Effect of barbel on bass

A

AllFishing

New member
Hello all

I have often heard that when barbel is introduced into a bass dam the bass fishing gets a lot worse.

About two years ago a lot of small barbel (that have now grown to about 4kg) were introduced into my local bass fishing venue. Through my experience the bass fishing has got better in the time since the barbel were introduced.

Is the effect of barbel then really negative on bass or are the barbel in my local venue still to small to have an impact on the bass?

All comments and input will be appreciated.
 
N

navrik

Member
It appears to be different effect in different parts of the country.

From what I have heard is that in KZN bass co-exist with barbel but here in the Western Cape it appears to have the opposite effect. Dams like Voëlvlei have been ruined by other species.

Kwaggaskloof appears to be going through a bit of a slump as well with Theewaters kloof producing bigger bags. Wether is is related to barbel I cannot say but quite a few barbel are caught when going for bass in Kwaggas recently.

Carp is also having an effect and I think the dam close to Hartenbos in your area is proof of that. It used to be a very good bass dam.
 
D

deisel

Sealiner
Barbel also carry a gentic disease that causes ulsers that kill other species. Barbel dont die from it but bass do easily. In systems where the barbel do not have the disease or water conditions dont allow it to spread perhaps it has no affect. My 2 cents
 
G

Go fish

New member
I think you got better at bass fishing in the 4 years ..... barbel definately have a negative effect.

Voelvlei,Hartebeeskuil,Theewaters,Breede,Kwaggas ...
 
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