SA BASS June 2018

June 2018

Issue 206

RSA: R39.34 (VAT incl.)

Other Countries: R34.21 (Tax excl.)

www.sabass.com Where Did All The Bass Go? | The Art Of Flipping | Backyard Bassin’- Boskop Dam | Keep That Showroom Shine | March Bass Fest | Crankbait Retrieval Techniques | Die Eskimo Ding | Line Selection For Top Water Fishing | The Strike Zone | Light Rock Fishing | Big Water, Big Weather, Big Smallmouths | New V-6 FourStroke Outboard

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Contents

SA BASS Magazine

is published monthly (12 issues per annum)

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

Office hours:

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

Contact numbers:

Office: (065) 849 3264, Alternative: (083) 306 2718 Fax: (086) 234 5026

Postal Address:

SA BASS, PO Box 24938, Gezina, 0031, RSA

Publisher:

Hannes Lindeque - hannes@sabass.com

Editor:

John Badenhorst - john@sabass.com

Field Editors:

Bennie Wiese, Bryan Leppan, Colin Willmer, Derrek Stewart, Dewald Viljoen, Divan Coetzee, Gary Peter, Gareth Dryden, Gordon Brown, Joe Dreyer, Kevin Lofstedt, Louis Bezuidenhout, Mzi Tyhokolo, Neels Beneke, Philip Kemp, Roger Donaldson, Rowan Zerf, Rudi Dreyer

International Columnists:

Bertrand Ngim, Clint Skinner, David Swendseid, Gareth Rawlins, Matt Williams, Tylor Brinks

Advertising Manager:

Wilma Lindeque - wilma@sabass.com

Subscriptions:

Hannes Lindeque - hannes@sabass.com

Facebook Administrator:

Chris Greenland

Digital subscriptions:

www.magzter.com

Layout and Design:

Storm Deezigns - dee@stormdeezigns.co.za

Distributed by RNA:

Jannie Junius (011) 248 3536

About SA BASS magazine: SA BASS, which is editorially and financially independent, is a monthly magazine catering exclusively for the bass angling community in Southern Africa. SA BASS is distributed country-wide by RNA to outlets, not only in South Africa, but also in Namibia, Swaziland and Botswana.

SA BASS is designed as a specialist bass fishing publication and has catered for a well-defined niche market since April 2001.

It enjoys the support and endorsement of non-government organisations, but is not affiliated in any way to these bodies or to any other publishing, environmental or political interest group.

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

Within this editorial mix, due consideration is given to developing the sport among all the 02 SA BASS June 2018

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

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

REGULARS & FORUMS 06

MASTER CLASS “The Art of Flipping (Part 2)” In this three part series we look at the art of flipping which will enlighten and assist you to catch more and bigger fish. In this issue we look at the flipping system – Gordon Brown

08 12

SA BASS “Backyard Bassin – Boskop Dam (Potchefstroom)” Situated about 14km from the town of Potchefstroom and on the road to Carletonville, lies Boskop Dam with its crystal clear waters and incredibly aggressive bass – John Badenhorst

CLASSROOM “Autumn / Winter... Where Did All The Bass Go?” We are at that time of year again, the dreaded autumn and winter fishing – Gary Peter

Address contributions to the editor.

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

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

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

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

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

16

FLW “Keep that Showroom Shine. How to Protect a Fiberglass Boat’s Finish” Bass boats are easily the coolest, fastestlooking boats on the water, and they get their lightning-fast look from a high-gloss finish applied over bright gel paints mixed with metallic or poly flakes – Joe Balog

18 23 24

26

30

FLW

“March Bass Fest.”

By the time you read this, the March madness will be all but over.

Nevertheless, if you miss the bus, diarize for next season.

– Kevin Lofstedt

34

36

TOURNAMENT NEWS “SABAA Junior Nationals – Vaal River 2018” Arrival day saw entrants completing their registrations and taking part in the ritual initiations with slop parades and taking a dunk in a rather chilly river followed by the obligatory welcome dinner and skippers briefing – John Badenhorst

48

PRODUCT REVIEW “What the Fruck...”

Many topwater anglers will have one or sometimes two rods permanently rigged for just the right moment... you know, those times when the sun is either about to throw it’s rays of warmth and light on a brand new day or those short hours before everything fades into darkness – Kevin Holm

MASTER CLASS “The Strike Zone” These three words can speak volumes if one starts to unpack its true meaning. The last couple of weeks I have been doing just that and will share my own experiences on “the strike zone.

– Gordon Brown

CLASSROOM “L.R.F?” No, it’s not some strange acronym or a different version of WTF? Which incidentally means... Wednesday, Thursday, Friday... just to get your mind out of the gutter... – Kevin Holm

MASTER CLASS “Retrieval Techniques – Crankbaits (Part 5)” I go to bed at night thinking about one particular occasion where modifying a retrieval action changed a day of fishing into something incredible. I’m boiling over with stories from past experiences out on the water, crankbait fishing for bass – Roger Donaldson

STRATEGY

32

46

“Die Eskimo Ding is die regte ding om te doen die winter” Jy maak ‘n groot fout as jy dink dat die winter nou maar net die tyd is om jou stokke weg te pak en jou solank te begin voorberei vir naweke op die rusbank voor die televisie met ‘n beker stomende koffie.

– Philip Kemp

“Line Selection – Top Water Fishing” Don’t write-off your top water lures over the next few months as there will still be opportunity in the warm afternoons and still waters to attract the attention of sh h those larger fish ready for a bigg meal – Roger Donaldson

“The Forest for the Trees” How to deal with rising water and flooded cover – Rob Newell

STRATEGY

KLASKAMER

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS 04

MY CAST

14

READERS-go-BASSING

42

Cast-for-Cash - Tournament Results

40

New V-6 FourStroke Outboard Line-up

INDUSTRY NEWS

INTERNATIONAL “Big Water, Big Weather, Big Smallmouths (Part 1)” My day at Lake Celilo’s east pool formally marks the third act of my smallmouth bass fishing adventure on the Columbia River where we will be striving to end on a strong resolution – Fishingboy and David Swendseid (DUO Realis U.S.A)

ON THE COVER “Page 36 - Big Water, Big Weather, Big Smallmouths” Image: Dr Bertrand Ngim

SA BASS 03 June 2018

No one knows what the future holds, unless you have a crystal ball and know how to use it.

We have our suspicions about tomorrow or the day after but even that is not cast in stone.

The only way that we as humans may in some very small way have some sort of hand in the outcome of an event in the future, is by putting what we’ve learnt today into practice. Time does not stand still or wait for anyone and when the sands of your personal hour glass has run out, there are no second chances.

We inherently chase after our dreams, whether it’s a nice car, house, stability in our careers or financial freedom. Some chase these dreams for all their lives and sadly only a few achieve this right near the end of the life cycle.

When we’re gone, what exactly do we leave behind? A last will and testament? Money? Property? What would you most be remembered for? That person with all the fancy toys perhaps? Or the millionaire down the road?

Personally I prefer to be remembered as the person who was always willing to share some information or a thought or a simple idea to help another human in their own quest for something better in life.

Recently I had the honour of being part of the SABAA Junior Nationals that took place on The Vaal River. As MC for the event, I had enough time to chat with young anglers, parents, organizers, skippers and spectators alike.

Anglers aside, I have to salute the efforts of the parents who not only dedicate an immense amount of time but a great deal of their hard earned money and savings so that their kinds may reach for their own dreams of bass fishing greatness. There are the organizers that give their time and help to organize events like these where young anglers may compete against other young anglers from around the country for top honours.

The skippers who not only dedicate their personal time away from their own families and businesses but most of these guys have spent hours, days and even weeks fishing the same venue but unlike being a taxi or Uber driver is not allowed to point out mistakes or make suggestions to the young anglers as these youngsters have to perform on their own knowledge and efforts.

What’s the point of all of this? As dedicated bass anglers with a love for those green fish and the environment they’re in, it’s up to us, you and me to give advice, guide and instil the same love and respect we have for our chosen sport in the next generation.

Giving a word of advice or a gentle pat on the back costs us nothing and yet, that might be exactly what a youngster might need on a tough day. With this being said, we salute the next generation of anglers hoping to step into our shoes and take the sport of bass fishing as we know it to greater heights through determination, dedication and innovation.

Being based on the East Rand, it’s sad to see especially over the last two months, the profound increase in growth of dreaded hyacinth on our local water ways and the ponds with their inhabitants that we hold so dear.

Trying to contact local government authorities is like trying to make contact with the dead, messages go unanswered, calls are never returned and with the way things are right now, these once pristine bodies of water will never be the same again unless those in power make a conscious choice to do something about it.

Winter is here and for many, it means packing the fishing gear away and spending hours watching YouTube videos and patiently waiting for warmer days to come.

04 SA BASS June 2018

Although it might be much colder now and the temptation to remain under the duvet for a couple of hours more is extremely tempting, those that do venture out into the cold winter will attest to catching not so much quantity fish but most definitely better quality fish. We just have to learn to slow things down even more than what we would perceive as fishing slow.

In this issue of SA Bass magazine, you will find advice in your approach to winter fishing for bass and how you apply the wise words of our writers is entirely up to you however, give it a chance and who knows? Winter fishing for bass might just surprise you more that you know.

Grab a rod, a buddy, some lures and a flask of hot coffee and we will see you out on the water.

John Badenhorst / Editor

2018

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The Art of

Flipping

Part 2

Flipping is a controlled casting method that provides precise line control and bait placement to an target area

>> SA BASS MASTER CLASS

In this three part series we look at the art of flipping which will enlighten and assist you to catch more and bigger fish. In this issue we look at the flipping system.

>> Gordon Brown*

C

hanging from ultra-light to flipping is like switching from a powder puff to sandpaper – it is the greatest contrast in bass fishing. Flipping was originated and perfected by a couple of Californians, Dee Thomas and Dave Gliebe in the late 1970’s.

I need to pose the question again, namely: “what is flipping”?

My answer is as follows: “It is a controlled casting method that provides precise line control and bait placement for casts of between 3 and 7 metres. It is most easily achieved by using a 7ft or longer rod and always a free-spool baitcasting reel”.

Flipping offers three definite advantages * It offers a quiet, no-splash presentation. * It provides precision and accuracy. * It provides the angler with the maximum control of any size fish.

Why do you need such control? Almost every lake has some type of heavy cover and my observation is that it is usually not being fished right in the thickest places. Anglers tend to cast all around it, and still too many are unable 06 SA BASS June 2018

to get their lures way back into the thick, bass-holding structure and cover.

To start flipping, tie on a jig and let out about fifteen feet of line, more or less depending on water depth and how long a flip you want to make. With your left hand, take line from between the reel and the first guide and hold it out to the side, leaving about 7ft of line hanging from the rod tip. Swing the jig under the rod, following it slightly by lowering the rod tip, which will allow the jig to swing further back and will also put the rod in the proper tipdown position for the next move.

As the jig starts forward, begin raising the rod tip and move your hand forward to increase the lure speed. At the end of the swing, give the rod tip a gentle flip to send the jig on its way. As the jig moves toward the target, let the line in your left hand slip through your fingers, but don’t let go of it. Just before the jig hits the water, grip the slipping line. With practice, you’ll be able to stop the jig an inch above the water and let it slip in with hardly a ripple. At the completion of the cast, the rod position should be almost parallel to the water.

