Ski-Boat September 2021 by Angler Publications

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The South African Deep Sea

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September/October 2021 Vol. 37 No. 5

WHERE TO FISH

Details of the KZN South Coast

BIG BLUES

Southern bluefin tuna off Cape Town

LEERIE ON THE LINE Catching garrick in Plett

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DOWN DEEP Preparing bottomfishing traces

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CONTENTS

September/October 2021 Volume 37 Number 5 COVER: SOLDIER ON! Occasionally an angler feels a catch may be the biggest of a certain species they’re likely to catch in their lifetime.This 6kg soldier caught on the KZN South Coast may well be just that for Craig Stubbs. Photo by Blake Dennis.

FEATURES

Where to Fish Part 2: Fishing on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast — by Mark Brewitt

Raring to Go! Boat review on the Rapid Cat Front Cabin 25ft — by Erwin Bursik

Down Deep Part 2: Setting up your bottomfishing traces — by Craig Stubbs

Big Blues Catching southern bluefin tuna in Cape Town — by Ryan Nienaber

Sonar Secrets The age of 360 thinking has arrived — by Rob and Scott Naysmith

Record Chasers Keeping it in the family — by Francois Beukes

Leerie on the Line Catching garrick in Plettenberg Bay — by Chris Schorn

The King of Kingfisher Retires Mike Philip hands over to a new generation — by Erwin Bursik

King of the Reels Introducing the Sea-King 600 Electro sportfishing reel — by Marchant Steenkamp

DEPARTMENTS 6 7 46 55 56

Editorial — by Erwin Bursik Postbox SADSAA News Subscribe and WIN! Kingfisher Awards

61 62 64 65 66

Mercury Junior Anglers Reel Kids Marketplace & Ad Index Business Classifieds & Directory Rapala Lip — Last word from the ladies

The official magazine of the South African Deep Sea Angling Association

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Publisher: Erwin Bursik Editor: Sheena Carnie Advertising Executive: Mark Wilson

EDITORIAL

OFFSHORE ANGLING IS FOSTERED BY DOYENS

Editorial Assistant: Vahini Pillay Contributors: Francois Beukes, Mark Brewitt, Erwin Bursik, Rob Naysmith, Ryan Nienaber, Chris Schorn, Marchant Steenkamp and Craig Stubbs. ADVERTISING – NATIONAL SALES: Angler Publications Mark Wilson cell: 073 748 6107 ADVERTISING – Gauteng & Mpumalanga: Lyn Adams — 083 588 0217 Publishers: Angler Publications cc PO Box 20545, Durban North 4016 Telephone: (031) 572-2289 e-mail: angler@mags.co.za Subscriptions to SKI-BOAT: R180 per annum (six issues). New subscriptions and renewals: SKI-BOAT Subscriptions Department, PO Box 20545, Durban North 4016. Telephone: (031) 572-2280/89/97/98 Fax: (031) 572-7891 • e-mail: angler@mags.co.za • Through www.anglerpublications.co.za, or E-zine through <www.issuu.com> Reproduction: Hirt & Carter, Durban Printer: Robprint (Pty) Ltd, Durban Full production is done in-house by Angler Publications & Promotions on Apple Macintosh software and hardware for output directly to plate. SKI-BOAT Magazine, ISSN 0258-7297, is published six times a year by Angler Publications & Promotions cc, Reg. No. CK 88/05863/23, and is distributed by On the Dot, as well as directly by the publishers to retail stores throughout South Africa. • Copyright of all material is expressly reserved and nothing may be reproduced in part or whole without the permission of the publishers. • While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this magazine, the publishers do not accept responsibility for omissions or errors or their consequences. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers, the managing editor, editor, editorial staff or the South African Deep Sea Angling Association.

6 • SKI-BOAT September/October 2021

HILST researching the tribute to Mike Philip carried elsewhere in this issue, I was struck again by the incredible influence this one man has had on our sport, even though his efforts obviously had a pecuniary benefit for him. This led me to thinking of the many, many men and women who have contributed over the last 75odd years to making deep sea angling what it is today. Looking at deep sea angling’s history from its inception post World War II, as I have been doing in my research into Durban Ski-Boat Club’s Erwin Bursik history, there are many individuals who have Publisher contributed in one form or another to allow the current generation of outstanding anglers to reap the benefits of the past, whilst helping to fine tune and develop practices that will, in time to come, be fully appreciated. Our sport encompasses not only the boat and tackle required to go fishing, but also incorporates aspects like facilities, tow vehicles, boat trailers, safety equipment, fish utilisation and fishing destinations that have today become the norm. Today’s norm will, in the future, be used as the basis for innovative thinking and as the design for further progression. One only has to look at the ski-boats of 1946 and then those of today to see the truth in this statement. I think of men such as Fred Nicholas, Maurice Cox, Clive Olivier, Johnny Motzouris, Fin Anderson, Don Christy, Peter Yeld, Rod Delaney, Callie Krause, Graham Mitchell, Andy Roper and Stan Roberts, to name but a few, who transformed the original craft of the ’50s into the magnificent craft being built over the last couple of decades. Huge strides have been made in design, construction methods and innovation, and craft built in South Africa compare very favourably with overseas-manufactured boats. It was men such as these who, to a lesser or greater extent, steered us, the offshore anglers, into the 21st century with the craft we have come to accept as the norm. What about the outboard motors? Just compare the original Seagull and early Johnson outboards we grew up with to the current generation of 4-stroke, fully electronic outboard motors it is now our pleasure to have powering these craft. Motors such as Seagull, Johnson, Mercury, Evinrude, Chrysler, Mariner, Westbend, Penta, and latterly Yamaha, whilst all imported, still took men of vision and great engineering skills to modernise to the extent that we have at our disposal today. Here in South Africa men such as Charlie Young of Yamaha, Boris Jameson of Mercury and Johnson/Evinrude by Williams Hunt and Buck Oostingh of Bucks Marine must be acknowledged for their role in upgrading our ability to get to sea and return safely. Finally, where this all began: the fishing tackle industry. From the Natal and Indian cane rods, imported wooden Scarborough reels, flax line and Limeric hooks attached to catgut leaders, our tackle has also come a long way. Men like Durban’s Albert King, Lea Rossetenstein of Johannesburg, and Jack Lemkus of Cape Town were the major tackle pioneers in the 1940s and ’50s. It is all these individuals mentioned — as well as others whose names have slipped my memory — who have, through their passion for the sport, enabled us to enjoy the entire spectrum of our activity with a wide range of equipment that is of world class standards. We salute all past and present doyens of our sport in all their various guises. Thank you for your drive and passion that was never satisfied with the norms of the day, ever striving for higher standards. ‘Till next the tide.

Erwin Bursik

POSTBOX

MAKING THE MOST OF LIFE Dear Editor My name is Heinrich van der Mescht; I am 38 years old and this is a short story of my life and my passion for fishing and boating. I was born on 7 November 1982 in Port Elizabeth, and at the age of two I developed rheumatoid arthritis; a few years later I was wheelchair dependent. My passion for fishing comes straight from my father and grandfather, and my early memories are of camping at Sundays River every year for the December holidays. In the last ten years I’ve fallen in love with the Breede River. It was there that I caught all my biggest grunters. I decided I wanted to go for my skippers license and approached Pieter Welgemoed of Mandrie Maritime Service in Gordon Bay to find out if someone with a disability could qualify for a license. Before long my father and I did our Category C skippers together and also joined the Gordons Bay Boat Angling Club. Next we needed to find a boat that would suit my needs. I bought a 2001 17ft Flamingo cabin boat with a 90hp 2-stroke Yamaha engine from Magson Marine. They helped me adjust the seat so that I could see over the windscreen. The first time I took that boat to Witsand it was like a dream come true,

with an immense feeling of freedom that I could not explain to anyone. Within two years my eyes were set on the deep blue sea. My Flamingo could not follow me there, so I sold it and bought a 2010 Seacat 510 FC with two 60hp Yamaha engines. With the new boat came new challenges — the first being that the skipper has to be able to stand to look over the bow which was fairly high for me. My father found a pedestal which could manually be lowered or raised, but I needed an automated height adjustable chair so that I don’t need someone’s help to lower or raise the chair. My very first trip with my Seacat was to Langebaan and that was also the first time I found out how strong a yellowtail could be. I was lucky to catch a 6.9kg specimen in the lagoon that day. Each year I still found myself going back to Witsand and the Breede River which I love so much. Eventually I met my online fishing family from the Small Boat Owners Club on Facebook. My father, brother and I attended the last two competitions they held at Breede River, and in 2020 I won a prize to go to Sodwana Bay and fulfill my dream of fishing there but then Covid put a spanner in the works and I could not go. In March this year we again went to Witsand for a ten-day trip and by the second last day I had not caught any-

thing yet. We went to a new spot 13km up the Breede River and, a few minutes after my live bait went in, my reel started screaming. After a tiring 55 minute battle I landed a giant kingfish (GT)! We were astounded and wanted to release it, but unfortunately it died. I was delighted with my 14.7kg and 91.5cm long GT. I could not have done it without the support of my father, because I have never met a challenge like that before. I would still love to go to the open sea and do battle with a GT there and release it. This fish made me realise that I am tougher than I thought I was and my eye is already on the next challenge — maybe trying to catch a yellowfin tuna of Cape Point with my friend Lee Wiid so that I can go and experience the yellowfin tuna tango or longfin tuna fandango. To all those anglers out there who supported my quest, I salute you and thank you for your assistance. To my dad and my brother, what can I say but thank you. Fishing has helped me to overcome my hurdles and is now my passion. I hope my story and my passion will help other people with disabilities strive to make their own dreams come true. Never stop smelling the roses no matter what. Heinrich van der Mescht

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BACK TO BASICS

BAIT MARKS SOUTH 1) Port Edward = S 31 02 417 E 030 14 882 2) Casino 1 = S 31 05 087 E 030 12 163 3) Casino 2 = S 31 06 339 E 030 11 539

Part 2: Fishing on the KZN South Coast IN the first part of this series (see July/August 2021 issue of SKI-BOAT) we focused on fishing in central KwaZuluNatal. This time we move further down the coast ... By Mark Brewitt

OR many years the KwaZuluNatal South Coast has been viewed as a great all-round venue for offshore fishing. There is an abundance of registered launch sites, and access to excellent fishing grounds within a short distance makes it a popular destination for a wide range of offshore anglers. The area from Sea Park (just north of Port Shepstone), down to the Sikombe River on the boundary of the

10 • SKI-BOAT September/October 2021

Pondoland Marine Protected Area (just south of Port Edward) is one of the most versatile fisheries on the entire KZN coastline, particularly from a gamefish perspective. As with most areas, visitors are sometimes unsure of where to start, which areas to fish and which techniques to use when they get there. The aim of this article is to touch briefly on each main target species and to show which areas are most likely to produce and when. In general, these areas can be accessed easiest from launch sites such as Shelly Beach (Sonny Evans Small Craft Harbour), Ramsgate Ski Boat Club, Glenmore and Port Edward Ski Boat Club. The basic waypoints shown on the maps on these pages will guide

anglers on where to find bait and which areas to target in general. To make it easier to explain, start and end points will be provided for each area and depth lines mentioned. These areas will give an angler the best chance of success and are based on historical catches over many seasons.

