Hi there guys. Im looking for more info on donalds

[Jacques 159]

Awesome..Swims 1 and 2 are actually very good spots ecspecially when the dam is pressured,fish tend to patrol close to the dam wall,but guess with the current situation it changes things a bit...As for the upper swims cannot comment much as never fished there,but if you do manage to get a booking and have a session,please send some feedback..Looking forward to a top lake session in April,so hopefully have a decent session..

 

[RiaanGerlach]

What is the rates for fishing at the top lake?

 

[Jacques 159]

Hi Riaan,the rate is R400 pp/pd but Gary suggests a 48 hour session...All rods,reels,tents,chairs,bait,canoe are all included in the package so there are only a couple of things you need to drag along which is certainly helpful...Although he has very limited dates available so bookings need to be made well in advance

 

[TimJan]

Not funny but I think if you paid I think R3700 per year membership to be able to fish top lake and you maybe get 1 or 2 chances per year to fish the place I would be very unhappy if he is allowing people to fish there for R400?

That said I will be interested to fish that little dam.
There are MONSTERS in there

 

[JohannM]

Gary gives his syndicate members enough chance to fish. You can book a session every month if you want to.

For other customers, R400pp per day is worth every cent. It is the best managed carp fishing dam in South Africa with awesome fish stock.

 

[TimJan]

Thanks Johan.
Did not know that.
Might have to go and save some cash.

 

[Jacques 159]

Was just a surprised as you,really thought it was a membership only dam only but guess in a way you have to maintain the dam sumhow and cant see it as a viable option to pay the annual fee ecspecially considering the fact only been specimen fishing for little over a year now,and fishing time is very limited due to work related duties,maybe at a later stage...But donaldson bottom lake is a great learning curve for me personally,but have to up the ante sooner or later.Not gonna complain much as this is a great oppurtunity to catch the monster of your dreams and going to places like tzaneen and doorndraai which is also great options,is also costly and also considering the risk factor...If anyone has any tips for Top lake would be greatly appreciated..

 

[JohannM]

Listen to Gary. He will show you nice fishing areas. Spend enough time on the canoe, find good spots. Fish good baits. We are planning a session there soon too. Love going there.

I agree, Bottom Lake is awesome to fish for new or experienced anglers. There are loads of fish and some good sizes also.

Next week we are starting our campaign there for the boilie revolutions coming up.

congrats to the guys who got some PB's and jacques, keep fishing boilies. November/December/January is in my opinion the worst fishing time of the year. Small fish are a nuicance, dams are pressured and the weather unstable. The results will come.

 

[Jacques 159]

Thanx Johan,your info is invaluable,and its great to hear from a more experienced carp angler...Still have 25 kg gt boilies and definately planning to put them to good use..The good thing at least after feeding those 5 kg of boilies they were mostly all gone by the time we left,but they just didnt seem to take the hookbaits,but there are good signs and one should always have confidence in your efforts..its all a learning curve and dont think theres more of a drive to succeed than knowing those big ones lurk just mere meters from your rods..

 

[JohannM]

If you have 30kg's of boilies for a session, at least 10 kilos of it should go into the water during the week leading to your session. Pre-feeding is the key.

October we were still feeding Donaldson, November many guys went there after the revolution armed with boilies. From late November thru December, I know of no one that was feeding much.

 

[Jacques 159]

Hi guys,been planning another bottom lake session at Donnies,been eager to fish boilies only this time round,had some success with it recently...hows the fishing been there lately,does anyone know if the plastic bags ect.. is still such a big issue at swims 1-3,fished there in December last year and it was a major issue..