Bass Fishing Magazine 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
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