Live bait spots North: Kapenta Hotel, Umzimkulu River mouth, Umtentweni nets, Sea Park South: Glenmore, Port Edward Nets, Port Edward Lighthouse, Casino Bay Live bait is fairly abundant year-round on the south coast, with certain areas

BAIT MARKS NORTH 1) Sheppy Mouth = S 30 44 407 E 030 28 221 2) Sheppy Mouth 2 = S 30 44 260 E 030 28 154 3) Kapenta = S 30 45 649 E 030 27 631 4) ’Tweni 1 = S 30 43 920 E 030 28 403 5) ’Tweni 2 = S 30 43 698 E 030 28 431 6) ’Tweni Nets = S 30 43 047 E 030 29 301 7) Sea Park 1 = S 30 42 147 E 030 29 849 8) Sea Park 2 = S 30 42 126 E 030 29 869

being bait hotspots. In particular the area just north of Port Shepstone (from the Umzimkulu river mouth to the Umtentweni shark nets and Sea Park) and south of the Port Edward launch, site are very reliable. The main species that are targeted include maasbanker (mozzies), mackerel, shad (elf), red-eye sardines, bonnies (eastern little tuna), frigates and sea pike. These bait shoals hold in certain areas for extended periods of time during stable weather conditions but can be dissipated during heavy seas, sudden temperature drops and periods when heavy rainfall dirties the water inshore. In general, the bait holds on certain depth lines, usually in the 14–18m region in calmer clean water, 20–25m if the water is colder, and even in the

32–35m depth range in summer when the inshore water is dirty and colour lines form. A good rule of thumb is to head to wellknown bait spots and sound the area thoroughly, looking for bait showings in the lower water column.Another good sign of bait in the autumn and winter months is shoals of red-eyes moving around on the surface, usually holding mackerel just below them. Once a good showing or bait ball is located, they can be caught using Sabiki/Yo-Zuri bait jigs with at least a 6 oz or 8 oz sinker on a light spinning rig. It is usually a good idea to use two different coloured bait jigs (red head, glow head or green head) to work out which is working best. For mozzies and mackerel it is not

usually necessary to tip the hooks with bait, but if shad are your target species then using a bait jig with larger hooks tipped with small chunks of pilchard works like a charm. To catch small bonnies or frigates, keep a look out for small surface splashes/chases and then troll a daisy chain (small clear or pink squids) through the area. These bonnies and frigates can also be caught using small spoons such as the Sebile Fast Cast, Bite Me and Kingfisher Sprat in the 16–21g size. Always remember to take good care of your live bait. It’s often a good idea to rig a bait right where you are catching bait, as most of these bait spots hold fish such as yellowfin tuna, ’cuda and dorado, and you’ll often get a fish early just by taking the chance. SKI-BOAT September/October 2021 • 11

DORADO AND TUNA MARKS SOUTH 1) Port Edward = S 31 01 767 E 030 16 587 2) Lighthouse Point = S 31 04 667 E 030 13 850 3) Casino Bay = S 31 06 521 E 030 11 953

Maansie Beer and Mary-Anne Vincent caught these magnificent tuna on Protea Banks.

Yellowfin tuna Time of year: All year, however autumn and winter are the peak seasons Areas to target: Protea Banks, Diepgat Lures: Hard plastic trolling lures such as Halco Laser Pro 160, Williamson Speed Pro 160/180, Rapala X Rap 20, King Fisher Rattler Bait: Live baits including mozzies and mackerel, dead baits such as whole sardine or block baited sardine (chum) Depths: 25m to 80m Without a doubt one of the best areas for visiting anglers to reliably target yellowfin tuna is the Protea Banks area just off Shelly Beach. This area is a prime ecosystem and a popular dive site very similar to Aliwal Shoal further north. The area is such an important ecosystem that it was recently incorporated into the Protea Banks Marine Protected Area. The zonation of this MPA still allows ample room for the recreational angler, and tuna can be targeted in both the Controlled Zone and Controlled Pelagic Zone on Protea Banks.This allows both lure angling (trolling) as well as drift 12 • SKI-BOAT September/October 2021

fishing with bait, targeting pelagic fish. These two techniques yield the best results for recreational anglers. Generally, trolling hard plastics such as Halco 160s, Speed Pro 160s and Rapala X Raps from first light for an hour or two on the main reef between the Northern and Southern Pinnacles, as well as the Playground and 50m ledge, will result in decent tuna yearround. Setting up a drift line starting just north of the Northern Pinnacle and drifting down to the Southern Pinnacle with a mixture of live- and dead baits is another proven method of catching tuna. Live mackerel and mozzies are the preferred live baits and the use of cut bait (a sardine chunk on a single circle hook or J-hook) along with chum is also a firm favourite.A good rule of thumb is to drift until you find the shoal and then shorten your drifts over that area, working the chum to bring the fish in to the bait spread. This technique also works very well in winter on Diepgat which lies slightly deeper than Protea and yields good sized tuna. On Diepgat, the average drift will be in the 80m–90m zone and

downrigging your baits will result in more pulls. The tuna range in size from 4- to 12kg in the summer months, right through to 18- to 28kg specimens in the autumn and winter months. These fish pull extremely hard for their size, and a 30kg fish is considered a trophy for this area. Protea Banks is well known for its resident shark population, and to limit the tax paid it is usually recommended that shorter stand-up style rods, 30-size multiplier reels and line in the 15–18kg class be used. For anglers looking to concentrate on shallower areas, some good-sized yellowfin are caught each season by anglers fishing the backline near the main bait spots in water from 16- to 25m deep. The secton from Umzimkulu River mouth to Sea Park, as well as the area from the Port Edward shark nets down to the lighthouse and casino areas in 25–30m are good options, especially if you are fishing with live bait. Several yellowfin are also caught inshore during the summer months when anglers are trolling for dorado on the colour lines off the main river mouth areas, so always be prepared!

DORADO MARKS NORTH 1) Kapenta = S 30 45 626 E 030 27 973 2) Sheppy Mouth = S 30 44 653 E 030 28 577 3) Tweni 1 = S 30 42 898 E 030 29 487 4) Tweni 2 = S 30 42 301 E 030 29 731 5) Sea Park = S 30 42 206 E 030 30 234

TUNA MARKS NORTH 6) Protea Northern Pinnacle = S 30 49 816 E 030 29 261 7) Protea Southern Pinnacle = S 30 50 294 E 030 28 922 8) Playground = S 30 49 513 E 030 29 675 9) Diepgat 1 = S 30 49 955 E 030 31 913 10) Diepgat 2 = S 30 50 067 E 030 31 806

Dorado Time of year: Summer season November to March North: Umzimkulu River mouth, Umtentweni, Sea Park, Protea Banks South: Glenmore, Port Edward nets, Lighthouse Point, Casino Lures: smaller soft plastic trolling lures in the 100–200mm size category (colours: pink/white, blue/silver, black/purple), hard body trolling lures in the 130mm size Bait: Live baits including small mozzies and mackerel, dead baits such as whole sardine, Jap mackerel and red-eyes Depths: 20m to 50m These popular summer gamefish usually make an appearance here slightly later than they do in Durban, arriving with the warmer summer water that pushes down the coast. Most seasons usually start around late November with the odd fish coming out in the deeper areas such as Protea Banks first. Mid-December is known as the real start of the dorado season on the South Coast, with larger shoals moving into the area and moving shallower.

Productive areas to try are usually in the shallows from the Umzimkulu River mouth past the ’Tweni bait marks up to Sea Park in 15–30m deep water, as well as straight off the Port Edward shark nets down to the casino. At this time of year most of the estuaries and rivers are running brown from the summer rains, and colour lines form where muddy river water meets denser sea water resulting in a defined line. These lines move north and south depending on changes in current and wind. The dorado shoals use these colour lines as hunting areas, feeding on baitfish and sea life that congregates along the line. A good system is to catch live bait early and then pull small konas and feathers along the colour line until the fish are located, then switch over to bait. For bait fishing, slow trolling live mozzies or small mackerel (one motor in gear) on a circle- or J-hook with fluorocarbon is a productive method of targeting them.Another popular method is to troll dead sardines or Jap macks, either skipping them on the surface or using chin weights/bait swimmers. Both techniques work well if fished with a light drag. Remember to keep moving

Mark Brewitt with a bull dorado caught on the colour line at Port Shepstone. once you’re hooked-up, as double and triple hook-ups are always possible. If there is no sign of a colour line, then working the bait marks in productive areas from 15–30m depths is a great system and often pays off. Whilst pulling baits on the slowtroll, it is always a great idea to have someone throwing a small popper or stick bait as this will often trigger a strike and also bring fish into the spread. The dorado are usually in the 5–8kg range, but later in the season some decent double figure specimens are around. SKI-BOAT September/October 2021 • 13

’CUDA MARKS SOUTH 1) Red Sands 1 = S 31 10 224 E 030 08 117 2) Red Sands 2 = S 31 10 620 E 030 07 900 3) Sikombe = S 031 13 595 E 030 05 345 Left: Clyde Filer with a ’cuda caught at Mnyameni south of Port Edward.

Right: Ashton Elliott with a ’cuda caught off Sea Park north of PortShepstone.

King mackerel/’cuda Time of year: March to June North: Umzimkulu River mouth, Umtenweni Bait Marks, Sea Park South: Nyameni, Red Sands, Sikombe Bait: Live- and dead baits including large mozzies, mackerel, shad, sea pike, bonnies and walla-walla Depths: 14m to 25m These sought after gamefish usually arrive at the end of summer, with the Easter holiday period marking the traditional start of the lower South Coast ’cuda season. One thing to note in this area is the overall absence of smaller shoal-size ’cuda. This is croc country, and every year the majority of cuda caught are above 20kg with several 30kg+ specimens coming out, especially down at the Red Sands and Sikombe areas south of Port Edward. It is thought that these larger specimens are breeding stock that stay in the area and then migrate north with the sardine run. Either way, targeting ’cuda on the lower South Coast involves planning to tussle much bigger specimens. In the northern part of this area, the best bet is to get good quality live bait, preferably mackerel, shad and sea pike. 14 • SKI-BOAT September/October 2021

Rig these baits on standard ’cuda traces using good quality hooks and #6 and #7 wire. Dusters are a matter of personal preference, but generally ice blue, pearl or pink are the best options — or just a plain green glow bead. Mix your spread up with two baits on the surface and two down-rigged at different depths, and slow troll the 15– 25m lines going over the bait marks from Umzimkulu mouth past ’Tweni nets up to Sea Park.Your pulls will usually be on the surface baits in the early morning and on the deeper baits as the sun moves higher. There is great reef structure in this area and there’s a chance of catching bycatch such as tuna, giant kingfish, prodigal son and even sailfish. For real trophy-sized cuda it is worth trying the area south of Port Edward into the Wild Coast.This beautiful piece of coastline is unspoilt and holds some of the best croc ’cuda fishing potential on the entire coast. As above, good quality bait is key, and filling up with a good number of mackerel, shad and sea pike at the Port Edward nets or casino bay will be vital to success. The style of angling used most commonly down there involves finding a section of good reef structure in the

14–24m depth range and then setting up the vessel on anchor just above this reef section. It is important that there is a north-south current for this technique to work effectively. Once the anchor is set, deploy two live baits on balloons and stagger them at around 30m and 60m behind the boat. Deploy two more baits on flat lines, down-rigged to different depths to cover the water column. The use of a chum bag and flasher/teaser increases your chances of success. Terminal tackle for this area is usually a lot heavier, and it is common to use #7 and #8 wire for these bigger fish, particularly if the water is dirty. These big ’cuda can take a lot of line on their first run, so be prepared to buoy-off from your anchor line to chase the fish. Areas such as Nyameni and Red Sands have several good reef areas to anchor, however it is important to remember that when anchoring at Sikombe you must stay out of the Pondoland Marine Protected Area which starts on the south bank of the Sikombe River (there is a white marker pole indicating the boundary). ’Cuda fishing is a patience game, particularly when targeting these larger fish, so prepare correctly, get the right baits and stick it out — you may get yourself a new personal best!

’CUDA MARKS NORTH 1) Tweni Shallow 1 = S 30 43 987 E 030 28 336 2) Tweni Shallow 2 = S 30 43 308 E 030 29 021 3) Tweni Deeper 1 = S 30 44 407 E 030 28 221 4) Tweni Deeper 2 = S 30 43 717 E 030 29 078 5) Sea Park Shallow = S 30 42 147 E 030 29 849 6) Sea Park Deeper = S 30 42 013 E 030 30 371

FREE GOOGLE EARTH MAPS OF KZN MPAS

N 23 May 2019 the South African government declared 20 new or expanded Marine Protected Areas in South African waters; four of these are in KwaZulu-Natal.The zonation of these MPAs is complex and many anglers and divers are confused. ORI has produced two resources to help anglers understand the zonation of the MPAs in KZN. This georeferenced map will allow you to navigate around each MPA and provides a summary of the zonation and the regulations relevant to each zone. The information in this map is based on Government Gazette No. 42479.The maps are a summary of the regulations. If you access this link <https://www.saambr.org.z a/new-mpas-for-anglers/> you will be able to down-

load maps for all the MPAs in KZN and Pondoland onto your phone or laptop, so long as you are able to

download Google Earth. This is a tool that all skiboat anglers should have on their phones and it is free!

