thanks to Fredricks Outdoor in Alabama who sponsored me a fully rigged Triton for my prepractice and qualifying practice. I settled in my hotel, did tackle prep and identified the areas which I wanted to fish on my first day, splitting the sections of the lake up for each day as this was a huge body of water. First day of practice I set out to target grass on flats and extended points with top water frog and bang was I spot on, getting around 15lb on my first day with a 6lb fish to show as well. Very stoked with myself I build onto that over the next few days and found good fish, but I knew I had to find something different and special, as I knew the frog pattern and grass was on 95% of the angler’s mind, not to mention the cold front coming through which hurts the top water bite. After a day I found more than what I expected, that something special that not many anglers would be fishing in more secluded areas and I started sacking 20 to 30lb bags daily, all fishing lay down logs with a Revenge Spinnerbait, rotating with a War Eagle Spinnerbait. My confidence was over the moon and I felt ready for this tournament.

What happened on the official practice and tournament days? Neels: Official practice days started and the plan was still on form, checking up on my fish and they were all still there. The frog bite started becoming very tough as I expected. 42 SA BASS January 2019

Day one of the tournament arrives, but got cancelled due to a tornado passing by, not thinking anything of it; little did I know this tornado is going to be the cause that I miss my Forrest Wood cup ticket. The next day the tournament starts finally and I arrive at my areas only to notice that the nice clear warm creek turned into a muddy cold creek due to the storms from that tornado. Not getting one of my fish to bite I had to adapt and change plans. I started fishing my grass areas but noticed the bass started schooling up and chasing shad and not so much in the grass anymore. Plunging my Alabama rig I started to chase schools of bass surfacing, something very unusual to us South African anglers, as the bass don’t feed up on bait in SA like they do on the shad there. I managed to find almost all my fish on umbrella rig chasing schools and weighing three good fish on both days with a kicker fish on both days too. I managed a total of just less than 18lb, which got me a second place in the international division. I had just missed my Forrest Wood Cup ticket to a Canadian angler and overall I was placed 63rd out of 196 amongst the pros, including Bryan Thrift, Andy Morgan, Carl Jocumsen and many others. I must admit that everything didn’t turn out as I wanted them to, but like I always say, God’s word rings true, “All things work out for the good of those who love the Lord”. That’s what I’m taking home to believe and will definitely be back one day soon. This experience was awesome and a very possible dream in reach for many of us South African anglers. I will definitely be back chasing for that USA spot in the next FLW SA Championship. *Neels Beneke and Robbie Olivier are the 2018 FLW South Africa champions.