Put the rod butt under your right arm and with the reel handle up, reel in any slack line left with your left hand.

When you get a strike, and have set the hook by hand,

change the rod from right hand to left hand and play the bass by reeling with your right hand. (This is for those who normally cast with their right hand). nce you have flipped into your target and have let your bait fall to the depth required, slowly raise your rod and retrieve the line by pulling the line back through the rod eyes with your left hand, ready for the next flip.

If you are just starting to flip, you can always practice at home in the garden by standing on a chair and placing three small containers 3, 5 and 7 metres in front of you. The chair is to elevate you as the boat deck is somewhat higher than the water level. Spool up with around 20-pound monofilament line with a 3/8- ounce to half ounce jig - the colour is not important - preferably with the hook cut off as we don’t want stories of your cat or dog caught on a jig!

A good flipper can put a jig or a plastic worm in a coffee cup at 7 metres away ten out of ten times, and out on the water the bait would be cast so gently and easily that it would hardly make a ripple!

If you are targeting a small hole in the lily pads and your cast is off target, the mechanics of flipping will allow you to stop the lure in mid air and recall the cast and flip again.

This recalling of the cast is much like what a fly caster is able to do when he sees he is off target. The bait or spin caster does not have this option. If a bad cast is made it is possible to stop the lure short of the target but the resulting splash of the bait will in all likelihood spook the fish. Very few bait-casters can make casts of 4 to 7 metres accurately, and even if they can, there is no way they can drop the lure as quietly and gently as a flipper can.

A good flipper can cast a jig so gently and easily that it would hardly scare the fish

Until the next issue, practice and practice again to start getting the flipping technique working for you.

I trust that, with all the information provided in this three part series, it will enlightening and assist you to catch more and bigger fish. In the next issue: ‘Part 3’ - rods, lines reels, baits, sinkers, areas to flip, boat control and more. *Gordon Brown is a multiple Protea bass angler and a regular SA Bass contributor.

“The proof is in the pudding” SA BASS 07 June 2018

>> SA BASS

Backyard

Bassin –

Situated about 14km from the town of Potchefstroom and on the road to Carletonville, lies Boskop Dam with its crystal clear waters and incredibly aggressive bass.

>> John Badenhorst* The author with a strong Boskop bass

08 SA BASS June 2018

I

’ve fished this venue only once before and chose one of the worst days in summer to do so. The wind was howling from the top part of the dam and by the time the waves arrived at the launch site, it was almost impossible to get any fishing done.

This time however, careful planning went into our endeavour to fish the dam and after checking and rechecking weather patterns; we headed out in search of those that dwell in the deep.

Arriving at Tanglewood Estate for the launch just before sunrise, it was surprising to find the office open and ready for business as early as 5am. After doing all the paperwork, we quickly managed to launch the Crackleback Lite 360 Bass fitted with the Yamaha 15hp outboard. Being new to the venue, we sat for a while and decided to fish the opposite bank from the launch and slightly to the right of the dam wall and headed out in that direction.

All the material we’ve read about the venue indicated heavy grass banks and weedbeds with reeds and of course some other underwater structure as

Public launch at Boskop

being the target areas for bass. We stopped just short of the reeds and made a few casts right up into the reeds, resulting in two quick decent fish being landed. I turned and cast out into the open water and got a massive pull but sadly didn’t manage to set the hook on that one.

As the day progressed, we moved around a bit and managed to find some deeper patches of aquatic weeds holding fish in a round 9 to 12ft of water. With a threatening storm we decided to head back across the dam towards the launch and held position about 60m from the bank and while waiting to see what the thunder clouds were going to do, we managed to land yet another couple of solid fish. The storm thankfully didn’t hit the water and moved away, giving us the chance to fish down on the left side of the wall past the cliffs and into a shallow basin at the bottom end of the dam.

Here, the fishing turned on in a big way and we were getting bites on almost every cast. Kevin, myself and Valerie even managed a triple-up here, landing three fish at the same time of around 1kg each.

I had a massive fish pull me down into some thick weeds and sadly, another denizen of the deep won the battle with me having to re-tie.

Boskop Dam is an incredible venue with a very large surface area

to cover and enough space for many anglers to be out on the water at the same time. From cliffs to submerged weedbeds, reeds and rock piles, the dam offers a truly diverse array of techniques that can be fished. Boskop Dam can be your best friend or your worst enemy when it comes to fishing and getting used to fishing thick areas of grass can alone be a daunting task for even the most experienced angler.

We found that a light sliding Mojo rig with a Wolf Lures Seboko in ATG and Spectre Colours did the most damage.

These we rigged with the new range of LRF rods. It’s incredible to note how

strong these fish are. On calm days it is possible to spot fish and cast a little bit ahead of them and actually watch the fish attack the bait. For anyone wanting to get underwater footage of bass fishing, this is probably one of the best venues I’ve ever experienced with water clarity at times being on par with the likes of Sterkfontein Dam near Harrismith.

If you want a venue that’s not too far to travel, has incredibly strong fighting fish in stunning surroundings and at times, gin-clear water, then this has to go on your list of venues to fish.

Rocky structure at Boskop Dam SA BASS 09 June 2018

Some true words at the Tanglewood’s launch

We spent an incredible day on the water and followed it up one week later with similar results.

Any baits, fished the correct way will produce good quality fish at Boskop and the only trick is to figure out how to fish your choice around weedbeds. Over the two days that we spent there, we found fishing plastics slow and right on the bottom to have the best results but some anglers have had incredible results using large swimbaits, cranks and spinnerbaits too.

Tanglewood Nature reserve is also one of the only places along the shore of this venue that offers a safe launch with clean ablution facilities, conference hall, dining area, restaurant, kiddies play area, excellent camping facilities and splash pools to mention but some of the attractions.

This also explains why many clubs and private individuals regularly use

Ruan with a spinnerbait caught Boskop Dam bass

10 SA BASS June 2018

this venue for their bass fishing and this is also the venue to be used for the upcoming SA Bass magazine’s FLW Small Craft Championship in September of this year.

When planning a trip to this little gem of a fishing spot, remember to abide by the no-wake zones and the demarcated areas where boats and anglers are not allowed. A full map of these areas is on display in the registration office. One last point to mention is that as mentioned earlier in the article, wind can play absolute

Tanglewood’s splash pool

havoc with any boat on this body of water and careful planning needs to be done to avoid those days where the wind could become dangerous.

Grab a friend, some tackle and if the weather looks good, head on over to Boskop and Tanglewood Nature Estate for an incredible day out on the water.

In our next issue of Backyard Bassin, we will be discussing the particular techniques and baits used during this series in more detail. *John Badenhorst is the editor of SA BASS magazine, the Master of Ceremony for FLW South Africa, radio presenter at Platinum Gold Radio and a keen ultra finesse angler.

>> SA BASS CLASSROOM

AUTUMN / WINTER...

Where Did All The Bass Go?

>> Gary Peter*

W

Try fishing a lot slower and even “dead sticking” your plastics 12 SA BASS June 2018

e are at that time of year again, the dreaded autumn and winter fishing. As anglers, we all get down as after an awesome spring and summer filled with great catches in both size and numbers we are now faced with spending hours fishing for hardly any fish and with most of our catches being small. We all have asked the questions; Where did all the fish go? Where have all the big fish gone?

I’ve heard the “switch” theory, as I’m sure you all have when your fishing buddy turns to you and says...” someone must have turned the switch off”. I’ve even heard a theory that every dam has a lid at the bottom and come winter they open the lid and all the big fish go underground for winter.

The question we should be asking is; What changes do I need to make to find the fish and catch the big ones? The bass are still there, yes they are more lethargic and a lot less active but bass still need to eat, the winter is long they have to sustain themselves. Where they go and how they hunt is what changes and if we can understand why then we can begin to outsmart those green sneaky scoundrels and get them back on our lures and into our boats.

Okay that being said; let’s look at the bass itself. They are cold blooded and when the water is warmer so is their blood and warm blood means warm muscles which in turn

mean they can swim fast and accelerate from standstill in a flash. They can attack prey more “aggressively”.

Come winter the water is colder therefore, so is their blood and muscles. This means they move slower and accelerate a lot slower from standstill. It now takes way more calories for them to get their muscles and blood warmer from swimming. When we are cold we can’t just start sprinting, we will hurt ourselves, we need to stretch and jump around to get the warm blood flowing first.

We humans are warm blooded, meaning our blood is at a constant balmy temperature, unlike poor Mr. Bass. His blood is cold and stays cold so there is no jumping around for him. So basically Mr. Bass in winter hunts way slower and uses the ambush tactics in winter. He can’t swim fast so instead he hides behind or in structure and waits for his food to come to him.

Also, the mornings and evenings in winter produce huge drops in temperature. The surface of the water can drop to as much as ten degrees in winter at night. Mr. Bass has cold muscles so he won’t be moving around near as much looking for warmer or colder water. They hate changes in temperature. So for winter they prefer to move deeper where the water temperatures are not affected by temperature changes at nigh like it does in the shallows.

So having learned that; What does that tell us about where to find the fish and what type of prey they will be eating? With our new understanding it is kind of clear, they will be looking for slower moving baits in deeper water and tight on structure! So it is now a case of watching our finders looking for rock piles, trees and even channel drops.

Try fishing a lot slower and even “dead sticking” your plastics. Cold bass prefer still prey that uses less energy to catch. Deep water rigs like a Carolina rig, drop-shot and even a heavier Texas rig work very well fishing deep water structure. The winter theory is “if you think you are fishing too slow then slow down even more”. I’m a believer in n using dips like garlic when fishing deep in winter ter or try using a glass bead below your sinker er to create small tic-tic noises mimicking crabs legs over rocks.

Will there still be bass in shallows?

Yes, those that haven’t n’t had their full in the deeper per he water will move up into the shallows on those warmer days when the water does warm up in the shallows.

Usually around 11am they move up into the shallows to warm their blood a little so they can feed more actively. Fish tight against the structure (Note; more actively, not

aggressively.) So even when targeting shallower water in the late mornings you still need to move that bait slower. Swim your spinnerbaits and cranks much slower, pausing them every few seconds can produce a reaction bite so don’t be afraid to try that, you will be surprised at how many fish I’ve caught by simply stopping my retrieve on cranks and spinners. Fish your plastics really slow and pause every now and again as a prey standing still is a lot easier for a bass to eat in the cold winter.

By changing where you fish and how you fish you will be truly surprised how you will catch those bigger fish again and catch more fish than you normally do in winter. Look, winter fishing is harder and it takes patience and discipline to fish real slow all day, but it is well worth it. Another good thing to keep in mind is most big bass in winter feel small on the line at first, but once their muscles get warmer from the fight they tend to get a turbo like boost half way to the boat and catch you by complete surprise so play every fish as if it is a giant.

