Alex Tyldesley caught this 22.5kg red steenbras in 84 metres of water off Glenashley,KwaZulu-Natal,in July 2025.
FEATURES
7Where to Fish
Part 21:Hot spots around Inhaca and Santa Maria —by Dirk Venter Jnr
17The Lull Before the Storm
What’s biting at Sodwana in winter and spring? —by Henk du Plessis
23Arabian Kings
Catching ’cuda in the Arabian Gulf —by Martin du Plessis
28Khalifa’s Hamour Sayadieh
Recipe for white-fleshed fish cooked on the boat — by Martin du Plessis
32Consistency Wins the Day
Guinjata Bonanza competition report —by Quentin Clark
40Trust Your Instincts
Guinjata secrets of success from the winners —by Grant Campbell
45Why Do We Do What We Do?
After all,fishing makes no financial sense —by Justin Paynter
52The Legends are True
Fishing Three Kings Islands,New Zealand —by Kenneth Garvie
DEPARTMENTS
4Editorial — by Erwin Bursik
42SADSAA News
51Basil Manning Awards
57Shimano Reel Kids
59Mercury Junior Anglers
62Ad Index
63Business Classifieds & Directory
64Rapala Lip — Last Word from the Ladies
Publisher: Erwin Bursik
Editor: Sheena Carnie
Advertising Executive: Mark Wilson
Editorial Assistant: Lynette Oakley
Contributors: Grant Campbell, Quentin Clark, Henk du Plessis, Martin du Plessis, Kenneth Garvie, Justin Klusener, Jade Payne, Justin Paynter and Dirk Venter.
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SKI-BOAT Magazine, ISSN 0258-7297, is published six times a year by Angler Publications & Promotions cc, Reg. No. CK 88/05863/23, and is distributed by On the Dot, as well as directly by the publishers to retail stores throughout South Africa.
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Erwin Bursik Publisher
COMPETITIVE OFFSHORE ANGLING: INSATIABLE DEMAND OR
OVERSATURATION?
WITH my passion for offshore angling, I’m constantly bombarded by information on our sport both locally and internationally, on social media. As a result, I have noted the worldwide trend of an increasing proliferation of “competitions” at every possible level.
Of course we South Africans are generallyhighly competitive and are usually very keen to prove our capability on the “playing field”. In our case these are the fish-rich waters all along the South African seaboard. With the large array of species at our disposal, some of these competitions have honed in on targeting either the billfish off Sodwana, the gamefish off KwaZulu-Natal, the bottomfish off the Eastern Cape, or the magnificent yellowfin tuna of the Cape waters. This gives all the offshore anglers a number of opportunities to show their skills and to enhance those skills by participating in competitions at venues other than just their home bases, picking up new tips from other anglers along the way.
Competition angling has two specific branches. The first branch carries the interclub, interprovincial, national and international events, where the very competitive offshore anglers can achieve the ultimate accolade – Protea Colours. The second branch carries what I call the “fun” competitions which usually carry a degree of sponsorship by way of prizes. They are open to anyone who wants to fish and enjoy the camaraderie of a day on the ocean in the hopes of returning home with a token prize item – and boasting rights about their expertise.
These fun events have become extremely popular here in South Africa, with a vast array of competitions being arranged – some with modest prizes and others with extremely valuable main prizes. One very positive aspect of them is that they encourage the involvement of all offshore anglers – kids, ladies and men.
The majority of the anglers who enter the fun comps do so for the joy of fighting it out on the ocean and showing up at the end of the day around the scales, but we can’t deny that the prizes on offer also play a part.
Although there are many positive aspects to all these competitions, one has to ask: When is enough, enough?
While many of these comps still garner enormous support, a few of the recent events have had lower than optimal support. Although some of that can be ascribed to the time of year and the weather, one has to wonder if there are simply too many events on the calendar and only a limited amount of time and money anglers can allocate to them.
Most of these fun competitions glean sponsorship from local and national companies that service the marine industry and who understand the spending power of our deep sea fishing fraternity. Unfortunately these companies also have limited budgets to spend on these events, and it’s becoming evident in the way prizes are spread out. Of course they all get exposure at these events which leads to an increase in business for them, which is good for all of us. And so the wheel turns.
As with all sports, the line between fun and highly competitive sometimes becomes blurred as the very knowledgeable among our fraternity advance through the ranks, proceeding from the fun competitions to the interclub-, interprovincial-, national- and international level.
This too is a positive development because it enlarges the pool of anglers available for national selection, expanding our opportunities to prove South African anglers’ fishing prowess, but sometimes I wonder if the fun aspect has been lost and we’re now just fishing to compete – either for accolades or monetary awards. That would be a sad day.
The angling community and all the industries associated with our sport are inextricably linked, and should all strive to protect our sport and the resources we target. At the same time, we need to remember why we first started fishing – for the love of the game and for the love of spending time out on the ocean that gives us that opportunity.
Till the next tide.
Erwin Bursik
BACKTOBASICS
Part 21:Hot spots around Inhaca and Santa Maria
By Dirk Venter Jnr
THE stretch of coastline from Ponta Abril on the Santa Maria peninsula up to the northernmost tip of Inhaca Island in Moçambique is a truly special region to fish.This area offers a huge number of species to target,with unique structures harbouring some of the best gamefish in southern Moçambique.The area is overflowing with huge numbers of little eastern tuna,also known as bonnies,which of course draw vast numbers of gamefish.This article will give you some advice on how to target these species when travelling to this beautiful location.
GETTING THERE
Santa Maria and Inhaca are situated roughly 35km from Maputo as the crow flies across the Maputo Bay.There are two ways of getting to Santa Maria.The first option is to drive through the Elephant Reserve,but this requires a 4x4 vehicle.The sandy road through the reserve offers breathtaking scenes of natural wonder,but can be challenging at some stages,especially in the rainy
An aerial view of Santa Maria peninsula with Inhaca Island visible on the extreme left.
Photo by Justin Klusener.
Dirk Venter Jnr with a beautiful big giant trevally (GT) which he caught during the 2025 Santa Maria Challenge.
MAP KEY:
1. Baixo de Santa Maria
2. Jerimiah Reef
3. Baixo Danae and BD Point
4. Baixo Chaimate
5. Sand flats and shallow reefs surrounding inhaca
6. Various bait spots
7. Marlin fishing grounds
BAIT SPOTS:
(Bait that can be found includes karapao, maasbanker, Portuguese sardines and mackerel)
26º4.868’S · 32º58.191’E
25º57.273’S · 32º59.340’E
25º57.251’S · 32º59.272’E
GAMEFISH SPOTS:
BD Point (25º53.023’S · 33º3.983’E)
Baixo Danae (25º54.175’S · 33º2.941’E)
Jerimiah (25º56.393’S · 33º3.466’E)
Baixo De Santa Maria (26º5.735’S · 33º0.470’E)
Baixo Chaimate (25º59.369’S · 32º52.973’E)
season which usually is from November to February.
The second option is to head all the way into Maputo – the city that never seems to sleep – then make your way to either the marina or Clube Naval which are both situated in the harbour.From there you will load up the boat with your clothes,tackle,food and some cold 2M beer to keep hydrated,and head across the bay to your accommodation of choice.
You’ll need some local knowledge to get across the bay and will need to watch the tides carefully to ensure you don’t get stuck on the sand flats.If you don’t have your own boat,you can charter one from some of the locals.
ACCOMMODATION
Santa Maria and Inhaca both offer a number of accommodation options, from five-star guest lodges to self-catering chalets.The vast majority of the houses overlook the breathtaking
Maputo Bay,providing sunset views that are truly unmatched.You will truly feel as if you are on a tropical island somewhere in the world,cut off from the rest of society,giving you a much-needed break from the world’s chaos.
Some of the accommodation venues closer to Hell’s Gate are less affected by the tides than those situated near the southern mangroves and the Santa Maria market.
BAIT ISKEY
The first thing to keep in mind when fishing this area is that live bait is key, and when we talk about live bait,we’re generally talking about bonnies between 25- and 35cm long.
The gamefish seem to think they are candy,and you are almost guaranteed to get a pull of some sort when slow trolling one of them on a live bait trace behind your boat.
We have also used dead baits like karapao,mackerel,wallawalla and the
occasional halfbeak rigged on a stiff rig with a lure swimming in front of it,but live baits are still our first choice.
You can find the smaller live baits around the 20m mark just outside Hell’s Gate (26º4.868’S · 32º58.191’E).There is no reef that they would be shoaling around,but for some reason they stay in the murky water coming out of the channel mouth from Maputo Bay.Other places to target them are just off the lighthouse on Inhaca’s northern tip. There they can be found in 16m of water.
When targeting bonnies,there are a few methods to try.Firstly,you can pull a variety of daisy chains behind the boat;our favourite colours are white and blue or white and pink.Darker colours work better in low light conditions and lighter colours during the day when the sun was up high and bright.
A great tip is to always put in up to three Rapalas while trolling for bonnies, depending on the size of your craft and
Riaan Steenkamp with a solid rainbow runner caught on a live maasbanker. Joe Nell caught this monster wahoo while trolling deep for marlin.
its capabilities.We have had many ’cuda and wahoo eat our lures when trolling for bonnies.
The second method you can try is to throw small surface lures into the schools of bonnies when they come up to feed.The Halco 10g sprat spoon and the 20g anchovy spoon from Kingfisher have worked exceptionally well for us over the years.
You are most likely to find bonnies on the northernmost side of the reefs where the current creates an upwelling of nutrients for them to feed on.
