Doordekraal in winter

[Johnny Stander]

Hi guys

I was wondering if anyone can provide me with details on fishing for Bass in winter season at Doordekraal like, would it be worth it to try for Bass or would it be a waste of my time. Where else could I try? What conditions do I look for and what is the preferred bait. I normally fish saltwater and join a friend once on an occasion and is hooked. Any info would be appreciated.

Oh ya forgot to add I will be using a kayak for access.

Thanks

Johnny

:kaykak:fishn

 

[JasonVorster]

Glad to see you going to be on a kayak - was about to suggest it's a must at Doordekraal as just baout completely surrounded by reeds - i know they have cleaned up a few holes there. Never really fished there in winter however it might be a good time to get some decent bass there. There are some very nice size fish there. Biggese that i personally know of that came out was a 3.2kg and that was a good few years ago.
Fishing will be slow now that it is winter - the second island usually provides some decent bass but you going to have to get your lures right up in the structure. Usually brush hogs work extremely well there - caught majority of my fish there on watermelon and also green pumpkin - go for the 6". Flukes are also deadly there. Main thing as i mentioned before is fish extremly slow and right up in the structure. behond the island might also work as it might be slightly warmer - also along the weed edges is usually productive in the chanel. Hope this helps. Havnt been there this winter only the summer as im on a float tube - needless to say the water might be a little cold for me.

 

[Johnny Stander]

Thanks for the info Jason it’s much appreciated. Luckily the water doesn’t bother me as I sit on top not in it ……he he he.

 

[Rattlekop]

Hi guys,

Isn't the dam closed now during winter? Think it only opens again in October if I remember right...

Cheers,

 

[Johnny Stander]

What you mean .......isn’t it closed? It’s a dam and doesn’t belong to anyone as far as I know. Yes institutions looks after it……so what you are saying is since its closed you can’t go on the dam and try to catch something and release it back again.??

But thanks for the information.

 

[JasonVorster]

Not sure about the dam being closed. Must admit i havnt been down since this winter started. surely they would close the dam. Id say make a turn and chat to the guard on duty - see what he says - usually a friendly chap.

 

[pappi choulo]

hi guys, doordekraal dam does have a closed season, which runs from march to october every year or something like that, i'm not 100% sure about the dates, but i know for sure it's closed for fishing right now.

besides that you also need a special permit to fish there, over and above the normal freshwater angling permit. i know there's a lot of controversy about it and that not everyone agrees with it, but that's still the way it stands at present.

pc

 

[Vleipadda]

Yes this is true from the beginning of april till the end of october due to the birds breeding during this period , Pappie ive asked about that special permit and the answer tends to be do u have a fishing permit then fish

 I however go carp fishing there

 

[pappi choulo]

yeah, there's 3 different guards that work in that little hokkie there. one of them is pretty clued up about the permits and the other two don't seem to know the difference between the two permits, so depending which one you find there on the day you will either be allowed to fish with a normal angling permit or asked to leave.

as i said before there seems to be a lot of controversy about the permits, but personally i don't have time for all that, i just buy the permit and get on with the fishing, i have too little time at the water to bother with all that nonsense.

 

[Frogstar]

Yes this dam is closed during winter. there was also talk of it not opening again due to fishermen misbehaving, beating up the poor guards, disguarded fishing line (birds) etc. I have tried to contact the lady at the belville municipality but to no avail.

Im with you pappi.... just buy the darn doordekraal permit (not to be confused with your Nature conservation permit) and go fish.

 

[Frogstar]

My mate managed to get hold of them. The dam will be open 1 October again. Permit price unavailable at the moment.

 

[Quinton]

Frogstar wrote:

Yes this dam is closed during winter. there was also talk of it not opening again due to fishermen misbehaving, beating up the poor guards, disguarded fishing line (birds) etc. I have tried to contact the lady at the belville municipality but to no avail.


hi Frogstar,

About the fisherman misbehaving and beating up "poor" guards... Get the facts right first before you give your input! Get the correct info from both sides... that story ended up in court and was dismissed because the guard didn't have a leg to stand on...

no hard feelings

Cheers,

 

[Frogstar]

Lol touchy subject I see. True i only spoke to the actual guard (who is one of the mildest guys i have met) and not the other dude.

There are three sides to every story. Your side, my side and the truth.

no hard feelings.

See you on the water.

 

[Quinton]

No worries boet,

I was there and saw the whole thing happen, the guard is a good guy, i personally got nothing against the guy.

Cheers,