15’6 Wahoo Ski-boat with two Merc 40’s (called
“Jasper”) in December 1977. He bought this boat
from Mike Plotz for R4800 and Franz eventually took it
over in 1991.
In 1995 he changed to a 16’ Invader Cat with 2 x
70hp Evinrudes which was fitted with an LMS 350A
unit – as was his next boat, a Mercury-powered 575
Mallards Swift Cat which he bought in 2001.
Maximising his chances of good catches, Franz then
bought his 24’ Cobra Cat with two Mercury Verado
motors in 2010 – which is kitted with “everything
Lowrance sells!” This includes Sonic Hub, Lowrance
VHF radio, a dash-mounted Carbon 16, an HDS 9”
unit mounted under the cabin roof at eye level
facing forward and there’s an HDS 12 Touch screen
on the top helm
That same year Franz and team won top spot in the
OET fishing competition and the prize boat, a Cobra
Cat 630, which he sold.
His most memorable catches include a Blue Marlin of
363kg – he had released a similar sized one just three
weeks before – as well as a Black Marlin of 263kg that
won the Calcutta in the Billfish 15000. He also caught
a Blue Marlin of 198kg that won the Calcutta in the
OET.
Franz added, “Lowrance’s service and backup is
exceptional and the units are so easy to use – they’re
simple to navigate and work just as you think they
should! John Minnie gives such good technical
advice and if anything goes wrong, such as if you
bump a setting – you just give him a call and he’ll
help you fix it over the phone!”
Taking after dad, his two daughters Finn-Lee (13)
and Kay-Lee (9) are avid anglers – and Finn-Lee has
already released two Marlin (Striped and Black) and
other gamefish.
Watch this spot – we’ll no doubt see some good
results from both of them as they continue to fish
competitions.
Video