At the time of writing this article I’ve been fishing deep water already as its cold in May and the bass have already started moving deep. I’ve had some good success in 18 to 30ft already and have caught some solid pigs deep as you see in the attached pictures. Personally I like to fish a lot of heavy Texas rigs in winter. It gets the bait down fast and one can really feel direct contact with the structure below. I also use Carolina rigs on those windy days when you can’t feel the Texas as good as in calmer water. Also remember, even when fishing shallower in the late warmer mornings, fish tight against the structure, again bass are hiding in an ambush pattern so don’t be afraid to pitch deep into the reeds and structure. A really slow rolled (reeled real slow) spinnerbait with pauses can be deadly. When cranking, use deeper p cranks than the water you fishing. By digging the bill into the bottom, it allo allows you to retrieve the crank way slower and it imitate imitates a bait fish foraging on the bottom.

So next time your buddy says “someone y turn the switch off” you can turned say sa “maybe, but I know w where to find that switch and DAMN I’m gonna be a tu turning it on!”

Like the saying goes slowly-slowly catch a s m monkey, slowly-slowly catch a donkey! d So get out there and smash those cold water swamp th donkeys.... reeeeeeeeal slow! do May M you all get bent and go tight proper! *Gary Peter is an accomplished writer with much experience as an FLW South Africa tournament angler.

SA BASS 13 June 2018

READERS

GO BASSING

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

SUPER

PIG

I caught this 2.37kg bass caught at Roodekoppies on a Super Fluke – Chris Grobbelaar

I caught two pigs at the Bivane Divisional Tournament on the same day and only three casts apart. They weighed 3.76 and 3.505kg. Thanks for an awesome magazine.

– Jaco Mouton

HARDE WERK Dit was ‘n bewolkte dag vroeg in Februarie. Na ‘n harde dag se werk het ek gou ‘n lyntjie natgemaak in ‘n plaasdam naby ons huis waar ek hierdie pragtige 2.2kg “vissie” aangekeer het. Watermelon Flukes het vir my die ding gedoen en in totaal het ek ses visse geland. Dankie vir ‘n wonderlike tydskrif met baie insiggewende wenke – Koos Lakie 14 SA BASS June 2018

PATIENT The fishing was slow, but my dad, Leon, was patient with a new plastic craw creature that we decided to try out for the day and managed to entice this guy into a fight at Inanda Dam KZN. Always fun – Robbie Krause

This month ’s

WINN

ER

PRIVAAT Hier is drie fotos van visse wat ek die afgelope twee weke, net voor die winter op ons toesak, in ‘n privaatdam in Benoni gevang het. Al die vis was na drie in die middag gevang. Ek het elke dag vyf gevang en net die grootstes afgeneem. Almal is weer vrygelaat. Baie dankie vir die nuttige hengelwenke – Nico Venter

KUNSAAS Ek is gaande oor alle hengelfassette maar hou die meeste daarvan om met kunsaas te hengel. Ek het onlangs weer terug verhuis Ermelo toe en mis die vinnige “drop-shot” hengelsessies in Richardsbaaihawe voor werk. Hier op die hoëveld is die volgende opsie om vir swartbaars te hengel. Ek is die afgelope paar maande beloon met pragtige groot vis waarvan 2.5kg geweeg het.

Die een het ek in ‘n privaatdam op ‘n “wacky-rig” gevang en die ander een in Douglasdam. Hopelik sal ek eendag by kompeterende hengel uitkom. Intussen, baie dankie vir ‘n leersame tydskrif – Pieter Muller

READERS GO BASSING

Mail & Win E-mail your picture and details of your catch to editor@sabass.com and stand a chance to win Savage Gear baits (valued at R750) from local distributer RAD Fishing Gear.

RAD Fishing Gear Darren 084-512-5091 Please send us good crisp pictures of good quality.

Pictures send electronically must be of at least 250KB. (We prefer pictures of 1MB).

Potential cover pictures must be portrait and at least 3MB.

SA BASS 15 June 2018

TAKEOFF BOAT TECH

KEEP THAT SHOWROOM SHINE HOW TO PROTECT A FIBERGLASS BOAT’S FINISH

B

ass boats are easily the coolest, fastest-looking boats on the water, and they get their lightning-fast look from a high-gloss finish applied over bright gel paints mixed with metallic or poly flakes. The right formula and procedure produces the eye-catching trademark sparkle we see on the showroom floor. Maintaining this look on the water is easy, provided we steer clear of a few obstacles.

Know the Coats It’s important to understand how bass boats are built and the properties of the outermost layer in order to protect it. A clear coat covers everything on a metallic/poly flake boat. It’s responsible for producing such a wet, shiny look.

Immediately below the outer clear is the flake itself, which rests on the boat’s gel coat.

For boats with no flake – often the case with straight white, black or grey gel coat hulls – there is usually no outer clear coat. The gel coat is the topcoat.

16 SA BASS June 2018

By Joe Balog PHOTOS BY KYLE WOOD

Block UV Rays The greatest threat to a bass boat’s finish is the sun. Over time UV rays can break down the outer coating, leaving it pitted and yellow. In addition, gel coats can oxidize – the oils within the gel itself rise to the surface – rendering the finish white and chalky.

The best way to beat the sun at its own game is to avoid it altogether when the boat’s not in use. Complete concealment in a garage is best, but even a carport or boat cover helps. The worst-case scenario is storing a boat on the dock, where reflective rays hit it from all sides.

Stop Threats from Moisture Another overlooked threat is water; more specifically, moisture. Safeguard against having it enter a boat’s finish by maintaining airflow in the storage area, and never leave a wet boat covered up for very long. In time, moisture could find its way between the boat’s gel and clear coats, resulting in a hazy look.

Keep Fuel Away Always immediately clean any fuel accidentally spilled onto a boat. If left unattended, gasoline can penetrate just about anything, and can actually discolor fiberglass.

Basic Cleaning Once the proper precautions have been taken against the biggest threats, the best way to protect a boat’s finish is to keep it clean to avoid damage from less obvious causes. Hard water stains – actually mineral deposits left after evaporation – can be abrasive enough to damage the finish if they’re merely wiped off with a dry cloth. Over time, these “micro-scratches” can add up to give a boat a “used” look. A 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water or a commercially available spray-on detailer will help. Premium sprays will also provide a slick coating, which helps prevent bugs and stains from sticking and reduces scum-line buildup. Bass Boat Saver detailer spray is a reliable, popular choice, as are the products by Boat Bling. Be sure to spray overlooked areas around the boat’s transom, particularly adjacent to the jack plate, to benefit fully from the protection.

Waxing While a daily wipe-down is a good practice, establishing a well-waxed outer surface is key to maintaining a pretty rig.

The first step is to remove any oils, swirl marks or extra-stubborn deposits through the use of a cleaning wax or polish.

There are several products on the market (they usually advertise the ability to rub out fine scratches), but a top choice among many pros is Collinite’s Fleetwax.

Cleaner waxes can be applied with a buffer or by hand, but one word of caution: Excessive rubbing can do damage.

If you’re unsure of how to do it right, consult a professional.

In the case of boats with excessive wear, oxidation or yellowing, the best choice to prevent irreversible damage might be to hire a professional with experience in restoring fiberglass finishes. Boaters who take on major DIY projects should, at the very minimum, do their research. There are step-by-step videos available on YouTube, but be diligent about whom you trust for your info.

Once a rig is properly cleaned and stripped using polish, a protective outer surface must be applied. High-quality carnauba-based waxes do a good job of sealing things up and protecting the boat’s finish from UV exposure. Here, you get what you pay for (Marine 31 Gel Coat Carnauba, a high-end product, runs about $50 a bottle), but the protection is worth it.

A practical plan to keep a finish in tip-top shape includes an annual buff with cleaner polish, followed by a topcoat wax applied about three times a year. Another choice is a modern “allin-one” process that includes a very light polish, combined with a high-gloss finishing wax. While the final product won’t offer the lasting protection of the conventional two-step approach, convenience is a benefit. Meguiar’s Flagship Premium Cleaner/Wax receives high marks from experienced marine techs.

Finally, for the ultimate in protection, consider hiring a professional offering a polymer-based topcoat (here, the surface must be meticulously cleaned prior to application).

While polymer application is costly – often running four figures when included with a full detail job – it’s advertised to maintain a showroom shine all year, with little more than a regular wipe-down from the boat owner.

Any step that can be taken to protect the boat’s finish is a step in the right direction. After all, resale value and pride in ownership both go up when your rig looks shiny and slick. ■

Boat wax, detailing spray and a little TLC can keep your rig looking sharp and protect its resale value for many years.

SA BASS 17 June 2018

ILLU LUSTRA ST TION BY STRA Y KEVI KEV N HAND HA D

18 SA BASS June 2018

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3==5;@<6=9? =8@;=/?@8?>8=;,?1>*@3?@1<9@>289@>=@>7?@ @ @'=28@?+?9>;@7?65@<>@ <(?@'8<+:;* <(?@ 2/.?86<95*@ ?<+?8@ <(?@<95@>7?@ :;;:;;:,,:@!:+?8@<>@ <@ 8=;;?*@37?8?@,8=;@5?<6> 3:>7@>7?@0==5*@>7?@.<5@<95@>7?@206-@=4@8:;:90@3<>?8@<95@46==5@1=95:>:=9;) SA BASS 19 June 2018

PHOTO BY ANDY HAGEDON

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE OLD SHORELINE THAT BASS ARE DRAWN TOâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MARK ROSE 20 SA BASS June 2018

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Consider Bottom Composition

If you plan to follow water up into newly flooded cover, Scott Suggs has two words to consider: bottom composition. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think one of the biggest reasons bass like an old shoreline is because it usually has hard bottom,â&#x20AC;? Suggs offers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So many times when anglers do catch fish from flooded cover, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re fishing up in flooded campgrounds, parking lots, roads, boat ramps, gravel washes, rock veins and even lakefront lawns. Bass seem to like those kinds of areas. My theory on that is it has to do with the bottom. When they do move up with a flood, they still want hard bottom instead of some old leafy, soft soil kind of forest bottom.â&#x20AC;?

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flat bank

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bluff bank

When the water rises along a steep or bluff bank, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t â&#x20AC;&#x153;goâ&#x20AC;? too far and is limited by topography. But on a flat bank, the floodwaters can sprawl a great distance, giving bass much more territory to use, if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re willing to disperse into it.

SA BASS 21 June 2018

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

Lure Considerations

When trying to decipher where fish are in a rising or high-water situation, several specific lures can aid in the process.

When fishing the old shoreline, football jigs, swinghead jigs and Carolina rigs are fantastic choices for dragging around on bottom. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also wise to keep a lure or two on the deck for targeting fish suspended in trees or bushes around the old shoreline. Wackyrigged Yamamoto Senkos and swimbaits should fill the bill for this.

However, when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to move up into the flooded cover to look around, typical flipping baits such as jigs, tubes and creatures are obvious choices. In addition, Mark Rose says topwaters â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially buzzbaits and frogs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are critical for probing flooded cover. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fish that move up in that stuff really like to suspend right up in the top layer of the water column, in the middle of bushes, around floating debris, and near vines and junk hanging in the water,â&#x20AC;? Rose offers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So be prepared with something you can skim the surface with.

Also, a spinnerbait is still a solid pick in those conditions.â&#x20AC;?