>> SA BASS INDUSTRY NEWS

Garmin awarded top NMEA honours is the first and only live scanning sonar for recreational fishing that gives anglers higher resolution and easier-tointerpret images of structure, bait and fish swimming below and around the boat than ever before. “LiveScope is the first and only live, real-time recreational scanning sonar,” the NMEA Technology Award judges armin was named said. “The transducer has two modes— “Manufacturer of the Year” straight down and forward looking. for the fourth consecutive year LiveScope is an innovative system that by members of the National Marine combines scanning sonar and live sonar Electronics Association (NMEA). This to deliver easy-to-interpret real-time honour is given to the most recognized images of bottom structure, bait and company in the marine electronics field fish to 200 feet below or around the boat for its support of products in the field, even when the boat is stationary. When voted on by members of the NMEA. the boat is moving it continuously Garmin, the world’s leading marine adjusts the sonar beams to compensate electronics manufacturer, also earned for motion.” the coveted NMEA Technology Award Garmin also won the MFD category for its Panoptix LiveScope™ and four Product of Excellence Awards with for the third year in a row for its wins in the following categories: multi- GPSMAP® 8624, a 24-inch all-in-one function display (MFD), autopilot, touchscreen chartplotter that boasts the multi-media entertainment and mobile highest screen resolution on the market. application - utility. The honours The GPSMAP 8624 comes preloaded were announced at the 2018 NMEA with both BlueChart® g2 coastal and Convention and Expo held in Palm LakeVü HD inland maps, and is fully network compatible for support of Beach Gardens, Fla., Sept. 25-28. radar, autopilot, instruments, multiple “We’re extremely proud to be screens, sensors, remote sonar modules, honoured by the NMEA for both our digital switching, thermal cameras and industry-leading technology as well as more. our support of our products to dealers For six years running, Garmin and customers in the field,” said Dan received the top spot in the autopilot Bartel, Garmin vice president global category, this year for its GHP Reactor consumer sales. “Our commitment to deliver first-class hardware, software TM 40 Hydraulic Autopilot with and support is stronger than ever, and SmartPump. The GHP Reactor was these coveted awards are the result of Garmin’s first recreational autopilot that dedication and a true testament to system to utilize AHRS technology and boasts the usability, installation our industry-leading products.” A panel of four judges, including flexibility, and many other features that two media and two NMEA certificated prove to be valuable for any vessel. For decades, Garmin has pioneered marine electronics technician (CMET), evaluated 16 nominated products new GPS navigation and wireless this year before awarding Panoptix devices and applications that are LiveScope with the exclusive NMEA designed for people who live an active Technology Award honour. LiveScope, lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary which was also recently named “Best of business units, including automotive, Show” at the International Convention aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), recreation. For more information, visit www.garmin.co.za or follow them on facebook.com/ garmin, twitter.com/garmin, or youtube.com/garmin

>> SA BASS

A SMALL CRAFT ANGLER’S ROAD TO

LAKE GUNTERSVILLE

PART 2

Gauteng T.B.C. anglers at the 2018 FLW South Africa Small Craft Championship held at Boskop Dam

>> Vicus Horn*

In the previous issue: It started when Hugo told us that he had some exiting news for us. Hugo van der Walt is the organizer and one of the founding members of, “The Bass Challenge”. We were all sitting in assorted kick-boats, kayaks, rubber ducks, and small fibreglass boats, waiting for the tournament to start. Hugo was into his pre-launch speech: “FLW South Africa is offering TBC anglers four slots to go and fish the FLW International Friendship Tournament in the USA!”

kept methodically fan-casting my square-bill. After some time had passed, I managed to cull the 1kg fish with a 1.3 kg. Then things got really quiet. It this it? I wondered. Not bad, but I would really love one more big fish. After some time, I decided to pick up my jerk-bait, working it slowly and methodically. My third cast was a long one, down wind. On about my third twitch, I got hit. The fight was similar to the 1.75 kg fish. After dragging her out of the grass, I landed a fat 1.85kg female. I decided to take a break to text my wife: “Liefie, ek wil nou nie te vroeg praat nie, maar ek reken ek het ’n kans hier.” My wife seemed even more excited than I was. About half an hour later I managed another fish of 1.2kg which did not cull. I smiled when another angler saw me throw the fish back. He stared at me for a few seconds computing the implications, and shook his head. Not long after, I noticed that the back of my boat was lower in the water than I expected. I quickly opened one of the rear hatches, and was greeted with the sight of water up

44 SA BASS January 2019

to the lid. My boat was full of water! I was stunned. It was 12:15. I had to limp back to weigh my fish, get my boat out of the water, and try to find and plug the leak. I was giving up almost six hours of fishing time. Time that other competitors could use to catch up with me. I knew I was going to be in the top three for the day as it was. But it was a bitter pill to not be able to drive the proverbial nails home, even more so, considering the prize that was at stake. But there was nothing to be done. I headed back. At weigh-in, my bag of three fish tipped the scale at 4.9kg. I was more than just mildly exited now. It was now paramount that I use the remaining time to find and fix the leak, and be prepared for fishing day two. I looked all over the boat’s hull, and all I could see was a few spots of gelcoat that was damaged in an area no bigger that a 10c coin. Really? To my mind those sorts of spots should not even leak at all. But it was all the damage I could find. I rushed to Potchefstroom, and could only manage to find some resin and hardener. After draining the boat, I applied three coats