WATCHTHETIDES
Knowing your tides is extremely important in this area,not only because of the channels you have to navigate on the shallow side of Inhaca and Santa Maria, but also to ensure you’re fishing at the best possible times.
Just after spring tides have always been a great time for us to head up to the island.Over the years we have found that the fishing is best on the change of tides,meaning on the push (low to high tide) or pull (high to low tide) of the tides.When the current is slow,the fish seem to become sluggish and do not feed.
On a pushing tide we usually target the inside of the reef because the current pushing up from the land and going out to sea causes an upwelling of nutrients which attracts the bonnies and the toothy creatures trying to eat them.The exact opposite would be applicable when the tide is pulling.
These extreme tide shifts are responsible for the nutrient-dense water surrounding the island and its nearby reefs.
DE SANTA MARIA (26º5.735’S · 33º0.470’E)
Also known as home reef by some anglers,Baixo de Santa Maria is situated only 5km straight out of the infamous Hell’s Gate.This 500m wide channel between Inhaca and Santa Maria sees great rushes of water urging into and out of Maputo Bay every time the tide changes,and it can get very rough.
Baixo de Santa Maria is home to vast numbers of ’cuda,wahoo,GT and the occasional dorado.This reef is also popular for sailfish that come and eat your live bonnie that you’re swimming in the hopes of landing a croc ’cuda.
The depth varies from 20.5m to 50m at some of its deeper drop offs, making it the ideal environment for big gamefish.
This is usually our first stop of the day when targeting gamefish.Throwing a big popper early in the morning while you wait for the sun to come up and spot the baitfish (bonnies) has proven to be very successful when targeting giant trevally.
Depending on the time of day,we would usually swim two of our baits in the top of the water column,and the other baits we would downrig using sinkers or a downrigger.
The main thing to keep in mind when approaching these reefs is birdand surface activity.Early in the morning you will struggle to find the bonnies,but as soon as the sun is fully up you will start to see them feeding.They are usually a good indication of whether the reef is going to be active on that day or not.If you do not find any surface activity on the reef,move on to the next spot.
JERIMIAH (25º56.393’S · 33º3.466’E)
This is a long,elongated reef running down the north-eastern side of Inhaca Island,and is by far one of the most popular fishing spots in this area.The reef is over 9.5km long,with an average depth of 35m.
We have found that,during the summer months,this area produces a lot of young shoaling ’cuda and wahoo.These fish predominately take slow-trolled maasbanker and karapao pulled behind the boat.
Early in the morning when the light conditions are still low,we usually have our baits swimming in the top of the water column.Later in the day we will downrig our baits using a 5–8oz sinker, depending on the depth of the reef,or a downrigger that can be adjusted to our liking.
During winter months this reef produces massive numbers of 15kg-plus ’cuda and big tuna that hold on the outer lip of the reef.
BAIXO DANAE
(25º54.175’S · 33º2.941’E)
This reef is extremely productive during the summer months,especially if you’re looking to find a giant 35kg giant trevally.I still believe these are some of the hardest and dirtiest fighters in the sea.They come up and grab your popper,and then head straight down to the nearby reef to try and break you off!
Target GTs at Baixo Danae by throwing poppers that create a big splash early in the morning.I like to use the 180g Heru Darkstar popper,especially the classic purple.Otherwise try 150g diving poppers.
BAIXO
Kevin du Plessis caught this croc on a live bonnie.
Dirk Venter Snr caught this queenfish while slow trolling a maasbanker.
You can also put out some live bonnies to target them,but I suggest you use some of your heavier tackle when doing this so that you can stop the fish from running you into the rocks when it has grabbed your bait.
When throwing poppers and stick baits,I suggest putting a piece of wire in front of the lure because the ’cuda in the area are also very fond of poppers and tend to come up and grab them when you least expect it.Poppers are great at bringing the fish up and enticing them to bite when the day is slow.
Dropshotting is also another productive way to target the smaller kingfish species.I like to use chartreuse jigs as there is always a chance of a ’cuda smashing it mid-column.
BD POINT
(25º53.023’S · 33º3.983’E)
This reef is situated just north of Baixo Danae.It forms part of the same reef structure but does not have the sudden rise that the other reefs have.
We have had plenty of success here while targeting ’cuda on the change of tides,especially when Baixo Danae hasn’t been active.
The only problem is that you won’t find many bonnies around here to use for live bait.If you plan to head north from Hell’s Gate and target ’cuda at BD Point,first stop at Jerimiah and fill up the luna tubes with as many bonnies as you can fit in.
Using dropshot at BD Point also pro-
duces a large number of kingfish species such as greenspot trevally, bludger and the occasional GT.
SAND FLATS AROUND INHACA
Vast sand flats lie to the west and southwest of Inhaca,in depths varying from 8- to 18m of water.These areas are extremely productive from October through to January,producing large numbers of dorado,shoaling ’cuda and queenfish.
Cobia are also often found in these areas,especially more on the northern side of Portuguese Island.They can be targeted by putting out dead- or live karapao.Bonnies seem to be unproductive in these areas.
Early mornings and late afternoons on these banks have been extremely productive for queenfish which give an amazing aerial performance when trying to throw your bait or lure.You can target them by throwing GT Ice Creams,small stick baits or poppers. While throwing lures,try putting out a live karapao in the hopes of hooking a ’cuda amongst the chaos.
BAIXO CHAIMATE
(25º59.369’S · 32º52.973’E)
This is one of the only inshore reefs in the area,and is situated between Inhaca Island and the city of Maputo on the mainland.This reef has an average depth of 12m.
From early November to January, you’ll find queenfish feeding in this
area.This reef also provides opportunities for anglers to catch a variety of younger species of kingfish and even the occasional bonito.Young shoaling ’cuda have also been landed successfully around here.
Small baits such as karapao or mackerel are usually successful,otherwise try throwing a 7”chartreuse dropshot.
MARLIN GROUNDS (250m-400m)
While not covered in depth in this article,the offshore waters in the 250–400m range offer solid marlin prospects during peak season.Always be ready with rigged bonnies,skip baits or kona heads when trolling deep water.
When targeting blue marlin,it’s best to follow a contour line along the 300m mark.If you notice a change in current that will also be a good area to target them.
Black marlin tend to feed in water ranging from 15- to 50m deep and they are often hooked when fishing for gamefish in shallow water around reefs. That should be enough to get you started on fishing this magnificent location.If you take the time to head up to Inhaca and Santa Maria,you may just find you don’t ever want to fish anywhere else!
My sincere thanks to Wynand Ravencroft and Duarte Rato for their help with this article.
Ryan Hansen with a beautiful sailfish caught and released on Baixo Santa Maria.
Dirk Venter Jnr with a wahoo caught on a slow-trolled bonnie.
THE LULL BEFORE THE STORM
What’s biting at Sodwana in winter and spring?
By Henk du Plessis, Oom C-Breeze
SODWANA Bay practically hums in the summer months from November onwards each year when the major billfish tournaments happen one after another,but what’s the fishing like in the “off”season from July to October?
It’s good!
Aside from the marlin anglers and their big sportfishers that visit Sodwana in summer,there is a very strong following of light tackle offshore ski-boats that target the wide variety of gamefish species and sailfish this area has to
offer.Gamefish anglers have plenty of reasons to visit Sodwana all year round, so let’s have a look at what’s likely to bite when and where in the winter months...
As I mentioned in the “Where to Fish”article in the November 2022 issue of SKI-BOAT ,bottomfishing and jigging are not allowed on this stretch of coast because of the inshore marine reserve,but there are plenty of other tactics you can use.
KING MACKEREL (’CUDA)
From July to September we target big croc’cuda.Live bonnies are the best
bait,but unfortunately the sharks will tax you 80% of the time at Sodwana.A dead bonnie works just as well with a banana chin weight.I usually let the bonnies die and keep them on ice,then down rig them with 8- or even 10 ounce sinkers.
We target these bigger ’cuda in deeper water around 45m depths.
It is well known that ’cuda are basically reef specific,and two of my favourite spots for this fishing are:
•North at Piet (Island Rock)
27 17.763S 32 47.316E.
•South at King Marlin South Reef 27 42.585S 32 39.577E
Winter fishing at Sodwana produces some brilliant gamefish catches, including many croc ’cuda.
Henk du Plessis with one of the many sailfish he’s caught and released.
Mabibi also produces big ’cuda during the winter months.
Bearing in mind the virtually continuous current that’s experienced off Sodwana Bay,slow trolling is the preferred method of targeting this species. Having said that,if the current is not strong on a specific outing,then you can drift over the suggested areas,especially if your sounder reflects more fish showing near the bottom than higher up in the water column.
King Marlin is a long reef on the 45to 50m depth mark about 5km south of Diepgat.If my rigged bait doesn’t bring success then I exclusively fish up and down this reef with Speed Pro,Rapala or Halco lures,favouring the dark colours like black or purple.
QUEEN MACKEREL (SNOEK)
Queen mackerel are around from midJuly to the end of September,and we fish for them right behind the backline in 5- to 8m of water.
The normal strip bait method works well,but you have to fish far from the boat (up to 70m).I also use drone spoons and planers,but only when the water is absolutely green.Queen mackerel tend to be spooked by the spoons in clear water.
Last year I had great success targeting them in clear water while slow trolling small live maasbankers with a small single hook through the nose and one single on the side of the maasbanker.
While fishing for queen mackerel you will also get the odd garrick,ladyfish and queenfish in the shallows.
The areas to work for these species will be just south of the launch site all the way down to Rooiwalle.
