[align=center][size=Tafika on Lower][size=Zambezi][size=,][size=Zimbabwe][size= Oct 2011][/align]
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A party of 8 of us have just returned from a week long trip to Tafika on Lower Zambezi- 3 first time visitors to Zimbabwe from Guernsey UK, the rest of us returning locals from round the world (Guernsey, Australia and SA) with one local chap from Harare. Only 3 of the group had fished the river from boat before. We had the trip of a lifetime and had fishing to dream about. We received nothing short of a full open welcome all round and had no practical problems once we arrived in Zim. Air Zim flights were a problem and we had to scrap them and rebook on SAA. Two others (Harare guys) from our group pulled out the trip at 2 day’s notice which left us struggling for vehicles – this was unforeseen.
Note- if you are a member of Springbok Supporters Club you get a 20% discount on SAA fares!!
We caught in excess of 700lb of tigerfish in this time (all catch and release) in 6 ½ days of fishing from pontoon type boats - a total of 144 tigerfish, not to mention many other species (bream to 5lb,chessa, barbell to 25lb, mbera, and squeeker ). Vundhu were elusive.
[size=[font="Times New Roman"]Spinning[/font]]
The remarkable story is how well the spinners got on both in terms of size and number of fish caught. Adam and myself (who have both fished with lures on other continents, but not the Zambezi) came 1[suP]st[/suP] and 2[suP]nd[/suP] out of the group of 8 by number of tigerfish ( 28 to Adam and 25 self), between us we caught 280/ 700 lbs almost exclusively on spinners. Adam took a clonker of 19lb on day 1 and a hat trick on day 3 (straight run of 11 12 and 13lb !). I had 2 doubles at 10 lb over the week. I wonder if 19lb is approaching a record for lure caught tiger for that stretch of the river?? I won the looser prize on day 4 with a single 9lb – it was based on number of fish rather than weight. We were expecting to be outfished by bait.
At the onset we were the only lure tarts and had arrived with a wide range of kit to try out from our respective countries (Adam fresh water Australian bass and self sea bass from Guernsey, UK)During the week the others were increasingly interested in trying out lures – our biggest problem was trying to find a supply in the middle of the bush! There was a consensus amongst the group that spinning outfished bait fishing.
Many wonderful fish were were taken and returned on bait too with a good number of other double figure fish up to 14 and 15 lbs – most of us had a double.
The challenge is : ‘ if you always do what you’ve always done, then you’ll get what you’ve always got’(if you are lucky!)
[size=[font="Times New Roman"]Equipment[/font]]
Our favorite lure was Mepps Aglia Long no 4 in red by a long margin ; I particularly rotated through others when the fish were on and was disappointed in others (including Effzett, Lucius, XRap Rapalas, and some soft plastics). Undoubtedly my technique was lacking with the spoon types, particularly as others find them so effective. I did take a 6lb off the surface with a Chug Bug which I was particularly pleased with. By the middle of the trip we were painting our other lures red with borrowed nail varnish!! We dressed the single G hook size 5/0 with a small tapered strip of bait.
I think I should buy shares in Mepps – I had imported them from the company in US direct at approx usd$5 each.
We experimented with at least 10 different designs of trace on the end of our braid – the most successful model was a relatively short trace (25cm mutistrand 40lb) with a small dark swivel at the top (proximal) end and just a wire clip on the other (removed the swivel component of the clip to prevent the lure swinging back on itself). We used a transverse crimp twice at right angles to each other. Adam preferred going directly onto his lure as he was not changing off the red Mepps if he could help it (less links in the chain). On this set up we experienced no trace snap offs, and very infrequent failure.
We both used braid on a MH rod 7-8 foot with 4000 reels – although Adam switched a 2500 Stella towards the end without problem. I used braid of 30lb which was too heavy- next time I would switch to 20lb. I feel one needs the strength to be able to tug lures off reeds etc. I did consider using a shockleader in addition, but did not get round to trying it out.
The majority of hookups were well set in the corner of the mouth. Once fully on we lost surprisingly few near the boat. Striking technique was initially on impact followed by a 2[suP]nd[/suP] strike against an early run. Perhaps we hooked into 25% of our bites.
[size=[font="Times New Roman"]Tafika[/font]]
[size=[font="Times New Roman"] [/font]]
We arrived with very high expectations and were not disappointed. In all respect the camp was outstanding – accom/food/drink/pontoon style boats and gillies. Geoff and Jacqui really pushed the boat out, so to speak!. The fishing equipment was suitable for bait fishing only. I would recommend at least taking a good reel and line if unable to carry a rod in. We all felt that it offered an excellent experience and would highly recommend it- the position on the river is outstanding, in the middle of pristine bush.
We saw loads of excellent game including lion, painted dogs and even sable on the drive out at Makuti. We even saw croc eggs being lifted by Parks for the crocodile farms.
There was a significant brush with Zambian authorities which could have deteriorated- warning there!
Tafika means ‘you have arrived’ in Shona.
We all really appreciated the Catch and Release policy; often the successful release was the highlight.
[size=[font="Times New Roman"]Thanks[/font]]
I spent an awful long time preparing for this trip and owe a debt to everyone who has helped me online- Tommo, Bruce, Rudi, Denham, Hugh, and Jaco to mention a few. Also to Mark for compiling our stats.Thanks for letting me pick your brains so hard – I hope this report helps put something back into the pool.
I have never experienced such outstanding sports angling in my lifetime. It will take a while to get excited about shore fishing for sea bass this winter!