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The Long-Term Rise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

7?<5?5@=2>*@/=;>@6:(?6-@>=@>7?@=65@;7=8?6:9?@>=@4:95@;=/?@.?>$ >?8@3<>?8@<95@.?>>?8@4??5:90@1=95:>:=9;) % 7?9@>7?@3<>?8@7<;@.??9@:9@>7?@3==5;@4=8@<@6=90@>:/?* <906?8;@1<9@0?>@:9@>8=2.6?@>8-:90@>=@4=81?@>7<>@.:>?@:9@46==5?5 1=+?8*#@ 200;@ <55;)@ %!?/?/.?8*@ 2;>@ .?1<2;?@ :>&;@ 46==5?5* 5=?;9&>@<63<-;@/?<9@:>&;@0==5)#@@â&#x2013;

PHOTO BY ANDY HAGEDON

22 SA BASS June 2018

>> SA BASS STRATEGY

March Bass Fest.

>> Kevin Lofstedt*

B

y the time you read this, the March madness will be all but over. Nevertheless, if you miss the bus, diarize for next season. March for me is that time of the year that is like eating all the crap that usually makes you and me fat, but with zero weight gain! What the hell am I talking about? Let me tell you. On average March is usually that time of the year when bass know that if they’re to be a desirable mate for that cute female/male/transgender/ gay or lesbian bass that hangs out near that willow tree, that they had better start packing on some weight for the winter. This usually makes them a lot easier to catch, and often, lure choice is not as important as it may be at other times of the year. Meaning, they will eat anything (well almost anything.) The part I like most about this time if the year is that there’s none of that guilt that is part and parcel of catching spawning fish. It’s probably one of the most forgiving times for catching bass, and there’s no such thing as a “wrong decision”. Having said that, there are some factors that will impact on the bite, and the weather is one of them. I have no scientific proof of this but I am a firm believer that falling water levels usually affect the bite negatively, and conversely rising waters, coupled with or without dirtier water, can have a positive impact.

then… about forty boats from the Light Tackle Fraternity (mass start) all chose to head in the same direction past us, towards the Loch. They drove past us creating massive amounts of wake and within minutes, the bite was off, I mean really off! We couldn’t buy a bite for more than an hour after that, and when they did bite, it was once an hour. Now, one can argue all sorts of scenarios, but that for me was a clear example of fish getting turned off. Since then, whenever I fish the Vaal River, I try to do as much damage within the first hour as possible. If you don’t, you will, in most cases spend the rest of the day looking for a limit, instead of looking for a few big bites to upgrade your bag. But getting back to March Madness, take advantage of this time of year to test ideas, patterns and different reactions to different lures. The reactions you get to various scenarios will stand you in good stead for other times of the year. These times will also do wonders for your confidence. Obviously in different parts of the country the bass may start earlier, or later with this pre-winter feed, and your local conditions, coupled with time on the water will improve your “fishing IQ” particularly after the mostly difficult conditions that are part and parcel of post-spawn.

Words of Wisdom “The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.” - Jean Paul *Kevin Lofstedt is a regular writer and a well known veteran bass angler with three times Southern Gauteng Colours since 1985. He is also the main founder of Clearwater Bassmasters Bass Chapter (1994). He can be reached at kevin@sabass.com

Boat traffic Now, up until a few years ago, I believed that if bass were hatched in and impoundment that was usually busy with a lot of boat traffic, that they would be “used to” this. I used to swear by it! Then this happened to me. I was fishing a club tourney at the Vaal River with my pal Al, and we were “paneling” a lot of really good quality spawning fish, and SA BASS 23 June 2018

>> SA BASS MASTER CLASS

(Part 5)

Crankbaits

Targeting bass on a crankbaits can be unforgettable

>> Roger Donaldson*

I

go to bed at night thinking about one particular occasion where modifying a retrieval action changed a day of fishing into something incredible. I’m boiling over with stories from past experiences out on the water, crankbait fishing for bass.

I’m going to settle with you and admit that targeting bass on a crankbait is amongst my top three strategies.

If you’re thinking to yourself, “Hang on, surely you cast and retrieve no matter what crankbait I’m fishing?”

Well you’re not entirely wrong, but there’s really so much more you can do that turns your retrieve from dull, to structure specific and reaction inducing. Here are my top three days I’ve enjoyed and the small differences which significantly enhanced the days catch:

Renosterkop Dam with a lipless crankbait This is one of my favourite 24 SA BASS June 2018

recollections, as shallow fishing like this is quite unusual. If any of my fishing friends are reading this I’m sure they’re grinning already.

It goes without saying that the lipless crankbait is a perfect tool in searching for bass around grassy cover. This time I had found myself gravitating towards very shallow water (2 to 5ft deep) and sparsely dotted with tendrils of vegetation rising up from the bottom.

Over the years, I’ve quickly learned that bass do not like a crankbait with hooks trailing any weed, or vegetation. You need to be vigilant about fishing around the vegetation, or have the ability to rip the hooks free during your retrieve.

With the hooks holding any foreign matter, the lures natural swimming action will be lost and you cannot deliver an enticing profile for the bass.

In this situation three important points were practiced. Keep your rod tip elevated to stay away from the silt on the shallow bottom, guide your lure around the vegetation to prevent snagging, confirm the baits natural pulsating action in the tip of the rod and in your hands by keeping check with the pace of your retrieve. Too slow - no feel, no bite.

Final result: Ten fish in ten minutes, including three fish over 2kg and one over 3kg.

Nandoni deep down with a DD22 On the opposite end of the spectrum, deep water (16 to 20ft) crankbait fishing is in a world of its own. I’m always surprised by the quality of fish that this technique produces.

Nandoni dam provides some truly spectacular, quality, deep water opportunities enhanced by flooded

timber, shale banks, creek channels, and underwater brush piles. It really is a bass fisherman’s dream venue. On one particular occasion though I was going to put the largest crankbait I owned to good use and probe the deep water just off the hard gravel banks.

Crankbaits with a very large lip and body are quite taxing to fish. Firstly, a long cast is very important. This will enhance your ability to retrieve the bait down to its designed depth and then work it long enough before the lure starts rising again at the end of your retrieve. Secondly, the large lip displaces a substantial amount of water compared to smaller ones.

Therefore, you need to put in far more effort winding and holding against the pressure in order to get the most desirable swimming action. This will only be realised by a very prominent thumping feeling in your fingertips and through the backbone of the rod.

If the lure is thumping the bass will be jumping!

Final result: First fish 3,8kg and the largest of the event.

Albert Falls flats and the DT10 When the dam level is full, the flooded brush and young wattle trees out on Albert Falls Dam Ridge provide for some excellent hunting grounds around the spring time. In this area I caught the most bass in twenty minutes on a crankbait to date.

I didn’t make a cast without landing a fish, but the retrieval technique was crucial.

The crankbait I rigged is designed to swim at a depth of 10ft. The day we were fishing the Ridge area the limbs and tips of the flooded structure started at around 5ft and as we ventured off the plateau the depth would gradually increase to around 15ft – perfect!

The key was also to vary the elevation of your rod tip - high when shallow and then lowered gradually as the depth increased. The fish were moving in toward the shallows using the tops of the submerged structure as their migratory route. By skipping the

crankbait nimbly over the top it was the prime intersection to encounter our target species, the largemouth bass. Only, beware to allow your fingertips to feel when your crankbait runs up against the outstretched branches. Halt your retrieve for a second or two and then slowly trickle the lure through and past.

Final result: Catching twenty fish consecutively on a crankbait in a matter of only twenty minutes, each fish weighing between one and 2kg was exhilaration to fuel a lifetime of memories.

As we approach the dead of winter I am sure you will be able to place these techniques well and use them to improve your cold water fishing strategies. *Roger Donaldson is an experienced journalist and knowledgeable bass angler who has enjoyed many enlightening hours with many of South Africa’s top, competitive bass fishermen. As a competitive angler himself, he also enjoys sharing his expertise with fellow bass fanatics in the hope that they find the same joy in this unique sport.

>> SA BAARS KLASKAMER

Jy maak ‘n groot fout as jy dink dat die winter nou maar net die tyd is om jou stokke weg te pak en jou solank te begin voorberei vir naweke op die rusbank voor die televisie met ‘n beker stomende koffie.

Eskimo’s loop mos nou buite rond… of het iemand dan nou straks die yskas se deur oop gelos?

Die pragtige, vet baars is in die middelwinter met ‘n drop-shot tegniek deur die skrywer gevang

Die Eskimo Ding is die regte ding om te doen die winter >> Philip Kemp*

D

ie hengelwater het skielik sy aantrekkingskrag verloor en as ons eskimo’s was, het ons dalk vir ons ‘n gaatjie in die ys gaan maak, ‘n lyntjie laat sak en maar net gehoop ‘n vissie sal sy opwagting maak. Kan die oewerhengelaar egter in sulke moeilike omstandighede nog baars vang as die baars neig na die dieper, meer stabiele water?

Ons moet aanvaar dat winterhengel nooit so maklik soos die ander seisoene kan wees nie. Vir die oewerhengelaar kan dit nog moeiliker wees, maar dit hoef nie noodwendig so te wees nie. Daar is ‘n paar faktore wat die oewerhengelaar egter in ag moet neem as hy ‘n baars in die winter wil aankeer:

Die metabolisme van baars Soos die watertemperatuur daal gedurende die winter, begin die baars se harte, net soos ander koudbloediges, stadiger klop. Die stadiger bloedsirkulasie veroorsaak dat die baars se metabolisme aansienlik stadiger word en hulle hul kos dus ook stadiger verteer. Dit neem ‘n baars om en by vier ure om kos te verteer in 25˚C water en vier dae om te 26 SA BASS June 2018

verteer in 10˚C water. Baars sal dus nou minder gereeld eet en sal net kleiner ase, wat naby hulle verbydryf, eet. Hulle sal ook nie baie energie vermors om agter ‘n prooi aan te swem nie. Daar is egter in die baarswêreld verskeie opinies oor die groottes van ase wat gebruik moet word. Sommige glo egter dat baars ook ‘n ekstra groot aas in die wintertyd nie kan weerstaan nie. Ander weer, glo dat ‘n meer finesse benadering met kleiner ase die antwoord is. Ek persoonlik glo dat die grootte van die aas nie werklik ‘n rol speel nie, maar eerder die manier waarop die aas aangebied word in koue water. Vir my sal ligter sinkers en lyn beter werk. Dit is vir my belangrik dat die hengelaar moet let op die spoed wat die aas in die water na onder sak. Omrede die baars in sulke moeilike toestande geneig is om in die waterkolom te hang waar hy voel die temperatuur die mees draaglikste is, moet die aas nie te vinnig by die baars verbyval nie. Die oewerhengelaar moet die baars tyd gee om goed na die aas te kyk wat stadig by hom verbyval na die bodem toe. Ons moet onthou dat die baars in die winter sy energie probeer spaar en ook baie meer traag is as hy agter sy prooi moet

aanswem. Gelukkig is die meeste waterorganismes in die winter ook traag en nie net die baars nie. Ek verkies dus ‘n baie ligte Mojo-strop met tien pond breekkrag lyn in die oop water en twaalf pond naby dekking. Gewiglose ase werk ook baie goed. Geduld is egter die wagwoord en die hengelaar moet die gewiglose aas kans gee om tot onder op die bodem te sak. Daarna moet die aas soms tot ‘n minuut lank op die bodem gelos word voordat die hengelaar dit durf beweeg. Die baars, wat dan alreeds nader beweeg het om ondersoek in te stel, sal dan met die eerste beweging die aas gryp.