SAILFISH
June to November is sailfish season at
GPS MARKS
ABlack Rock
27 08.357S 32 50.035E
B27 09.997S 32 49.238E
CRocktail — ’cuda
27 11.161S 32 48.978E
DRocktail — livebait
27 10.895S 32 48.725E
EElusive
27 14.960S 32 47.384E
FIsland Rock
27 17.120S 32 46.630E
GIsland Rock — livebait
27 17.289S 32 46.806E
HPiet
27 17.767S E32 47.314E
I’Cuda
27 20.346S 32 45.409E
JMabibi — livebait
27 20.356S 32 45.409E
KGT Spot
27 23.519S 32 43.951E
GPS MARKS
LSailfish Knoppie; 45m depth
27 33.627S 32 41.627E
MMseni — baitfish; 12m depth
27 33.817S 32 40.565E
NDiepgat — ’cuda; 18m depth
27 36.863S 32 40.656E
ODiepgat — ’cuda; 40m depth
27 36.503S 32 39.920E
PKing Marlin Reef 1
27 39.917S 32 40.295E
QKing Marlin Reef 2
27 40.440S 32 40.165E
RKing Marlin Reef 3
27 40.590S 32 40.089E
SKing Marlin Reef 4
27 40.703S 32 40.000E
TKing Marlin Reef 5
27 40.799S 32 39.934E
UKing Marlin Reef 6
27 40.980S 32 39.880E
VRed Sands; 20m depth
27 43.097S 32 38.297E
Hugo Vermeulen was very proud of landing this fat 74.7kg yellowfin tuna off Sodwana.
Sodwana.The normal top-water softies as well as sailfish lures rigged with a halfbeak will give results.We make use of top-water teasers (squid strings) to get the sailfish excited.
The best areas to try for them are in 35- to 45m of water.Sailfish are not bound to areas,and we tend to find them close to bait balls or shoals of bonnies,but during the winter months my first stop and working area for sailfish is Sailfish Knoppie,marked on the map alongside.
BIG YELLOWFIN
June to September is when we find most of the 60- to 90kg yellowfin at Sodwana,usually straight out from the launch site in depths between 700m and 1000m.
Unfortunately wind is a big factor at this time of year,and you will only find a few days during the season on which you will be able to target them.
When I’m targeting big yellowfin I use the marlin rods,but remove all the heavy marlin leaders and make use of 150lb wind-on leaders with small clipon swivels (270lb rating).The trace line will also be 150lb fluoro coated.
I use Big T Vuta lures rigged with 9/0 chain gang hook sets,and drop the spread at least 50m further back than I would if I were fishing for marlin.
Sometimes you’ll get the odd marlin that takes off with your yellowfin lure, but unfortunately most of them get away as the 150lb trace line is just not thick enough to withstand the hammering of a big marlin bill.
In short,there are plenty of reasons to visit Sodwana in winter.See you soon!.
Catching ’cuda in the Arabian Gulf
Martin du Plessis with a beautiful ’cuda (king mackerel) caught at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Kingfish Championship.
By Martin du Plessis
IT’S incredible how fishing pulls people together and transcends gender,age,language and culture anywhere in the world.
A few months ago,I was invited to fish in a tournament in Abu Dhabi.It was not just any tournament,but one that explicitly targeted big king mackerel (AKA crocs,’cuda,kings,kingfish, couta,Spanish,sierra or speedbream).
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) fishing circle is small,and social media makes it smaller still.I was invited to fish in the April tournament by a friend of a friend of a friend I fished with in Jeddah a year ago.
Despite having no prior experience of the waters,no intel on the tournament,and never having met the people I would be fishing with,I threw caution to the wind and embarked on an adventure.
I’ve been based in the Middle East for a few years now,and the preferred styles of fishing here are popping,spinning,and jigging.This allows you to target a range of species and certainly gets good results in these waters.Charters particularly like this style because it’s action-packed,energetic,fast,and gets the result for paying customers.
It’s not uncommon to catch ’cuda,a range of trevally,cobia (prodigal son), queenfish,barracuda,hamour (similar to a catface rockcod),and a few other species all in one day,while spinning and jigging.
The king mackerel was the first deep-sea fish I caught – I was only six at the time – and since then I’ve become obsessed with them.Before moving to the Middle East,I only ever targeted them with dead- or live bait.I was a little out of my comfort zone when first I arrived here and saw the guys using grinders and an assortment of casting lures and jigs to catch ’cuda,but I quickly adapted and have had some serious fun on light tackle.
Still,you can’t fight what’s in your DNA.I was dying to put a bait out. Dying to put out a spread,click one motor into gear,and wait.Dying to slow the pace from the frenetic chasing of birds and bait balls and casting for fish.
It’s not easy when you are on a boat with five or six other anglers,and that’s the only style of fishing they know and the only style they want to try.
One day I bought a few sardines from the local fish market and quietly put a sard out on the surface while the others were jigging.I got a few frowns, a few sideways looks,and some polite, but concerned chatter that I was slowing the pace on the boat.
“What’s that? Bait? Seriously?”One guy asked.
I was hoping for a result to silence them,but when you cast and jig,you aren’t stationary for long enough to let
Another beaut for Martin’s team!
your bait settle,cover ground,or give it time to work.I couldn’t persevere – for obvious reasons.I will silence them one of these days!
Until I fished the’cuda comp in April 2025,I hadn’t used any form of bait for three years! That’s a pretty serious adaptation for a hardcore bait and ’cuda angler like me.
ABU DHABI GRAND KINGFISH CHAMPIONSHIP
Coincidentally,the Abu Dhabi Grand Kingfish Championship took place on the same weekend as the 2025 Durban Ski-Boat Club Festival.They also used a similar format,where the biggest ’cuda would walk off with the top prize.
It was a significant event on the UAE calendar,and 375 boats and 1500 anglers participated in the 2025 tournment.
A big difference to our Durban Festival was that,after the fly past on the first day,fishing was from dawn to dusk,and we slept on the boat for three nights.We fished over three days,and catches were documented via a continuous video showing the team’s relevant day codes,and were weighed on a gantry scale on each boat.The fish were then put on ice,and the final weights were verified at a weigh-in at the end.
At this year’s event the winning fish weighed 31.34kg.The top ten fish were all over 27kg,the top 20 fish were all over 25kg,and the top 65 fish were all over 20kg.Proper crocs!
BACKTOMYPREFERREDSTYLE
It was absolutely amazing to jump on a boat and fish with the same style,tackle,traces,technique,and hunting attitude that is in my DNA,and to see it being applied in the Arabian Gulf by local anglers who fish exactly the same way as we South Africans do on our east coast – slow trolling with dead- and live bait.
We started each fishing day heading to the oil rigs and a few pinnacles to catch live bait.Small jesh (orange spot trevally) and small barracuda (in Durban we call them sea pike) were the live baits of choice,and we filled our live wells each morning.
The anglers were cautious when extracting the Sabiki or Yo-Zuri hooks, and used tools rather than handling the live bait by hand.Little details like this were a tell-tale sign that these anglers knew “the game”.
As the day progressed,I saw so many similarities between our fishing back home and the way these anglers were fishing,that it stunned me to silence.I could have been fishing at Vidal with my dad or in Durban with John “Goobat”Boswarva!
It was wonderful to be using these methods rather than just jigging for a change.
TACKLE, TRACES & TECHNIQUE
I knew we would be getting live bait, but I also took along two bonnies,two goggle eyes,and one walla walla,which
I’d bought at the local fish market.Once our live wells were full,we headed off to our first spot.
Although there were many similarities with the fishing back home,there was one big difference to what I am accustomed to:we ran 57 miles from the bait spot to our first ’cuda spot! Maybe it had something to do with the low price of fuel in the Middle East,the flat seas,and the three 300hp Mercury motors behind us!
The traces used were no different to what I started with almost 50 years ago when I was introduced to that style of fishing.We spent plenty of time targeting ’cuda at Sodwana and Mapelane on my dad’s Z-Craft Bermuda 14ft fitted with twin 25hp Yamaha motors.
Of course,nowadays we use chemically sharpened hooks (as opposed to using a sharpening stone in those days), a GPS (as opposed to navigating by land marks) and the odd modern bead or skirt,but it’s essentially the same style of fishing I know so well.
Back on the boat,we all made traces to suit to the size of the live bait we’d caught,just as I am accustomed to doing back home where we make a few standard ones beforehand,but then adapt them to the live baits we catch.
Live bait traces were generally “naked”,but some had the odd bead, and some had a skirt to vary the spread. Dead baits were given a little more flash,with a duster or small skirt,and a chin weight of choice.
Next year,my eight-inch Scarborough and whipping stick plus ’cuda spoons will definitely be in the mix!
We generally fished the magic depth of 25–30m,sometimes a little shallower and sometimes a little deeper.
Sinkers ranging from 3oz to 12oz were used to down-rig baits,and were secured with elastic bands.We used a heavy sinker on the short lines on both sides and lighter sinkers on the long on either side,plus a “Hong Kong”in the middle,on the surface.We also put one
dead bait in the mix together with the various live baits.
We caught fish on both dead- and live bait.
The results were not only some big ’cuda,a range of bycatch and an excellent fishing experience overall,but also great camaraderie,good food,good times,and a wonderful memory banked.
I would have given up this pastime long ago if fishing was only about catching fish.An excellent recipe I picked up on this trip is shared on page
28 of this issue.Try it!
Those who know what this fish means to me will also know what the weekend meant to me:a proper taste of home.
The event has been chiseled into my diary for next year – fishing for ’cuda,SA ’cuda style,with like-minded people in the Arabian Gulf,almost 7000km north of where I learned to catch ’cuda after a three-year ’cuda drought.
What can I say? I’m in heaven!
