Angling Times Weekly Issue 61 SA Bass Comps 2017 | Page 17

T
he count down to the inaugural 2017
SABAA Super Final felt like ages with all
the arrangements falling into place and the
excitement growing.
After a year of competitive fishing the top 10
teams from the LBT was keen on giving team
fishing a go and soon realized the fun and
camaraderie associated with team events.
Although the amazing prize of a sponsored
fishing trip to USA for the winning individual
team was mentioned, our teams put the LBT
first and soon realized that cooperation aids
the growth of Lowveld Bass Fishing better.
Heyshope dam near Piet Retief in
Mpumalanga was chosen as the venue for the
2017 Super final and the dates were fixed to
the 1st and 2nd of December.
As Heyshope dam falls out of the list of
venues the LBT fishes each year, and with
both the E-Bass trail and Angler 4 Anglers
cash trail hosting their season final event on
Heyshope dam, the odds were stacked
against the LBT and our teams sure knew that
they had to fish their heart out to give the
other competing trails a run for their money.
With the venue located far away from the
teams, only a few teams had the
opportunity to pre-fish the dam and in the
week leading up to the event a night of
planning was held to ensure that all teams
knew what to expect and where to search
for fish.
The Thursday before the event saw most of
the teams travelling to Piet Retief, with
several teams travelling in convoys it surely
created an unique atmosphere of team
work and camaraderie.
The LBT teams' accommodation was
booked at Sundowner Lodge in Piet Retief,
also the venue for skippers briefing and
prize giving of the tournament.
SA bass competitions 2017 | 17