Hi There are many advantages to compe

[Karma]

Hey Ocean D

Great post.  This is such a feel good story that it has the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.  I am really keen on get the low down on what you do (even the smallest thing) and maybe we can roll out in different communities use your experiences as a template.  Even if we can reach out to a couple of kids a year, the compounding effect would be astronomical in a couple of years time.

 

ciao

K

 

 

[zzzz]

Howzit K,

I was fortunate enough to be pulled into competetive fishing by a 'master angler' and friend and then was even luckier enough to be 'taken in' by some of the WP's top anglers, with whom i fished both competetively AND socially. The point being that these guys, and I will name some of them, were prepared to not only 'show me the ropes' so to speak, in a competition (thereby "wasting" their time and chances of a great catch) but also involved me in the social/edible fishing that we all desire so much!! otherwise we probably wouldn't have been on the beach to start with?

This has, in turn, taught me to always offer what little expertise I have and pass it on to any angler who has the time to ask questions of me on the beach or otherwise.

In essence what we need to do is be more approachable (because lets face it some of the guys just aren't ) on the beach and invite  guys to our club meetings so they can meet the guys and maybe feel more a part of the group and thus, more comfortable to pitch up at the comps.

This is only my personal experience and view, but I hope it helps bring more anglers into the competetive arena!! Thanks to Mario Teixeira, Jerome Trubshaw, Malcolm Paul, John Vickerman, Charlie Tancrel, Shane Gomes and ALL the other guys who have helped me in the past!!!

 

[Mantis]

small world mike. charles tancrel taught me to fish in KZN. he used to be married to my sister and was like a big brother to me, always taking me diving, fishing etc. he is a top class guy and we lost contact years ago. i just happened to glance at the league results a few weeks back and saw his name there, managed to get his number and got to chat for like an hour on the phone. going to definitely wet a line with him again soon for the first time in about 12 years!

on the subject of organised angling, i have only two obstacles to fishing competitively:

1. time - my wife would kill me fishing that much

2. it is cost prohibitive

 

i would like to see a 'social league' started, maybe only 5 or 6 comps a year, with nominal costs involved, i would fish them all at macassar if it meant that i could organise something that loads of guys could participate in!

 

[zzzz]

Mantis there is already one up and running, called the "Alpha League" they fish only for edibles in CT area !!

 

[Karma]

Hi

 

Many thanks Mike.  The guys you mentioned were also very very good to our club.  Great bunch of guys with Malcom being instrumental in our efforts to fish competitively (particularly at inception).

Hey Mantis:  Timewise, we used to fish about 24 comp's a year - edible only and almost 70% for the full weekend - whereas we fish only 11 in the competive league (yippeee, wife is definitely happier hehehe::H).

1.  The issue of cost gets raised quite often and obviously that would depend on how much tin you have in your pockets, so different to the individual relative to their earnings.  I would like to know a) what about competitive angling, in your opinion, is so costly and b)is there any ways to reduce these cost and maintain your competiveness.

2.  Do you think the split of 1 point per kg per non-edible and 4 points per kg of edible levels the playing field for those intent on edibles only?

ciao

K

 

 

[Mantis]

mike, how do iget hold of guys frm alpha league?

karma, i reckon the basics all add up. tackle bait, petrol, accomodation etc terminal tackle alone adds up to quite abit of dollar, never mind rods. reels etc.

 

the other thing is that i run my own business and never know what commitments are going to be. very often we work through the night, or over weekends because clients run into difficulties, so i cant commit in advance to anything very easily.

i don't think you can ever level the playing field between eds and non-eds. for example, you can often see 3 or four hundred kilo bronzies come out in a day, when's the last time you saw 3 or 4 25kilo kob or steenbras come out in one day? that said, i don't believe there is anything wrong with the current format purely because you fish for what's in front of you. if the comp favours non-eds then so be it, if you choose to fish for eds then you hamstring yourself intentionally. besides, what purpose would it serve to move the focus onto eds anyway?

 

[Noweeds]

WP league this year only 2 bronzies over 100 kilos caught (100 and 133)!! I know they were mine!! haha........If more guys targeted edibles the playing field would be more level. However logic dictates to go for the big fish!!

 

[oceandancer]

Mornin Mr K.

