Pre Spring and Spring tactics.

[Skuimkop]

Ek kan onmiddellik dink aan twee forum gebruikers (nou nie op hulle name nie) wat onderskeidelik 'n 18 kilo baber op bass like gear gevang het en 'n ander man s'n wat ander forum gebruikers tesun 22 kilo' s en 25 kilo's geskat het.

Ek wonder of ons dalk insette kan kry van die Artlure manne of hulle ook van nou af 'n opwaartse kurwe beleef.

 

[deisel]

I got the 18 on hass gear also a 24 22 and a 19. ALl on bass gear. I only fish bass gear off the boat im lucky as the dam hasnt got many snags. Have caught them on barbel jigs. Dt10 rapalas. Rattle traps and salmo slider. But most success is drifting with fish head.

Ps .thier are 2 ways to catch bigger barbel.
1. Work through the smaller fish with small baits

2. Or put baits out to big to catch a small fish.

Over the past few years I have noticed that a big bait in cold water is not ideal. They are hemothermic animals meaning they digest slower when they cold. Thus when its cold barbel wont eat larger baits because it takes to much energy to digest it. Spring and pre sring months lead me to the former tactic to catching larger fish. After I see water temps of 20 plus I up bait size.

 

[Skuimkop]

You see there it all make sense. Why did you keep all this info to yourself, lol.

I must admit for a guy that studies this species up as much as I can I never thought of the influence there digestive system would have on our rigs and bait sizes. I only picked up on the 'trend' during these months. Boy you just have to love Barbel angling, especially because we know so little and we keep on learning as we go about our sport/hobby. Quite chuffed with myself I learned something more about them today.

 

[deisel]

In 9m of water on small frogs. Gentle take. Had light end gear. As suggested

 

[deisel]

On light gear as well with light end gear and a near free spool drag. I gota 6 and an 8 on sunday. These were between 6 and 13. Well my scaleaxed out on 13 for the larger fish. No gaints but a good sighn

 

[Skuimkop]

Great stuff.

But it looks like the Cats took you for a little dance judging by the Cats tails blurring as they wagged it. Lag my pap.

 

[deisel]

Indeed played some hotch scop as the flash went off lol

 

[Alex123]

Nice one Deisel!

Planning our trip for October to the Vaal @ Eendekuil.. think there are some monsters swimming between those islands.

::respekt:

 

[Skuimkop]

Alex123 wrote:

Nice one Deisel!

Planning our trip for October to the Vaal @ Eendekuil.. think there are some monsters swimming between those islands.

::respekt:

In a dam the best place for me to target those big Cats is close to a Island. Never mind 2 Islands.

 

[deisel]

Thanx chaps. Was great fun. U guys must come stay by me. I got boat and I know a better spot the ne side of the island

 

[Alex123]

That's a good idea Skuimkop, if you have a boat... and the island is close by. Have a look at Eendekuil on the Yellowfish.co.za website, they have airiel photographs of the venue. Tel me what you think of it, and possible areas to target.

Deisel, I will take you up on that offer...

 

[nobbles]

In natal the cats have been toying with bait. Small rins not committed to the take. Par for the course. Small baits havent had any action, other than day olds.fish fillets have been next to useless and git pocketa have had action. For me on winter my best fish have been off big bait. I hear what diesel is saying about the energy and thats the whole game. These fish as with all catfish in wintet wants the best return on investment. They need to gain more energy from food than what they expend getting it and as diesel said digesting it. I do use big bait but I always use something that should have a good amount of energy.my personal favorite is a gut cavity from carp. Lots of protien and energy to justify the fish going for the bait. For me in spring I fiah shallower as fish are active in the search for food. I put a big scent out on a good size bait. For me when they are feeding for the spawn they take most things and most sizes

 

[Skuimkop]

Alex123 wrote:Have a look at Eendekuil on the Yellowfish.co.za website, they have airiel photographs of the venue. Tel me what you think of it, and possible areas to target.

Wow what a lovely venue and there will be huge Cats for sure. River is nice and wide. Really a good stretch of water with a couple of nice pits and rapids.

I will target the big boys in the following order:
- White
- Yellow
- Blue
- Green
- Red
- Purple

Just take note that since this is Yellow fish waters the Cats there will put up an insane fight in those rapids so heavy tackle comes to mind. Don't take chances with inferior tackle.

 

[Fishpaste]

Had a couple hours available on Saturday and Sunday to throw my paddle at a few cats. Managed 8 in total with biggest being around 8kg. See below link for a couple of pics of the smaller ones...unfortunately no monsters but who cares, its about getting out of the house and have fun doing what we love!

http://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=93848&forum_id=64

 

[Alex123]

Thanks Skuimkop, we normally fish the blue area as this is the only area that you are able to fish from the bank. It is actually a yellow fish venue only, but we know the owner... Have never considered fishing the area which you indicated in white. The flow is quite strong there, so how do I keep the bait from washing down river?

:fishn

 

[Krugel]

Guys, The Cats have woken up in the Vaaldam! Leaving this afternoon. The Big Boys are hungry! My friend Dave is getting up to 8 Runs a day for the last 4 Days but could not manage to land anything over 14 Kg due to snags.

I am taking the big guns to try and stop them before the snags.

 

[deisel]

Indeed they are. I got 3 last night. But7t smaller fish. I notice the heavily feeding fish are in warm wind driven bays. Also like the sea look for feeding turns and seagulls

 

[Krugel]

Feeling like a Laaitie waiting for Christmas! Happy days! Good possibility I think of breaking my PB of 19.86kg this weekend!

 

[Alex123]

Krugel, remember to give us some feedback after the weekend! Which area of the dam are you guys fishing?

Are the cats in the Vaaldam also feeding on grassies?

 

[deisel]

Krugel if you keen to meet on the water let me know. We can hengel a bit I live on the water and am always available for barbel fish. Note only barbel fishing hahahahaha