[align=right]Jonathan Pearce[/align]
[size=[font="Times New Roman"] [/font]]
A party of 8 of us have just returned from a week long trip to Tafika on Lower Zambezi- 3 first time visitors to Zimbabwe from Guernsey UK, the rest of us returning locals from round the world (Guernsey, Australia and SA) with one local chap from Harare. Only 3 of the group had fished the river from boat before. We had the trip of a lifetime and had fishing to dream about. We received nothing short of a full open welcome all round and had no practical problems once we arrived in Zim. Air Zim flights were a problem and we had to scrap them and rebook on SAA. Two others (Harare guys) from our group pulled out the trip at 2 day’s notice which left us struggling for vehicles – this was unforeseen.
Note- if you are a member of Springbok Supporters Club you get a 20% discount on SAA fares!!
We caught in excess of 700lb of tigerfish in this time (all catch and release) in 6 ½ days of fishing from pontoon type boats - a total of 144 tigerfish, not to mention many other species (bream to 5lb,chessa, barbell to 25lb, mbera, and squeeker ). Vundhu were elusive.
[size=[font="Times New Roman"]Spinning[/font]]
The remarkable story is how well the spinners got on both in terms of size and number of fish caught. Adam and myself (who have both fished with lures on other continents, but not the Zambezi) came 1[suP]st[/suP] and 2[suP]nd[/suP] out of the group of 8 by number of tigerfish ( 28 to Adam and 25 self), between us we caught 280/ 700 lbs almost exclusively on spinners. Adam took a clonker of 19lb on day 1 and a hat trick on day 3 (straight run of 11 12 and 13lb !). I had 2 doubles at 10 lb over the week. I wonder if 19lb is approaching a record for lure caught tiger for that stretch of the river?? I won the looser prize on day 4 with a single 9lb – it was based on number of fish rather than weight. We were expecting to be outfished by bait.
At the onset we were the only lure tarts and had arrived with a wide range of kit to try out from our respective countries (Adam fresh water Australian bass and self sea bass from Guernsey, UK)During the week the others were increasingly interested in trying out lures – our biggest problem was trying to find a supply in the middle of the bush! There was a consensus amongst the group that spinning outfished bait fishing.
Many wonderful fish were were taken and returned on bait too with a good number of other double figure fish up to 14 and 15 lbs – most of us had a double.
The challenge is : ‘ if you always do what you’ve always done, then you’ll get what you’ve always got’(if you are lucky!)
[size=[font="Times New Roman"]Equipment[/font]]
Our favorite lure was Mepps Aglia Long no 4 in red by a long margin ; I particularly rotated through others when the fish were on and was disappointed in others (including Effzett, Lucius, XRap Rapalas, and some soft plastics). Undoubtedly my technique was lacking with the spoon types, particularly as others find them so effective. I did take a 6lb off the surface with a Chug Bug which I was particularly pleased with. By the middle of the trip we were painting our other lures red with borrowed nail varnish!! We dressed the single G hook size 5/0 with a small tapered strip of bait.
I think I should buy shares in Mepps – I had imported them from the company in US direct at approx usd$5 each.
We experimented with at least 10 different designs of trace on the end of our braid – the most successful model was a relatively short trace (25cm mutistrand 40lb) with a small dark swivel at the top (proximal) end and just a wire clip on the other (removed the swivel component of the clip to prevent the lure swinging back on itself). We used a transverse crimp twice at right angles to each other. Adam preferred going directly onto his lure as he was not changing off the red Mepps if he could help it (less links in the chain). On this set up we experienced no trace snap offs, and very infrequent failure.
We both used braid on a MH rod 7-8 foot with 4000 reels – although Adam switched a 2500 Stella towards the end without problem. I used braid of 30lb which was too heavy- next time I would switch to 20lb. I feel one needs the strength to be able to tug lures off reeds etc. I did consider using a shockleader in addition, but did not get round to trying it out.
The majority of hookups were well set in the corner of the mouth. Once fully on we lost surprisingly few near the boat. Striking technique was initially on impact followed by a 2[suP]nd[/suP] strike against an early run. Perhaps we hooked into 25% of our bites.
[size=[font="Times New Roman"]Tafika[/font]]
[size=[font="Times New Roman"] [/font]]
We arrived with very high expectations and were not disappointed. In all respect the camp was outstanding – accom/food/drink/pontoon style boats and gillies. Geoff and Jacqui really pushed the boat out, so to speak!. The fishing equipment was suitable for bait fishing only. I would recommend at least taking a good reel and line if unable to carry a rod in. We all felt that it offered an excellent experience and would highly recommend it- the position on the river is outstanding, in the middle of pristine bush.
We saw loads of excellent game including lion, painted dogs and even sable on the drive out at Makuti. We even saw croc eggs being lifted by Parks for the crocodile farms.
There was a significant brush with Zambian authorities which could have deteriorated- warning there!
Tafika means ‘you have arrived’ in Shona.
We all really appreciated the Catch and Release policy; often the successful release was the highlight.
[size=[font="Times New Roman"]Thanks[/font]]
I spent an awful long time preparing for this trip and owe a debt to everyone who has helped me online- Tommo, Bruce, Rudi, Denham, Hugh, and Jaco to mention a few. Also to Mark for compiling our stats.Thanks for letting me pick your brains so hard – I hope this report helps put something back into the pool.
I have never experienced such outstanding sports angling in my lifetime. It will take a while to get excited about shore fishing for sea bass this winter!
[align=right]Jonathan Pearce[/align]
