Hi Guys, Can anyone tell met the water level % at

[Fishpaste]

Hi Guys,
Can anyone tell met the water level % at Bloemhof?
Im planning a trip there late March and was hoping someone could give me an overview of the differences between Sandveld and NW reserve?
Everyone speaks about Sandveld and 100 - 200m from the bridge, but from what i understand it is near impossible to get a spot there...
Its goint ot be a long drive so I wouldnt like to waste time, money and effort
much appreciated

 

[Skuimkop]

2013-01-25 07:00 Capacity: 52.8 %
Inflow: 34 m^3/s Outflow: 45 m^3/s

 

[Fishpaste]

Thanks skuimkop! Hope the level picks up befor end March...wouldn't like to get a bad spot where I have to walk in 80m and then cast in as I'm reading on some posts... But I presume ill be able to target cats in those kind of shallow water, especially at night!

 

[Cheetha FS]

Big rain is on its way and by the time u go down the water levels will be much better. At Sandveld the water is nice and deep closer to the bridge and allot shallower at NW side. NW I think u go in for about 500 to 600m before u hit realy deep water wich is the old river bed. Cats will hunt in shallow water at night as they have more cover to hunt in. Deep water is also good night and day but works best during the day. O old river bed has got allot of snags so make sure to take a boat with if possable.

 

[Fishpaste]

Thanks a million Cheetah FS!
I have on various post read that you are the MAN when it comes to those cats!
I am planning going early Thursday morning 21st March which is a public holiday...and also the beginning of school holidays!
My question - Does this venue get very busy as I wouldnt like to squeeze in between people standing shoulder to shoulder?
Would you also happen to know the prices for camping, boat etc?
Your help is much appreciated!

 

[Cheetha FS]

F1%hpa%te wrote:

Thanks a million Cheetah FS!
I have on various post read that you are the MAN when it comes to those cats!
I am planning going early Thursday morning 21st March which is a public holiday...and also the beginning of school holidays!
My question - Does this venue get very busy as I wouldnt like to squeeze in between people standing shoulder to shoulder?
Would you also happen to know the prices for camping, boat etc?
Your help is much appreciated!

U going to Sandveld or NW? Bloemhof is always bussy due to the quality fishing and is also a favourate destination of clubs and proncial anglers. Also are u going to fish from a boat or from the banks?

 

[Fishpaste]

apologies,
definately thinking about sandveld and it will be from the shore - will take a little boat/canoe to take line in if needed.

is NW quieter? if it is then i might even go there.

I am after catfish more than anything, but the carp rods will be in too!

 

[Fishpaste]

apologies,
definately thinking about sandveld and it will be from the shore - will take a little boat/canoe to take line in if needed.

is NW quieter? if it is then i might even go there.

I am after catfish more than anything, but the carp rods will be in too!

 

[Cheetha FS]

NW is not as bussy but lines must be able to get a 600m range and then some extra for the cat to run with. Sandveld is always bussy but fishes allot easier and the old river dropoff is allot closer from this side but as said earlier has got allot of snags with broken lines ect.

Sandveld is also in my view better for carp and barble and to add some sugar the crasscarp are in big numbers and they are the cocaine for the cats. Also the parks advises that the crasscarp not be put back in the water as they are becomeing a major problem there.

 

[Fishpaste]

thanks cheetah fs,
might be a retarded question, when sandveld is busy, do you sit on top of the blokes next to you or is there some space between people at least...? i feel claustrophobic easily next to the water and dont like if people start throwing left right and center!

 

[Cheetha FS]

F1%hpa%te wrote:

thanks cheetah fs,
might be a retarded question, when sandveld is busy, do you sit on top of the blokes next to you or is there some space between people at least...? i feel claustrophobic easily next to the water and dont like if people start throwing left right and center!

Haha no worries mate! Trust me if the space is limited the okes will tell u to bugger off. Its just basic fishing ethnics to allow some space between urself and the next angler. But guys tend to have respect for each other so u should come right. Just remember to be there early before the weekend rush starts.

 

[steelpulse007]

Cheeta, what's this talk about lotsa rain coming, is it something to do with El Nino, or his girlfriend? If it's the case, any idea when it will hit us? Coz if it starts, & we get floods like the past 2 or so years, dam levels are gonna peak, river banks may be flooded, & the rain itself will make fishing a little unpleasant. Any more info about this? Bloemhof is quite low from Skuimkop's indication, & Im concerned that if the rain hits, it might take a while for things to stabilize, am I chasing up ghosts?

 

[Gcvanheerden]

Yes I also want to know and when will it start raining alot?

 

[Gcvanheerden]

Yes I also want to know and when will it start raining alot?

 

[Cheetha FS]

Hahaha relax fellas! Its normal for this time of the year and this comes from the wether guys who are helping the farmers on the predictions. It seems that every year the rains fall later in this region.

 

[Fishpaste]

cheetha,
are there a lot of snags along sandveld?
if i have no choice but to sit far from the bridge, lets say completely on the opposite side where the water is a lot shallower, does this completely ruin ones chances of catching? How far out would one need to take ones lines to get a decent depth?

 

[Fishpaste]

F1%hpa%te wrote:

cheetha,
are there a lot of snags along sandveld?
if i have no choice but to sit far from the bridge, lets say completely on the opposite side where the water is a lot shallower, does this completely ruin ones chances of catching? How far out would one need to take ones lines to get a decent depth?

apologies cheetha, i know you said that the old river bed has a lot of snags and broken line...but what along the shores? I see that the guys are taking out the heavy tackle with these cats, but unfortunately i am only rigged with about 9.1kg mono!

 

[Cheetha FS]

This cat was caught at bloemhof with 4.5kg mono. U should be more then fine.

 

[Cheetha FS]

And also remember to keep things to the basics! And also that Big Baits = Big Fish.

Close to the shore its not to snagy and 100m is exelent for carp and anything from 5m is good for grasscarp. I believe the bigger cats like to keep to themselves in deep holes so therefore at Sandveld i take my lines out to atleast 400m.

 

[Fishpaste]

Gee whizzzz, I'd give my left testicle for one of those...
Cheetha, what works best to target the grassie? Is it the normal carp tactics? Sweetcorn, dough, floaties etc?
I also presume casting distance would suffice for them cats?