Die epilimnion Baars lewe die grootste deel van hul lewe in water wat vyf voet en vlakker is. Gedurende die lente en somer is die eerste vyf voet water die warmste. Hierdie eerste vyf voet word die epilimnion genoem. Die epilimnion word gevorm deur die son wat die wateroppervlak verhit. Gedurende die laat herfs koel die oppervlakwater egter af as gevolg van die koue nagte en die dae wat korter word. Die koue water forseer die warmer epilimnion nou dieper tot ‘n diepte van sowat tien voet. Die epilimnion sal dus nou tien voet en dieper wees. Gedurende middel en laat winter verlaag die suurstofvlakke egter in dieper water. Baars sal nou op ‘n diepte van sowat tien voet gevind word. Oewerhengelaars moet dus fokus op areas waar die water sowat tien voet diep is.

Waar om te soek na baars Een van die mees produktiewe areas om na baars in die winter te soek is beslis klipbanke. Ek sal beslis na klippe wat bo die wateroppervlak uitsteek soek. Omrede die klippe langer hulle hitte behou, is baars geneig om teen die klippe te gaan lê. Ek sal dus in die winter soek na vertikale struktuur in die water. Klipwalle (rip rap) is ook ‘n geliefkoosde area vir baars in die winter. Ek verkies om in die toestande loodkoppies met frokkies en treilers te hengel (swimming jigs en football jigs). Ruk-en-pluk kunsase, wat in die waterkolom suspendeer, werk ook goed.

Die hengelaar moet ook nie die tyd van die jaar verwag dat die baars baie aggressief gaan byt nie. Die hengelaar moet egter bedag wees op ‘n baie sagte vat van die aas. Hiervoor sal ek ‘n baie sensitiewe stok gebruik met uiters sensitiewe flourocarbon lyn.

Indien die baars in dieper water suspendeer, sal ek beslis ‘n Carolina-strop gebruik en dit stadig op die bodem hengel.

Omrede temperatuur die tyd van die jaar so ‘n groot rol speel moet hengelaars ook onthou dat daar by ‘n inloop van die rivier ook moontlik warmer water kan wees. Ek het ook al baars gevang in digte watergras. Hierdie gras dien as ‘n sogenaamde kombers vir die baars, en is die watertemperatuur in sulke digte gras ook warmer. Wanneer die bodem van die dam gewoonlik ook ‘n donkerder kleur het, sal dit moontlik ook die water temperatuur verhoog.

FATHER’S

28

DAY SPECIAL

Our Qu a speaks lity for itself!

André van Rooyen Cell: 083 229 9502 www.avrtaxidermy.co.za 21 2 Maré M Street S | Roodepoort | 1724 Email: E a avrtaxidermy@mweb.co.za W We promote catch & release SA BASS 27 June 2018

Een van die skrywer se goeie hengelvriende, Evert Laubscher, met ‘n 5,81kg winterbaars wat in Botswana gevang is

Dit is egter ‘n wanpersepsie om te glo dat alle baars in die winter in dieper water gaan lê. Omrede baars nog steeds moet eet, sal daar nog steeds baars in die vlakker water na kos kom soek. Ons moet onthou dat baars ‘n vlakwaterroofvis is.

Water tipe ase en stroppe?

Winterbaars eet nie so gereeld nie en is ook nie geneig om aggressief te soek na kos nie, daarom die sagte subtiele vat van die aas. Omrede baars in die kouer winter verkies om te suspendeer en nie op die bodem is nie, moet ase gebruik word wat die midwater teiken. Ek vind dat jigs en chatterbaits goed werk met veral ‘n grub as treiler.

Spinnerbaits wat baie stadig gehengel word op die bodem werk goed, sowel as jerkbaits en drywende harde kunsvissies wat jy lank in die midwater kan laat hang. Baars wat vryhang (suspendeer) kan geteiken word met “jerkbaits”.

Deur die “jerkbait” op die korrekte diepte net een of twee harde plukke te gee en dan te laat stil hang in die water, is ook ‘n wenner in koue toestande. Onthou egter dat koue water se digtheid hoër is en dat die kunsvissies soms nie wil vryhang nie en vinnig weer na bo dryf. Ek vind egter dat die McStick van SPRO lank suspendeer. Eksperimenteer met jou kunsvissies in ‘n swembad en kyk watter een werk die beste vir koue winterwater. Ligte sinkers kan ook goed aangewend word om die aas stadiger deur die water te laat val. Ek vind ook dat gewiglose ase goed werk omrede hulle stadiger sak en dus langer in die sone van die baars vertoef. Die wagwoord is egter om so stadig moontlik te 28 SA BASS June 2018

hengel omrede die baars ook traag is om jou aas te gryp.

Een van my gunsteling tegnieke is beslis die drop-shot tegniek. Jy kan ‘n aas weg van die bodem af in mid water laat suspendeer met die tegniek en lank voor die baars se neus laat hang. In areas waar die water van die oewer af vinniger dieper word, kan die tegniek van die oewer af baie suksesvol gebruik word. Onthou egter dat baars nie soveel eet gedurende die wintermaande nie en kleiner ase beter werk. Gedurende koue fronte wat inbeweeg, is die “jig a pig” ‘n baie suksesvolle aas om te gebruik. Baars lê styf in die struktuur en om die aas met ‘n rateltjie aan in die dekking en struktuur in te gooi en net so nou en dan saggies op te lig en weer te laat sak, sal enige onaktiewe baars in die omgewing tot aksie laat oorgaan. Hou egter jou lyn fyn dop. Baars vat die aas baie saggies en sal soms nie eers met dit wegswem nie. Indien jy enigsins iets ongewoon voel of sien (die val van die lyn) moet jy onmiddellik die hoek vasmaak.

Ek wil dus elkeen van ons lesers wat nog nie die “Eskimo ding” probeer het nie, aanraai om dit tog een of ander tyd die winter te probeer. Jy gaan dalk nie die eerste keer so suksesvol wees nie, maar jy sal weldra leer en kort voor lank is jy ook ‘n ervare winterhengelaar. Gebruik dus hierdie winter om te eksperimenteer en onthou: ‘n Slegte dag langs die hengelwaters is nog steeds beter as ‘n goeie dag op kantoor”. *Philip Kemp is ‘n gesoute swartbaarhengelaar en ‘n gereelde bydraer.

IF YOUR WIFE ASKS “DOES THIS SKIRT LOOK GOOD?” AND YOU REPLY “YES, IT MATCHES THE FORAGE.”

YOU’RE A CAST-FOR-CASH KIND OF ANGLER

The Cast-for-Cash tournament series, the monthly social tournament trail for all those anglers who are mad about bassing and mad about fun.

For further information visit www.sabass.com

>> > > SA BASS STRATEGY Here are a few favourite top water lures not to be under estimated

LINE SELECTION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Top Water Fishing Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t write-off your top water lures over the next few months as there will still be opportunity in the YCTO CHVGTPQQPU CPF UVKNN YCVGTU VQ CVVTCEV VJG CVVGPVKQP QH VJQUG NCTIGT Å¿UJ TGCF[ HQT C DKI OGCN Make a bigger difference to your catch by selecting your line carefully and get the best action out of [QWT VQR YCVGT DCKVU

>> Roger Donaldson*

I

t " MTP ZPVS MJOF XJMM BMXBZT CF JO DPOUBDU XJUI UIF XBUFS 'PS UIJT SFBTPO JT NBLFT TFOTF UIBU ZPV DIPPTF B MJOF which is least visible to the fish below. So braided line will not be ideal. t 7FSZ JNQPSUBOUMZ UIFTF IBSE MVSFT OFFE UP SFNBJO PO the surface and as buoyant as possible. Your line can Hard baits NBLF B DPMPTTBM EJêFSFODF IFSF " NPOPëMBNFOU PS Here exists the largest variety of lures which are DPQPMZNFS MJOF XJMM CF ZPVS CFTU DIPJDF 'MVPSPDBSCPO categorised by a hard plastic bodies and treble hooks. line has the tendency to sink and will drag your lure Some include the likes of the Chug-Bug, Torpedoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Spook beneath the surface and suffocating it of its intended or Skitter Walk. action. t 'JSTUMZ JU JT JNQPSUBOU UP OPUF UIBU UIFTF MVSFT XJMM NPTU t -BTUMZ ZPVS MJOF OFFET UP SFBDU TVïDJFOUMZ XIFO KFSLFE definitely only by fished in open water and not over so as to deliver the required action to your lure. What vegetation or dense structure. The obvious reason for you need to be thinking about here is; too heavy this is because the treble hooks will easily snag so the breaking strain and you will limit your ability to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;workâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; more open the area the easier you will find the fishing. the bait. Your tackle store will advise you here. n the previous issue we delivered an article focusing on line for fishing soft plastic lures. Top water baits demand vastly different attention. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take a look at a variety of baits to choose from and how line will affect and enhance their natural action.

30 SA BASS June 2018

Plastic frogs 'SPHT IBWF CFDPNF TVDI WFSTBUJMF MVSFT BOE B IPTU IBWF been developed for anglers to take every advantage of their waters. The lures vary from floating kicking frogs such as the Gene Larew frog, and popping frogs, and then lastly the infamous Zoom Horny Toad.

- These adaptable lures also provide some unique opportunity and allow bass anglers to get into the most gnarling structure without snagging. However, being in this structure (if you choose to) will demand some serious line â&#x20AC;&#x201C; braided if possible, as it has the strongest breaking strain, yet still allowing the angler to deliver the required action.

- Your line will hardly be making contact with the water during your retrieve and will often not be seen at all as your lure darts over the cover (lily pads, grass) and between brush and the limbs of exposed timber.

- It is important that your line allows you to apply the most tension after a strike so that you can keep the bassâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; head turned away from snagging with any available structure.

- NOTE: 8F EJE OPU NFOUJPO UIF 4130 #SPO[FZF 'SPH here as this phenomenal lure is most effective fished with a slack line. This means your line will be making

contact with the water 100% of the time. So braided line will not be ideal and monofilament will again be the line of choice.

Buzzbaits This is such an effective lure, often overlooked by anglers today. It is designed specifically to draw the attention of bass and attract the most aggressive strikes. t ɨF CV[[CBJU FOKPZT PQFO XBUFS BOE BMMPXT UIF BOHMFS UP be a little more versatile when selecting line. t ɨF MVSF SFRVJSFT B DPOTUBOU SFUSJFWF XJUI ZPVS SPE tip slightly elevated. Therefore it will make very little difference which line you select from as the line will hardly touch the water. t :PV XJMM IPXFWFS OPUJDF B OFHBUJWF JNQBDU XJUI B MJOF that is too heavy (breaking strain too high) in the case PG NPOPĂŤMBNFOU BOE ĂŹVPSPDBSCPO "TL ZPVS UBDLMF store owner to guide you here so you start with the most compatible options. *Roger Donaldson is an experienced journalist and knowledgeable bass angler who has enjoyed many enlightening hours with many of South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top, competitive bass fishermen. As a competitive angler himself, he also enjoys sharing his expertise with fellow bass fanatics in the hope that they find the same joy in this unique sport.

