Editorial

SATISFYING A THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE

ALL through the history of man, especially fishermen, there has been an insatiable need to catch fish. For some it’s a way to feed their families, for others it’s a true passion. Those of us who have spent most of our lives trying to outwit our piscatorial adversaries have come to realise that the more we believe we know, the more there is that still needs to be learnt.

With this as a basic philosophy, we at SKI- BOAT magazine have always believed that it is our responsibility to share with to our readers a barrage of information and knowledge sourced from practising anglers. This is not only toenhance readers’ desire to go fishing, but also to help them become more efficient anglers to the point where their personal achievements are enhanced. After all, along with increased catches comes an increased enjoyment of the art of offshore angling.

It is this assimilation of old and new techniques that we deem as being of utmost importance. To aquire it requires the melding of old and new and, hence valuing the ideas and contributions of younger ski-boaters who continually prove their ability in the sport, especially in the competitive arena. They often bring with them innovation and new thinking that forces us old dogs to believe that new ideas can and do work to produce an increased catch record.

From SKI-BOAT magazine’s perspective, we find it hugely encouraging that this new generation shows such willingness to pass on their knowledge. And indeed, many of us in the senior brigade have realised that old dogs can learn new tricks.

When we analyse the stats from the digital version of SKI-BOAT we get a very clear indication of where readers’ interest lies, and there has been huge interest in the “Where to fish” series we have embarked on. As promised, our plan is to cover the whole South African coast detailing where exactly you can catch what.

For the last two issues we looked at sections of the KwaZulu-Natal coast, but this issue “Where to Fish” moves down to the Cape with False Bay being the focus. Thereafter our sights are set on the Cape Agulhas to Arniston area. That region has become a mecca for ski-boaters countrywide to holiday and experience the extremely wide range of offshore angling opportunities that are available.

We at SKI-BOAT magazine are not only very proud of the acceptance of this initiative, but also extremely impressed at the willingness of those older and younger anglers who have so generously shared their special way-points and methods for fishing the areas being covered.

Let’s face it, in years gone by when someone asked, “Where did you catch the big one in your photo?” the proud angler would wave his arm in a 180 degree arc toward the wide expanse of the open ocean. That is fast becoming a thing of the past. These days there is an understanding that just because you caught a fish at “x” mark today doesn’t mean that its mates will be there tomorrow.

Enjoyment of offshore angling comes about through a combination of knowledge, persistence, the right equipment and planning — plus a degree of luck — which produces the results all of us offshore anglers live for and dream about. We at SKI-BOAT magazine are so grateful that readers still turn to us in droves to find the information and inspiration they crave to continue driving their passion.

Till the next tide.

Erwin Bursik