Ok. A friend phones me last night wanting to take his laaitie fishing in the Gamtoos river and invites me along. I really don't like river fishing from the bank (feels too much like papgooi), but what the hell.
Got there at around 18:30. We quickly got a fire going and set up some lamps and stuff. I went down river for mullets, but the tide was out and the drop off too close (will get back too that drop).
We baited up with chokka and sardine and a couple of too small mullets. After the compulsory first couple of barbel my fishing partner's rod went down. Typical kob - drops the bait, mouths it, swims it in, etc. and wham it turns - ON!
I rush to get the other lines in while he starts too follow the fish, first down then upriver. 10 min in and the fish is 5m from the side where we see the kob of 20kg+ (HUGE fish). I knew it was way too soon, but couldn't even voice my concern before it turned and snapped the line. It then swam lazily along the bank of the river in front of us. After the taunting was over we decided to braai and have a beer or two as my partner was too upset.
While we were discussing the political situation of SA, the looming recession, the general problems of mankind and other topics relevant to fishing my reel started screaming. I set the hooks and the fight was on. First down river, then up, down, up,etc. Fight could have lasted anywhere from 15min to two hours, no idea. Guess it was about 45min.
My friend went back to camp as he didn't want to leave his son alone there. Now we get back to the drop off right next to the side. How I missed some gentle waves that moment... Don't know how, with splashing, slipping and sliding, but eventually got the thing over the drop and on the side.
Tackle: L&f 10ft, sl20sh, .30 main, .50 leader
Bait: Chokka
It measured 169cm
can someone check the weight please, for some reason I can't load fishweights
Got there at around 18:30. We quickly got a fire going and set up some lamps and stuff. I went down river for mullets, but the tide was out and the drop off too close (will get back too that drop).
We baited up with chokka and sardine and a couple of too small mullets. After the compulsory first couple of barbel my fishing partner's rod went down. Typical kob - drops the bait, mouths it, swims it in, etc. and wham it turns - ON!
I rush to get the other lines in while he starts too follow the fish, first down then upriver. 10 min in and the fish is 5m from the side where we see the kob of 20kg+ (HUGE fish). I knew it was way too soon, but couldn't even voice my concern before it turned and snapped the line. It then swam lazily along the bank of the river in front of us. After the taunting was over we decided to braai and have a beer or two as my partner was too upset.
While we were discussing the political situation of SA, the looming recession, the general problems of mankind and other topics relevant to fishing my reel started screaming. I set the hooks and the fight was on. First down river, then up, down, up,etc. Fight could have lasted anywhere from 15min to two hours, no idea. Guess it was about 45min.
My friend went back to camp as he didn't want to leave his son alone there. Now we get back to the drop off right next to the side. How I missed some gentle waves that moment... Don't know how, with splashing, slipping and sliding, but eventually got the thing over the drop and on the side.
Tackle: L&f 10ft, sl20sh, .30 main, .50 leader
Bait: Chokka
It measured 169cm
can someone check the weight please, for some reason I can't load fishweights