3"/4" Swimming Frog

4" Flutter Craw Brown Pumpkin Copper

Watermelon Yellow Belly 32 Colors

24 Colors

4.5" Big Foot Toad Watermelon Red Flake

32 Colors

Trade enquires only Contact: Pieter Bezuidenhout pieterbez@mweb.co.za

4.25" Flapping Hog Watermelon Red

4.25"/5.25"/7.5" Quiver Stick

30 Colors

3.75"/4.75"/6"/7" Wild Minnow

Watermelon Red Chart Tip

3.25" Crazy Craw Durban Poison Red

Black Special 32 Colors

36 Colors

4.5" Winged Hog Gauteng Poison

3.5" Swim Ripper Black Blue Flake 36 Colors

24 Colors

30 Colors

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4.5" Curly Tail Stick Junebug Chartreuse Tail

3 3/4" The Thing Watermelon Gold

3.57" Punch Craw Clear Bream

33 Colors

24 Colors

SA BASS 31 June 2018

>> SA BASS MASTER CLASS

Use crankbaits around areas that have structure like rocks, stumps, lay downs, humps etc.

>> Gordon Brown*

T

he last couple of weeks I have been doing just that and will share my own experiences on “the strike zone.” I will explain the different types of strike zones, how to look for strike zones and taking advantage of different situations. Finally can we create a strike zone?

Yes we can. The beauty of a strike zone is that it is not dependable on seasons i.e. summer or winter. Although in some situations it can work out better in the winter. The bass can at times be more predictable in winter than in summer. I believe the bass are more homers than roamers in the colder months.

Primarily, the strike zone is a point at which a bass will potentially hit your lure. Finding a “pattern” is part and parcel of strike zones. For example, if you find bass are hitting a 3/8oz spinner bait on the edge of a grass line in 10ft of water, you have a strike zone or pattern. Let me define a few more strike zones. The most common one is junctions; this is where two or more similar or different structures or vegetation meet. When you have two big lay downs (trees) crossing over each other, where they meet is 32 SA BASS June 2018

a “junction.” Take the end of a reed bank and some type of aquatic vegetation starts, that’s a junction. Where a rocky bank ends and becomes sand etc. I am sure you are getting the basic picture. Underwater humps, bridges, rock piles, man-made structures, points, standing timber, isolated bushes and fence lines are all potential strike zones.

The less obvious but can influence a strike zone are: water depth, water clarity, light, water temperature, lure colour, lure profile, speed of retrieve, vegetation, weather – cold fronts, rain, wind, water flow, lure presentations: Lipless crankbait pulling free through grass, crankbaits bouncing off a rock, or just stopping a surface frog midway back for a few seconds and counting down the fall of a bait.

By now you may be saying a strike zone is the same as a pattern, in some ways you are correct. If you have established a pattern, you can’t change or manipulate a pattern at any given time. On the other hand you can create a strike zone. We need to keep both in mind because one will help or influence the other.

Let’s start looking at different situations: Depth - fishing a plastic worm in 15ft of water I noticed my line always stopped sinking after ±6 seconds. Realising my bait could not be on the bottom in that time and not feeling any bite or movement on my line, I would load up and strike. On this particular trip every time I struck I had a fish on. There were no junctions, or structure, the fish were just suspended in 8ft of water. One year, when Albert Falls dam was very low, I located a few ridges in the middle of the dam and found the fish only in 12ft depth. This was between the 2nd and 3rd ridge. This was the strike zone. Concentrating in this strike zone for the two days won us the competition (heaviest bag).

Water colour Fishing a competition at Heyshope dam the water was very clear and finding active fish was not easy. There had been a storm on the Friday night with strong winds.

Needless to say, on the Saturday we found a point in the main dam where the waves had been washing up. This in turn created a mud line of about 100m down the bank.

Using small crankbaits and fishing the edge of the dirty and clean water we were able to capitalise on that strike zone which gave us an edge to win the competition.

Manipulating a strike zone I was fishing pockets of isolated grass with a spinnerbait throwing into the wind, twice when bringing my bait between two pockets, I got hit by a good size bass but did not connect. A few more casts were in vain, knowing well that there is a fish I simply moved the boat ninety degrees and retrieved my spinnerbait across the front of the two patches of grass and got taken hard and put that fish in the boat. Just by changing the direction of my retrieve set myself up for a new strike zone in the same spot.

Another example of this is When fishing in grass you know there are fish around but you keep throwing your bait around the edges of the grass so that you don’t get hung up. By using a rattle trap which is fairly weed-less and working it through the grass you will create a strike zone every time you get hung up.

The secret is not to pull your bait out of the grass but rip the bait hard once or twice out the grass.

Another way to set up a strike zone You can set up a strike zone with a crankbait, not by just retrieving it back to the boat. Again you could be potentially fishing an area loaded with fish and not getting a bite. Find areas that have structure like rocks, stumps, lay downs, humps etc. and by using a crankbait that dives deeper than the depth you are fishing. This allows you to really bump any structure on the bottom. Every time your bait bumps and deflects the off the structure you are setting up another strike zone.

To increase the effect of this situation after you have bumped an object with your crankbait is to pause your bait for a few seconds (±3 seconds) then give the crankbait a light twitch or two. You will be surprised how often a bass will hit your lure now.

We all tune our crankbaits and top water baits to run straight. Now if you are fishing jetties, boat docks or trees by adjusting (tuning) your bait to run slightly to the left or right, one can now let the lure bump into every pole or tree on the retrieve creating a strike zone every time the lure bumps the structure.

Whatever the pattern you have found, by taking it one step further thinking the strike zone will put a lot more bass on the end of your line. Happy bassing. *Gordon Brown is a multiple Protea bass angler and a regular SA Bass contributor.

Lipless crankbaits are fairly weedless and can create a strike zone every time you get hung up in grass SA BASS 33 June 2018

>> SA BASS CLASSROOM

Both LRF rods showing slight differences

L.R.F? No, it’s not some strange acronym or a different version of WTF? Which incidentally means...

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday... just to get your mind out of the gutter...

LRF... meaning...

Light Rock Fishing >> Kevin Holm*

O

kay, so, there are these new rods out there and suddenly it seems that LRF is being whispered behind closed doors and in the darkest hours of the night by those that have experienced something possibly just short of the Holy Grail in the pursuit of those things with fins and scales.

Granted, LRF rods are intended for which the name implies.... Light Rock Fishing... but more and more serious bass anglers from around the globe are switching to a new, more delicate approach to their sport through a rod that was originally designed for a different purpose.

LRF rods are mostly just under 8ft in length with a very thin diameter and unlike graphite rods, is made out of highmodulus carbon blanks which can withstand absolutely A strong fighting fish caught on the Okuma LRF rod

34 SA BASS June 2018

enormous pressure. As these rods are designed for lure sizes between one and seven gram in weight with a balanced reel and super thin 2lb line to match, it’s clear that the original aim was to use lighter, more sensitive tackle to enable sport anglers the opportunity to target smaller and more species than what conventional tackle would allow.

Most of us however target species like bass and this is where the latest in LRF technology comes into its own right.

Lighter rods and lines means greater finesse presentations to sometimes finicky bass especially in pressured waters.

With these new rods, its possible to make long, accurate casts with much smaller lures and since the tips on these rods are insanely thin, you often feel the bite or see the rod tip load up before the fish can feel the actual pressure of the line on the hook or lure and then drop it to leave you striking into nothing.

The lighter tip means in essence that fish pick up the lure and being on the other end of the rod, you can gently lift the rod and feel for that pressure indicating that a fish has the lure in its mouth and often enough without the unwanted tension on the line that would otherwise alarm the fish and cause it to reject the lure.

I recently took possession of two new ranges of LRF rods available from Savage Gear through local distributor RAD fishing and the Okuma LRF rods distributed by local distributors, Sensational Angling. On my first impression, I was stunned at how long and yet how light these rods are with incredible flexibility in the last twelve inches of the actual rod tip.

Being an ultra-finesse angler, I’ve always gone with lighter presentations and smaller lures and hardly fish lures as big as four inch. Preferring lures more in the 2.75 to 3” range.

As the tips of these rods are super flexible, it takes a bit of getting used to and I missed a few fish on the first outing. On the second outing however, I had the â&#x20AC;&#x153;feelâ&#x20AC;? of the rod and soon I was throwing a light 1/16 ounce Mojo rigged 9cm paddletail over some weedbeds. Since I was using such a light Mojo, it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t snag like others and slid across the weed presenting the bait into pockets that previously would have not been possible. While sliding the lure along, I felt the slightest resistance and put a fraction more pressure only to see the rod tip nod and feel a slight tug... sweeping and reeling at the same instant, I felt the hook set and it was... fish on... but then something strange happened as this fish was not behaving like bass do, no jumping or shaking of the head, just a steady fight up to the moment it came next to the boat and then it dashed for life... the rod absorbed this beautifully and shortly I landed a fine fish of 2.176kg... at Bronkhorstspruit! This was repeated during that day... eight more times to be exact and not once did any of those fish jump as they usually do.

Landing fish between 1.2 and 1.7kg and giving me a five fish bag weight of 8.15kg.

Thinking about it and doing some research brought me to a conclusion which most recently proved itself to be pretty spot on... due to that flexible tip and less strain on the line with the tip absorbing most of the shock during the fight, these fish did not feel the same tension as they would normally do with other tackle and thus were not inclined to jump in order to throw the hook making for perfectly strong fights and yet, as angler, I was the victor.

The two rods that myself and fishing partner, Kevin have been testing are absolutely incredible and although both are classed as LRF rods, each has some very unique attributes that is worth a mention here.

The Okuma range of LRF Rods are medium priced, look and handle well and never let us down during the three week testing period, having landed fish from 300g to 2kg with equal ease. The Okuma range uses a patented Unidirectional Fiber Reinforced (UFR) tip and vastly improves the strength, sensitivity and flexibility of the crucial tip section. Using a graphite blank at the bottom and then weaving it into a glass fibre tip

Kevin Holm with a bass caught on the Savage Gear LRF rod

LRF rods are pretty new and their uses are still to be explored but I think that for drop-shot fishing and especially using smaller jigs or even the popular Ned-rigs has found a match made in heaven...

Using an LRF is going to take a bit of getting used to but once mastered, the results are incredible and speak for themselves...

These rods are not cheap but then again, quality does not come cheap either and in the end, that extra couple of bucks is worth it to add at least one of these to your arsenal and weapons of bass destruction.

The LRF rods are available in different lengths from most leading tackle shops and there is a model to suit each and every pocket too.

My fishing partner and myself have been using the LRF range rods with equal rates of success over the last six weeks. These rods, we have matched up with Awa-Shima C+Hypercast monofilament line which is super thin yet incredibly strong with virtually no memory and our old favourite setup of a very light sliding Mojo rig.

These rods are here to stay and they take the art of ultrafinesse angling to a different level indeed. *Kevin Holm is an accomplished ultra-finesse bass angler based on the East Rand and regular fishing partner and contributor to the Backyard Bassin series of articles.