More information on the MPAs is available at <www.saambr.org.za/marin e-protected-areas-mpas/>.

SKI-BOAT September/October 2021 • 15

BOAT REVIEW

By Erwin Bursik

Y first view of the Rapid Cat 25 was after she had been loaded onto a road trailer at the Cape Town factory for its long trip to Durban. Dynamic Boating Solutions’ Silan Naiker of Durban was there to collect his Rapid Cat Front Cabin sport fishing craft which is now moored at Durban’s Point Marina for demonstration purposes as well as his and Ash Kahn’s personal fishing pleasure. In the photographs I had seen she looked splendid and, due to her high profile and wide beam, looked far bigger than the 7.6 metre overall length. Towing with a Nissan Navara, Silan had a trouble-free trip back to Durban, and it was at Dynamic Boating Solutions’ Bayhead premises that I first saw the Rapid Cat in person. Her prominent bow with its very stylish full cabin holds one’s attention and again creates the impression that the Rapid Cat is far larger than she actually is. Under the travel dust I saw a craft with loads of promise.

16 • SKI-BOAT September/October 2021

On the day I arrived to undertake the review, she was sparklingly clean and polished in the early morning sunlight and totally resplendent on her moorings, ready for her photoshoot and offshore review. She looked ver y impressive with all her branding in place and I looked forward to taking her helm and feeling how she physically performed out at sea. On the day of the review we were blessed with beautiful weather and a moderate sea. It was in this that I spent a lot of time photographing her from an accompanying craft. It is while undertaking this exercise, while she’s parading in front of my camera, that I find out an immense amount regarding the craft’s hull-over-water performance. The Rapid Cat’s wraparound windscreen is very impressive and her very full bow and wide beam not only give the craft bow lift, but also ensures that it peels the cleaved water both aft and low. As can be seen in the accompanying photograph, the in-tunnel straiking gives initial bow lift and at the same time reduces the compacting of the water in the craft’s tunnel. I really appreciated this aspect when I eventually took her helm for the sea trials. The ocean during the period of the review was relatively calm with a moderate swell and a light to moderate land breeze that tended to blow harder the

further one got out to sea. Unfortunately we didn’t have rough enough conditions for me to feel her perform in those kind of trials, but I did review footage of her in Cape Town in the really rough stuff and she looked great. With the craft now available in this class and the ability of manufacturers to provide full cabins, walk around cabins, as well as centre consoles, crew comfort during rough sea conditions is now virtually guaranteed. You’re no longer likely to experience the continued wetness like we did in the past during inclement weather and on smaller skiboats. The real test always begins when I take over the helm and have full control of and feel of the craft as I put her through her paces.The Rapid 7.6 I tested is powered by twin 4-stroke Mercury 115hp motors swinging counter rotating 17 pitch props, and I set a course to run up the coast with both motors trimmed right down.This enables me to experience her initial takeoff and then to see how she reacts to both bow up trim as well as lateral trim. I increased speed through the motors’ power curve, assessing her hull performance during moderate acceleration from a standstill to a cruising speed of 20 knots at 4000 rpm. It was relatively effortless. I could feel the Rapid

Cat initially raising her bow as she climbed onto the plane at just over 3000 rpm and released her hull from the water, just allowing the aft wetted area to support her. What impressed me was the initial lack of lateral trim required during this run and as well as the much faster runs I did further out to sea in the rougher water. I put this down to her wider beam (3.2m) and the fact that the 115hp Mercury motors had counter rotating gearboxes. Even with a beam sea swell the amount of trim necessary was relatively minimal to ensure a smooth and comfortable ride during a long run to the fishing grounds. I can’t discuss all the intricacies of the inward or outward rotation of the counter rotating props — that would need a stand alone article — but Silan had chosen the inward rotation system which seemed to suit the hull of the Rapid Cat perfectly. While getting to know the Rapid Cat, I tried every aspect of hull-overwater performance I could conceive, and found her both very forgiving as well as adaptable to out the hole, tight turns and acceleration, especially during simulated surf launching conditions. Considering there were three of us aboard and, dare I say it, only 115hp motors pushing this 25ft ‘big’ craft, her performance was outstanding no matSKI-BOAT September/October 2021 • 17

ter what I asked her to do. Over and above her out the hole acceleration, I did not experience any need to try and adjust lateral trim to enable her to jump onto the plane and accelerate as required. If you were going to use her regularly for surf launches with a full crew, maximum fuel capacity and all the necessary big game fishing paraphernalia, I would suggest looking at bigger motors like 150hp. For those interested in high speed travel, Silan says he notched up 32 knots during speed trials on flat water. I got speeds of 28 knots at 550 rpm which was, to my mind, more than enough in the speed department, and something hardly any offshore boater ever uses. I must report on this craft’s wake produced during the full range of trolling patterns covering 360 degrees

of trolling from slow on one motor through to 10 knots using both motors. With her counter rotating props, the wake she produced was tight and only started to spread out from 6 knots. It would be fishable for trolling marlin lures up to 10 knots, provided outriggers are used. During backing up trials both the craft and motors reacted well without too much strain on the skipper. With the above in mind, I also found docking and mooring exercises, where dead slow manoeuvring is required, were both easy and efficient. As with any craft of this size, prospective owners will want a substantial say in her onboard configurations depending on whether they’re tuna anglers fishing mostly off Cape Point, bottomfishermen or, more specifically, marlin fishermen launching off Sodwana Bay. Most of these changes can

be accommodated by the manufacturers of the Rapid Cat. With regard to the Rapid Cat I reviewed, Silan has had the internal deck layout configured to suit his and Ash’s fishing requirements; they fish mainly out of Durban, with the occasional trip to Sodwana Bay. As they are both staunch bottomfishermen, the central above deck hatch has been fitted with seating and adequate back rests.This is extremely comfortable as well as practical both while fishing and when accommodating fishing rigs that are not in use. The novel forward-hinged hatch top is easily lifted to expose an extremely large fish hold that can accommodate the big tuna anglers catch off Cape Town. Right aft and under the aft boarding platform there is a good sized livebait well which is easily accessible when fishing.

SKI-BOAT September/October 2021 • 19

While talking about the aft area, I found the transom motor wells and the onboard access to the Rapid Cat, especially when she is on the trailer, is very practical as this access is quite high off the ground. The enclosed cabin area really captivated my attention. Apart from being extremely stylish with its overall design and wraparound windscreen, it incorporates everything an offshore angler could desire, from a practical unrestricted helm station to a toilet in the forward port bow sponson and a large bed area in the starboard sponson. This craft’s starboard area has been designed to give Ash the privacy and comfort required for his Muslim prayers (salah time). In the confines of the main saloon you’ll find the centrally situated helm station with comfortably sited steering wheel and binnacle-mounted throttle

20 • SKI-BOAT September/October 2021

levers and controls. A full array of instrumentation and sonar equipment is provided via Simrad electronics. A skipper’s seat at the helm station — a necessity, especially during those long hours spent watching marlin lures — had not yet been fitted to the stanchion support shown in the photograph. This aside, on the port side there is a very comfortable bench seat and a wash basin with pumped fresh water is positioned on the starboard side. With the size of this craft there is more than adequate storage for the necessary safety equipment as well as fishing tackle and all the extras we anglers take to sea with us. As I do with any new craft I review, I closely inspected both the exterior hull mouldings and finishes as well as those on its deck to check the quality of the laminates as well as the final fin-

ishes and quality of hardware. With the Rapid Cat I reviewed, these finishes are of excellent quality and, after spending a good few hours at sea, I could not find any faults or deficiencies I would need to comment on. The Rapid Cat is beautiful inside and out, and I felt very comfortable while skippering her as well as the time I spent on the deck. The 25ft front cabin Rapid Cat I reviewed is only one of the models the company produces, and the 25ft range also includes a centre cabin walkaround model and a centre console version. A 28ft Rapid Cat in a centre cabin or walkaround is also being produced.The Rapid Cat 25 I reviewed is not only a great fishing machine, but also a beautiful craft with comforts and facilities that will excite any discerning owner.

TECHNIQUES

Kyle Ackerman with an Englishman caught off the KZN south coast.

Part 2: Setting up your bottomfishing traces By Craig Stubbs

N the first of this series of articles (see July/August 2021 issue of SKI-BOAT), we looked at rods and reels, and then spoke about that almost subconscious aspect — “feel”. Bottomfishing tackle can seem a little clumsy or cumbersome to start with, but after a while it will start to “click”, the gear will begin to make sense, and that all important feel will begin to develop. However, feel is nothing if you haven’t got the correct terminal tackle down in the deep, and that is what we are going to look at in this article. Straight off the bat, you will need to establish what likely species you are going to be fishing for, as there is no,“one size fits all” solution. In the same areas that you’ll find a slinger, with its rather small mouth, could be a big rockcod, with its colossal

jaws, and your hook, line and bait choice is all important. In order to give advice on the traces and hook sizes I would consider, I will break it down to three relatively welldefined categories. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, and no physical boundaries exist to stop fish behaving outside the norm. That’s the beauty of bottomfishing — one never knows what one’s next bite may be. PROSPECTING SHALLOWER WATER FOR “SMALLER” FISH (30–50m deep with common species being slinger, bream, emperors, soldiers, Englishman and rockcod) The action in this shallower zone can be very exciting. One generally doesn’t wait long for a bite, but the fish are often on the smaller size. Generally, the size of the hook is less important that the SKI-BOAT September/October 2021 • 23

Trace 1: Shallower water

Trace 2: Deeper water

size of the bait you are presenting, as small mouthed species like slinger, bream and smaller soldiers will peck and chew at big baits on big hooks, but you will battle to hook them if you don’t present a smaller bait, on a correspondingly small hook. When targeting those species, I would recommend a 1/0 to 2/0 size hook, my go-to choice being a good old Kendal Round or a stronger and sharper Mustad Big Gun hook. Don’t forget that large fish may well be in the area, so a recommended rig when fishing this zone would be a threehook trace, consisting of a 5/0 or 8/0 Kendal Round hook on the bottom snoot, and two smaller 1/0 or 2/0 hooks above it. My bottom snoot is around 1m long and the smaller hooks on snoots around 50cm each. Using 1/0 three-way swivels should keep you tangle free with recommended monofilament of around 0.8mm. On the smaller hooks, I thread chokka (don’t forget to add a tentacle or two to give the bait some action) or fish fillet baits. We usually keep a few small redfish which we descale, removing the fillets and cutting those fillets into strips. On the larger bottom hook, I like a flapped whole bait (mackerel/maasbanker/sand soldier), a whole fillet strip or even a nice live bait if you have one.

of catching some of those dream fish, like big cracker and copper steenbras start to become feasible. This doesn’t, however, mean that one will only catch big fish, as many scavenger species and smaller soldiers etc can be pests some days. I generally do away with the 1/0 hooks when I’m fishing this depth, and tend to go slightly larger, using a 10/0 hook on the bottom snoot, a 5/0 hook on the middle snoot and a 2/0 hook on the top snoot. I have fished J-hooks for years, but have found myself leaning more and more towards circles these days in this depth zone. I cannot say one exceptionally outperforms the other, but I am achieving consistently good results with circles, so will stick to them for now. Three-way swivels in the 1/0 t0 2/0 range are sufficient and snoots varying from 0.9mm to 1mm on the big hook, to a slightly lighter 0.8mm on the remaining hooks. You need to give special attention to baits in this zone. I seldom just thread on blobs of chokka and go down, but rather spend time building some qood quality baits. My bottom hook will often be a live bait, of which my favourite is a mackerel.As gruesome as it sounds, it can yield good results if you cut a few deep slices into the side of the livey or snip its tail off prior to sending it down. This makes the bait act exceptionally erratic and vulnerable which really does produce results. If you have no live baits, a whole flapped dead bait, or a combo of squid tentacles and a big piece of fillet can make a great bait for rockcod in particular. On the middle hook, look to form a nice bulky fish fillet, half a red-eye sardine or sometimes a smaller baasbanker (a live one is particularly irresistible to large soldiers). On the

DEEPER WATER AND HOPEFULLY BIGGER FISH (50–90m deep with common species being soldiers, Scotsman, Englishman, musselcracker and rockcod) As one moves to this depth, and deeper, so the probability of catching slinger and the smaller bream species decreases, and the likelihood of some larger species increases.The number of rockcod species you may encounter grows, and the chances 24 • SKI-BOAT September/October 2021

Trace 3: Two-hook trace for big fish.