The 2018 FLW South Africa Small Craft Champions: Hendrik Brand, Juan du Toit, Barend Brand, Vicus Horn and Johan Joubert

of resin over the spots that seemed to be damaged. It was all I could do, as far as the leak was concerned. I just had to hope for the best. I had to fish the next day. I simply could not even contemplate giving up what I knew had to be a considerable advantage in the tournament. Especially considering the prize! When I got back to the weigh station, weigh in was almost done, and I was still leading. In the end, I held on to the lead only by a margin of around 250g. Hendrik Brand

from the Western Cape was close on my heels. Quite a few anglers weighed in 3kg plus bags. If I was to win, I needed three fish on day two as well, there was no doubt about it. Some of the anglers who got 3kg plus bags, were bound to also get a good bag on day two. I thought of my boat standing beside my tent, with resin drying, batteries on charge, and hoped… Day two pre-launch found me on the water, nervously checking my boat for leaks every two minutes. Nothing.

Pieter Bezuidenhout pieterbez@mweb.co.za

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SA BASS 45 January 2019

The author ended up collecting three trophies

Bone dry. Slowly, I started to relax. “Focus on your fishing, the boat is fine.” I told myself. I was sure my staging point would reload. I could visualize those fat females staging up to the point from the deeper water. “All that remains is execution.” I told myself. Hannes warned that some strong wind were expected later during the morning, and that we should understand that fishing time may be terminated as soon as it was deemed dangerous to continue. Everyone nodded their understanding, and we were off. It was a good forty minute run with my trolling motor against the morning breeze to get to my spot. I quickly checked my boat for leaks again. Nothing. Bone dry. I was relieved to see that the other anglers respected my space, and that no one tried to beat me to my spot. It was not an accident. It was TBC spirit. A sense of sportsmanship and camaraderie that is pretty unique to TBC. How could I even have doubted them? On my fourth cast, I hooked into a fish that ended up weighing 1.33kg. Another great start! My excitement knew no bounds. This is it! I had lots of time left to finish this off… or so I thought. I put the fish in the well, and switched on my fill pump. I cast around for about another ten minutes. As I glanced back, my heart sank. The rear of my boat was low in the water. And sure enough, when I lifted the lid off one of the rear hatches, I was greeted by the same sight as the previous day. Water up to the lid. And then the penny started to drop. Something to do with my fill pump? There was no time to investigate further. I only had about 100mm of freeboard at my transom, and the wind was picking up as predicted. I stood heartbroken for a few seconds. Then I sighed and packed away my rods. I could not chance it. It was just too dangerous. I headed back to the launch crying inside. Surely, I have now lost the best chance I may ever have of winning this prize. I only had one fish. Some of the other anglers who had 3kg plus bags from 46 SA BASS January 2019

