Bass Fishing Magazine in South Africa
December 2023
SABASS Magazine is available at Spar, Pick ‘n Pay, C.N.A., Exclusive Books
SA BASS has been the leading bass magazine since 2001 for everyone who loves bass fishing.
ON THE COVER
3.210kg, Brandon Bennett, Boskop Dam, NW
Image: Darryn Peplar
FEATURES
. Choose only 5 baits
Which baits will you prefer if you only may choose 5 baits? Here is my selection if I need to choose my top 5 favourite baits and explain why?
. Eyes on the prize
When out on the water, how much do we really take note of? What are we actually looking at, where is the concentration being channelled?
. Early summer bass fishing
We can still catch fish in the shallows but hear me out.
. My "go-to" bait
In the USA jigs are called the “million dollar bait” for only one reason, they have made many professional anglers millionaires.
. Summer is here
The long days of summer are finally here! You have been dreaming about these hot days all winter but to be a successful bass angler at the high of summer is not as easy as you have hoped.
. Bass and birds - A bass insight into who eats who
The relationship between bass and birds is not really something most of us give much thought to. As bass anglers when we are in the zone and on the water, the last thing we think of doing is staring up into the sky and at the trees around us.
. Summer worming - Getting the most out of worms this summer
Through all types of weather scenarios and at nearly any venue, if you fishing with some profile of plastic worm you stand a good chance of catching a bass. Worms are easy to use or manipulate which makes them favourites for beginners and professionals alike.
. Rede tot kommer?
Kom ons kyk na ‘n paar van die gevaarlike bakterie wat alledaags om ons is en wat potensiële gevaar vir ons almal se gesondheid kan inhou.
. Die Heldesaal - Jimmy Houston
Jimmy Houston is een van die legendes in die baarswêreld waarna soveel hengelaars opkyk. Ek vertel julle meer oor die flambojante Jimmy Houston.
. Fishing in the rain
If you spend all the money and time to go fishing and it starts to rain... and you are soaked, cold and the bites are few in between, it will become one of those trips you don’t want to remember.
. Driving with a loaded trailer - Part 2
Knowing how to tow a boat confidently and safely is a vital skill for any driver.
DESTINATION
- Tranquil Bass Track and Trout
TOURNAMENT NEWS
. MLF Toyota Series Schedule 2024
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
. My Cast
. Readers-go-Bassing
. Op my houtbordjie
. Basics for beginners
. Find-a-word
. Towing tip of the month
. International Angling News
. Gear Up
. Water levels in South Africa
November 2023
SABASS Magazine is available at Spar, Pick ‘n Pay, C.N.A., Exclusive Books
SA BASS has been the leading bass magazine since 2001 for everyone who loves bass fishing.
ON THE COVER
4.540kg, Jevan Schapira, Loskop Dam, MP
Image: Hannes Lindeque
FEATURES
. Understanding how territorial bass really are
When it comes to the question of how territorial are bass really it was obvious to me that this was one of those subjects that needed further investigation.
. Bassin’ in early summer
With the spawning beds vacated, the bass are in search of food, and wherever the food is, you will find action. The pattern will be determined by what time they feed − early morning, late morning, etc.
. Be different
If we only use baits and techniques available to every angler through the obvious channels of supply, then surely we will only be as successful as every other angler will be.
. Basic boat positioning
If we were more premeditated and precise with our boat positioning we would most definitely put more fish in the boat right?
. Die Heldesaal - Bill Dance
Ons kuier in Die Heldesaal by Bill Dance. Hy is beslis een van die voorlopers in die baarswêreld, en is in Amerika amper meer bekend as die president van die land self.
. Driving with a loaded trailer - Part 1
Knowing how to tow a boat confidently and safely is a vital skill for any driver.
INDUSTRY NEWS
. Garmin completes acquisition of JL Audio
DESTINATION
- Prime View Adventure and Leisure
- Ghost Mountain Inn
TOURNAMENT NEWS
.22 - MLF RSA National Championship 2023 - Loskop Dam
.26 - Tournaments for the 2023/24 season
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
. My Cast
. Readers-go-Bassing
. Op my houtbordjie
. Basics for beginners
. Find-a-word
. Towing tip of the month
. International Angling News
. Gear Up
. Water levels in South Africa
October 2023
SABASS Magazine is available at Spar, Pick ‘n Pay, C.N.A., Exclusive Books
SA BASS has been the leading bass magazine since 2001 for everyone who loves bass fishing.
ON THE COVER
4.175kg, Jannie Erasmus, Roodekopjes Dam, NW
Image: Hannes Lindeque
FEATURES
. Spawn season
I have broken it down into four simple groups which I feel is important and that has helped me catch a few good-sized bass.
. Structure versus cover
What is the difference between structure and cover, and how do you fish it? This is a question that anglers keep on asking.
. Obsessive addiction
Obsession means many things to many people. For some, it is something as simple and for others it is significantly more intangible...
. How to… fish frogs
The variety of plastic frogs available today is really impressive and anglers can choose from many different styles, colours and sizes.
. Catching Loskop giants
Do not make the mistake of thinking this is easy fishing. It is anything but easy and will test anyone’s skills in terms of boat control, accurate casting, and lure control.