Craig Stubbs with a beautiful rockcod.

Trace 4: One-hook trace for big fish.

top hook, put together a mix of chokka or fresh fillet. You will notice that I’m not the biggest fan of fishing with chokka.This is because it far too often becomes one’s default bait.Anglers become lazy as it’s easily obtainable, tough on the hook and easy to work with, and they stop spending time seeking live baits and creating fillet baits etc. Take care when rigging your baits. If you don’t rig them in a streamlined fashion, they will spin as you drop them, and very quickly you will find your traces twisted and your presentation getting a bit messy. Keep an eye on them for the first few metres as they go down, and if they are “helicoptering” bring them back up and reform them.

HUNTING BIG FISH There is no specific zone where one can exclusively target big fish, and by big fish, I’m referring to the likes of musselcracker, Cape yellowtail, amberjack, red steenbras and big rockcod. ’Cracker, ’tail and ambers are most prolific in the 50- to 70m depth range off the KZN coastline, and copper steenbras slightly deeper. All these fish like good structure, and prominent pinnacles, but there are exceptions to the rule, and I’ve caught many fine ’cracker on relatively flat reef. All the above species can and will be caught on the same tackle, traces and baits as described in the sections above, but SKI-BOAT September/October 2021 • 25

if I am specifically targeting them, I will adjust my tackle, baits and tactics accordingly. In that case I do away with the 2/0 and 5/0 hooks, and fish either a single 10/0 J-hook or big circle hook on an approximately 2m long snoot or I use two 10/0 hooks on slightly shorter snoots of around 0.90mm to 1mm mono. This pretty much immediately rules out the chance of catching most of the redfish species (with the exception of very large soldiers and good size Scotsman), and narrows your target species to big fish, looking for a big bait. If I am fishing just a single snoot trace, my first choice of bait is a live mackerel, but most common larger live bait species put you in a strong position for a good bite. When fishing a two-hook trace, try to fish a live bait on one hook, and a whole sardine on the other hook (a fresh redeye sard is first prize). That sardine does a great job of drawing fish in, and if it gets plucked off the hook, the live bait is next to go. If you don’t have a whole sardine, then a big fillet bait, or juicy flapper also works well. When fishing for copper steenbras in particular, a whole redfish is also a great bait, but in this case you have to be very patient on the bite, and give the fish a chance to get the bait properly in its mouth before you tighten into it. The key to this style of fishing is patience. You have eliminated a lot of the smaller fish from the potential bite list, and large fish are simply not always prevalent or feeding, but persisting with this mindset can deliver some exceptional and memorable catches. You would have noticed I have left daga salmon and geelbek off the mix in all of the above. These species can be caught using the above-mentioned techniques, but numerous articles have been written and run in SKI-BOAT on targeting these fish specifically, as well as the various tricks and techniques to up the odds in your favour, so I won’t repeat what’s already been said. To wrap up this article, I will touch on what I consider to be one of the most important aspects of catching good quality bottomfish: STOP STRIKING AT EVERY BITE! Regardless of the depth at which you are fishing, the size of hooks or the bait you are using, you need to allow a decent quality fish to find and eat your bait. Bearing in mind that small “peckers” vastly outnumber quality fish in most locations, there is a fair chance that a lot of your bites will come from those small fish. If you end up striking at each peck and pull, you are just going to continuously pull your bait out of the strike zone or end up hooking loads of smalls. I see this often on my charter boat and it’s something I try to drill into my clients. So, what is the right way to do it? Let the “smalls” feed while you maintain contact with your sinker. If you have built up some decent baits they will be able to withstand some abuse before the hooks are cleaned, so be patient and wait for a better enquiry. Once you feel a better pull, use your KP reel to maintain contact, but do not fish an overly tight line. This requires a bit of micro-adjustment as you compensate for swell surge etc, but it’s fairly easy once you get the hang of it. Only when that fish commits to the bait and you actually feel it pull you down, is it time to drive that hook home. On a bottomfishing setup, the majority of that work is done by the reel. Keep the rod at a horizontal or slightly raised angle, and reel hard into the fish as it pulls you down.That is plenty of power to sink the hook. If you reel into it and miss the fish, immediately let the baits go back down and you may be lucky with the fish giving you a second chance. In the next issue we are going to look at some potential fishing structure as well as boat handling techniques that should make you a better bottomfisherman. 26 • SKI-BOAT September/October 2021

SPECIES

Juandre Geldenhuys and Ryan Nienaber with a 104.9kg bluefin caught off Cape Town. 28 • SKI-BOAT September/October 2021

A rough map of the migration path of southern bluefin tuna.

By Ryan Nienaber

UE to its geographic location, Cape Town lends itself perfectly to world class tuna fishing. The warm Mozambican current that runs down the east coast, overlapping with the cold Benguela current that moves down the west coast, brings with it an abundance of nutrients and baitfish. This upwelling, along with the hake long lining and trawling, congregated contours and depths are all contributing factors to why tuna congregate here. The typical season tuna starts in October and is brought on after a good strong blow by the south-easterly wind which drives the warm currents closer to shore. The first half of the season peters out in January and then starts again at the end of March/beginning April. The tuna bonanza normally ends in about the first week of June when the cold fronts and big storms put an end to our season. However, in the last few years the weather patterns have changed, and we are fishing later into the year, almost right through to October again. While chatting to a very experienced tuna pioneer and fisherman in Cape Town, Nick de Kock, he told me that in the 1950s and ’60s, as soon as the snow fell announcing winter, school size southern bluefin tuna (SBT) in the 30–40kg size range were caught, and that big fish were rare. Back in 2007 I wrote a letter to SKIBOAT magazine sharing news about the first southern bluefin tuna I had come across, as it was an unusual catch at the time.“Was it a lost fish?” I asked,“Or is it the beginning of these majestic fish returning to our waters? Only time will tell.”

After that we saw the odd SBT come out, and in 2010, at the Gordons Bay Tuna Classic a 135kg SBT was weighed in by the crew aboard Magoofter, taking top spot at the competition. In 2015, at the same competition, a 132kg SBT and 126kg big eye tuna took first and second place, respectively. As a tuna buyer, processor and factory owner, I started noticing these fish more and more regularly from 2018 onwards, and numbers increased yearly until 2021. Numbers were so good that recreational anglers could go out and specifically target one of these incredible fish. With many fish hitting the 100kg mark, and most in the 80–120kg range, they gave many anglers their personal bests. There are 15 types of tuna in the world’s oceans, of which three are bluefin, namely:Atlantic (giants), Pacific, southern. The tuna which are regularly caught off Cape Point are yellowfin, longfin (albacore), southern bluefin, big eye and other smaller tuna, skipjack and bonito etc. Southern bluefin tuna are sometimes confused with big eye tuna and yellowfin, because to the untrained eye they can look similar. Here are a few tips for telling the difference: Bluefin — the sickles are short and silver in colour; the underside of the tuna is more silver in colour; the tail is dark black. Yellowfin — the sickles are very long and yellow in colour; the tail has a slight yellow-grey colouring; the bottom back half of the yellowfin has dots and a small irregular line pattern. Big eye — the sickles are short and the fish look short and round/plump; the eye is bigger than in other tuna; black edges on finlets near tail. SBT are slow-growing, large pelagic

fish that swim at an average speed of 2–3km/h (maximum 75km/h) and can dive to at least 500m.They are found in the southern hemisphere, mainly on the line between New Zealand and South Africa. Fish start spawning when they’re 8–10 years old, and their only known breeding ground is off the south-east coast of Java (Indonesia). They do not spawn every year, and can skip up to four years. These fish can live for up to 40 years, weigh up to 200kg and measure up to 2m in length. It’s these large individuals that produce the strongest offspring with the greatest chance of survival. Much like our big kob in SA — big fish produce more babies that survive. The current IGFA all tackle record for southern bluefin tuna is 167.5kg. On 5 April 2021 there was an amazing recapture of a tagged SBT in Tasmania that had been at liberty for 19 years. At the time of its first capture it was 134cm long and weighed and approximately 40kg; after nearly 19 years at liberty it had grown around 60kg and tipped the scales at 98.5kg. This just shows us how old these fish are, and why we need to look after the stock. It is largely accepted that 80% of the world’s bluefin tuna is consumed by the Japanese sashimi market and it is highly prized as a delicacy because of its high fat content. The value of these fish has put this fishery under tremendous pressure. Australian stock assessments started in the 1940s, and it’s a matter of record that in the 1960s the SBT fishery was already under heavy fishing pressure. By 2000 the biomass was down to just 5.5%. In 2017 a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the species was issued of 17 647 tons. At the same time it was discovered that an additional 178 000 SKI-BOAT September/October 2021 • 29

Ryan Nienaber with skipper Sid Sancho and the bluefin caught off Cape Town by the crew aboard Otterdam in June 2007.

Morne Marais and Juandre Geldenhuys show off their bluefin of 85kg and 95kg respectively.

Ockie Vermeulen with a beautiful 135kg bluefin tuna caught off Cape Town.

tons had been harvested illegally/not recorded over the previous 20 years by vessels from the East.With this information in hand, good management and tuna ranching, by 2020 there was a big improvement and the biomass of spawning stock had climbed back to 20%. It is well known that we share the same stock and see a similar pattern to Australia and NZ, so it is due to their good management that we are now seeing these fish come back to recreational anglers in Cape Town. Or a combination of that and the changes in weather and water temperature that we are experiencing. With little stats to go on regarding South African research, I can only surmise this from what I have noticed myself… Cape Town fishing operations are fishing later into the year. In the past during the traditional winter months the fleet was tied up and not going to sea, but that’s no longer the case. These SBT are being caught at the end of the season and right in the beginning. Recreational fishermen are fishing harder and longer days. As SBT spend most of their day below 40ft, they seem to be getting caught at dawn and most commonly at dusk. Our water temperatures are changing and seem to be getting warmer offshore and colder inshore, with SBT liking the temperature breaks. This is also

evident in the large number of marlin that we have seen in Cape Town over the last three years, and the absence of our inshore yellowtail due to colder waters — and possibly trek netting of spawning fish. This change of hot and cold is referred to as the water gradient; this gradient is more extreme than before, and in turn our currents appear stronger. It is now not uncommon for the water to be too hot for our yellowfin and hit up to 23?C. So is this flurry of fish due to stock improvement, global warming or an alarm bell that the stock is in trouble and going to collapse due to overfishing? Other examples of fisheries around the world show a collapse of a species comes when there is an absence of “schooling size” fish and anglers are catching the mature breeding stock. One view on this is because there is less competition for the same food and the few bigger fish get bigger and fewer as they get caught up or die off, resulting in less spawning until the collapse of the species. I know our commercial sector records their catch and has a TAC and a tag system that they catch against. With the increase in recreational catches it would be amazing if catch information could be recorded so the information can be added to the commercial side to allow the stock to be manged in the best way possible. Then, if it is found

that our stock is healthy, our TAC could be increased. After all, it is a shared resource, and everyone in the SBT community has a shared responsibility to be part of the solution so that we can all benefit in the future. Australia is seeing the results of good management and have a very positive story. Research and data definitely help manage the fishery. What can recreational anglers do to improve the situation? Start by reducing your wastage and looking after your catch. As soon as you land your SBT, it should be bled and reamed, then placed into an ice slurry to get the core temperature down. The temperature of the fish increases during the fight and, once boated, will continue to increase and cook the meat if it’s not cooled down quickly in ice. Handle the fish gently both on the boat and once on shore, being careful not to drop your heavy prize. Correct handling and cooling will produce the best yield and make loining up your fish much easier. Taking care of our catch is the first step in the right direction of changing our ethos towards these magnificent fish. A behaviour of releasing them can also be learned and should be encouraged by clubs. Good release practices are easy to follow and a photo of your big tuna alongside your boat with all the colours lit up is more impressive than him hanging on the gantry in front of the club.

