Bass Fishing Magazine in South Africa
May 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
“4.200kg; Francois Joubert @ Rust de Winter Dam”
Image: Francois Joubert
FEATURES
. Albert Falls Dam in autumn
Some people like New York in June, some like Paris in the spring, but anyone with half an inkling on what is actually good for them will like Albert Falls in autumn.
. Tournament tactics
Tournament bass angling is a mental game and anglers must learn how to keep a high level of awareness during the day’s fishing. Don’t get distracted and don’t pay attention to other competitors landing fish next to you.
. Blotchy Bass Syndrome
Melanosis (aka Blotchy Bass Syndrome or BBS) is a condition characterized by black, ink-like spots, on the skin, fins and/or mouths of Micropterus species. The cause is unknown and a coordinated bio-surveillance network is needed to understand the geographical extent, seasonality, prevalence, and biological threat of this viral disease to black basses
. Changing seasons
As the seasons change and our habits change, so do those of the bass. Sometimes it is just a minor adjustment that will do the trick, but more often than not you will have to devise a whole new different plan to keep your dreams alive.
. Docks & jetties
Boat docks and jetties are some of the most overlooked places to find quality fish by the average bass fanatic
. When your game plan comes together
Everything we do and every aspect of our preparation is dependent on whether the bass will be doing what we need them to be doing
. The roaming bass
Bass are social fish by nature and while you may encounter one lonely specimen here or there it’s actually a rare occasion. There are three areas of interest worth observing when it comes to understanding the roaming bass mentality.
. Edges and ledges
Gaining a deeper insight as to how bass behave around cover and drop-offs becomes quite important. Henceforth our focus is brought towards taking a closer look at the edges of the cover and the ledges of drop-offs.
. Terminal tackle
Fishing line represents the umbilical cord that connects us with our quarry and making the right choice of connection will ultimately determine our degree of success or failure.
. Muddy water bassin’
It’s important to know that muddy conditions due to rain often impact the waters more a longer period of time than windy conditions. None the less they both have the same impact.
DESTINATION
. Ezemvelo
TOURNAMENT NEWS
. Cast-for-Cash Tournament Results
. Cast-for-Cash Tournament Report
. MLF TBC Tournament Report
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
. My Cast
. Readers-go-Bassing
. Basics for beginners
. Op my houtbordjie
. International Angling News
. Gear Up
. Water levels in South Africa
June 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
“5.040kg; MLF RSA TBC Champion 2023 - Glen Lees @ Disaneng Dam”
Image: Hannes Lindeque
FEATURES
. Get to the point!
Points are a must on any given fishing day, so it pays huge dividends knowing how to fish them effectively.
. Cold water bassing
Understanding the seasonal patterns, and how fish respond to weather is what the angler must know and the knowledge will improve you as a bass angler.
. Brush Hogs
This creature bait can be presented in many ways but it is the diversity in movement that makes the Brush Hog a very versatile bait.
. What is today’s pattern?
As you know the variety and depth of lure choices at a bass angler’s disposal is infinite so where do you start?
. Tactics to beat low water slumps
Catching bass is never easy otherwise we would all be pro anglers. However, there are ways to increase your bag limits and mistakes an angler can avoid to get the most out of each session.
. Winter bass kayaking
Bass fishing from any kayak is a lot of fun and always an adventure.
. Fishing trees
The success in fishing trees definitely lies in your choice of bait.
. Hoe meer “Haas” hoe minder spoed
Baie hengelaars is egter in die duister oor watter tegnieke om te gebruik wanneer daar stadiger gehengel moet word.
. Soft plastic worms
The bottom line is that they have probably accounted for more caught bass over the years than any other style of soft plastic.
DESTINATION
. SA Baars Mannenaweek 2023 by Little Long Creek
TOURNAMENT NEWS
. Cast-for-Cash Tournament Results
. Cast-for-Cash Tournament Report
. MLF TBC Tournament Report
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
. My Cast
. Readers-go-Bassing
. Basics for beginners
. Op my houtbordjie
. International Angling News
. Gear Up
. Water levels in South Africa
April 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
“3.496kg; Ruben Roux @ Witbank Dam”
Image: Hannes Lindeque
FEATURES
. The art of bass fishing
Contending with and overcoming all the variable aspects of our sport is an art, an art that will never get old or ever become a lost art, that is for sure.
. Bass lures for autumn
Autumn fishing can be difficult at times, but for most part it means intense strikes, fast moving baits, and a variety of techniques to take advantage of.
. Autumn patterns
I would not call the autumn months, days of frenzied feeding, but definitely, a time when concentrations of fish can be found, and found during a time when competing for food will become more of a reality with each cooling day.
. How often can a bass be caught?
As weighmaster, I stand amazed at how many spectators grab their rods and make multiple casts in the release area at our monthly MLF bass angling tournaments. Do they really think that those stressed fish will grab their bait after they have been released?
. Get your angle right
The angle at which we present our bait to a waiting bass can often be the difference between success and failure.
. The best a bassing venue has to offer
We are blessed with some truly, pristine locations jotted all over our country that holds some big bass of world noting quality.
. A focus on laydowns this autumn
They might not always seem like much from above but a whole lot is happening underneath the surface that escapes the angler's eye.
. Jerkbaits for all conditions
There is a perception amongst some anglers that jerkbaits catch small fish. Yes they are very efficient in catching small aggressive keeper fish, but some of my largest small and largemouth has come on them too.
