got to me. I was quite impatient by this stage as I had to wait for him so long.
We each had one rod only - a worming rod. With our travels, we somehow managed to break both our rod tips perfectly at the first guide. So there we were with one rod each, both with broken tips. For bait we had a box of crankbaits - that’s it - nothing else! And to top it off, we sat cranking at the time when the grass was at its worst. All we did was pull grass out all day.
Anyway, the next day was the CFC @ Hartebeespoort Dam, and we decided to give that a try. We ended up 3rd on the day with an 8.5kg bag. That, with our two broken rods, a box of crankbaits, and NO IDEA! We decided early that day, that we’d get as many fish as possible for the day. After a while we called the organisers and said “Listen, when can we weigh some fish, and how many can we weigh at a time?” to which the reply was “Any time, but you’re only supposed to weigh in 5 for the day - ?!” We quickly opened the livewell and we counted about 25 fish! One of them was a 3kg fish, and it was surrounded by a couple of 2kg models, a few half-dead fish, and some upside-down fish. That was the start of our fishing “career” if you can
call it that – happy days.
Do you have a “go-to” bait?
What I have found is that a light Texas rig, with a Moffat (Varkenelli Customs 4.5” fluke) really works well for me. Black would be my colour if choice.
First rod and reel you owned?
If I remember rightly, it was a Nexave rod, and a Shimano Crestfire reel.
Boat setup?
I own a Ruffnek Tornado 19ft boat, the locally built one by Alan Fagan at Predator Boats. It is teamed with an Evinrude 250Hp H.O. motor (although it’s a bit of an overkill, I reckon). I have reached a top speed of around 130km/h on this boat, and it is stable on the water – really awesome boat!
Trolling motor: Motorguide 80lb rolling motor
Fish finders: I have 2 finders, one on the console, another at the trolling motor. Both are Hummingbird 997C units.
Bass Digest/January, 2014
Interview by Paul "Madporra" Pereira. Images supplied by Martin Lubbe