30 • SKI-BOAT September/October 2021

ELECTRONICS

By Rob and Scott Naysmith

N the beginning the most common method of finding a good fishing spot was “drag your anchor until you hook a reef”, followed by pinpointing secret landmarks, and the rest is history. So that we are all on the same page, let me say that I’m from the old school.When I say “old”, I mean the first flashing echo sounders entered the market when I was already in my late teens, and I was proudly one of the early flasher guys.Then came paper echo sounders, followed by the early monochrome TV screens, colour TV screens, LCD screens, right up to today’s technologically advanced touch screens, with bells and whistles you haven’t even begun to think of yet. All to stay one step ahead of the dwindling fish stocks. Transponders, or as many of us refer to them — transducers, went from two units (one for sending and one for receiving the signal) to one unit that does both. Transducers were first housed inboard, in tubes filled with oil, and the secret of a good signal was the oil. I’m not sure why I still hold on to that secret, but anyway …. Recreational transducers went from a mere 50 watts output (that’s the power of the pulse sent out) to today’s three kilowatt units. Let’s put that into perspective — the more output watts you have, the stronger the signal and the further away it can read, think definition like HD. Don’t confuse it with the frequency or Hertz. Hertz, or Hz is the frequency of the sound pulse. In water, lower sounds travel slower but further, so a 50Hz pulse, much like a bass drum, will show up better at a deeper depth than a 200Hz, which is like a snare drum. The CHiRP signal is still something I’m trying to convince myself about. We all understand echo sounders — whatever swims into the cone width we’ve chosen for our pulse, will be seen, but anything outside that cone will go undetected. We know and accept that. Well some of us do. But not the young, new-age anglers — those with an inherent passion to catch fish. And here I talk predominantly of the commercial pelagic anglers, those who target tuna, marlin, wahoo, dorado and those other exciting sporting fish. They have come to realise that the slow-growing, reef-dwelling fish need to be protected if we are to preserve anything of our heritage.

And so it came to be that about 50 years after I gazed with absolute amazement upon the first “fish finder”, I now stare with equal amazement at the latest of the new-age sonar systems. One must take a step back to absorb the technology, opportunities, cost implications and possible destruction these systems can bring. In an effort not to get bogged down in this almost endless plethora of technology, its multitude of applications and the myriad new-age jargon, this article aims to give an extremely basic idea of how this system works. WHAT IS SONAR? (SOund Navigation And Ranging) ASDIC, or as the Americans termed it SONAR, was developed, and used extensively during WWII to find and track submarines. A simple explanation would be that sonar is a cross between a radar and an echo sounder. The difference being that radar uses an electromagnetic signal that travels 360 degrees horizontally above the water, while a fish finder uses an acoustic signal that travels vertically downwards.The sonar unit sends out a multi-directional high-powered sound wave known as a “ping”, audible from the surface to the ground in a 365-degree sweep, like a big, inverted dome. Acoustic signals are preferrable for use underwater as sound waves can travel for hundreds of miles, retaining an intensity of 140 decibels as far as 300 miles from their source. That’s why sea mammals such as whales and dolphins use sound to communicate over such vast expanses of ocean. Basically, a sonar “ping” of between 60- and 240kHz is sent out from a transponder and only returns if it strikes something.When it is returned, it shows up on the sonar screen as a mark or target — exactly as radar functions. We’ve all seen and heard sonar being used in those submarine movies. That loud ping as the signal is sent from the boat above, is the same loud ping that emanates from the fishing sonar unit while in use. The sonar transponder lives in a vertical tube built through the hull of the boat.This allows the transponder to be raised and lowered to see through a full horizontal 360-degree circle and vertical 90-degree arc.The transponder is retracted when not in use and only lowered for operation. The onboard sonar unit comprises a screen and a control board from which the mode of operation is determined. The SKI-BOAT September/October 2021 • 33

screen layout varies according to the mode being used. If the vessel is carrying out a general search for fish, the screen will mostly be in the “all-round” or radar-like mode, where the vessel is in the middle and the top of the screen the direction of boat travel.The transponder is set by the operator to view in a wedge-like beam, at a determined depth, over a set distance. What one sees on the edge of the screen is a big red ring as the perimeter of the signal. Any signal returned between the centre of the screen and the edge of the perimeter is indicative of fish. This “target” tells the distance and direction from the boat and the depth it is at. Once a target is acquired, the sonar screen is changed to a “searchlight” mode, just like the beam from a torch, to get a more exact indication of the fish.Then it’s as simple as staying on track and just riding down the beam until the fish are under the boat. The operator follows the shoal while giving the skipper constantly updated compass directions and distances, also indicating any changes in shoal depth or behaviour. Remember, the fish can swim in and out of the beam by going up or down, and you don’t always know which way they went. Because of the relatively slow speed of the displacement hull tuna boats used in the Cape, these boats tend to troll a few handlines on thick rubber tubing, more commonly known as “bungies”, while they move around. If the fish are at a depth less than 20- to 30 metres below the boat, invariably one or more of the back lines will indicate the fish are on the surface and ready for catching. If the troll lines do not hook a fish after a few passes, a drift and bait routine is implemented. As the chum bait sinks into range of the targeted fish, they will hopefully begin to swim up the chum-line all the way to the boat. All this time, while preparing for the arrival of the feeding fish, the sonar operator will keep a sharp eye on the screen, staying with the shoal and keeping the crew informed and ready. Sometimes while the crew is following a longfin tuna shoal, bigger fish such as a yellowfin, bluefin or big-eye tuna will move into the area and the crew need to be advised as a different fishing technique may need to be employed. The sonar can tell you everything you need to know and, like with your fishfinder, experience rules. However, before you dash out and buy the very latest unit for your boat, there are a few considerations …

Sonar unit.

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Probably the first question on everyone’s tongue: “What does it cost?” I suggest you now hide this magazine away from your partner or there is no sonar for you. In the past year we have seen the first of the entry level products appearing on the local recreational market. Here I speak of a full-on sonar, but limited in its functions — not unlike my flashing sounder. These units start at around R150 000. And yes, they do catch fish, but when compared to the price of the latest commercial unit, you’ll understand how much you are not getting. The latest technically advanced commercial sonar units will set you back above the region of R1.2-million just for the equipment. That may sound like a lot of money to a recreational angler, but a commercial tuna boat can recover that in a few good outings. Having seen the latest sonar in operation on Sam Murgatroyd and Scott Naysmith’s boat Easy Rider, there is no doubt in my mind that every commercial tuna boat needs one. I think practicality is a major issue for the recreational angler. For the moment sonar units are big and they need a big tube to go through your hull for the transponder, although there is one that has a side mount. Sonar works best against a solid, dense target, just like radar.When the target is small, like an individual fish, things become a little tricky and require constant focus on the screen, something you don’t want to do in a little ski-boat. SONAR IS THE WAY OF THE FUTURE, BUT AT WHAT COST? In my view sonar is awesome as a concept, yet lethal from a future fishery perspective. In the past, what we didn’t see on our fishfinders always remained for our future fishery. With the ever-increasing number of anglers taking to the sea with this form of advanced method of detecting fish, time will eventually run out for what little stocks are left. I know I may sound like a grumpy old man, but think about it — in the face of rapidly diminishing fish stocks, we now push what is left into a corner with no escape. Nowadays anglers don’t need to experience a lifetime of learning to become a good angler, they just need the latest technology … and a picture of a big fish on Facebook helps. And just think, the best time to target our reef-dwelling fish, is when they congregate to mate or spawn. I think you get my train of thought …

Integrated motion sensors compensate for movement caused by rough seas. The right hand picture above shows how the bottom echo recovers its shape once the stabilizer is activated. Thanks to these motion sensors the unit is able to detect fish that didn’t appear in the non-stabilized echo.

Reverberation reduction offers better understanding and appreciation of the nature of detected echoes. Here the reverberation reduction function highlights the wreck from the surrounding seabed. Audible target detection offers fish and obstacle audio signals, with unique sounds being emitted for each object so you don’t have to constantly watch the scren on long sea voyages.

The user can select from a variety of different display modes such as Horizontal, Horizontal/A-scope, Horizontal/Vertical split and Horiontal/History.

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WHAT THE SALES BROCHURES DON’T SAY … ASDIC or SONAR pulses can be deadly to a human who is close enough to the sound source. At 200 decibels, the vibrations can rupture your lungs, and above 210 Db, the sound can bore straight through your brain until the delicate tissues haemorrhage. In the past, environmental groups have tried to halt underwater sonar use, claiming that the technology harms or even kills whales, dolphins and other forms of marine life. However, recent studies indicate that sonar does not pose a threat. We read that gamefish are unable to hear high-frequency sound waves, including those of sonar however, they must feel the harmonics of the passing sonar waves through their lateral line. I’ve come to the following personal conclusions and assumptions after experiencing this phenomenon many times in the past. The first boat to arrive on the tuna shoals using sonar will be good to find and catch fish. The second and maybe third boats that arrive will also do well, but with dwindling numbers of fish.There are ways around this in the early stages, but that’s a long story. By the second day of sonar pings across the area the fish show a marked dislike for the sound. Either they leave the area completely or go into sulk mode sitting way down below the 40m mark.This was never the case during the 1980s and ’90s, where if you found the tuna, they would invariably stay in the area for days if not weeks, but there was no sonar then.

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Cape snoek have only recently become victim to the smaller sonar sets now installed on ski-boats, so their reaction is still less certain, although at this stage it appears to follow closely that of the tuna. IS SONAR THE HOLY GRAIL OF CATCHING FISH? At this moment in time I would have to say yes, however, that’s probably what I said when I saw my first fishfinder. When I think back to my earliest flashing fishfinder, I paid an inordinate amount of money for what I actually got by way of features and ability.Today the standard features and ability of a fishfinder are extremely cost effective and are considered absolutely essential. The sonar technology is brilliant — amazing in every way for those who need to make a living out of what fishery we have left. For recreational anglers it is a “nice to have”, but entry level units currently come at a price beyond their capability. My belief is that sonar will follow on from the traditional fishfinder in that, as the technology continues to advance, so the features’ value will become greater amid declining prices. We as anglers need to understand the tremendous power of sonar to wipe out a fishery. We must use it wisely and not succumb to greed or heroics for a day. For more information on this and other boating related topics, feel free to contact Rob Naysmith at Down South Marine on 083 235 9550.

COMPETITIVE By Francois Beukes

S a competitive angler I have always been driven to catch a big fish or achieve a new personal best, however achieving Provincial, South African, All Africa and World records seems to come easier for some than others. I recently had the opportunity to fish with a father and son duo who, of late, have caught a few big record breaking fish. I was keen to fish with them so that I could possibly steal with my eyes and try to learn how it’s done. To my surprise, on that trip I was fortunate to hook and land a 9.91kg geelbek which is now a pending Natal record. Graham and Jethro Doman fish out of the Natal Deep Sea Rod and Reel Club in Durban, and both Natal-capped bottomfish anglers have been posting some significant catches in recent months. They certainly seem to have mastered the art of breaking records. Jethro, only 14 years old, is no stranger to catching big fish on his dad’s boat, with a few personal best catches that will embarrass some seasoned anglers. In December 2020 he managed to hook and land an orange spotted rockcod which looked like it could be a significant catch. Once the photos of the fish started circulating, it was clear that it was truly a remarkable fish. Whilst still out at sea there were frantic attempts to check if the fish was a record, and on returning to land the fish was weighed and tipped the scale at 22.76 kg. All the necessary photos, scale calibration certificate, witness details and measurements were taken and sent off for confirmation of whether or not it was a record. Confirmation was received that the fish was a Natal, South African,All Africa and World Record! Although Graham would have liked to take credit for putting Jethro on the mark, and although he’s very proud of his son’s achievement, secretly he wanted to see if he could obtain the same feat. Graham fished very hard for the next few months with a little bit of banter every now and then from his son who, when Graham did catch a fish, would pipe up: “Mine was bigger than that.” After many trips to the now renamed GPS mark of “Jurassic Park”, the spot once again lived up to its name, and in March 2021 Graham landed an orange spotted rockcod which tipped the scale at 24.6kg, beating Jethro’s newly acquired world record fish by 1.84kg. Graham followed the required process in claiming a record and is currently awaiting confirmation from SADSAA/IGFA. Once confirmed, which I’m sure will just be a matter of time,

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Keeping it in the family

Graham can repay the “mine is bigger than yours” banter. Currently Jethro also has a pending All Africa record for a magnificent 32kg

musselcracker. When I asked where he caught it, his coy response was “in the corner of the mouth”. Obviously he’s been sworn to secrecy by his dad.