After a morning’s fishing that included catching some hamour (a kind of grouper that has white flesh), it was time for lunch on the boat. And then on to some more great fishing until dusk.
KHALIFA’S HAMOUR SAYADIEH
White-fleshed fish cooked on the boat
à la Martin du Plessis
ON page 23 of this issue,I wrote about the ’cuda fishing event I attended inAbu Dhabi,and how I love the way fishing pulls people together and transcends gender,age,language and culture.Cooking and fishing together takes it to the next level!
I had the privilege of fishing with a fantastic team and learning a new method of preparing fresh fish – in-situ – on the boat.
According to my sources,sayadieh (pronounced sa-ya-dee-yeh) is a fried fish and rice dish popular in the Middle East.The word “sayadieh”is derived from the Arabic language.In Arabic, “sayyad”means hunter or fisherman, and the suffix “-ieh”is often added to denote a dish or something related to food.Therefore,“sayadieh”can be translated to something likeish”or “dish of the fish hunter”.
Some families make it using whole fried fish,while others use cutlets or fil-
lets.The spices vary from region to region and family to family.This delicious Middle Eastern dish is highly customisable,and my version (that I stole with my eyes on the boat) includes a savoury tomato chutney that brings the whole dish together.
This authentic recipe is bursting with flavour and is relatively easy to make.It just requires something every angler has:time and patience.
The ingredients are simple,but together,they create magic.
INGREDIENTS
Fish
Hamour cutlets was our choice of fish on the boat that day (hamour is similar to rockcod in taste),but you can also use other white,flaky fish like halibut or king.The fish was caught the same day.
I like to use fish cutlets in such dishes as opposed to fillets,as the bones hold the fish together,and,they make an excellent stock that contributes to the flavour.
2kg hamour cutlets (with the bone)
2-3 tbsp Baharat spice
1 2 tbsp smoked paprika
Salt & pepper to taste
2 tbsp ghee or coconut oil for pan searing (I don’t use vegetable oils at all because I prefer to have no polyunsaturated fats)
Rice
112 cups long-grain Basmati rice rinsed and drained
1 4 tsp turmeric
500ml fish stock
*Optional:Add cardamom pods or dried limes to the rice.
Tomato chutney
Baharat spice is key to the sauce. Baharat is a spice mix used throughout the Arab world to season everything from lentils to meat and fish.There are many variations.
I buy all the spices whole and grind them myself for extra flavour.
I like adding saffron,too,but you can omit that if you don’t have it.
3 or 4 onions
2 or 3 tomatoes
1 tbsp Baharat spice
2 or 3 fresh chillies
3 cloves garlic
Salt & pepper to taste
1 cup finely chopped parsley
Caramelised onions
3 onions,thinly sliced
2 tbsp ghee or coconut oil
1 tsp cumin
Salt & pepper to taste
METHOD
Rice
1.Add your washed Basmati rice to a pot of water and bring to the boil.
2.Add turmeric,salt & and pepper to taste.
3.Cook for 10-15 minutes until parcooked.
4.Set aside until needed.
Fish cutlets
1.Lay your fish cutlets on a tray and season both sides with salt and Baharat spice.
2.Cover each piece evenly with flour.
3.Heat a frying pan or skillet and add the ghee.When the ghee is hot,fry the fish for approximately 2 to 3 minutes on each side.Don’t overcook! Fry the fish in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
4.Transfer the fried fish to a paper towel-lined tray to absorb excess oil.
5.Set aside until needed.
*Note:Keep this same ghee and use it to fry the onions and tomato chutney to carry all the mixed flavours into the final dish.
Caramelised Onions
1.Using the same ghee used
for the fish,fry some of the onions until they are blackened.
2.Remove the blackened onions and set aside until needed.
Tomato fry (chutney)
1.Pan-fry the remaining onions in the same pan and with the same ghee used to fry the fish and caramelised onions.Add garlic and chopped chilli.Sautee on medium heat for 1-2 minutes until the onions turn translucent.
2.Add chopped tomatoes to the pan and a little water to loosen the sauce.Season with a pinch of salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste.Cook the sauce on mediumlow heat for ten minutes until the tomatoes have broken down and formed a sauce/chutney.
3.Add fresh parsley to the sauce,stir to combine,taste,and adjust the seasoning.
4.Cover and set aside until needed.
ASSEMBLING & SERVING SAYADIEH
You now have four separate dishes/components ready for assem-
bling.There are variations,but generally the fish ends up on top of a bed of savory,fluffy rice.
1.Take a big pot,and layer the fish on the bottom,followed by caramelised onions (leaving a few for the final garnish).Mix the tomato chutney with the par-cooked rice in a separate pot,fluffing it with a fork before adding this combination on top of the fish and onions in the big pot.
2.Add two cups of fish stock or water and bring to boil,then let the heat gently simmer for about 15 or 20 minutes.
3.After the water has been absorbed and/or evaporated,put the lid on the pot,turn off the heat,and let it “rest”for another 30 minutes or so, during which it will continue to cook gently and the par-cooked rice will swell and fill the pot.
4.Gently fluff the rice again with a fork.
5.Place a large silver tray over the pot and flip the entire contents into the tray.The reverse layering of the fish at the bottom of the pot ensures it ends up on top when you flip it.
6.I recommend garnishing with fresh parsley.For a more aromatic flavour,use cilantro instead.
7.Sprinkle with fried almonds or pine nuts (optional).Crunchy nuts will provide crispiness.
8.Add the remaining caramelised onions and some lemon wedges.Lemon juice will make the fish flavour pop.
9.Serve with plain yoghurt on the side and a few crunchy green leaves of your choice for freshness.
Cooking this dish on the boat deck with fish caught on the same day was extra special.
Martin du Plessis and young Khalifa dig into the sayadieh.
This delicious fried fish and rice dish is extra special when it’s prepared on the boat with freshly caught white-fleshed fish.
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But Furuno didn’t stop there.
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FAMILIAR FEEL, BUILT TO DO MORE
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SEAMLESS FUSION OF PERFORMANCE AND CONTROL
With Furuno’s NavNet TZtouchXL and Suzuki Mode,you’re not just upgrading your display — you’re enhancing your entire boating experience.Whether you’re cruising offshore or trolling the shallows,this integration ensures your engine and electronics are working in perfect harmony.
Note:All brand and product names are registered trademarks,trademarks, or service marks of their respective holders.
Suzuki Mode activated on the TXTXL homescreen, and (below) Suzuki mode twin engine display.
By Quentin Clark
by Justin Klusener
THE 2025 Guinjata Bonanza was back with a bang this year.After many regular Moçambique anglers missed out on the December season due to the unrest in the country,part of the fleet was extra eager to get back out on Moçambique’s waters.
Fortunately there were no incidents at all on the way up for the competitors,and Moçambique seemed right back to normal.
Besides the feedback from regular participants that this was their best competition ever,there were a few other notable take aways from the fishing this year.For the first time that anyone can recall,every boat that entered was represented at the weigh in! The quality of fish caught this year was also better than past years,with the top ten fish all weighing 21kg or more.Just shy of 300 fish were recorded in the four days of fishing.
As usual,formalities for the competition kicked off on the Saturday evening with a busy and enjoyable sponsors’ function that went on till way past midnight and was really festive.It’s always such a privilege to have many of the sponsors at the event so that we can truly show our appreciation.
Weather apps are not always the most reliable planning tools,but they were spot on with this year’s prediction – we would have three perfect fishing days,followed by a blow out on Thursday,and then a final day’s fishing.
There is always a lot of excitement at the first weigh in of the event,as this is where the week’s benchmarks are set,and it gives a good indication of the general fishing situation.
The first day did not disappoint at all,with 89 fish being weighed or verified,along with the successful release of three sailfish and two marlin.The anglers aboard Casper had a double up release on sailfish that day.
The benchmark fish caught by Richard Griffiths on Day 5 was a 23.9kg GT.Headline sponsor Sebastian van Biljon from Status Trucks,fishing on Prime Zulu,was second with a decent 21.1kg greater barracuda.
The boat taking top honours in the species division for the day was Dr Sangoma, with a healthy points tally of 743,thanks to them catching five species,including a marlin released by Mike Rich. Prime Zulu came in second with 543 points thanks to the six species they caught.They were followed by the Larney brothers on Wild Thing who racked up 406.4 points.
The leading fish in the jetski division on day one was an 8kg king mackerel caught by Francois Struwig on Jetski Rooies Jestski Blue Ice took the
Photos
lead in the species comp with 18.4 points,followed by Jetski Rooies on 15 points.
Tuesday dawned with the benchmarks having been set and at least three more full days of fishing ahead.The competition was still wide open.
Pescadon, skippered by Mike
Correia,had a great day and took top honours for the day with five species which gave them 360 points and put them ahead of Prime Zulu on 176.4 points.Guy Logan from Status Trucks, fishing on Prime Zulu ,was especially proud of the 27-point amberjack he released as part of their three species
haul. Uli Buli placed third for the day, ten points behind them,with DrSangoma came in fourth for the day with 150.9 points,but that was still enough to keep them in the lead of the species comp. Prime Zulu held onto third spot and Pescadon pushed Wild Thing one position down to fourth
place. Uli Buli moved up into fifth place with their third place for the day.
The biggest fish on Day Two was a 19.8kg ’cuda (king mackerel) caught by Mike Correia on Pescadon ,with Douglas Robertson on Salacia landing a 17.2kg greater barracuda.
In the jetski division,Juan Gough caught the biggest fish of the day – a
Dr Sangoma’s consistency earned them the accolades and prizes for top boat at the 2025
12.2kg ’cuda,and Rooies overtook JSBlue Ice to take the jetski species division lead with 50.4 points.