. Cover combinations - Learning how to pick the better combo
When it comes to tackling cover combinations while out hunting down bass, more often than not we as bass anglers tend to lose the plot at times.
. My favourite seasonal pattern
It is a pattern that I preferred above all others, especially now during pre-spawn.
. Understanding depth - The keys to avoid fishing empty water
How often have we as bass anglers wondered to ourselves while fishing “Are there actually any bass here?” The answer will always vary from angler to angler but the truth of the matter is it happens quite regularly.
. Driving with a loaded trailer - Part 1
Knowing how to tow a boat confidently and safely is a vital skill for any driver.
. About Shaky Heads
It’s not really known as a "big fish bait" but from time to time it will proudest kicker fish.
. Die Heldesaal – Lauri Rapala
Ek dink nie daar is ‘n baarshengelaar wat nie iewers in sy viskas ‘n Rapala of twee het nie. Ek vertel julle graag meer oor Lauri Rapala.
INDUSTRY NEWS
- Mercury Marine’s Avator electric outboard.
DESTINATION
- Tachiro Hunting and Fishing
TOURNAMENT NEWS
- Tachiro Hunting and Fishing
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
. My Cast
. Readers-go-Bassing
. Op my houtbordjie
. Basics for beginners
. Towing tip of the month
. International Angling News
. Gear Up
. Water levels in South Africa
August 2023
SABASS Magazine is available at Spar, Pick ‘n Pay, C.N.A., Exclusive Books
SA BASS has been the leading bass magazine since 2001 for everyone who loves bass fishing.
ON THE COVER
3.41kg, Willem Rheeder, Albert Falls Dam, KZN
Image: Willem Rheeder
FEATURES
. Locating the baitfish
Why could I not catch anything and then experience twenty minutes of fishing madness that disappeared as quickly as it came?
. About your boat’s cover – Part 1
A boat can be a large investment, ensuring its protection with a high-quality cover will extend the life of the craft and provide many more years of boating pleasure
. The key to success
The successful angler is one who is able to brave the any conditions and adapt his versatility to suit every occasion.
. Finding the right pattern
Finding the right pattern on the day makes an average day a super day of fishing.
. Bassing advice for when times limited
Catching bass is not easy all the time but repeating the same tactical procedures over and over when the clocks ticking won’t help your cause either.
. Lure characteristics that draw bass in
The way a lure moves through the water is a big factor in drawing power when it comes to the successful characteristics of bass lures.
. About swim jigs
Using jigs can be very versatile, whether you’re dragging a deep drop-off, flipping trees, or flipping lily pads this bait can produce big bites.
. Die Heldesaal - James Heddon
In hierdie reeks gesels ons oor hengellegends uit die verlede. Ons gesels so ‘n bietjie oor die vader van die eerste kunsaas, James Heddon.
TOURNAMENT NEWS
. Cast-for-Cash Tournament Results
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
. My Cast
. Readers-go-Bassing
. Basics for beginners
. Op my houtbordjie
. Towing tip of the month
. International Angling News
. Gear Up
. Water levels in South Africa
September 2023
SABASS Magazine is available at Spar, Pick ‘n Pay, C.N.A., Exclusive Books
SA BASS has been the leading bass magazine since 2001 for everyone who loves bass fishing.
ON THE COVER
3.78kg, Francois Joubert, Lake Mteri, Zimbabwe
Image: Francois Joubert
FEATURES
. Early spring bassin’
The pre-spawn period depends on regionally variable climatic conditions and bass will alter their behaviour and go through a transition phase knowing as the staging period.
. Trailer hooks for spinnerbaits
Some strikes on spinnerbaits can be short and very frustrating. Here are two rigging methods to help you land those short strike fish.
. Topwater retrieval techniques
Let’s take a look at a selection of topwater lures and put their retrieval techniques into action.
. About your boat’s cover – Part 2
It is important that you prepare the boat and trailer for your journey. Common sense applications are necessary.
. The importance of checking tackle
Taking a moment to check out our tackle and equipment before we get caught up in the excitement seems like a wise decision we should all make.
. Spring flooding - The high water game plan for spring
To maximise our chances of locating any fish in this scenario a bass angler must have a game plan and knowing what the bass might be getting up to under these conditions seems a good place to start.
. Why do we fish?
It’s a difficult question and one I can’t explain, yet somehow I feel that amongst us bass anglers we all don’t really know why we go fishing.
. Die Heldesaal – Johnny Morris
Ons kuier in Die Heldesaal by Johnny Morris, die stigter van die reuse buitelewe jag- en hengel winkelgroep.
. Die balansering van bewaring en swartbaars
In hierdie artikel kyk ons na die positiewe, en negatiewe gevolge van die verwydering van swartbaars van hulle neste gedurende hul kuitskiet tydperk.
. Bassin’ in South Korea
What started as a quest for change soon transformed into an unexpected passion – bass fishing.
. Dis lente
Een van die belangrikste dinge wat hengelaars moet onthou is dat die lente soms vier seisoene in een kan wees.
TOURNAMENT NEWS
. MLF Namibia Tournament news vol 4
. BASS Bulawayo’s 39th Winter Classic Held at Inyankuni Dam
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
. My Cast
. Readers-go-Bassing
. Gear Up - ICAST special
. Op my houtbordjie
. Basics for beginners
. International Angling News
. Gear Up
. Water levels in South Africa