HOW TO CLAIM A RECORD

Opposite: Graham Doman with his pending world record, a 24.6kg orange spotted rockcod that’s almost 2kg heavier than his son’s curent world record. Above: Jethro Doman with his 22.7kg world record orange spotted rockcod. Above right: Jethro with a pending All Africa record 32kg musselcracker.

HEN thinking about claiming a record, it’s almost always the fear of the unknown which discourages one from submitting a claim, but then later one will hear of a great fish that was caught and one’s immediate reaction is “I’ve caught one bigger than that!” Immediately after catching what you would think may be a record, the angler must remember to keep the actual hook, leader and 20m of line that was used. This must be wound neatly around a piece of stiff cardboard, with the name of the angler, line class, species and date written on the cardboard, and everything placed in a small plastic bag. It’s recommended that this be done on land. When claiming Provincial, South African, All Africa or World records, or even Merit Awards and Catch Certificates, it’s important to note that all information must be correct and checked and must reach the SADSAA Records’ Officer within 60 days via your province. I have taken the liberty of loading the applicable claim forms as well as the step by step procedure for claiming a record fish catch on the Natal Deep Sea Angling Association website at <www.ndsaa.co.za>. The most recent South African, All African and World records can also be viewed using this link. It’s worth reading through all this info now so you know what to do when you catch that whopper. Please be advised that a records officer has been appointed in each province to provide you with a list of provincial records. They can also be contacted for advice on the process when claiming a record and the small cost that each record claim demands. SKI-BOAT September/October 2021 • 39

TACTICS By Chris Schorn

HE leervis (commonly referred to as leeries here in the Eastern and Western Cape) or garrick as they’re known in KwaZuluNatal, is a species of marine fish in the family Carangidae, with the scientific name of Lichia amia. They are large predatory fish which are found all along the South African coastline from Cape Point to Cape Vidal.They are also native to the Mediterranean and the coastal waters of Western Africa and have been recorded in the Black Sea. Leervis can reach 1.5m in length and occasionally weigh more than 25kg, however, in South Africa, a fish of 18kg is regarded as large.They are gen-

erally found in small, loose groups rather than large schools of fish. Leervis are fast growing fish and have an expected lifespan of about ten years. They are considered to be gamefish and, as such, are targeted by a large majority of sport anglers around our coastline. This species was listed as vulnerable in the 2018 National Biodiversity Assessment. The national bag limit for recreational anglers is two fish per person per day with a minimum size of 70cm. It is not considered a commercial species and may only be targeted by recreational anglers with a permit. Leervis are highly dependent on estuaries which serve as nursery areas for juveniles from around six months of

age. At this age they are yellow with black vertical bars. They spend about three years in estuaries along the eastern and southern Cape coast and leave the estuary when they are mature at around 70cm. Mature fish undertake a spawning migration during winter each year from the cooler Cape to the warmer KZN waters to spawn. Peak spawning season occurs between September and November. After this the adults migrate back to the cool Cape waters to start the whole cycle again. Adults tend to remain in the near shore zone and are seldom found in waters deeper than 20m. Plettenberg Bay features the Keurbooms Estuary, and these fish can

Catching garrick in Plettenberg Bay

Alex Fortescue with a beautiful leerie.

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How to tie the Catalina Rig, one of the most common methods of rigging livebait when trolling for leervis a.k.a. garrick. Diagrams courtesy of Marlin Magazine.

be found there all year round, but really come into their own from late October to April each year. We also see catches of good size fish by shore anglers off the Robberg Peninsula all year round. Popping, spin fishing or trolling artificial- or live bait in shallow murky waters near beaches and estuaries are the best ways to lure these fish in, but they can be picky and are generally considered one of the more difficult species to catch. Live bait is our preferred method of targeting these amazing fish, but surface lures are also always effective.When the sea is choppy, the use of chisel-nose plugs that will slap the water and get the garrick’s attention work well, whereas in a calm sea, the needle-nose plugs often produce better results. In this article I will try to explain how we target leeries from the boat, specifically in the summer months when they are most prevalent in our area. By far the most common method is by doing a slow troll with live bait. There are plenty of mackerel — slimy or blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus) — around in the bay all through the year, and we also get large shoals of mullet or harders (Chelon richardsonii) in the estuary. Both are very effective as live bait. The mackerel are targeted mostly with the use of Sabiki rigs, and the mul-

let are usually caught with the use of a throw net in the estuary. It goes without saying that a good live-well is a must. Shad or elf (Pomatomus saltatrix) are also very common in our area and work well as live bait, but please be aware of the shad season and don’t get caught with these in your fish tank out of season! Another small prey species that is candy to the leerie is the maasbanker or Cape horse mackerel (Trachurus capensis). The most common method of trolling with a live bait is with a single 4/0 or 6/0 circle hook through the top lip, with no more than a 30 lb leader of 1–1.5m length. This can be attached to a small swivel (the smaller the better) before the main line or a straight connection with the use of a double Uni or Albright knot. The Catalina method of rigging a live bait is also often used. The bait is swum approximately 20m to 30m behind the boat, which should only just be in gear; the slower the better, as we don’t want to drown our prey or have it spinning in the wake. With such slow troll speeds (0.5 to 1.5 knots) I recommend you put out no more than two rods, otherwise a tangled bit of knitting will keep you out of the water longer than necessary. The best place to troll is just off the backline. This requires strong nerves and a clear head as the sea is unpredictable and the skipper must be ready

to turn the bow into any rogue waves that pick up at a second’s notice. Trolling around rip currents is very effective as the leeries like to lie in wait where there is movement in the water that masks their presence. Our bay is also home to large numbers of small bronze whaler sharks (also known as copper sharks — Carcharhinus brachyurus) and smooth hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna zygaena) and they often take any live bait offerings that there may be. As frustrating as this is, they do produce a little fun. When there are lots of these critters around, a move to a lipped artificial lure such as a Rapala or Halco will be your next best option as the sharks seem to be less interested in these when they’re swum at slightly higher speeds. As stated earlier, the use of poppers, spinners or plugs is another great way to catch a leerie or entice it to bite. It is good practice to have one or two anglers with spinning tackle casting in towards the shore which will draw the fish out of the shallows. Although they may not take the plug, it will lure them into the wake of the boat where your live bait will often produce the results. Drag settings are crucial when trolling a live bait.The trick is to use the lightest setting you can get away. We want our ratchet on and just enough drag so that the live bait does not take line while leisurely swimming behind SKI-BOAT September/October 2021 • 43

Chris Schorn with a 78cm fork length leervis estimated at 5.5kg. the boat. If a predator is in the vicinity, the live bait will often get a little agitated and take a small amount of line — that is how light your drag must be set. Many anglers are using grinders today and these are also perfect for targeting leeries with live bait. The trick here is to use a thin piece of wire to hold the line on the spool with the bail open. As the strike occurs, the wire straightens, and you effectively have a freespooling grinder. It goes without saying that there is no ratchet in this case, so a close eye must be kept on the grinder at all times or you may end up being stripped without even realising it. Leervis do not have the teeth of shad and they tend to grab the live bait in their bony mouths and swim away with it before swallowing. When a strike happens, the reel will scream off. Turn the boat out to sea, but keep it just in gear to ensure that you are moving away from the danger zone. Take the rod out of the rod holder, switch the ratchet off and count to ten. This gives the leerie enough time to swallow the live bait.Adjust your drag setting up and gently set the hook. Circle hooks are great when the 44 • SKI-BOAT September/October 2021

intention is to release your catch, but using them also means that a hard strike can often pull the hook out the fish’s mouth. If you miss the hook-up, set the drag back almost to free spool and leave the bait in the water for a couple more minutes as the leerie will often return and take the live bait again. You then count to ten again and hopefully set the hook. It is common to get strikes without hook ups, and this is often an indication that the fish are too small to swallow the bait. Smaller prey should be used in that case. As I mentioned earlier, leeries tend not to be solitary fish and you will often see a second fish following yours right to the boat. The leerie is an absolute gentleman when he fights. He will not try to reef you like the yellowtail; he fights clean and is incredibly good fun to catch. If the intention is to release your catch, then try to net the fish. Always do your best to stay away from the gills as these are easily damaged and, although the leerie will still swim away, damage caused by fingers placed in the gills can often cause the fish to die later. Take a few photos and release your fish back

into the water as quickly as possible. Should you wish to keep the odd fish, I find that filleted leervis is excellent on the braai, but be careful not to overdo it as it can be a little dry. Plettenberg Bay is small, and launching from either the central beach launch area or through the river mouth means a quick run to the fishing grounds. We regularly troll the backline between the Beacon Island Hotel and the Robberg Peninsula, or turn left and work the area from the Keurbooms River mouth all the way around to the hamlet of Keurbooms where the beach ends and the rocks start. Quite often, we will also work the backline off Natures Valley, but extra caution needs to be taken there as this is slightly out of the lee of the bay and produces far bigger sets which will catch out the unwary. Please note that the Robberg Peninsula is out of bounds for boat fishing, and this extends approximately one nautical mile or 1 800m from the shore into the sea all the way around. Tight lines to all as we move towards leer vis season and please remember to limit your catch rather than catching your limit.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Phillip Marx, SADSAA President

E have all suffered from the effects of Covid and also more recently the riots that have plagued parts of our country. Our prayers and thoughts go out to those who have been hit hard by both events.We’ve been subjected to media overload in this regard, so this article will look at some recent highlights and “feel-good” news associated with our sport. What a sardine run! The aloes appeared and the greatest shoal on earth made its appearance in spectacular fashion. Despite the August winds and the big winter ground swell, great catches of yellowfin, ’cuda, coppers, daga and geelbek have been reported.The garrick have also made their appearance on the east coast.A number of these species mentioned are under threat, so please release them to ensure your grandchildren’s grandchildren can still enjoy catching (and releasing) them. We’ve seen all walks of life and all ages participating in the sardine run and this is testimony to a very special X-factor our sport has in general — the ability to involve all generations. Often we find three generations of a family occupying a boat deck at the same time. What other sport allows for this? Wonderful stories are made via this interaction on a free playground that we have been gifted — the ocean, a dam or a river. Our sport is often labelled a “guy’s sport”, but actually quite the contrary is true and we need to celebrate the active involvement of ladies and juniors. As I said in my previous article:“A picture speaks a thousand words!”We acknowledge all the ladies and juniors with the pictorial collage in this issue and say thank you for actively contributing to the sport of fishing and keeping the “motors running”. Let’s celebrate our sport by actively involving the entire family. I didn’t coin the phrase, but heartily agree that “if fishing was only about catching fish, then I would have given up long ago”. Wishing you tight lines and many happy memories.

Above: Ladies were well represented at the All Inland Interprovincial this year. Right: Mariette Hendriksz with a great yellowfin tuna that contributed to her team’s winning score and Gauteng receiving a gold medal. Below: Evan Grant busy with a 28.3kg ’cuda while his dad, Jono, paddles.

The OFS U/16 Team: Dewandre’ Smith, Eben Botha and Francois Rossouw with some of their winning fish.

The Border Ladies Team of Jacky Luef, Adele Lunt and Belinda Fischl on the water at the 2021 All Coastal Interprovincial.