. Terug na my wortels
Sedert my kinderjare het ek nooit weer die geleentheid gehad om in my tuisdorp te gaan hengel nie, en ek sou graag die damme waar ek my liefde vir baarshengel ontwikkel het, met my gesin wou deel.
. Tournament pressure
The sport of competitive bass fishing presents you with a myriad of variables, some we can manage and some that we cannot, so too are the demons that we unleash when the pressure sets in.
. How to approach weed lines
Many anglers fail to appreciate that a weed bed normally has two weed lines. One on the shallow side and one on the deep side.
DESTINATION
. Die Damhuisie
TOURNAMENT NEWS
. Cast-for-Cash Tournament Results
. Cast-for-Cash Tournament Report
. MLF TBC Tournament Report
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
. My Cast
. Readers-go-Bassing
. Basics for beginners
. Op my houtbordjie
. International Angling News
. Gear Up
. Water levels in South Africa
March 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
“4.12kg Tzaneen Dam bass”
Image: Ruan de Jager
FEATURES
. Top water tactics and lure selection
The visual nature of presentation and strike has a certain additive property to it, and let’s face it, nothing beats the feeling as a bass explodes and destroys your lure. Fortunately, there is more to top-water fishing than just the visual appeal thereof.
. Where to find the baitfish
We need to find the baitfish to find good concentrations of quality bass. Here are some pointers on where one can expect to find some of the more common baitfish species in our water around this time of the year.
. Catch-and-release
Taking care of our bass is important to both the public image and the future of the sport. Unfortunately, there are too many anglers who wait too long before they bring fish to be weighed
Autumn bassin’
. Autumn brings shorter daylight hours, cooler nights, and most opportunely for us anglers the desire for a bass to begin actively feeding in order to increase its fat stores for winter.
. Big plastic baits
Fishing a big soft plastic can be very different from what you might be used to! The trick is to know when, where, and how to fish the monster softies to attract those really big bites!
. Farm dam basics
Just because these rural, country waters look rather simple to conquer does not mean the bass residing there are easy pickings. Farm dams can differ largely in size and shape but…
. Deep offshore cranking
Deepwater cranking has been one of my favourite ways of catching offshore bass for many years. This was initiated by watching videos lent by other bass fanatics.
. Simple autumn tactics
Bass anglers are constantly searching for new ways to do things and sometimes all we end up achieving is overcomplicating the situation. Let’s rather try keeping things simple.
. Lipless fishing
Just the idea of running a lure through underwater grass with two treble hooks dangling from its belly may appear to be an act of madness by most anglers. But in fact, you want your lipless crankbait to come in contact with the grass.
. Submerged weed lines
Hidden in the submerged weed lines you will find three things namely oxygen, shelter and bass.
DESTINATION
. Little Long Creek
. Hazelmere Dam
TOURNAMENT NEWS
. Cast-for-Cash Tournament Results
. MLF TBC Tournament Report
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
. My Cast
. Readers-go-Bassing
. Basics for beginners
. Op my houtbordjie
. International Angling News
. Gear Up
. Water levels in South Africa
February 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
“Early bird”
Image: Roger Barrett
FEATURES
. Big bass baits
The reality of it is that most of the lures we throw are significantly smaller than most of the food that our target-size bass consume on a daily basis.
. Fishing with light line
Light tackle is not restricted to winter or clear water, or when times are tuff. Light line is truly versatile and can be used at any time, and can be very effective when mastered.
. Let’s go light
The water was cold, the fish sneaky and discerning, but the light 6’10” spinning rod shouted the bite to me loud and clear! The venue was Albert Falls River…
. About grubs
Some people try to overcomplicate it, and a whole lot must still learn how to fish grubs. Most fishermen experiment with grubs and fail because they fish them too fast.
. The one hour challenge
An hour to crack the code under any condition is a pressure deal, but even if you have the luxury of a day at an unseen venue, adopting some of these tactics will undoubtedly increase your chances of success
. Catch & release tips
Sometimes we get a little too caught up in the moment and a slight mishandling could be detrimental to the fish we care about so much.
. Disease and injury identification
As bass angling stewards we strive to learn as much as we can about our dedicated cause. Sometimes it includes finding or catching bass that are diseased or injured.
. Frog fishing in Japan
Japan is at the forefront of research and development regarding bass fishing gear, techniques, and technologies.
. Wanneer die grotes wegkom
Wat baie van ons skrywers egter nie met die lesers deel nie, is die kere wat die grotes weggekom het…
. Post spawn strategies
On a trip to Boshkop Dam we found the fish in a typical post spawn scenario. Although it was quite late in the season this part of the world seems a little cooler explaining the seemingly late post-spawn.
. Handling pressure
You just catch fish after fish and really feel confident in your abilities. Then when you go back there the next day and you cannot buy a bite.
. Fishing Shaky Heads
One of the most productive lures in a bass angler’s arsenal is Shaky Heads and very easy to use.
A little Shaky Head will often deliver bites in conditions when it seems nothing else works.
DESTINATION
. Thabo Se Dam
TOURNAMENT NEWS
. Cast-for-Cash Tournament Results
. MLF TBC Tournament Report
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
. My Cast
. Readers-go-Bassing
. Basics for beginners
. Op my houtbordjie
. International Angling News
. Gear Up
. Water levels in South Africa
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