Groenvlei

[Deric]

Was at Groenvlei in Sedgfield over December last year and they were netting the carp to make it a dedicated bass dam. Has anyone got any news on this?

We fished the east side of the dam one afternoon and caught plenty of small fish, all in excellent condition. The water had also cleared up very nicely.

Funny how the biggest fish of the day was caught off the jetty. Pic below is of me and my best bass to date, caught on a clousers minnow.

 

[Deric]

Computer says no - will post pic later...

 

[Go fish]

Hi, I doubt nature conservation will ever make Groenvlei a dedicated Bass venue, but they are trying to eradicate the carp which were never there until about 5 years ago.We haven't seen them netting as actively as before which is a good thing, I doubt a net exists that is specie specific.

Since the netting has "stopped" fishing has definately improved and has been the most productive venue in our divisional fishoffs with average bags of 5kgs and occasional 9kg bags.The drought currently experienced in the Southern cape is definately having a negative effect on the bass in Groenvlei as the dropping water levels cause the salinaty to increase and the fish do not respond well !

We hope winter brings good rain, this will help getting water levels back to normal and excellent fishing in spring !!

 

[Valrath]

Its possible since they make money off the dam because you need special permit to fish it and the yearly comp rakes in the cash for them.

 

[BassMasterNONPro]

Hey,
How is the fishing there during winter?
Been spking to buddies and we thinking of making a trip there during june/july.
U guys think it will be a failure?
PEACE

 

[Valrath]

Wait till spring ;P

 

[Deric]

Here we are...

 

[Deric]

Close up.

 

[Frogstar]

nice fish from groenvlei considering it has a substantial nursery school you have to deal with

 

[Bassassin]

Lekker fat fish, it must have given you some sport on a fly rod.

I've read or heard somewhere that Groenvlei has a very consistent water temperature. I stand under correction but I have an idea that it doesn't vary too much from the 22 degree mark. If that is true then it could be a very good winter fishery. I'd be interested to know whether I heard right or whether I was just drunk, which is quite possible ;-)

 

[Deric]

Thanks guys!
Bassassin - not a clue as to the water temp, but it would be great if anyone knows and could share?
Go Fish - Looks like the rains are coming this weekend. Batten down the hatches...

 

[Go fish]

Groenvlei goes right down to 13 degrees in winter, at the moment it is about 15,5 degrees and getting colder due to the frontal systems coming through.Fishing generally poor in winter and starts to improve late August to early September, depending on how long the winter is.

 

[bandit365]

i was at Groenvlei on the sunday after the competiton and the guys battled but it was more due to the fact that the water temp. dropped by about 2 deg in shart space of time.

water was very cold so fish where not that active. water was also very clear. only things that produced fish where white cranks. and the odd white fluke.

 

the dam is fantastic and a great venue. would imagine it will be tough to fish in the winter but spring will be fantstic.

 

that is if we get the rain !

 

all in all it a good venue :fishn

 

 

[Blanky]

Groenvlei is also one of(if not the only) South Africa's only "natural" lakes. Meaning there is no inlet or outlet right? Its only water supply is rain ect...

I may be mistaken.

 

[Go fish]

Blanky, your'e right.

Only water supply is from rainwater and water seeping through from Karatara when the water table is up. It also has no outlet, that is why nature conservation are so strict on trolling motors only and outboards having to be disconnected from fuel and oil lines. If these pollutants get into the system they have no way of being flushed out.

 

[IAN FISHERMAN]

"Computer Says no" Cough....

 

[Bassassin]

Go fish wrote:

Groenvlei goes right down to 13 degrees in winter, at the moment it is about 15,5 degrees and getting colder due to the frontal systems coming through.Fishing generally poor in winter and starts to improve late August to early September, depending on how long the winter is.

I guess it must have been the whiskey then don't know why I thought that the temp stayed at 22 degrees.