I would luv to, however I am not sure if the guys want to hear the story!

Maybe we should chat via email?

Thks

OD

 

 

[zzzz]

Exactly right Weeds.... another point to bring up is that some guys just plain and simple prefer the heavier pulls and longer fights the Non eds give!! (probably the adrenalin plays a HUGE part in that)

 

[Karma]

Hey Mantis

 

Would the cost thing apply irrespective of whether you fished competitively or not?  Maybe the extent would vary, but assuming you had your capital cost covered eg. Rod, Reel and primary tackle, only little bit to spend on upgrade from there - your thoughts?

Hey Noweeds

 

Thanks for that info - just shows how much I check all the stats that come out ha ha.  Maybe that's what happens when you get hammered every week, you stop looking at the top and search the bottom.  Anyways, let's hope the new season holds similar happy memories for you.

 

ciao

K

 

[Noweeds]

Going thru the stats is very interesting. I actually feel we need to do some MAJOR education with regards to sp. identification. Cause some of the wierd and wonderful things that ended up on weigh cards were very interesting......grey sharks up the west coast etc!! You really should know what you are catching!!

 

[Karma]

Noweeds wrote:

Going thru the stats is very interesting. I actually feel we need to do some MAJOR education with regards to sp. identification. Cause some of the wierd and wonderful things that ended up on weigh cards were very interesting......grey sharks up the west coast etc!! You really should know what you are catching!!

Hey Noweeds

Could not agree with you more.  Over time however, I think the guys would become more proficient and thankfully where other guys are on hand to assist, they gladly do.  Or maybe a video with all the different species would be a great idea to further our education.

ciao

K

 

 

[wetstuff]

On the subject of species identification,

Before a perlemoen poacher can be convicted, you need to prove it WAS perlemoen.

The only way to do this is by way of DNA analysis.

Now, how many DNA analysis labs are in the RSA, and how many of those know what the DNA of a perlemoen looks like.

YAWELNOFINE

 

[Karma]

wetstuff wrote:

On the subject of species identification,

Before a perlemoen poacher can be convicted, you need to prove it WAS perlemoen.

The only way to do this is by way of DNA analysis.

Now, how many DNA analysis labs are in the RSA, and how many of those know what the DNA of a perlemoen looks like.

YAWELNOFINE

He Wetstuff

 

Is this tongue in cheek?

ciao

K

 

[BRENDON]

wow what good topic for discussion. i feel it is imperitive that competitive anglers in the leagues get constant training to better themselves. just because some one has made has received his/her colours does not mean the training should stop

constant learning will keep an angler up to date wrt regulations, specie types, conservation,and will help maintain a level of knowledgible anglers

my 50c

 

[wetstuff]

Karma wrote:

He Wetstuff
 

Is this tongue in cheek?

 

Unfortunately no

 

[zzzz]

where did you get this info from wetstuff?

 

 

[mnyamane]

Heita Oceandancer. This is good an initiative that you started.  I on my side have grouped a few of my colleagues at work and made them buy tackle and stuff.  We will start practising at a local dam as from end June. By the way, we are Gautengers, we don't have the luxury of the sea.  These township broers (like myself) are really keen in angling. Once we have gone through a few steps/lessons, I'll take them to the club I'm member of. We also have planned a trip to Thukela (Tugela) Mouth  and Mthunzini to do some real angling in September. 

This is very exciting to see a high level of commitment to our sport.  Keep it up guys, and don't forget to woe Township/Kasie broers to the sport.

 

[oceandancer]

That still on our to do list, Gugs and Kayelitsha, but at the moment we don`t have the manpower. But we are getting there.

My compliment to you and your buddies, keep up the good work and who knows, maybe we can organise a summer fishing camp halfway up the coast and do something together!

How do your kids take to your activities? Let us know if there is anything we can contribute form the mother city, even if its just a gesture, but we want to show our solidarity.

As i said earlier, we must organise ourselves, because i am sure there are lots of us out there trying to make a difference. Numbers make noise and create intrest!

My heart goes out to you guys!

 

[Binx]

Ocean dancer, i am keen to get involved in your project, please let me know how i can get involved in your work. Very keen to share my knowledge with those novice anglers ( Kids )