Another beautiful day dawned on the Wednesday,and it would prove to be a great day for the anglers.Tiaan Willemse,fishing on Sperre Me,brought a beautiful 23.5kg yellowfin tuna to the scales,but it fell just short of Richard
Griffiths’leading fish.However,Waldo Freese,fishing on Casper ,presented a 24.6kg GT that did take the lead.With only one fishing day to go,that was the fish to beat.
Dr Sangoma had another great day on the Wednesday,and Mike Rich added a sailfish and a marlin to the two species caught on jig for a day’s total of
Casper won the 2025 Guinjata Bonanza thanks to Waldo Freese’s 24.6kg GT, and took home two new Yamaha motors.
Mike Rich’s fantastic catches made him the top angler for 2025.
Guinjata Bonanza.
Uli Buli came in second, and Prime Zulu third.
Hannelie Griffiths was the top lady angler for 2025 at Guinjata.
Abri Botha took the top spot in the jetski species division.
580 points.That may well be the biggest daily score by any boat in the history of the competition,where the entire day’s catch was released.Winning the day kept Dr Sangoma firmly in the lead of the species competition,with Status Trucks on Prime Zulu 286.5 points behind them in second place on 1187.4 points with 468 points for the day.
Uli Buli took third place for the day, maintaining their fourth place overall and keeping sight of the leaders,just behind Pescadon who clung onto third place with 799.6 points.
Kwagga Smith,brand ambassador and host for main sponsors Yamaha, fishing on Ikimasho, showed he can have an impact on the fishing grounds as well as on the rugby field.He led his team to fourth position for the day,placing them in the top ten boats going into the final day.
The marlin were a bit more active than they’d been on the previous day, with four being released – one each by Dr Sangoma, Johnny Boy, X T Sea and Ocean Dream
Abri Botha,fishing on Jetski Escape, won the division on the day with 45.6 points,pushing him into first place with 62.4 points overall,just 6.5 points ahead of Rooies
With Thursday looking like a certain blow out,no one held back at the Wednesday night function.Prego rolls sponsored by Millennium Meats were complemented by the Potency and
Jägermeister shots which flowed alongside the usual festive “down down”and tug of war competitions,with the fun lasting well into Thursday morning.As a result,not much was seen or heard from most of the competitors on Thursday aside from the odd prank call on the WhatsApp group.
By Friday morning everyone was good to go again for the last day of what had been an epic competition.
The seas were not as flat as they had been over the previous days,and the fish patterns had definitely changed with the easterly coming through.
It was Uli Buli’s day to shine.They’d been hanging around in the top five most of the week,but Friday really was their day and they came home with a huge haul worth 863.5 points – the most by any boat in a day for the whole week.
Their six-species bag included a marlin caught by Paul du Toit Jnr.It was one of four for the day,with Johnny Boy getting their second for the week, and X T Sea getting their second and third marlin for the week,along with two nice dorado,giving them second place for the day as well as a top ten finish for the week. Dr Sangoma and Prime Zulu’s consistency earned them third and fourth places for the day,with 252 and 197.2 points respectively.
Jetski Rooies had a solid finish,with a 16.2kg wahoo giving them the top prize in this division,while Abrie Botha
did enough to win the species division.
The only real surprise at the prize giving was Uli Buli. Their massive last day eased them ahead of Status Trucks on Prime Zulu, securing second place for them,while Dr Sangoma had done enough during the week to claim the species prize. Pescadon took fourth place,and X T Sea’s final day resulted in enough to get them into the top five.
Magic Mike Rich aboard Dr Sangoma had an incredible week’s fishing which included two marlin and a sailfish release among the 289.3 points he amassed to achieve the top angler award.
The ladies were well represented and had a tough battle,with local lady Hannelie Griffiths,fishing on Bubezi , taking top honours with 80 points, ahead of Alessia on Blesbok and Amindi on Day 5.Ethan Forte,fishing on Coena 2 ,took the top junior honours with 16.6 points.
With no other bigger weighed fish than those caught on the Wednesday, and released fish with estimated weights not counting,the anglers aboard Casper walked away with the main prize of two Yamaha motors, thanks to Waldo’s GT.
Congratulations to all the winners and a huge thank you to the sponsors who dig deep into their pockets to make this event not only possible,but also as enjoyable and rewarding as it is for all the competitors.
TOPTENBOATS
1. Dr Sangoma . . . . . . . . .1725.90 pts
2. Uli Buli .
3. Prime Zulu
4. Pescadon
5. X T Sea
6. Wild Thing
7. Day 5 . .
8. Casper .
9. Blesbok
10. Ocean Angel .
BIGGESTFISH
.1529.50 pts
.1384.60 pts
.799.60 pts
.464.90 pts
.434.90 pts
.426.60 pts
.384.90 pts
.345.90 pts
.329.80 pts
1.27kg amberjack, Guy Logan, Prime Zulu
TOPTENANGLERS
1.Mike Rich, Dr Sangoma . . . .289.3 pts
2.Paul du Toit jnr, Uli Buli . . .199.0 pts
3.John Wiltshire, X T Sea . . . .160.0 pts
4.Mike Correira, Pescadon . . .110.5 pts
5.Cecil Larney, Wild Thing . . .110.5 pts
6.Richard Griffiths, Day 5 . . .100.3 pts
7.Stuart Blesovsky, Blesbok . . .95.6 pts
8.Wouter van Coller, X T Sea . .92.8 pts
9.Pieter Greyling, Casper . . . . .92.2 pts
10.Clinton Forte, Ocean Dream .88.0 pts
2.24.6kg giant kingfish, Waldo Freese, Casper
3.23.9kg giant kingfish, Richard Griffiths, Day 5
4.23.5kg yellowfin tuna, Tiaan Willemse, Salacia
5.23.1kg greater barracuda, Stuart Blesovsky, Blesbok
6.22.2kg greater barracuda, Sebastian van Biljon, Prime Zulu
7.21.8kg king mackerel, Mike Correira, Pescadon
8.21.7kg giant kingfish, Jimmy Anstel, Sperra Me
9.21.1kg greater barracuda, Sebastian van Biljon, Prime Zulu
THIS year’s Guinjata Bonanza was a special one for those of us aboard Dr Sangoma .It’s an event I’ve fished many times over the years,and while we’ve had our share of highs and lows,this time everything just seemed to come together.That was largely thanks to what we’ve learned over the years,and the local knowledge generously shared by some of the Guinjata greats.
Before I go into the so-called “secrets of success”,let me be very clear:all credit must go to the anglers on boats like Queen Pine, Uli Buli,and Prime Zulu.
These crews know Guinjata inside and out.They’ve mastered the art of fishing the tides,reading the currents,and
finding fish where others wouldn’t even look.They helped us understand how these marks behave – both on the incoming and outgoing tides – and that insight made all the difference. A big thank you to them for helping us reach the podium this year.
Our original plan was solid:arrive on the Friday before the comp to get in two full days of pre-comp fishing,just to figure out whether the north or south would be working.This early time on the water is usually when you figure out where the bait is sitting,how the water temperature is behaving,and which way the current’s running.
But,as with all good fishing stories,there was a twist –soon after departure,our car’s engine blew.We ended up
flatbedding the whole rig back to SA for repairs, and losing those crucial precomp fishing days.As a result,we arrived at Guinjata without a clue of which direction to go on Day One.
That’s where the local knowledge stepped in. We knew roughly where the main players were fishing and what time of day species like sailfish and wahoo were coming to the surface,so we plotted a course and crossed our fingers.
Day 1 delivered a good spread:first a lovely sailfish,and then we shifted our focus to base weight.Knowing the way the scoring multiplier system works,we knew we needed weight behind our species count, so we targeted greater barracuda and landed four.That gave us solid base weight and five species on the board for Day One, putting us top of the leaderboard.
Each evening we regrouped as a team,discussed where the fish had been,what bait they were hitting,and how the conditions were shifting. DrSangoma is a true team operation – we fish as a unit,and all voices count when setting the strategy.
By Day Two,the fish were moving up from the south past Island Rock.The plan was to hit that area hard on Day Three, but as we launched,I looked at the team and said,“We’re going north.”It wasn’t part of the game plan,but something just told me it would work – and it did.We didn’t chase yester-
day’s fish;instead, we stuck to the signs we knew: bait,water temp and gut feel.It paid off beautifully! We landed two billfish that day,plus some solid kingfish, wahoo,and ’cuda.
Day Four was blown out, and with Prime Zulu hot on our tail,we knew Day Five had to count. That’s when one of the most important lessons of the trip kicked in – you don’t need to run far to catch
On the incoming tide,we stayed close to shore and worked the shallow marks.That’s where the best results came from.The deeper marks delivered the wahoo and billfish,but we didn’t waste time travelling between them – every minute spent fishing counts in a comp like this.
By the end of the comp we were nealy 200 points ahead of Uli Buli,and happily walked away with our prize for top boat of the 2025 Guinjata Status Trucks Yamaha Bonanza.
If I’ve learned anything from Guinjata,it’s that you shouldn’t overthink it.Have a game plan.Trust it.But if something feels off,trust your instincts.Don’t chase yesterday’s fish – fish the water in front of you,and believe in your team.
A final shout out to Club Marine,Garmin and Natal Power Boats.You guys kept us on the marks and made sure Dr Sangoma was in the fight.We couldn’t have done it without your gear and support.
Until next year,tight lines and fair tides!
Mike Rich, Gareth McLoughlin and Grant Campbell on Dr Sangoma took the prize for Top Boat at the 2025 Guinjata Bonanza.