SA BASS 35 June 2018

>> SA BASS INTERNATIONAL The Realis Crank M65 8A was the top bait of the day

Water, W

eather,

Smallmouths

Columbia River Smallmouth Adventure: Lake Celilo (Celilo Park, Oregon) 36 SA BASS June 2018

>> Story and Images by Fishingboy and David Swendseid (DUO Realis U.S.A)

Part 1

One of the few smallmouths we caught in deeper water on the 11A

A close-up shot of the Realis Crank M65 8A in the jaws of a walleye

I

n Part-1 of this final instalment of the Columbia River series, let us talk about the Day-5 highlights of my smallmouth bass fishing adventure, focusing on middepth crankbait fishing for pre-spawn fish in Lake Celilo’s east pool.

We will also be sharing some useful tips on boat handling and safety in rough water from seasoned Columbia River smallmouth angler David Swendseid; because before you can even catch smallmouths in the Columbia River itself, you need to be able to get to the fish holding spots first.

The majestic bluff walls in Lake Celilo’s east pool

to overcome, especially when you are on vast water river systems.

Before I talk about the crankbait fishing focuses on Lake Celilo’s east pool, let us veer onto an important subject that is fundamental to bass fishing in big water fisheries, boat handling in rough water. All in all, if you cannot navigate through rough water and make it back to the dock safely, chances are you will not be able to reach those fish holding areas.

Rising opportunities My day at Lake Celilo’s east pool formally marks the third act of my smallmouth bass fishing adventure on the Columbia River where we will be striving to end on a strong resolution.

Picking up right where we left off at Lake Umatilla, we made a tactical decision to revisit Lake Celilo once again based on the positive experience we have had during a recent warm front.

Lake Celilo’s west pool was where we had recently experienced a slugfest with smallmouths that were crushing crankbaits deep, earlier in the week. More so, we sensed an opportunity to catch big weights once again in areas that have been exhibiting trends of rising temperatures.

Therefore, we will be zeroing in on areas with depth transition zones where we believe pres-pawn smallmouths have started moving shallow. With water temperatures already pushing 9°C, we predict that large females might have been up in their staging areas.

However, before you could even get started on the fishing, it is imperative that you possess the know-how to enable you to get to the fish holding areas first. Nothing comes easy on the Columbia River. Getting from one area to another is not as simple as getting from point A to point B and you will see why.

Big water and big weather One of the major challenges on the Columbia River is weather and water conditions because where and when you fish is often dictated by those two driving factors. You may have noticed that I use the words ‘rough water’ a lot because rough water itself is a seriously difficult barrier

We got started on Lake Celilo’s east pool fishing steep riprap banks

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SA BASS 37 June 2018

Check out some of the useful tips from seasoned smallmouth angler David Swendseid.

We rode and climbed waves and swells on the Allison BasSport Pro XB-21 bass boat

Rough Water Tips from David Swendseid Different types of rough water

Pre-launch safety checks

Swendseid purports that there are various types of rough water scenarios. For example, navigating in 4m wave swells is categorically different to climbing the faces of compressed waves, which in turn is different to running on roller waves generated by large vessels.

There is the 1m high wind generated chops and boat traffic chops such as cross wake that are usually limited to small areas, as well as reflected waves, which are basically waves generated by the waves crashing on bluffs or vertical walls.

Identifying the scenarios you could run on depends heavily on experience. Some, you may be able to ‘quarter’ or ‘chop’. Some, you simply cannot and will be forced to run the vertical rising faces. There may also be situations where you are running with or against the direction of the waves, of which are two strikingly different scenarios.

Swendseid rigs his bass boats differently to the average professional bass angler. He stresses the importance of pre-launch safety checks. It is imperative that you secure all your items such as batteries, tackle, electronics and etc., to prevent them from vibrating and breaking when you are on long runs on choppy water.

As a case in point, Allison bass boats are built with dedicated cavities to house batteries that can be bolted down securely. From a safety point of view, things can get ugly if a battery breaks free from an unsecured tray when the boat is running. A loose battery can easily blow a hole in the storage deck and cause substantial damages in the boat.

Life jackets and flotation devices Above all, safety is always first and that means life jackets and flotation devices. Full life jackets are highly recommended on fast runs or in seriously rough water.

The submerged and deploy air chamber inflatable types have been known to fail before.

Besides life jackets, always make use of floatable seat cushions. Flotation devices are useful when things go wrong when you are in the water where more than one person is in life threatening situations. They can also be used to provide a higher seating position for the driver to get a good view of what is ahead when encountering big waves.

38 SA BASS June 2018

Boat design If you make long runs in rough water with waves 1m high or more regularly, invest in a hull that directs water well. Swendseid currently runs an Allison BasSport Pro XB-21 which is purported to be the best in the class after having fished and setup many other bass boats.

The XB-21 has the longest keel in its class. A longer keel bridges and breaks up water better. The XB-21 also has a steeper padded v-hull angle. This allows the bottom of the boat to slice through waves better than most standard v-hulls which minimize pounding effects.

While most bass boats have a 4-bolt pattern for their transom, jackplate and outboard motor, the XB-21 has a 6-bolt pattern. Driving fast on rough river conditions generates high loads as well as fatigue that causes bolt failures that lead to outboard detachments.

To be continued…

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Burn Grub Grubs is one of my most favourite “go-to” baits. Over the years I’ve caught many bass on this lure, ranging from the average small bass to very big ones.

We were spoiled on a recent fishing trip, fishing a private farm dam under extreme low water conditions. The water clarity was clear and underneath the submerged water-grass was an abundant of fish. The windy conditions were ideal for throwing spinnerbaits, but I opted to stick to my trusty grubs. Rigged with a very light Mojo sinker, a #1/0 size wide gap hook, I used a Damiki Junebug Burn Grub. For this light rig I used a 6’6” medium power, fast action spinning rod fitted with a 2000 series spinning reel and 8lbs line.

We started off fishing a drop off at the inlet where I made my casts into the wind. To my amazement I caught a lunker which was still busy swallowing a small bass. Soon afterwards I caught another trophy size fish that was hunting close by. How many did we land? I lost count.

When things get tough, it’s time to throw a grub SA BASS 39 June 2018

>> SA BASS INDUSTRY NEWS

New V-6 FourStroke Outboard Line-up

M

ercury Marine, the world leader in marine propulsion and technology, is pleased to introduce its new V-6 FourStroke outboard family and the expansion of its SeaPro commercial line at the 2018 Miami International Boat Show. The new engine family, which builds on the success of Mercury’s 75 to 150HP FourStroke outboards, features 175HP, 200HP and 225HP FourStroke outboards and a V-6 200HP SeaPro commercial outboard.

The new Mercury FourStroke and SeaPro outboards are built on Mercury’s new 3.4-liter V-6 platform, which is designed to be powerful, light, compact and fuel-efficient.

The new V-6 engines are precision engineered from skeg to cowl.

“This new platform will position Mercury to advance product leadership in the 175 to 225HP outboard category, and deliver across the board on consumer needs,” said John Pfeifer, Mercury Marine president. “These new outboards address applications across recreational and commercial applications; strengthen our core product lineup by building off the success of our recent programs and delivering on the requirements of our global customers.”

40 SA BASS June 2018

The 3.4l V-6 employs a large-displacement, naturally aspirated power head and proven mid-section and drivesystem designs. Additionally, the 3.4l V-6 outboards are exceptionally versatile, offering the option of hydraulic or power steering, black or white cowls, a significantly lower boat well intrusion than current product, in addition they offer digital controls, Analogue or digital instruments as well as a variety of accent panel colours. This versatility makes the new V-6 an ideal engine for repower applications.

“These outboards set a new benchmark in the marine industry,” said Pfeifer. “They are the quietest, lightest, smoothest, quickest and most fuel-efficient engines we have produced in this range.”

For a large displacement FourStroke engine the new V6 is exceptionally light weight at only 215kg - the lightest weight in its class. Lean and mean, the 3.4l V-6 FourStroke boasts Mercury’s best acceleration and twenty percent more torque than the closest four-cylinder competitor at cruise. Fuel efficiency is also unmatched – the new 3.4l V-6 FourStroke is calibrated to maximize fuel economy at cruise, yielding an advantage of up to a fifteen percent compared to the closest four-cylinder competitor.

Other innovations that further differentiate the 3.4l V-6 are: A top cowl service door that provides easy oil check and fill (if needed) without removing the cowl, making routine maintenance easier than ever before; Idle charge battery-management capability that protects against consumers draining batteries while operating multiple electronic devices, and best-in-class net charging output of 20 Amp at 650 RPM; Adaptive Speed Control that maintains RPM regardless of load or condition changes, improving the driving experience; â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a great addition to the portfolio,â&#x20AC;? said Martin Bass, EMEA Mercury Marine president. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These engines are light and quiet - to have a V-6 thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lighter than a fourcylinder is just incredible.â&#x20AC;?

V-6 line-up of Mercury FourStrokes (175 to 225HP) Mercuryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3.4l, 200HP FourStroke employs a large displacement in the 200HP class. At 215kg the engine is the lightest in its class, and is 16kg lighter than current product in this range. With its performance-inspired dual overhead cam (quad cam) and four-valve design, the engine will reach higher speeds, faster. In addition, this outboard is the only one of its kind that maintains rpm regardless of load or condition changes and provides a â&#x20AC;&#x153;sportierâ&#x20AC;? feel to the drivers.

Superior Fuel Economy In addition, the new engines provide fuel savings to the consumer. At cruise and at wide open throttle, the new fourstroke outboards take advantage of Mercuryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proprietary â&#x20AC;&#x153;Advanced Range Optimizationâ&#x20AC;? (ARO) calibration to generate greater fuel efficiency than the engine it is replacing and the closest four-cylinder competitor.

Additional Colour Options In addition to Mercuryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legendary black engines, this new line-up offers white engines for the 200HP and 225HP outboards. For the first time, Mercury will also offer four accent panel colours plus ready-for-paint panels, which allow for personalization.

Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) The new 3.4l V-6 boasts excellent NVH quality, and represents advancement from current products. Key NVHenhancing features include: t ɨF 7 EFTJHO JT OBUVSBMMZ CBMBODFE t .VMUJ DIBNCFS BJS JOUBLF RVJFUT JOEVDUJPO OPJTF t 'VFM JOKFDUPS DPWFST SFEVDF IJHI GSFRVFODZ OPJTF t 4QFDJÍD DPXM GFBUVSFT QSFWFOU OPJTF GSPN SFBDIJOH UIF operator.

200HP V-6 SeaPro The Mercury SeaPro 200HP 3.4l V-6 four-stroke outboard employs a large displacement. At a very low weight. Like all Mercury SeaPro outboard engines, the 3.4l V-6 four-stroke is built for durability and reliability and is calibrated for commercial usage.

Like the 3.4l V-6 175-225HP FourStroke outboards, the new 200HP V-6 SeaPro outboard features â&#x20AC;&#x153;Advanced Range Optimizationâ&#x20AC;? (ARO) calibration, which was developed by Mercury engineers to optimize cruise fuel economy. The ECU will adjust fuelling automatically when conditions are right. It does this so seamlessly that the operator wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel or hear it. ARO allows for optimal fuel efficiency, giving consumers the confidence to stay out on the water longer.

