888divernick888
Member
I was on holiday in Wilderness and wanted to fish for bass, so off I went to Groenvlei. My first visit was just to check the place out. I parked at the reception area as you drive in off the N2 and wondered down the grassy path towards the water. There is a 20m+ layer of reeds between the land and the lake, so I couldn't even see the water.
At the end of the path I saw some old-school rowing boats moored up and 2 small channels leading through the reeds to the main lake. Back I go to the reception to enquire about the boats. R40 per hour was the answer and I promise to return the next day. (Only human or electric powered boats are allowed)
Next morning comes and the wife, 4-year old and 2-year old boy in tow and myself arrive back at Groenvlei to rent a rowing boat to try some bass fishing.
We head out onto what is really a beautiful lake and "anchor" into some water grass patches. I threw everything in my box but to no avail.
After about 90 minutes of this, the boys get antsy and we decide to just row about a bit. As we get going, I decide to troll a shallow diving Arc Minnow lure, just in case. 2 minutes later a bass of around 500g hits and we're fish on. The 4-year old reels in his first ever fish to great amusement.
10 minutes later we had a repeat, then we call it a day.
2 days later I return on my own for a more serious attempt. Again mooring into the grass I throw all sorts, from spinnerbaits to worms and flukes. Nothing. In desperation I tie on the shallow diving minnow and cast parallel to the grass beds and give it a steady retrieve. I get 3 bass of between 500g and 1kg like this over the next 3 hours.
So not super-successful, but next time I'll try and go with a better boat that has a motor to try out more of the lake. I'll also try some flipping creature baits into the grass holes next time.
At the end of the path I saw some old-school rowing boats moored up and 2 small channels leading through the reeds to the main lake. Back I go to the reception to enquire about the boats. R40 per hour was the answer and I promise to return the next day. (Only human or electric powered boats are allowed)
Next morning comes and the wife, 4-year old and 2-year old boy in tow and myself arrive back at Groenvlei to rent a rowing boat to try some bass fishing.
We head out onto what is really a beautiful lake and "anchor" into some water grass patches. I threw everything in my box but to no avail.
After about 90 minutes of this, the boys get antsy and we decide to just row about a bit. As we get going, I decide to troll a shallow diving Arc Minnow lure, just in case. 2 minutes later a bass of around 500g hits and we're fish on. The 4-year old reels in his first ever fish to great amusement.
10 minutes later we had a repeat, then we call it a day.
2 days later I return on my own for a more serious attempt. Again mooring into the grass I throw all sorts, from spinnerbaits to worms and flukes. Nothing. In desperation I tie on the shallow diving minnow and cast parallel to the grass beds and give it a steady retrieve. I get 3 bass of between 500g and 1kg like this over the next 3 hours.
So not super-successful, but next time I'll try and go with a better boat that has a motor to try out more of the lake. I'll also try some flipping creature baits into the grass holes next time.
