Rods and reels – what do you fish with and what are your favourites?
Although I really like the Kistler KLX rods, my preference is the Kistler Z-bone range of rods. The sensitivity of these things is unbelievable.
As for reels, I’m a Shimano boy – I think they just last, so I stick to Shimano. I have a number of the Calais 200DC’s, Core’s, a few Chronarch’s, and I even have a Metanium 8.5:1 ratio, which is an awesome reel.
Do you have a “favourite dam”?
If I had to choose one, it would have to be Mokolo Dam. The surroundings are so beautiful that it just adds to my fishing pleasure.
What lure/s did you consistently catch fish on in your early days?
A Norman DLN, as that’s all I had for about a year! After about a year, I got a spinnerbait, and then started trying plastics.
Did fishing with Richard help you become better in any way?
The good thing with us is that we fished differently. He had a lot of patience and fished much slower than me, whereas I was more of a power fisherman. I think that combination helped to cover all bases. Generally he’d get a lot more bites because of the way he fished.
Tell us about your PB
4.96kg, Letsibogo Dam in August 2013 – a beaut of a fish! I caught it on a 7” “Cricket” (a Varkenelli Senko type bait). What a dam. What a fish ……..
Do you ever think about your “dream boat”?
If you compare the bass fishing in SA to the states, to spend R800k on a boat means you really have a big wallet. You also have to consider what level you want to achieve here. If you want to go all the way and get to the Bassmasters or something, you will want to get used to what they use in the USA, so that when you go there, it’s not new to you.
But being in Africa, you have great local boats being made, like the Predator and Ruffnek boats. I mean, I always dreamed of having a Tornado boat, and now I have one. I think I have the perfect boat and I love my boat. It has all the lights and everything you need in terms of things that open and shut. It handles well on the waterand it’s a really great rig. My wife even calls it the Black Hole.
The Black Hole?
Yes, because it just swallows up all the money hahahaha!
At the Vaal Dam I was quite impressed with it. We went through a hectic patch with big waves and it handled it really well, for which I was very grateful.
If I had to choose though, I would say ……….. whew, probably between a Triton or a Ranger boat. Then again, I would also need to win the Lotto or something
What is your confidence bait?
Texas rigged plastics at the moment. It used to be cranks before, for obvious reasons. Also weightless. I think this is the way forward for me.
Mono, fluoro or braid?
Mainly fluoro. I mainly fish Gamma 14lb, but I also fish with the Varkenelli Infinity line, which is a really great line.
Bass Digest/January, 2014