Tiger set up used on the Zambezi

[Fisherman1]

Gents,

I have been reading (with much interest) all the various forums with regards to the type of rod, reel, line, hook, bait, tactics etc that everyone else uses / recommends for Tiger. It has certainly been an eyeopener and great to see so many people sharing.

To add my two cents worth, I fish the Zambezi about twice a year (from Chirundu to Chewore)and use the following set up:

7 foot carrotstik,
Abu Garcia ambassador 'round' reel,
15 - 17 pound mono,
31b piano wire trace (about 50cm long)
40 to 50 lb swivel (but they are very small)
5/0 hooks - either J hook or the Gamakatsu bass hook (red)
Split shot - various sizes depending on if the wind is working against the flow of water and how fast the boat then drifts.
Bream live bait - anywhere from 8 to 15 cm in lenght

The tactic, cast and leave the reel on 'free spool' (I do this so there is very little resistance when the tiger runs & use my thumb to stop the line from coming off while waiting) Then let the tiger take the bait and run 3 times (with the strike being on the 3rd run) Hook up rate is approx 1 in 3.

Finally, I only practice catch and release (bona grip &' extra long' long nose pliers) & never go near the gills. If I can't get the hook out (which fortunately doesn't happen too often) I cut the trace and release.

I hope this make sense and I always welcome constructive criticism so please 'hit me with it'

Photos of tackle to follow........

 

[Fisherman1]

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[Fisherman1]

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[Dr halibut hoffman]

No-one tigerfishing these days? Thanks for posting your guide..Tigers are definitely on my bucket list!

 

[MariusvanVuuren]

So lyk die Tigers in die upper Zambezi by Barotze Tiger Camp.. 17lbs

Ons gebruik 3 hoeke op ons live bait

 

[IWyk]

Nice tiger.

I use the following.

Powerplus heavy 7ft one piece rods(old models), slightly extended on the butt by Enigma. He is currently building 4 tiger rods for me on 8ft BM blank used for tail(can't wait to get back to SA.)

Four of the Power plus have been converted to Casting rods.
For trolling I have a old Purglass tiger special as my shot gun stick, two Poseidon offshore 6"6 rods(think they are 9-12kg rated  and two 8ft(9-12kg Dorado) Poseidon offshore rods.
4000 Sargus on spinning rods.
560 Slammer liveliner on one of the rods.
Then Shimmi TRG 100 and 200 for live bait/drifting and trolling.
Daiwa SL 20-pegging live baits.

I don't like swivels on my traces and connect the mono direct to black piano wire. .35 or.40 mono and 30/40lb black piano wire.

When fishing static(pegging a live bait or a flap bait) I connect a weight with a rubber band on the knot trace between the mono and the piano wire and not a running sinker setup. I use a long wire trace of about 750mm.

When drifting and I need some weight I also use split shot.

4/0 Circles for live bait rigged on a bridle works for me and then also J hooks 4/0-6/0 short shank large gape. I found that bigger circles miss too many strikes and if not using a bridle same happens.

When fishing braid(Trolling and spinning) I use 50lb.