the previous day, was bound to get three fish, and pass me. Not only would I lose the lead, but I seriously doubted I would make top four. Utter dejection flooded through me. I weighed my single fish with a sigh of resignation, and took my boat off the water. I drained the water, and while it was draining, I noticed that the wind was picking up even more. After about another forty minutes, I saw Hannes walking about with a big red flag. Really? Could this be? Is he going to call it off? Hope was starting to stir again, if only slightly. Roughly an hour after I came off the water, Hannes called it. Everyone off the water. I stood and nervously watched boats slowly making their way off the water. No one was in any big hurry. They were clearly going to use every minute they could squeeze out to fish. And that was as it should be. So would I. I estimated that on average most anglers had about two hours more fishing time than I had on that second day. Many came in blank. Then fish started coming to the scale, and as I expected, some had three fish. I only had one. I knew I could not possibly get top spot any more. But could I make top four? Maybe, just maybe. It later turned out that an elbow fitting in my fill pump piping was cracked. I must have inadvertently damaged it during a previous outing. Every time my fill pump was running, it was not only pumping water into the live-well. It was also pumping water into the boat, under the hatches. I am still to this day disappointed in myself that I did not find the leak on that first day. It could have changed everything. For an engineer, I can sometimes be really slow on the uptake. And it cost me. Approximately four hours after weigh in was complete, we had prize giving. I nervously sat with my Gauteng team mates, and waited for the pleasantries to run its course. My wife was texting me every few minutes, demanding updates. She was even more nervous than I was. In the end, I held on to take fourth place. I ended up collecting three trophies. Winner day one, biggest fish, and fourth place over-all. I was ecstatic, and immediately texted my wife. She was every bit as elated for me as I was. There was a mild feeling of disappointment in not winning outright and being crowned Small Craft Champion. But, it was greatly overshadowed by the excitement of knowing that I made it to the top four, and was soon going to be fishing a bass lake in the US of A! Congratulations to Hendrik Brand (Western Cape) for winning, and to Juan du Toit (Gauteng), and Barend Brand (Western Cape) for coming second and third respectively. And well done also to Johan Joubert, barely missing out by ending in 5th spot. In the next issue: After prize giving, Hannes called the top five aside. We conducted some interviews, and had photos taken. Next, Hannes took the top four aside, and started telling us what was going to happen next. *Vicus Horn is an FLW South Africa small craft bass angler and represented South Africa at the Costa FLW Series Championship in 2018 at Lake Guntersville, AL.

>> SA BASS ANGLING INTERNATIONAL >> Anthony Hawkswell*

Newell Brands sells Pure Fishing Newell Brands as part of its massive overhaul of its company, sold Pure Fishing for $1.3 billion to New York-based Sycamore Partners private equity group. Sycamore Partners does not hold any other businesses in the outdoors recreation space. Pure Fishing had net sales from its top lines (Penn, Abu Garcia, Berkley) of $556 million in 2017 according to the report. Sycamore Partners is the surprise choice of new owner for the business. It is unknown in fishing circles and owns no outdoor leisure-related industries. It specialises in consumer, distribution and retail-related investments. As an interesting side note, Newell also sold Jostens for $1.3 billion to Platinum Equities, the private equity firm that originally bought Ranger Boats, Champion and Stratos

from Irwin Jacob’s Genmar boat brand in 2010 and later sold Ranger and Stratos to Bass Pro Shops LLC in 2015. The proceeds of the sale of Pure Fishing will come as a surprise to many analysts and those within the industry who valued the business at between $500 million and $1billion. “We are pleased to announce another step forward in our Accelerated Transformation Plan, with the signing of the Pure Fishing and Jostens transactions,” said Michael Polk, Newell Brands President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have full confidence that these businesses will continue to thrive under new ownership, as they leverage their strong positions in the market place.” Newell Brands took control of Pure Fishing when it acquired the Jarden Corporation for $16 billion in April 2016, but its future with the new owner has been under a cloud for much of the time and it was officially put up for sale in May of this year. In 2017 Pure Fishing’s net sales from its top-end brands that include Penn, Abu Garcia, Greys and Berkley, were approximately $556 million.

Lew’s Holdings acquires Southern Plastics Company Fast-growing Lew’s Holdings Corporation (Lew’s), the owner of Lew’s Fishing and Strike King, has added to its lure portfolio with the acquisition of Southern Plastics Company, a significant player in the soft plastics bait sector. Based in Eufaula, Alabama, Southern Plastics has supplied it baits, which feature a unique variety of scents, additives and colours, to Strike King for over 20 years. Peter Leibman, Managing Director of Peak Rock Capital, the owner of Lew’s, said: “We are excited to partner with one of the industry’s best-known manufacturers as Lew’s continues to grow organically and through strategic acquisitions. “The addition of Southern Plastics enhances our presence in the fast-growing soft plastics category.