PRESIDENT’SREPORT Coming Alive on the Water in Winter
WINTER’S usually a time to hunker down,but for South Africa’s deep sea anglers,it’s when things really come alive.Between early June and mid-July,six major SADSAA tournaments lit up the calendar – from the warm currents off St Lucia to the icy waters of Kleinbaai.There were surprises,tight battles,and some unbelievable individual performances.If you missed it,here’s what went down...
SADSAA GAMEFISH NATIONALS
St Lucia, 1–6 June 2025
Host: Zululand Deep Sea Angling Association
St Lucia kicked off the season in the best way – calm seas,sunny skies and just enough current to keep things exciting.This year’s Gamefish Nationals had a great mix of youth and experience,and you could feel the buzz at the launch each morning.
Southern Gauteng’s Red Team came to win,and they did just that.Day after day,they stayed consistent, made smart calls on where to fish,and walked away with gold.
Right behind them,the SADSAA U19 team showed up strong and proved they’re not just future talent;they’re ready now.Southern Gauteng Yellow wrapped up third,keeping both Gauteng teams on the podium.
The individual results were just as exciting.Quintin Olivier was cool,calm and deadly on the water.He fished smart and steady for the gold. Matthew Shepard,just 17,was the standout youngster,putting in a massive performance to take silver for the U19s. Antony Otto showed his class too,earning a well-deserved bronze.
SADSAA TUNA INTERPROVINCIAL
Shelly Beach, 13–15 June 2025
Host: Natal Deep Sea Angling Association
Shelly Beach doesn’t mess around when it comes to tuna,and neither did
the anglers.This was a quick three-day shootout where every bite counted. The pace was fast,the fish were strong, and teamwork made all the difference.
The Natal team was ruthless on their home turf.They read the water perfectly and used every advantage to clinch gold.
The Natal Association Team followed close behind,and Zululand fought hard for bronze.
The top angler,Storm Dalton,had one of those tournaments where everything just clicked.He led from the front and delivered fish when it mattered.
Stephen Smit and Cornel van Zyl kept the pressure on,rounding off the individual podium with some serious skill and stamina.
SADSAA ALL INLAND
Sodwana Bay, 30 June to 4 July 2025
Host: Mpumalanga Deep Sea Angling Association
Sodwana is always special.For the inland provinces,it’s a chance to fish the big stuff and prove they can mix it with anyone.And they did.
Despite tricky currents and scattered bait,this year’s All Inland was packed with strong showings.
Northern Gauteng were clinical.They kept their heads, fished their marks well,and walked away with gold. Zululand stayed in the hunt and grabbed silver,while Mpumalanga Blue took bronze in their home waters.
The top angler was Jakkie Eloff,who just kept doing the right things day after day.
Jacqueline Smit made everyone take notice – she fished with calm precision to take silver.Ricus van Heerden rounded off the top three with a solid all-round effort.
Anton van den Berg SADSAAActing President
The Southern Gauteng/Gauteng Barbarians team of Cyntitia du Plooy, Danie Rosslee and Christiaan Smith took bronze in the U19 division of the 2025 SADSAA Junior Gamefish Nationals.
All the junior anlgers, managers and skippers at the 2025 SADSAA Junior Bottomfish Nationals.
SADSAA JUNIOR GAMEFISH NATIONALS
Sodwana Bay, 30 June to 4 July 2025
Host: Mpumalanga Deep Sea Angling Association
The juniors lit it up in Sodwana.It’s one thing to see future talent coming through,it’s another to watch them already fishing like pros.This year’s Junior Nationals didn’t disappoint.
In the U16 division,Griquas put together a dream tournament.Their calm,focused approach saw them dominate the field and earn team gold. Southern Gauteng’s Yellow and Green Teams chased hard and deserved their silver and bronze,respectively.
Individually,Joshua Louw was a force of nature – confident,consistent and always on the fish.Marcu Da Serra and Liam Wasserman showed they’re right there with him,taking silver and bronze in a tight race.
The U19 division saw Southern Gauteng Red take top honours again, proving they’ve got serious depth. Mpumalanga came in strong for silver, and the Barbarian Team – a mix of provinces – took bronze after a spirited effort.Wilco Botha earned the gold medal with a composed,mature tournament.Sheldon Kruger and Aldrich Eloff fished hard and smart to land silver and bronze respectively.
SADSAA JUNIOR BOTTOMFISH INTERPROVINCIAL
Kleinbaai, 9–12 July 2025
Host: Western Province Deep Sea Angling Association
Kleinbaai brought a different flavour –cold,rough water and deep bottom fishing.It’s not easy,especially for juniors,but they rose to the challenge.
Eastern Province’s B Team pulled off the upset of the tournament,outfishing even their A team to take gold. Eastern Province A landed silver,with Western Province claiming bronze on home turf.
Wian van Niekerk was the star of the show,fishing clean and staying calm to earn individual gold.Jayden Pieterse and Nathan Barris kept it tight,rounding off the top three.
SADSAA SENIOR BOTTOMFISH INTERPROVINCIAL
Kleinbaai, 9–12 July 2025
Host: Western Province Deep Sea Angling Association
Running alongside the juniors,the seniors brought the muscle and experience to the same rugged waters.This year,the results spoke volumes about depth and diversity in the field.
Eastern Province’s Men’s Team were dialled in.They handled the tough conditions and took team gold.
Western Province Blue gave them a solid run for their money and earned silver,while Eastern Province’s Ladies’ Team made history by finishing third –a massive moment for women in the sport.
Stephen Flemming fished like a true pro,barely putting a foot wrong all week,fully deserving his gold. Francois Kolesky delivered a gritty performance for silver,and Lisa Bekker not only led the ladies’team,but also stood on the individual podium with a wellearned bronze.
FINAL THOUGHTS
What a stretch! From high-speed gamefish hunts to deep-bottom grinds in freezing swell,these tournaments brought out the best in every angler. Whether it was juniors landing their first medal or seasoned skippers guiding teams to gold,it’s clear that SADSAA’s spirit is alive and well.
To every angler,manager,skipper, organiser and host club,you made these events what they were. Congratulations to all who competed, and to those who stood on the podium – you earned it.
We’ll see you on the water soon.If you’re not already training for the next one,now’s a good time to start!
After all, fishing makes no financial sense
By Justin Paynter
WHY do we fish? Why do we spend an excessive amount of money on a boat,vehicle and tackle, especially when we know there are days when we won’t catch anything? A good financial advisor might tell you to save your money and take your loved ones to an exclusive restaurant like Tightlines for a lovely meal instead.So why do we fish and spend all this money?
Is it really about catching fish? Or is it that the world stops while you are on the water? Or is it that you are left alone because you’re out of cellphone range? Or is it just being one with nature? I think it’s a question that many ski-boat anglers ask themselves and their friends – most likely when they’re all on the boat!
Anglers who are just starting out or who have just been fishing from the shore until now may be curious about why they should jump into this endeavour,and what’s required,so let me share some insight...
To me,it’s not about catching;it’s about the experience. This experience starts long before you are even on the water. It starts with the relationships you forge with the boat dealer you bought your boat from,and the one you take it to to ensure your prize possession is always in tip-top shape,ready to take on a very unpredictable sea.
This bond between dealer and owner is something special.Have you ever watched a guy describe his boat to you?
Sometimes it’s just about talking to someone about your boat.
No matter what the condition,no matter how much it cost,it’s his and he will tell you how great it is and how many fish it’s caught.But that’s not the point;the point is that it brings him happiness and needs to be treated with premium care.
A boat owner will not just take his boat to anyone.Once a relationship is formed,trust is built that ensures the vessel is taken care of from both sides,and boat owners are generally very hesitant to change dealerships unless they have an extremely bad experience.This is evident when boat owners mention that this is their third or fourth boat from the same manufacturer or dealer.
I find that boat owners are also very loyal when it comes to engine makes,although cost can be a deciding factor.The same goes for electronics,axles and trailers.
Once the boat is sorted,it’s time to buy the correct tackle. Each angler will have their favourite fishing shop where they spend way too much time talking to the sales team,trying to get intel – and also buying more tackle than they actually need.Each shop has its preferred house brand that they push, and when you ask other anglers which is the best brand,it’s like getting into a debate over engines! Obviously some brands have a reputation for being reliable and good value for money,but a lot of it comes down to personal preference,the relationship you have built with the team and brand,and your budget.
So,once again,why do we do this? For me,it’s not about the actual catching;it’s about the preparation and hope of
catching.It’s that moment when you’re sitting on the couch, tying a trace,holding it up and telling your partner that you think that this is going to be the one that catches you your dream fish.It’s phoning your crew to get them to come around and get the boat ready even though the boat is ready. It’s that time you spend with your crew in the garage ensuring that you have packed all 20 rods just for the two of you. It’s time spent checking that all the tackle and gaffs are packed and wondering whether the fish hatch is big enough for all the fish you plan on catching the next day.
That night it’s early to bed,and you set 12 alarms just to ensure you wake up on time,but you don’t sleep well because you’re too excited for what tomorrow will bring.The next morning you’re up before your first alarm,having a quick cup of coffee and in,my case,a seasick tablet – I swear by TravaCalm from Australia.
You hook up the boat and end up arriving at the launch site half an hour earlier than expected,but that’s no problem as your crew is already waiting.Ice in hand,with a box of food and drinks,they’ve already signed the book and you’re ready to launch!
As the sun breaches the horizon,you absorb the sensations of floating out deep,and the anticipation of the fish you’re hoping to catch.
Of course high hopes can sometimes lead to disappointment,with us either losing a big fish or not even getting a bite,but even these situations invariably lead to interesting fishing stories back on the beach at the SMG Yamaha washbay.
