September 2014 Newsletter
Hillcrest Store
The Basil Manning Hillcrest Franchise Store has recently closed as the owners have taken a decision to focus on their core business. We offer a personal shopper service and can arrange delivery to you, both domestically and country-wide. See contact details below.
Fishing Report
Spring is definitely here along with everything that goes with it from a fishing perspective.
Unfortunately in the salt we have been faced with some really adverse season winds, but whenever conditions look favourable there seems to be quite a few fish around. For the rock and surf guys, some really good summer flat fish put in an early appearance and some serious cold upwelling off-shore moved lots of Raggies onto our beaches and points and many were caught often in unusual places. This also killed lots of cuttle-fish and other small fish that were found washed up on our beaches up and down the coast.
For the spinning guys, things have been pretty bleak as far as Garrick and Snoek are concerned, but there have been some outstanding catches, in particular Tim Botha’s Yellowfin Tuna caught on an Assassin Amia and a GT Ice Cream Flat Face. Tim hooked the fish off Scombe Point whilst spinning for Garrick and managed to get the fish to the beach where a group of anglers managed to get some lovely pictures of him and the fish (like us on the Basil Manning Facebook page).
Off-shore - Snoek have been quite conspicuous in their absence and although there have been a few Garrick around it has been a really dismal run and should be a major concern to all of us. We should start seeing the first Dorado and Billfish within the next few weeks.
The estuaries are starting to warm up and there has already been a bit of action in them, especially in the Transkei and the bay has had some pretty good Grunter fishing at times.
On the fresh-water side, Bass have started spawning which makes for some really exciting fishing over the next few weeks. Some really good Trout have been caught in the still waters which should still be working well for the next month or two. Yellowfish or Scaleys have also started biting more readily and will definitely be starting to move upstream as soon as we get a bit of rain.
There has been some pretty good Tiger Fish action up at Jozini. Remember that this is a very good time of the year for them. The first bit of rain will definitely see a huge improvement particularly at the top end of the dam.
Tackle Talk
New Items
- The much awaited Assassin Sierra 11 foot rods have come in and have proven to be outstanding rods for shore-game fishing. Besides being bullet-proof, they are the lightest shore-game rod in their class by miles. Also in the 11 foot size is the GT-busting Assassin Sierra 2XH. This super-strong rod throws 3oz to 5oz[/*]
- New to the Assassin Amia range are 7, 8 and 9 foot 2-piece rods and for travel purposes there is an 8 foot in 3-piece and an 11 foot in 4-piece. For those of you that don’t know about microwave guides, have a chat to Mick Clark, aka “The Codfatherâ€. Mick was recently invited to have a throw with the Assassin Amia 11 foot with microwave guides on the Umkomaas Golf Course and was blown away with the technology and the spoon was thrown away over the trees. [/*]
- New Assassin Tiger rod – these new 7 and 8 foot specialist Tiger rods are selling out very fast. Grab yours while there is stock.[/*]
- New Maxrods now in stock. These very well-priced great action rods are even lighter than before.[/*]
- Led Lensor – the very latest in headlight technology up to 850 lumins now in store.[/*]
- The new Maxreel Surf 14000 is a great reel at a good price for serious surf-fishermen.[/*]
- The very popular CID Slimbaits and Shiversticks have two new colours in the range – Glow and UV Orange. [/*]
- New Island Lures and Black Bart will be in store within the next week.[/*]
- Williamson has introduced a Surface Popper Pro and a new Surface Pro stickbait to their range.[/*]
- Bass championship winning lure – the history making sound and vibration emitting Livingstone lure will be in store within the next week.[/*]
- Dynabaits have come out with a range of freeze-dried squid, cuttle-fish, octopus, mussel, sand-mussel and blood-worm. Once these baits are rehydrated they can be used whole or as cut-bait.
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- Top-end Gosen braid – this is the very best of Gosen’s range and is called Jigging. It is ideal for long, smooth casts and high-breaking strain, small diameter applications. On promotion at R 749.95.[/*]
- Rapala XRap Magnums – buy 5, get 2 free
[/*] - Williamson Speed Pro – buy 4, get 2 free
[/*] - Buy any Assassin Amia and get a free EVA Knob and an Assassin casting glove[/*]
- Shimano Aerocasts, Trevallas and Talaveras on special[/*]
- Shimano Saragosa, Torium 30 and Tyrnos 30 on special[/*]
- Costas on a not to be missed special[/*]
- Assassin Beachmaster series on special.[/*]
- Big game combos are on season opening specials – can’t be missed[/*]
- Spinning combos on special
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Back in stock
· Assassin Spin 11ft now in stock
· Iron Candy SV spoons ideal for Shad are now back in stock in new packaging.
· Rod Travel Cases from Plano and Predator
· For the drop-shot and paddle-tail gang, a full range of Mad Mullet jig heads are now in stock and for the clumsy amongst us and those looking for a little nifty gift, a hook-remover kit is now available.
· The Rockpoint range of Soi Eye hooks has been very popular, especially the larger sizes up to 11/0. The point on these hooks stays sharp for an incredibly long time and the hooks can be used over and over again. Speak to somebody that has used these hooks. We are certain you will get some very positive feedback.
· Full range of JDB braid
· Spro frogs back in stock
Basil’s Rewards Programme
Rewards issued at the end of June will expire on 30 September where-after the new quarter rewards will be calculated. If you have not yet spent your credits, pop in and enquire about it at the Cashier’s Desk.
Till we talk again, have some awesome fishing!