The new FourStrokes will be available to the South African market in the coming months, so watch this space. For further information please contact Craig Gutteridge at Rutherford Marine on 011 878-2600 or visit the Mercury website www.mercurymarine.com SA BASS 41 June 2018

TM

Kwa-Zulu Natal

North West

L-t-r: Robbie Olivier, Neels Beneke, Mark Meyer, Brian Blignaut, Michael Cannon, Bryan Leppan

Back: Rina Sada, Stefan Bezuidenhout, Juan du Toit, Giulio Nolly, André Pretorius, Nigel Potgieter Front: Loutjie Louwies, Karel Lensh, Pieter Khourie, August Lingnau

7.500kg

6.810kg

Venue: Inanda Dam

Venue: Rust de Winter

Winning team: Bass Warehouse Fishtec Team Members: Michael Cannon & Bryan Leppan Number of fish weighed: 5 Total bag weight: 7.500kg Heaviest fish: Best time: Whole day Depth: 5ft Structure: Shallow water grass Lure: Strike King Super Toad Colour: Watermelon Red Rig: Weightless

Winning team: Raptor Team Members: Loutjie Louwies & Karel Lensh Number of fish weighed: 5 Total bag weight: 6.810kg Heaviest fish: 2.565kg Best time: Early morning Depth: 1 to 6ft Structure: Grass in the Salad Bowl Lure: Spinnerbait Colour: White/chartreuse Rig: -

Next venue: See our website www.flwsouthafrica.com

Next venue: See our website www.flwsouthafrica.com

Championship 2018 Bivane Dam, 23 - 25 Aug

Results:

Results:

1: Team Bass Warehouse Fishtec - 7.500kg

1: Team Raptor - 6.810kg

2: Team Predator - 5.770kg

2: Team Westv aal BM - 6.705kg

3: Team Gamakatsu Outdoors 365 - 4.500kg

3: Team VSS - 6.280kg

4: Team R & R - 3.210kg

4: Team Secret VC - 6.215kg 5: Team Nev er Giv e Up - 6.135kg

42 SA BASS June 2018

April O.F.S.

O.F.S. Cast-for-Cash winners

5.815kg Venue: Klerkskraal Dam Winning team: Free PKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Team Members: Carel Schlesinger Number of fish weighed: 5 Total bag weight: 5.815kg Heaviest fish: Best time: Early morning Depth: 10 to 12ft Structure: Grass patches Lure: Spinnerbait with double silver willow leave blades Colour: Red skirt Rig: Next venue: See our website www.flwsouthafrica.com

Championship 2018 Bivane Dam, 23 - 25 Aug

Results: 1: Team Free PK'S - 5.815kg 2: Team Picasso - 4.450kg 2: Team J&J - 4.450kg 4: Team Jogi - 3.550kg VisitVisit www.flwsouthafrica.com www.flwsouthafrica.com for entry for entry forms, forms, dates, dates venues and and venues. results.

For general enquiries phone 082-416-5524 SA BASS 43 June 2018

TM

Limpopo

Mpumalanga

Back: Justy Varkevisser, Billy Eastman, Stefan Badenhorst, Herman Bekker, Eugene Bouwer Front: Reed Eastman, Wayne Eastman, Alex Kuisis, Zack Verster, Ruben O’Connel

Winners at the Mpumalanga Cast-for-Cash tournament at Middelburg Dam

4.425kg

3.215kg

Venue: Ebenser Dam

Venue: Middelburg Dam

Winning team: Beli VC Team Members: Justy Varkevisser & Reed Eastman Number of fish weighed: 5 Total bag weight: 4.425kg Heaviest fish: 0.980kg (small mouth bass) Best time: Whole day Depth: 25ft Structure: Brush & rock Lure: 4” VC Moffat Colour: Green Pumpkin Rig: Texas- and Mojo-rig

Winning team: Musgrave Team Members: Divan Coetzee & Jonathan Musgrave Number of fish weighed: 5 Total bag weight: 3.215kg Heaviest fish: 0.755kg Best time: Early morning Depth: 8 to 10ft Structure: Grass pockets Lure: Shacker-Z lipless crankbait Colour: School Bus Rig: -

Next venue: See our website www.flwsouthafrica.com

Next venue: See our website www.flwsouthafrica.com

Championship 2018 Bivane Dam, 23 - 25 Aug

Results:

Results:

1: Team Beli VC - 4.4250kg

1: Team Core - 6.875kg

2: Team Beli Farming - 3.105kg

2: Team Woolly bugger Farm - 6.36kg

3: Team Fear no Fish - 2.860kg

3: Team J&B - 1.685kg

4: Team Leo - 2.780kg

4: Team RTM - 1.095kg

5: Team Bouw er - 2.510kg

44 SA BASS June 2018

April Small Craft

KZN Small Craft Bass Leaque First place and biggest fish - Werner George Strydom (left)

KZN Small Craft Bass Leaque Second place - Alan Tonkin (left)

KZN Small Craft Bass Leaque Third place - Tjaart Fourie (left)

Results: 1st: Werner Stry dom - 128.0cm 2nd: Alan Tonkin - 107.0cm 3rd: Tjaart Fourie - 89.5cm 4th: Calv in Smith - 85.5cm 5th: Kurt du Plooy - 85.0cm

VisitVisit www.flwsouthafrica.com www.flwsouthafrica.com for entry for entry forms, forms, dates, dates venues and and venues. results.

For general enquiries phone 082-416-5524 SA BASS 45 June 2018

>> SA BASS SABAA NEWS

Junior Nationals Vaal River 2018

All provinces wrapping up a tough tournament on the Vaal River

>> John Badenhorst*

A

rrival day saw entrants completing their registrations and taking part in the ritual initiations with slop parades and taking a dunk in a rather chilly river followed by the obligatory welcome dinner and skippers briefing.

Practice day on the Vaal for the 2018 Junior Nationals started off on Friday with thick mist and a delayed start of almost two hours. Brown water 46 SA BASS June 2018

with a temp of 23ยบC greeted anglers on that first morning. Excitement and expectations were high as some anglers as young as ten were competing to be the next Junior Protea Team and with only thirteen slots to fill, the pressure was on. Unbeknownst to organizers and anglers, Vaal Dam management had opened eight sub-surface valves on the dam wall resulting in water that sits deep and is much colder to

flow into the river system. Although the overall water levels on the river dropped over 3ft during three days, the influx of water released through the valves and not the sluices as normal saw an overall water temperature drop of almost five degrees in a matter of eight hours.

Anglers quickly figured out patterns on practice day but due to the sudden drop in temperature, this

changed dramatically. Day one of the tournament saw yet another delayed start due to mist sitting on the water making visibility a serious hazard.

Once it was safe, anglers roared off to their respective spots that worked the previous day in practice.

On day one, over forty percent of anglers blanked while a few managed one single fish with two anglers getting two, one youngster getting three, another angler getting four and only three anglers out of the entire field managing a five fish limit. A tough day on the water indeed.

On day two and the final day, anglers got the all clear to launch with an incredible sunrise greeting eager competitors who were keen to make up for lost opportunities from the day before.

The water level had dropped even more overnight and this would once again prove to make an already tough tournament even harder.

Two of the anglers that pulled a five fish limit from the previous day headed straight to their secret spot only to have their hopes dashed as their spot from the previous day had become a crime scene. So, it was off to another spot in the hopes of reaching the same results as the day before.

The day dragged on for these anglers and at 4pm all tags were on the board.

During the final weigh-in, it was apparent that things on this river can humble anyone.

Anglers that on the previous day had blanked, now managed to at least get one fish and no one managed a five fish limit on the second and final day.

Some anglers that got one fish the previous day, once again managed one while for others; it was time to draw a total blank.

During prize giving, the new Junior Protea National team was announced: Biggest fish for the two day tournament came from ten year old Dian Coxen with a stunning 2.68kg fish caught on S-Bend using a Stretch 40.

Many youngsters head back to their homes with broken dreams and a

Easterns - the winning team for 2018

determination to come back next year and get the green blazer while others go home tired, yet happy with their efforts.

A huge thanks must be given to the organizers, parents and of course the skippers who not only give their time freely to host these future legendary

anglers but who, through their efforts ensure that the sport of bass fishing stays alive and keeps growing. *John Badenhorst is the editor of SA BASS magazine, the Master of Ceremony for FLW South Africa, radio presenter at Platinum Gold Radio and a keen ultra finesse angler.

Biggest fish of the tournament SA BASS 47 June 2018

>> SA BASS PRODUCT REVIEW

What the Fruck...

Many topwater anglers will have one or sometimes two rods permanently rigged for just the right moment... you know, those times when the sun is either about to throw it’s rays of warmth and light on a brand new day or those short hours before everything fades into darkness.

>> Kevin Holm*

A side view of the 3D Soft Bodied Duck

I

t’s what topwater anglers dream of... glassy smooth water with not a breath of wind and the occasional dimple to indicate a stalking fish...

Casting their preferred topwater bait to land in either a soft “plop” or a loud in inviting splash. Waiting for the ripples to fade and then that erratic twitch back to the boat or bank with occasional pauses in-between. A sudden swirl under the lure or a powerful splash signals the take and at this very moment, the sheer adrenaline and excitement is what brings many anglers back to this method of fishing... time and time again.

With the advances in technology come greater selections of lures to choose from, especially for the topwater angler.

Pad crashers, hollow bodied frogs, pencil baits with propellers, surface sliders, bats, rats, mice, snakes lizards, ducks and the list simply goes on.

Topwater anglers all have their preferred bait and this is a relationship built over time and the more an angler spends time with a particular bait, the more confidence is garnered in a specific bait with a unique character or action.

08 SA BASS 48 June 2012 2018 May

Recently, international brand Savage Gear has come up with some truly unique baits based on natural critters found in and around local and European waters. Using 3D technology for scanning purposes, they have re-created some truly innovative baits that have taken the world and even South Africa by storm. In doing so, they have also won international awards and acclaim at the international ICAST expo over the recent years.

Entering into the fray of what’s available for top-water anglers is their latest, the Soft Bodied 3D Duck or as some anglers call it, the Fruck. This unique bait uses the same characteristics as one would expect in top-water frogs with a soft body but now shaped like a real-looking juvenile duckling with legs to match. Available in a host of colours from black to brown, yellow and even a green one that resembles something of a cross-over between a duck and a frog, these baits cast a mile and work the surface of any body of water as any good quality top-water lure should.

Bass are apex predators in most waters in South Africa and will eat almost anything that they find either below or on the surface. On recent outing to some local dams on the East Rand, the Savage Gear 3D duck outperformed other, more conventional top-water baits with explosive takes and adrenaline filled fights. It comes standard with a stinger hook in the package, allowing the angler to attach this if he or she finds the fish striking a tad short. The body does not get water-logged like some baits and sits exactly like a duckling would. It can be worked any which way you prefer to fish your top-water baits and with a price tag not putting it out of the average anglers budget, this is definitely one that should be added to your arsenal.

The Savage Gear 3D Hollow Bodied duck is distributed

by RAD Fishing Gear and you can visit their website for further details. *Kevin Holm is an accomplished ultra-finesse bass angler based on the East Rand and regular fishing partner and contributor to the Backyard Bassin series of articles.

R16 350

9”

BUILT IN GPS

TO MARK WAYPOINTS AND CREATE ROUTES

BUILT-IN SONAR

CHIRP + CLEARVÜ + SIDEVÜ

BUILT-IN WI-FI

ACTIVECAPTAIN™ READY