Jenna Boswarva needed the help of her brother Daniel Boswarva to load this ’cuda.

Above: Noah Fox Gower landed a beautiful 7.85kg Miss Lucy that is a pending World Record! Below: Nathan Barris with his first yellowtail. He was happy to get some help from his dad, Colin.

Above: A triple up on dorado teaches a family about teamwork. Below: Calan and Mat Goetsch, with Evan and Jono Grant show off a great catch of ’cuda and Natal snoek.

PEOPLE

The members at The Kingfisher: David Gregory, Robi Maharaj, Michael Pereira, Michael Wilson (CEO) and Gary Moran. Michael Philip (far right) retired in May 2021. By Erwin Bursik

T the end of May 2021 The Kingfisher’s managing director, Mike Philip, retired after a career of 49 years in the fishing tackle retail- and wholesale business based in Durban — a true doyen of this industry. This is a man who not only talks the talk regarding the full spectrum of fishing tackle and fishing related accessories, but also “walks the walk” as far as offshore angling is concerned. His practical knowledge of our sport goes back to his youth when Mike started launching a paddleski off Umdloti, later graduating to a ski-boat shared with his mate Hilton Kidger. The eager anglers purchased the old Cox and Andrews hull for the princely sum of R250, but the boat had a dodgy 50hp outboard that failed to pump water. This required further investment in the form of a 25hp Evinrude which would be used once they were through the surf; it cost more than the original boat and motor combined! Right: Hilton Kidger and Mike Philip in their paddleski days at Umdloti in the 1970s. SKI-BOAT September/October 2021 • 49

Mike Philip, Mike Samuels and Basil Hill with a 142.5kg black marlin Mike Philip caught in January 1983.

Above: Mike Philip, Doc Wilson, Joseph Makatini and Mark Wilson show off a good catch from the 1970s. Mike says they spent many happy years at the Umdloti Ski-Boat Club, upgrading boats as they went, but never failing to curse the Durban boys arriving from the south with containers of livebait! The Durban Ski-Boat Club became Mike’s home in later years, and his final move has taken him south to Port Edward where his latest craft — a 21ft Yeld — is housed at his cottage. Mike started his career at Kings Sports in West Street, Durban, in 1972 after a part time stint with SA Breweries while completing his degree. When he was put in charge of the fishing wholesale division and retail stores, he had the support of retail staff with a wealth of knowledge to assist with product sourcing and selection. Some of these staff members were Boy Geerdts, Jimmy Howes, Elinor Bullen, Cyril Panaino, Basil Hill, Don Vinnicomb and Jack Blackman. In 1996 certain circumstances eventuated which enabled Mike to buy the fishing tackle arm of Kings Sports. Ian Andrew teamed up with him to take over the financial administration. A strong team of loyal staff remained with Mike, and together they established The Kingfisher, running it from the premises in Hunter Street, Durban, where the main shop is still situated today. Having celebrated The Kingfisher’s 21st birthday in June 2021, the foundations are certainly holding strong and this bodes well for the company’s future. With its long history,The Kingfisher

retains much of the “feel” of the past, but Mike and his team have also modernised and streamlined the company to make it not only competitive, but also a real leader in the fishing tackle trade in South Africa. With effectively 50 years of dedication to all facets of sport angling, Mike knows it’s vital for a company like The Kingfisher to have staff who are highly proficient in the various facets of angling to serve and advise in its retail side, and their onsite people definitely fill that requirement. It’s worth noting that Gary Moran has worked alongside Mike for 47 years, Shane Maharaj has

been with him for 46 years, and Robi Maharaj has been there for 49 years! Another six employees have held 34 years’ service and more. These people form the foundation of The Kingfisher’s success. Ian Andrew retired hurt in 2012 and was replaced with Mike Philip’s nephew, Mike Wilson (the new CEO), and Dave Gregory who took over the admin side of the business. Mike Pereira was already onboard at that stage, giving strong support and also providing a wealth of knowledge. Today The Kingfisher has a staff compliment of 75 personnel. There are

Left: Mike on Bwana II preparing to beach at Sodwana in the 1990s. Right: Launching from Port Edward in approximately 2010. SKI-BOAT September/October 2021 • 51

Retail staff at the Kingfisher store in Hunter Street, Durban. Back row: Ray Thompson, Cheryllyn Fyn, Cheyanne Devlall, Michael Dyer, Michael Vicek and Keown Shanganlall. Front row: Munera Essop, Pryadashni Singh, Mandla Ntetha, Zamokuhle Myende and Allan O’Connor. now six retail branches in KZN — The Kingfisher, Hunter Street, Durban; Kingsmead Tackle Centre, Old Fort Value Centre, Durban; The Kingfisher Kloof, Kloof; The Fishing Tackle Shop, Amanzimtoti; The Kingfisher Ballito, Ballito; and The Kingfisher, Pietermaritzburg — and the wholesale division services all tackle stores in South Africa. Mike and the staff’s personal practical knowledge of what’s required for offshore fishing and ski-boating in general has ensured that the offshore anglers of KZN in particular have had access to the best tackle and most up to date selection available worldwide. Having the exclusive distribution rights for Daiwa fishing tackle, and as agents for a number of other international brands, The Kingfisher ensures that smaller tackle dealers throughout South Africa have access to the most comprehensive range of fishing tackle that is available world wide. Things have certainly changed a lot in the last 49 years. Mike recalls that in the 1970s most of South Africa’s fishing tackle was imported from America. Things changed relatively quickly, though, and he was soon undertaking regular visits to the Daiwa principals in Tokyo, Japan.That gave them the opportunity to spread their research into Taiwan, Korea and China, which is where the bulk of the tackle now originates. The Covid-19 pandemic has created an interesting turn of events for the fishing industry worldwide, with this being one of the few industries that has actually experienced growth during this period. The increased demand for tackle has put pressure on manufactur52 • SKI-BOAT September/October 2021

ers, and there are often three to four month delays in supply, a frustration that’s being felt by fishermen in SA. Good news is that the recent strengthening of our rand against the dollar is helping to negate overseas factor y increases and should stabilise fishing prices for a while. Mike has never forgotten the anglers who first supported The Kingfisher, and he in turn is a regular supporter of club events, competitions and junior development as way of thanking the anglers for the support The Kingfisher gets in its retail stores from the wide spectrum of anglers in KZN. Mike Philip has certainly experienced the trade from the bottom up, and after attaining the seemingly impossible feat of acquiring the knowledge of the entire fishing tackle business, he has never forgotten his past. To the day of his retirement, he was equally at home behind the fishing tackle counter chatting to the many friends he has made over his incredible career, as he was sitting in his office upstairs. I have known Mike personally for the full duration of his career by virtue of my association with Kings Sport at the time he joined that company.At the time of his retirement Mike is still the same person I knew almost 50 years ago, and I consider it an honour to write this article about a man I have known, liked and admired over all these years. I certainly wish Mike a long and happy retirement and know that he will not only still enjoy the fun of angling but also extend his enjoyment of the sea and wildlife reserves that he so treasures.

SKI-BOAT September/October 2021 • 53

54 • SKI-BOAT September/October 2021

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This ±40kg giant kingfish (GT) caught off Mapelane Interclub and safely released on 8 May 2021 earned

Shaun Aspden

a Gold Meritorious Award for his outstanding catch. He wins this issue’s great prize for Above: Mignon Basson has been awarded a Gold Meritorious Award for her 9.3kg Natal snoek (queen mackerel) caught off Shelly Beach.

Above: Morne Pienaar has been awarded a Gold Meritorious Award for his tag and release sailfish caught off Inhaca Island on 22 April 2021.

Above: Jethro Doman has been awarded a Gold Meritorious Award for his 32kg black mussel cracker caught off Umhlanga on 8 June 2021.

Above: Riana Uys has been awarded a Gold Meritorious Award for her 8.2kg bonito caught off St Lucia.

EQUIPMENT By Marchant Steenkamp S a young boy, like many of us I was fortunate enough to enjoy December and midterm school holidays with my family camping by the ocean until we owned our own beach house. Sometimes we stayed with my grandparents in their beach house at Stillbaai.There I spent my most memorable times ever, surrounded by the soul-cleansing shores of this beautiful land that is South Africa. The fantastic and magical coastline leads directly to the rich diversity of fish species in our waters. Forever intrigued by the ocean, as a boy I was always on the water. You’d find me on a harbour wall somewhere fishing, and looking on as the boats came in and offloaded buckets of fish. The men were usually happy, laughing and smiling from ear to ear, proud of the day’s catch and their hard work. I would always stand in the crowd close to the fish and dream of one day catching a big one like that.Then I would ask

them for leftover bait so I could carry on fishing, hoping a big one swimming past the harbour wall would pick-up my bait, but that rarely happened. Growing up, I participated in all forms of fishing and diving, and often made things to improve my experience in and on the water. I give thanks to my grandfather, Oupa Gerry, who watched me for years, and who left me my first boat when he died.Although I then had a boat, I had no money, so I washed cars and worked in gardens to pay for the fuel and two-stroke oil. We did everything with that boat, even fitted makeshift bamboo outriggers to trawl the waters for mackerel. Our missions were endless — we were free to fish and make some money for better gear. Day fishing, night fishing, you name it, we were doing it. Looking back now, as a father with my own family, and still a keen fisherman, I realise how lucky I was to always have some form of boat, whatever the shape or size, at my disposal. We South African fishermen all want to have the

best equipment on board, but that’s not always possible. However ... ’n boer maak ’n plan… Like many of us, when I’m not actually fishing I often find myself in front of my computer YouTube fishing. After all, one has to keep on dreaming of the big one and some more fishing. A while back I came across a YouTube video of a man using an electric fishing reel. I have always known about electric reels but never owned one. Suddenly I was hooked on this idea all over again, and I decided then and there I wanted one. Looking online, I saw that electric fishing reels were going for exorbitant amounts of money and were only available from overseas. I recently requested a quotation from a supplier in the USA, and the entry level electric reel would set me back US$5 700 excluding 15% VAT. That’s about R95 000 for one electric reel — obviously unacceptable! After talking to friends and local sportfishermen in Cape Town, I decided I was going to develop an electric reel

KING OF THE REELS Introducing the Sea-King 600 Electro Sportfishing reel

— something not freely available in South Africa.The challenge was on! With my engineering background, I could see the design in front of me. I got some drafting paper and started drawing, ergonomically designing all the stages of development. This was going to be for all of my fellow fishermen — and it was going to be at a reasonable price so everyone could afford one. While I sourced and used local materials as much as possible, I had to import suitable 12DC motors and electronic motor drive management systems. Finding the correct balance was not easy, but I am now proud to present the Sea-King 600 Electro Sportfishing Reel to you all. I chose the name SeaKing as I believe sea going fishing folks are all Vikings at heart. The 225mm spool takes 600m of 2mm Titanium mainline with over 389 lb breaking strain. The high torque 12V motor yields 20nm of torque at 30amp of raw power, while the worm gearbox supplies 20–40nm of raw torque depending on the gearbox you choose. More powerful motors are also available so you can customise your reel to your liking. I recently tested the Sea-King 600 at Dassen Gat, 40 nautical miles out of Langebaan on the West Coast, trolling

for longfin tuna. I decided to first try a deep drop, so I clipped 20 x 10/0 baited Mustad Wood Lim hooks on to the main line and sent the lot down to the bottom at 322m. After 20 minutes we pulled in nine 2.3- to 3kg fresh hake, including an 8kg kingklip, with the greatest of ease. We were ecstatic; the reel performed like a dream! Setting up the Sea-King 600 electric reel is very easy. It fits into a rod holder in the gunnel just like a normal fishing rod, and can be directed left and right depending on the situation. After you install your line on the reel, the fun begins. Put on a lead weight, bait your hooks with fresh bait, clip your hooks to the mainline (spaced about 1.5–2m apart), lower the rig down to the seabed and wait for the magic to happen. Deep dropping always has an 80%plus success rate. We tested the reel in a variety of situations and believe me it’s tough. We went drift fishing for gamefish and succeeded in fighting and landing yellowfin tuna. The reel also has a drag function to tire out the fish and that works really well. The Sea-King 600 Electro Sports Fishing Reel is currently available only on order, and costs R42 990 excluding delivery. We can also cast and supply

round lead bar stock for bottom weights for your Sea-King 600 on demand. Readymade leaders fitted with hooks already crimped, and mainline clips for easy gigging and bait management are also available, as are floats and balls. Just snap the clips onto the main line and you’re ready to go fishing. Everything fits neatly in buckets for a clean and safe working environment. The Sea-King 600 colour anodizing can also be customised to match your boat. SPECS Input power — 12V DC; most boats and equipment run 12V • High torque motor — 3000W/dc brushed/30amp • gearbox power — yields 20-40nm raw torque • reel body construction — 12and 8mm heavy duty aluminium construction, anodized in heavy gold • motor drive and controls 60amp rated • on–off switch • LCD amp and volt meter display • forward and reverse switch • spool — variable speed controlled • spool drag function/variable speed controlled • spool size 225mm • 600m 2mm classic main line 180kg • fibre glass shock lim and omnidirectional pully line guide • 16 layers 6 oz woven roven • all fasteners and parts 316 s/s • reel weight 18kg For further details contact Marchant Steenkamp on 084 778 8807. SKI-BOAT September/October 2021 • 59