It amazes me that every angler always loses a HUGE fish. Did they see the fish? Often the answer is no,but still they’ll tell you that the reel screamed off so it must have been HUGE.Personally,I have had some 10kg ’cuda scream off faster and harder than some 25kg fish,so that’s not always a good indication.
Then you’ll get some guys who can’t bear to admit defeat and will tell you they caught fish when they actually didn’t. That also surprises me,because I honestly don’t know anyone who has never blanked,so there’s no shame in it.Blanking keeps us coming back.It is a sign of momentary defeat and,as competitive as we are as humans,we will keep coming back to show that we are capable of catching that fish of a lifetime.
But,once again,the draw of fishing is often partly due to the relationships built at the washbay – and the stories we hear and tell that keep us coming back for more.
Sometimes it’s about watching others catch fish. Ava Burnand, Lily Joyce and Brayden Kane show off their spoils.
We are blessed to be involved in ski-boat fishing,and we must never take a day on the ocean for granted,because we never know when it will be our last.Although we don’t always catch,the time we spend trying to catch provides 80% of the fun.
On a personal note,a huge thank you to SKI-BOAT magazine – Erwin and his crew – for creating a love for fishing and allowing us to share in other anglers’successes while bringing us all closer together with this magazine.We appreciate all the helpful hints and tips!
Till next time,look out for #pinkpants on the water,or follow me on Instagram @jt_ paynter.
Sometimes dreams come true: Justin Paynter and Graham Joyce with a lovely amberjack.
APPLICATION FORM
I hereby apply for the Basil Manning Award in the category:
YOUR favourite offshore angling magazine, SKI-BOAT, in conjunction with Basil Manning and the South African Deep Sea Angling Association , is proud to offer all South African skiboaters the unique opportunity to win awards for excellence in angling.
RULES:
There is no restriction on the number of awards which can be applied for.
Award applicants must submit a photograph of the relevant fish with the application form and a photograph of the angler with the fish.
Tick the appropriate box and supply us with the following information. Please remember to print clearly.
All deep sea anglers who achieve laid down standards of excellence will be entitled to apply for the Basil Manning Award.Upon ratification by a panel of adjudicators,the angler will receive a handsome digital certificate,suitably inscribed.
The Basil Manning Awardwill be made for fish caught in two sections:
1) Meritorious Fish
This award is for a fish that’s a memorable achievement for the angler,if not a personal best,and is not confined to the species listed below.Tackle used is of no consideration here,the fish's weight being the main criterion.
2) Outstanding Catch
To satisfy the requirements for this award,anglers can catch any recognised fish species.As a guideline,the weight of that fish must equal or exceed the suggested weights below,or certain laid down fish weight:line class ratios.
Awards will be made in the following ratio categories:
3:1 – Bronze Award
5:1 – Silver Award
7:1 – Silver Award
10:1 – Gold Award.
Applies to IGFA line class 1kg ,2kg,4kg, 6kg,10kg,15kg,24kg,37kg and 60kg.
SKI-BOAT reserves the right to use the photograph as it sees fit.
Entries must be on the official form which is included in all issues of the magazine. Entires must be received within 45 days of capture.
No witnesses of the catch are required. The award is made in the true spirit of sportsmanship and relies on the integrity of the angler to make a just claim.
Aselection of award winners’names will be announced in future issues of SKIBOAT, along with relevant photographs. Award applicants should allow 30-45 days for processing of applications. There is no charge for these awards.
RELEASED BILLFISH AND GT (Ignobilis) KINGFISH
With the strong trend towards releasing these and other fish, we have decided to amend the Basil Manning Award rules to provide for acknowledgement of all released fish. All we need is a photo of the fish being released or prior to release (e.g. GT held next to the boat) and the approximate weight of the fish which should fall in line with the stipulated weights set out above.
In line with this trend we will not be carrying photographs on the Basil Manning Awards page of any billfish or GTs aside from those that are released.
This stunning sailfish, weighing ±60kg caught and released off Sodwana Bay earned Danie Joubert a Gold Meritorious Award for his outstanding catch.
Juandre Duvenhage has been awarded a Gold Meritorious Award for this 19kg wahoo caught off Sodwana Bay.
Dirk Rosslee (top right) has been awarded a Gold Meritorious Award for his 19.8kg dorado caught off Sodwana Bay.
Dylan Jacobson has been awarded a Gold Meritorious Award for this 12.6kg daga salmon caught off Durban.
Gordon Shaw has been awarded a Gold Meritorious Award for this stunning 25.8kg ’cuda caught off Richards Bay.
Fishing Three Kings Islands,New Zealand
By Kenneth Garvie
OUR journey began on 8November 2024. It was my third expedition to the fabled Three Kings in New Zealand, so I thought I knew what to expect: bruising yellowtail kingfish, or “kingys” as we call them, pushing the 30kg mark, and the very real possibility of grappling with 40kgclass monsters. Every previous trip delivered that, but this one was something else entirely!
Located in the Tasman Sea, 60 nautical miles northwest of North Island, New Zealand, the remote Three Kings consist of numerous islands, seamounts and ranges with rugged rocky sea beds and drop offs, rising from 2000metres to 40metres.
It’s never an easy journey from South Africa as it takes a minimum of one day to get to New Zealand, so my suggestion is to take the Sydney connecting flight. Your arrival will be perfectly timed to land at around 1am, which allows you to sleep at an airport hotel and be ready for your collection the following day at 9am. Then it’s a four to five hour drive from Auckland to Manganui, the port you will depart from.
DAY ONE:
GLASS-CALM AND FULL OF PROMISE
The crew arrived the night before we set off, buzzing with anticipation and the usual pre-trip energy. Tackle was prepped, stories exchanged, and we painted vivid pictures for the new members of what the legendary kings were about to deliver.
At the helm was none other than Lance Goodwood – a living legend with over 50 years of knowledge gathered on these waters.
As we slipped out of port, New Zealand’s ocean offered a rare gift: glass-calm seas. In this wild stretch of the Pacific, that’s almost unheard of. It was a sign – this trip would be different.
We stopped, as tradition dictates, at “The Nursery”, a reef enroute to the main grounds, to test our gear on the “small” ones – 20kg kingys that would be trophies anywhere else. The newbies in our group thought they’d peaked early, but the seasoned hands smiled quietly. The real punishment was yet to come.
Marius Coetzee hangs on for dear life as his tackle gets a workout.
DAY TWO: THE KING BANK DELIVERS ITS CROWN JEWELS
After a proper fry-up breakfast, we turned north to the fabled King Bank. Within minutes, drags were howling and bodies braced against the unrelenting power of fish after fish breaking the 30kg barrier.
After testing out every jigging technique we knew of, every colour jig in every shape and size, it became very clear – the relentless commands barked from above by Captain Lance were the secret:
“Jig hard and jig fast boys!”
Fishing with 120lb braid and 200lb leaders, you just knew your arms were the weakest link. It’s that kind of fishing.
The kingys run for the reef without hesitation, but with the right setup, the advantage shifts in your favour. Any fish that fights all the way to the boat is something special, and these brutes seem to have bottomless gas tanks.
When it comes to tackle, I would suggest a very short rod – around five feet long – with a monster game reel like those from Jigmaster. They really can take the abuse, and abuse is certainly what is delivered
We landed over 120 kingies on this trip – all solid fish. Considering we were jigging 400g to 600g jigs in over 100m of water, you can understand the serious workout we got. Some of the braver guys went right up to 1000g jigs. The aches set in, but the smiles never left our faces.
DAY THREE:
A MARLIN FOR MATAMBU
The morning began with aching arms, big breakfasts and bigger laughs. Then came a moment I’ll never forget.
The 130 setup came alive – screaming. I jumped the table to reach the rod just in time to watch a bill slice through the surface. A 90kg striped marlin was on, and 40 minutes later we had her alongside the boat. It happened on the day of Matambu’s wake; he was a dear friend and fellow angler who passed too soon. That fish was for him. I know he was watching.
The rest of the day? More chaos. Amid the 30odd kingys we caught that day, three broke the 40kg mark; the biggest touching 44kg. The biggest difference in these beasts compared to the fish we get at home, is their noticeable head proportions. There’s no chance of using those old photography tricks to make the fish look bigger; you simply have to cradle them to your chest with both arms.
That night dinner was a real event – giant steaks, cold beers and arms too sore to lift either.
DAY FOUR: WHEN SWORDS MEET THE SEA
Day four hit hard – physically and emotionally. The kingys were still relentless, so we dropped a few dead baits to take the edge off, and landed another 20 fish. However, the evening held our biggest ambition: the broadbill swordfish.
In perfect conditions, Captain Lance called for a drift. At 10pm we had our shift briefing, and we didn’t have to wait long after that for the action to begin. At 10:10pm, a slow click turned into a roaring run.
We were on!
After a brutal, hour-long battle, we ticked a dream off the list – years of trying to catch a broadbill had finally been rewarded.
Kenneth Garvie shows off two of the bruising yellowtail kingfish or “kingys” he caught around Three Kings Islands.
DAY FIVE:
TUNA TO CLOSE THE SHOW
We began our journey back to shore, but the sea refused to let go without a final show. Yellowfin tuna and albacore smashed the lures all the way in, as if signing off on a masterpiece.
Before we even touched the dock, the crew had already booked our return trip.
THE FINAL WORD
The Three Kings aren’t just a fishery – they’re a proving ground. They test your gear, your stamina and your spirit. But, in exchange, they reward you in ways you can’t explain to someone who hasn’t been there.