Strike King and Southern Plastics are highly complementary and we are excited to utilise the capabilities of Southern Plastics to support the continued growth of Strike King.” “Southern Plastics shares with Lew’s a dedication to providing industry-leading products and service levels to our business partners and consumers,” said Lew’s CEO, Ken Eubanks. “I am excited to support Southern Plastics in continuing the tradition of exceptional service to our business partners and consumers. “Terry Spence and Lisa Hagler, along with their dedicated employees, have done a tremendous job driving growth at Southern Plastics and we are excited that they will remain involved with the company going forward.” *Anthony Hawkswell is the editor of Angling International since 2013

SA BASS 47 January 2019

>> SA BASS NEWS

9 1 0 2

World

Fishing Games

as we know it has many different facets and aspects that are practices by thousands /// Fishing of anglers on a daily basis around the world. In South Africa alone, the pure recreational angler generates a staggering financial turnover in the tackle and fishing industry. >> Valerie Jacobs*

ccording to a survey and statistics done earlier this year, the recreational angler, in other words, the angler that on the spur of the moment decides to go and throw a line either by him or herself or including the kids or a group of friends will spend money in the purchase of some basic tackle for such an outing. This will include basics like line, hooks, baits, sinkers, lures and maybe, but not always a new rod or reel. Basic fishing tackle and supplies for the recreational angler generates 24 billion Rand every single year in our economy. Then were not talking about the pro-angler that spends a fast amount more on tackle, boats, electronics etc. When we think about it, it is truly a multi-billion Rand industry. As the sport of bass fishing and other aspects of our sport and other facets are steadily growing not just here but around the world, so does spectator value and with a better internet infrastructure than a mere 12 months ago, live video streaming of events and real time video uploads have become a norm instead of the exception. This has opened new avenues for prospective sponsors and advertisers to become associated with this industry and has drawn physical spectators to more and more events being hosted here in South Africa. On the back of the FLW South Africa anglers returning from the Costa FLW Series Championship in the USA with some great results and the Protea team also returning from the 14th Black Bass World Championships in Mexico, South African angling is a buzz with the next big event. The 2019 World Games of Sport Fishing will be hosted by South Africa during the second week of February 2019. A total of 15 different disciplines in angling will be hosted and include the following; black bass fishing, big game fishing, carp fishing, freshwater bank angling, light tackle boat fishing and fly fishing. Already a host of countries have entered their respective teams with the likes of China and Australia joining for the first time. Some countries will be entering different teams for different disciplines while others like China will enter 6 anglers in two-man teams to compete for top honours in the discipline of black bass fishing.

48 SA BASS January 2019

For the opening ceremony, a great deal of Sandton will be closed off for a team street parade followed by delegates coming together for the official opening ceremony at the Sandton Convention Centre on the 9th of February. The following day, competitors and teams will depart to various areas around our country by road or air to start the tournaments. Some of these tournaments will take place at venues like; Loskop Dam, The Vaal River, Bloemhof Dam, Dullstroom, Mossel Bay and Sodwana Bay. The opening ceremony is open to all followers of the sport of angling in all its forms and in all likelihood will also be televised locally and internationally. Not only is South Africa proving itself as a friendly destination to anglers from around the world, it is showing that we have the drive and the infrastructure to host such events now and in the future. This not only brings competitors and their foreign currency but based on their experiences here, is set to generate a further income in foreign currency for many years to follow. With some of our top anglers doing an incredible job as ambassadors for the sport and the country, events like these are opening more doors to the potential fishing tourism that will generate a greater level of income for the local industry in the form of shopping, accommodation and all the accruements of our sport. In a future article, we will share more pertinent information in regards to the upcoming World Games 2019 and SA Bass magazine will be doing various live feeds from the bass fishing event during the actual tournament and the opening ceremony. Also tune in to Platinum Gold Sports Radio via the internet at www.platinumgoldsports. co.za for the weekly fishing show that is purely South African between 7 and 10pm. Its time to get excited, to plan a few days off to see some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best anglers in action and to prepare for the 2019 World Fishing Games. *Valerie Jacobs is a presenter on Platinum Gold Sports Radio and regular photographer of various bass fishing tournaments around South Africa.

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