SKI-BOAT magazine, in conjunction with Mercury, is proud to offer all junior deep sea anglers the opportunity to win awards for excellence in angling. If you are 16 years old or younger and you submit a photo of yourself and the fish you caught, you will receive a handsome certificate suitably inscribed confirming the catch. And there’s more ... Once a year the names of all junior anglers whos photographs appeared on the Mercury Junior Angler page will be included in a lucky draw and the winner will receive, courtesy of Mercury, a fantastic prize of a 2.5hp outboard motor. All you need to do is send us a photograph of yourself and your catch, together with the following details: • Your name address, telephone number and date of birth • Species and weight of the fish you caught • Line class used • Date and place fish was caught • Boat and skipper’s name All entries should be sent to : Mercury Junior Angler SKI-BOAT magazine PO Box 20545, Durban North 4016 or email your entry to <angler@mags.co.za>. There is no restriction on the number of awards that can be applied for, and SKI-BOAT magazine reserves the right to use the photographs as it sees fit. A selection of five award winners will appear in each issue of SKI-BOAT magazine. Junior anglers, Mercury and SKI-BOAT magazine acknowledge that you hold the future of our sport in your hands. Here’s your chance to show us what you can do!

60 • SKI-BOAT September/October 2021

MINE’S BIGGER, DAD! by Evan Grant (8)

N the morning of 7 March 2021 my dad’s alarm went off at 3:30am. He woke me up and I shot out of bed ready to go. It was fishing time — my favourite thing in the world! We headed to Prince’s Grant and offloaded our Stealth Duo paddleski.The waves were cranking. Dad dragged the ski down to the beach while I carried the paddles. Dad timed the waves and shouted: “Jump on!” We were off, smashing through the shorebreak, with waves crashing over us until we reached the backline. My dad rigged up our rods with the wala wala — one rod mine, one rod his. After about twenty minutes of paddling, a reel started screaming. I looked back and saw it was Dad’s rod which meant it was his fish. Excitement ran through me as Dad fought the fish for about ten minutes before landing an awesome 18kg ’cuda. Time to bait up and start paddling again. We spotted a big bait ball on the surface with snoek going wild, so we started throwing a spoon into the bait ball and got bitten off by a snoek. I decided to reel up my rod so we could change over to snoek bait, but as I was doing so, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ — my reel started screaming. I could just feel this was going to be a monster ’cuda. I fought the fish for around thirty minutes, and when it finally reached our paddle ski I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! While Dad was gaffing it for me, I asked him “Is this a dream?” It sure felt like I was dreaming! The ’cuda was exhausted from the fight and so were my arms. My croc ’cuda weighed 28.3kg! My dad has been fishing for 15 years and he is yet to land one this big. Dad you have some big shoes to fill. This was the best day of my life. Thanks, Dad, you are the best!

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Mercury Marine’s VesselView Mobile now available UTHERFORD Marine, exclusive distributor of Mercur y and MerCruiser in Southern Africa is excited to announce that the VesselView Mobile app is now available for free download on the App Store & Google Play, and is available for iOS and Android mobile devices, including smart phones and tablets. The VesselView Mobile app instantly provides users access to their boat’s SmartCraft® digital data in the palm of their hand. The VesselView Mobile module, which is needed to fully utilize the app, is available for purchase at participating Mercury dealers. The product is compatible with all Mercury SmartCraftcapable 40Hp and above engines built since 2004. One module supports single through quad engine applications. SmartCraft® is a fully integrated suite of digital technologies, including marine gauges, sensors, vessel systems and computer-controlled features, giving users a higher level of control over their boat’s propulsion and electrical systems. Now, with Mercur y’s VesselView Mobile, users can see SmartCraft® engine data right on the screen of their mobile device. The app also includes useful new features such as fuel information, maintenance reminders, mapping, performance summary and fault code diagnostics. VesselView Mobile makes preparing for and spending a day on the water easier, safer and more enjoyable by allowing users to perform the following functions from their mobile device: • Connect to the SmartCraft® data

64 • SKI-BOAT September/October 2021

network in your boat from your iOS or Android mobile device via Bluetooth. • View SmartCraft® engine parameters such as engine hours, fuel burn, water temperature, battery voltage, RPM, etc. (parameters available are specific to each engine family). • Obtain fault code diagnostic information so you know and understand if that fault is something that can be addressed when you return to shore or is more urgent. • Get accurate fuel-usage data along with fuel remaining plus an indication of time and distance to empty when the user enters fuel added via the app. • Locate your nearest Mercury Dealer. • Obtain points of interest information for your body of water, including fuel and restaurant locations, and more. • Record a moment on the water for future reference. • Access checklists associated with your boating lifestyle. • Receive maintenance reminders and access historical maintenance information logs. • Mercury’s VesselView Mobile app also provides users with a webbased account that gives them and their preferred dealer an even deeper connection to their boat. SmartCraft digital technologies are the ultimate solution for taking control of your boating experiences on the water! For further information contact Craig Gutteridge at Rutherford on 084 449 5109.

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Last word from the ladies!

RAPALA LIP

HONEY, I SHRUNK MY MATE

Y husband — I’ll call him “Shorty” to protect what’s left of his dignity — recently bragged a bit too much that he was regularly outfishing the much younger members of his regular crew. His bragging was getting on my nerves too, so I had a good laugh when his crew pulled a prank to get their own back. I wasn’t there on the day in question, but I have it on good authority that this is what went down.... One Saturday Shorty had yet another successful bottomfishing trip — except for one crowning incident which left him decidedly foul-tempered; he’d fallen overboard. His two fishing pals — let’s call them Laurel and Hardy — battled hard to hide their mirth as they fished him out, because Shorty isn’t one for a joke when he’s nursing a hangover. Bearing in mind that shorty only weighs 55kg and stands 5ft tall in his socks, it was an easy matter from them to haul him aboard. Back on deck, he wasn’t a happy chappy because he had no dry clothes and the wind was rather nippy. Laurel and Hardy’s guffaws were drowned out by the howling wind as Shorty sat huddled in the cramped, smelly stowage space under the bow area. On arriving back at the beach, Laurel and Hardy loaded Shorty into the back seat of the double cab and instructed him to undress, promising they would take his clothes into the club house and dry them in the tumbledrier. The wet items were duly dropped out of the side window of the truck: an old Umhlanga Festival T-shirt (the three of them fished together in that comp), a pair of faded black boxer shorts and a pair of hideous tartan underpants. Shorty was given a bottle of brandy and instrucrted to keep warm until “the youngsters” returned with his dried clothes.Back in the club house Laurel and Hardy decided to play a prank on Shorty. Instead of shoving his clothes in the tumbledrier they fished out Hardy’s identical festival T-shirt — size XXXL. Then they hunted around and found a pair of old boxer shorts — size 48. The tartan underpants were a problem, though. Eventually they decided to play tug of war with the hideous Yfronts “to stretch them a little”. Laurel pulled and Hardy pulled and the underpants just stretched and stretched. When it was all over, Steven Kitshoff would have been proud of the fit. 66 • SKI-BOAT September/October 2021

The boys threw the underpants into the drier and headed to the pub to kill time. They each downed a quick spook and diesel which gave them another bright idea. They picked up Shorty’s regular bar stool from its place in the corner (no one else dared sit on it), dug around in the back room for a hacksaw, and sawed off about eight inches of the legs of the stool, before returning it to its rightful place. Finally it was time to return Shorty’s “dr y” clothes to him. By that stage Shorty had taken his wrath out on the bottle of brandy and wasn’t seeing very straight, so he accepted the clothing back without a second glance and got dressed — with some difficulty. When shorty fell out of the truck he was a sight for sore eyes: the T-shirt’s short sleeves almost reached his wrists, the round neck showed half his chest, the Tshirt was tucked into his underpants which stretched up outside the boxer shorts, over his small paunch, and the shorts were calf-length. Shorty bellied up to the bar and headed straight for his stool. In the meantime Laurel and Hardy had forewarned everyone in the pub. “The shaaaaame ashh ushhuall,” he breathed to the barman, George, who promptly dispensed a triple brandy and Coke. Shorty gulped down the drink, plonked himself down on the barstool and promptly disappeared from view below the bar counter. Only the top of his head showed. He leaned back against the wall, oblivious, and immediately fell asleep. The muffled sniggers from onlookers were drowned out by his loud snores. Shorty was soon forgotten in the corner and ever yone else went on about their business, drinking and talking about fishing, and drinking and talking about fishing .... About six hours later only the die-hards were left when Shorty abruptly regained consciousness and sat straight up on the stool. He blinked a few times, wiped his eyes vigorousy and almost fell off his stool. When he looked down and saw the small lengths of body parts protruding from “his” clothes he assessed the stuation as best his befuddled brain could and yelled: “Shhhhh .... What the hell? I’ve shrunk!” At that, what was left of the audience — Laurel and Hardy included — couldn’t hold it any more and roared in laughter. After a while Shorty also saw the funny side and sniggered before get-

ting stuck into the bar’s resources to calm his nerves. It turned out to be a very l-o-o-n-g evening for the men, but fortunately early the next day, soon after sunrise, one of the other angling widows had driven past to collect her inebriated husband and warned me mine was being roused and should be home soon. Shorty freewheeled down our driveway, gently fell out of his car and closed the door as softly as his highly pickled state would allow. He crept to the front door, had a brief altercation with the Trellidor, took at least five attempts at the Yale lock before striking success, and then crawled down the passage on all fours. He was grateful to see the bedroom door was open and dragged himself up onto his side of the bed. As he sat tottering on the edge of the mattress, about to remove his T-shirt, I apruptly switched on the bedside light. “SHORTY! What’s the meaning of arriving home at this time? It’s after five!” I roared. It has to be said I almost felt sorry for the man he got such a fright. But not that sorry ... Shorty decided that assertiveness was the best defence. “Nooooo, my angel, I’m j-j--just getting up to go fishing,” he bluffed. Of course I was one step ahead and had planned my response too. “No, you’re not going fishing today. You’re going to mow the lawn, clean out the chicken-run and paint the fence. It’s time you stayed at home for a bit!” There was no verbal response, just a sudden showing of a Rapala-lip like protrusion on his face. Of course not many of the items on my list got ticked off that day. The first time I looked out the lounge window to gauge Shorty’s progress I thought he’d brought home an extra garden gnome. There in the middle of my lawn was a small man wearing outsize clothes with hideous underpants almost reaching his armpits, holding onto a roaring twostroke lawnmower. Only the fact that his copiuosly outsized clothes flitted in the gentle breeze belied the impression that he was a statue. He never moved an inch — he was fast asleep. Ever since Shorty never stops for more than three drinks after a day on the water, and his boasting has shrunk to normal proportions. But Laurel and Hardy still tiptoe around nervously because all three of them know revenge is a dish best served cold.

Ski-Boat September 2021

Articles inside

Leerie on the Line

Down Deep

Raring to Go

Where to Fish

Big Blues