Incredible food, a world-class crew, and monsters beneath the waves; this isn’t just a fishing trip, it’s a pilgrimage.
If you call yourself a fisherman, put the Three Kings at the top of your list. I’ll see you there!
Another beast of a bottomfish for Kenneth Garvie.
THEFISHOFALIFETIME
by Ava Boyder (10)
ILOVE nature and all sorts of outdoors adventures,but probably my biggest passion is fishing.My dad also loves fishing and I’ve been lucky enough to fish with him since I was four years old.Be it catching giant sand sharks off the Zululand shores,chasing a new personal best offshore,or landing trout in the dams in the KZN Midlands, I love any kind of fishing.
My dad is especially proud of my success in some of the deep sea fishing club competitions,and that I have been top junior for two consecutive years at the Richards Bay Ski-Boat Club.I’ve also been lucky to get a few club records added to the record board over the last year.
On 23 June 2025,my dad and I went fishing off Richards Bay with Mike Leenstra on his beautiful boat, Beluga
My dad and Uncle Mike had a plan to target snoek,and once we had a few of those safely in the hatch,we shifted to targeting the elusive croc ’cuda.The ocean conditions were perfect,and at 10am,after a quick stop at “live bait central”,we moved further south to try our luck and hopefully land one of those majestic fish.
For ages and ages we had no action,and my patience was badly tested,but I tried hard to stay focused.
Eventually at about 3pm the 30lb rod with a walla walla downrigged as bait screamed off! I grabbed the rod and fought hard,but the fish wasn’t giving up easily.Dad said that the way it fought,with powerful surges and line peeling off my reel,convinced him that there was a big ’cuda on the other end.
I worked hard to stay calm and focused,and got it closer to the boat a few times,but each time it just ran off again, taking more line with it! Eventually we got our first look at the fish,and when Dad and Uncle Mike saw how big it was, there was a different sound of excitement in their voices.
They were both shouting advice at the same time,and eventually,after about 20 minutes,I managed to get the fish alongside the boat.Dad gaffed it,and when it was safely onboard,we all breathed a big sigh of relief.None of us could quite believe how big it was! I was ecstatic!
When we got back to land and weighed the fish,it pulled the scale to 28.9kg.Dad says it’s the fish of a lifetime,but I’ve still got time to catch more!
Introducing the new RECON™ saltwater trolling motor
By Lowrance SA
HERE’S a wild thought! Imagine holding your boat in position without ever dropping an anchor… or a hardcore deep sea angler using a trolling motor to take on the open ocean. Sounds impossible,right? Think again. The rules are being rewritten,and the game is changing fast!
Brand ambassadors and top anglers are all talking about Lowrance SA’s new Recon saltwater trolling motor – an electric steer option specially designed for offshore use,with numerous benefits.
Why are anglers raving about it and dealers’order books filled to overflowing countrywide?
It’s all about control,confidence and freedom.This offshore powerhouse gives anglers complete command of their boat and position,whatever the conditions,leaving them free to focus solely on fishing.
Lowrance’s offshore brand ambassadors have shared some of the reasons why they believe anglers should kit their boats out with the new Recon electric steer trolling motor...
SAVINGS
Instead of running up hours on your outboards,you can use your Recon to hold you in position or move you around while catching bait or fishing. You’ll save fuel,and fewer hours on your outboards means better resale value and longer intervals between services.These are both direct savings.
SAFETY
The Anchor Mode feature allows you to basically anchor on any given spot with the simple push of a button.Whether you’re fishing for daga and’cuda or just targeting bait,there are no issues if sea conditions worsen.The Recon pivots from the bow,so a change in wind direction doesn’t mean you’ll swing off the fish with hundreds of metres of rope out.This also gives you heaps more fishing time instead of having to retrieve the anchor and possibly spook the fish should you have to re-anchor.
EXTRA CREW
Having this motor is like having an extra crew member.A simple push of a button and the boat will hold in position or on its heading,freeing you up to fish.
SILENCE
The Recon is super quiet,so targeting ’cuda and snoek while slow trolling is a dream.Fish know the sound of motors in the water,but a brushless one like this (with up to 100lb of thrust) is virtually soundless,so they don’t get spooked.And,again,this saves you fuel and idling hours on your outboards.
SPEED
Speed is a big thing.The Recon trolling motor responds really well,so you can get to your required spot swiftly, punching through swells, surges and currents.It’s perfect for larger centre console and bay boats.
John Minnie,Lowrance SA’s Technical Manager is really impressed at how responsive the Recon is.
“You’re in total command all the time.You simply push the wearable joystick remote in the direction you’re headed,and you’ll move towards it immediately.”
On reaching your target,the GPS anchor is highly accurate and will let you lock your position to within a metre or so.You can have total confidence – even in currents,wind and swells –as the motor automatically adjusts to keep you on point. This is ideal for bottomfishing
over reefs or holding over structure without anchoring.
Thanks to the Recon’s jogging abilities,you also have the option to move anchor positions freely,in almost any direction,without having to re-anchor the boat.
The Freesteer™ joystick remote and full display integration means you can control your boat from anywhere onboard.
There are three shaft length options – 54”,60”and 72”– so you can choose the one that matches your offshore needs.Longer shafts are ideal for deep-V hulls in ocean chop.
KEY FEATURES:
• Best-in-class power
• Precision GPS positioning
• Near-silent brushless 24V/36V motor
• Lightweight FreeSteer™ joystick remote with colour LCD display
• Plug-and-play sonar nosecone options
• Multiple accessory mount points
• NMEA 2000® connectivity
• Lifetime shaft warranty
• 3-year motor warranty
For further information contact your nearest Lowrance dealer or email sales@lowlowrancesa.co.za •
ADINDEX
Timing Is Everything
By Jade Payne
AS an avid outdoors enthusiast,I find fishing to be a fun and exciting pastime that gives me plenty of opportunities to spend time surrounded by the breathtaking outdoors and to witness some of nature’s many showstopping displays.For instance, during this last sardine run,we had the opportunity to cruise just above the vast stretches of sardine shoals as they darted along the South Coast. What a humbling and exhilarating experience!
My Rapala Lip story started out on a much more ordinary day,though.
It was going to be just a casual day of fishing off KwaZulu-Natal,and we were hoping to land one or two nice gamefish.After a relatively boring launch,we began throwing out a few lines.The sea was flat,the water was clear and the weather was perfect – the scene was set for a great day of fishing.
All of a sudden,my feet began to feel cold and wet.When I looked down,I noticed my ankles were submerged in water! That’s never a good sign unless you’re paddling in the shallows! The rubber duck we were on had begun to take on water!
Just as I grabbed a bait bucket and started to bail – all while shouting at Sean to do something about our leaking boat – one of the rods we had out went away.Likely a’cuda, Sean said.
Fishing will teach you lots of life lessons,like the fact that most things in life are about timing.As lovely as it is to hear the noise of the ratchet when a fish takes off with your bait, this was not the time I wanted to hear it.
Chaos ensued! Sean grabbed the rod and fought the fish, all while I continued to bail the water we were taking on and tried to bring in the other rods.It soon became evident that neither of us were winning our respective fights! My efforts to bail were futile,as the pontoons split further from the hull and the water level on the deck began to rise – along with my panic levels.In the scramble,the fish broke off,and there went our dinner! With one less thing to worry about,our attention was forced back onto our inflatable titanic.
Funnily enough – not so funny when you’re miles out at sea – while packing the boat the afternoon before,my father had mentioned that the pontoons required some attention.“It will be fine,though,”he said.Famous last words!
I wasn’t sure who I should be more angry with – my father or Sean – but thoughts of our impending death out at
sea quickly forced us to think strategically and focus on finding solutions. Luckily we still had cell phone signal and our phones hadn’t got wet,so we phoned my father.Upon hearing about our pickle of a situation –and no doubt racked with guilt at his part in the drama – he phoned every skipper within a 30km radius. Soon enough,a plan was hatched for me to climb from our sinking duck onto a dive charter whose skipper was kind enough to accommodate me while Sean made an attempt to beach the sinking vessel. That all sounds very simple,but bear in mind that we couldn’t stop our boat because it would have taken on even more water,so the transfer of my person had to happen while both boats were moving! There was nothing elegant about it!
Meanwhile,Sean handed all of the most valuable items (the fishing rods!) to a friend with a much more stable boat who had also come to our rescue.
Of course everyone aboard the dive charter had plans for their day that they did not want derailed by a wet fisherwoman with a long lip,so I spent the next hour on a dive duck over Aliwal Shoal watching the fish beneath the boat.It would have been magnificent if that was what we had set out to do that day,but I wasn’t really in the right headspace to enjoy it.
There it is – another lesson in timing.
The timing was,however,probably just right for Sean and my father,because it gave me a bit of time to calm my fury at almost being drowned,and to reel in my Rapala Lip.
When I finally beached,I was reunited with Sean who had managed to keep the sinking duck on the plane and beach successfully.Both back on dry land,we came to terms with having an empty fish bag,grateful that we were safe.
Clearly I was owed some compensation to balance the scales,though.When I next plucked up the courage to go to sea again,this time to fish in the 2025 Durban Ski-Boat Club Festival,I made double sure the boat I was on was seaworthy before we left land.
Thankfully things went much better on this outing,and the timing was perfect.When the reel started to scream and it was my turn to take the rod,I fought the fish as though my life depended on it,eventually reeling in a 17.64kg cuda.What a beauty! We raced back to weigh it,hoping it would win the comp and land us a properly seaworthy Seacat,but it wasn’t to be.Still,it won me some great prizes as top lady of the comp,and that’s one good reason to keep fishing.
