COMPETITIONS
Free State won the gold medal in the U16 division. Nick Nel congratulated Dewandre Smith, Eben Botha (C) and Francois Rossouw on their achievement.
By Francois Beukes
A
FTER the outbreak of Covid 19 and with lockdown regulations being enforced, the Junior Gamefish Nationals originally scheduled for 2020 eventually got off the ground in April 2021. The competition ran from 1 to 5 April with 18 teams made up of 54 anglers taking part. Durban’s Point Yatch Club hosted this eagerly awaited competition in conjunction with Natal Deep Sea Angling Association (NDSAA) and the South African Deep Sea Angling Association (SADSAA). The tournament was fished according to IGFA 10kg line class with SADSAA tournament rules and the SADSAA
40 • SKI-BOAT July/August 2021
Neil Coetzer, SADSAA Development Officer (left) with Paddy Venske, President Southern Gauteng Deep Sea Angling Association/SADSAA Selector (right) capping his grandson Dylan Venske of Southern Gauteng U16
points scoring system, which includes different species as a multiplication factor.The weakest link rule of a minimum of 5m of IGFA 10kg line was also used however a minimum of 20m would be needed if the angler wanted to claim a record. After the formalities of the skippers’ briefing came the excitement of registration and the opening function which included a much anticipated “capping” ceremony where all the new caps officially receive their Provincial Colours,. Then it was down to some serious fishing off the coast of Durban over a period of four days. From the outset it was clear that the junior teams would be tested to the limit with their 10kg line, expected species, tackle, traces and bait
presentations. It was going to be extremely technical and somewhat different to what most competitors were used to. DAY ONE With excitement on a high on the morning of day one, the 18 teams mustered at the North Pier basin for an official group photograph and a simultaneous departure. It was truly an awesome sight to watch and an exhilarating feeling for the skippers and anglers alike who were taking part. During the day periodic call-ups of boat position and catches resulted in much anticipation at the scales where a crowd steadily started growing to eagerly witness the day’s catch.
